|
|
As I mentioned, I work at the NJ Renaissance Festival
and Kingdom at Somerset during the summer. My first two years there I worked
as a Volunteer, like most of the other High School students there.
The next year I was part of the "Revelers," a dancing and singing troop.
The following year was by far the most enjoyable for me though, simply
being a musician. I got to make my own hours, collect tips and play
whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. Here's a picture from this year
('99 season) of me (upper right) with my other minstrel buddies.
When I first started, I was a paying customer and wore
the closest thing I could find to garb, which happened to be a white dress
of my mother's. People automatically started calling me "Gwenn" and "Gwenhyfar",
and "Lady," etc, something which, although sweet, began to turn me off.
As a "lady," I had to act all proper and snooty, and worst of all PURE
and CHASTE!!! So as soon as I was able, I put together a proper wench's
costume. This is a shot of me at Faire a few years ago working
at the Star Throw booth.
At faire, I get a chance to express that little-seen
side of me which absolutely LOVES to flirt!
Actually, a good many of my female friends are wenches
as well. Altogether, I believe there are now over a thousand members of
the Wenches Guild, all told. We are a legitimate organization with our
own handbook, called the "Little Brown Book," an pin/badge, and a Manifesto.
The Guild was created by a wonderful man named Lars, owner of Lundegaard
armory.
Wenching is fun, but if you want to know more, you'll
just have to go to faire and see it for yourself.
In the last two years, I grew away from my wenchy persona
a bit, as bellydancing became more of a influence in my life. I was
lucky enough to have been raised by a belly dancer, and to take a few classes
in the past few years. Now at faire (as a patron-I no longer work
there) I am a Gypsy dancer. This persona fits me well, as it allows
me to continue to flirt hopelessly and bellydance (which when
you get down to it is just another way to flirt!!!). I also do Henna
tatooing for friends when I go-which gives me something to do besides dance
and walk around aimlessly.
Here's a shot of my costume last year. (Since then
it's improved a thousand percent, but I don't yet have any pictures of
it.)
There's also the usual cool stuff to be found at faire
like food, fighting, smelly scottsmen, jousting, Shakespeare, jesters,
and minstrels. All in all, it's the best place on earth.
I could tell you so much more about why I love Faire,
but then you'd have nothing left to discover for yourself. I suggest you
go and learn first-hand the glory of Faire. After all, where else are you
going to find sword-fighting, falconry, gorgeous men with long hair who
send you flowers and recite poetry from memory with an English accent,
popcorn and ME all in one???
