MDRF part tres, 2011
Sep. 15th, 2011 09:27 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ptpgradSorry the last two didn’t make it, but with injuries and weather, well, too much got in the way. So for those who are new, rules: I will forget names, events, dates and orders of stuff. I apologize in advance. It’s not a slight, not in the slightest. With that in mind…away we go!
WHAT TIME IS IT?
This weekend was one that we weren’t sure could turn out successful. Pouring rain all week, iffy forecasts, threats of MORE rain, and mostly healing selves. It was time for it to go well for a change. I had a house to myself and time to rest on Friday and enjoyed that time by not vacuuming. I went to bed and had a good long night’s sleep…too long. Turns out my alarm clock wasn’t making noise and I woke up 45 minutes late. This is a big deal as all 2.5 hours from my arrival to site until we open on site is blocked out with pre-show tasks. I made it out the door after feeding cats in about 10 minutes and made it to site only ½ hour behind schedule.
PLAYING CATCH UP
So they warn us it is supposed to rain again today, in prep, though I have doubts it will, I do rain hair as it is no faster necessarily. Richard Southwell joins me, well, I join him as I was late. The stage is covered by a wet rug, which we roll up partially while we stretch/make up. I have vocally warmed up in the car and get a few minutes of physical stretches before I have to head down to the costume house. I am now back on schedule. SMLiz and I roll the rug back and then I climb over a bunch of stuff backstage and set Stupina’s props, then head out to get changed, then over to sound check at the White Hart.
INTERESTING
It’s humid, we are using an old sound system and it’s picky. We keep switching out base stations and realize we are just going to have issues with them. We are working so hard on getting it set that we almost miss the start of cast call. With the ground a bit muddy, but not nearly as bad as I expected, I walk quickly and don’t rush too much, so I won’t fall. I already ace bandaged my ankle in advance of the day since I was just on the mend and really don’t want to find out it didn’t work, the hard way. At morning meeting, we go over the basics, prep for the upcoming day, and set our clocks together. BEEP and away we go.
TRADITIONS
As it is too wet for the horses to bring in the king and queen, I can sit in my normal spot before the gates open. I stretch a bit more and get ready to put my face on, I am early almost when I discover my inner hood is on backwards and have to pull everything off, including the safety pins and other neatly organized items in about 30 seconds as the king is about to enter and open the gates, AACK! I make it in time and boom, the gates open and in they pour.
GOODBYE!
As the crowd enters, there are familiar faces and the energy just feels better. There isn’t a huge crowd, so I am unsure as to how big an audience I will have for my show. I tell many little girls that I am going to have a girlie girl show at 10:30 this morning, but only a few are ready to stay up front to see it. I also have an interpreter, but not me, signing the show for the deaf. It’s always amusing as you see the eyes of the audience bouncing from me to them regularly. Today, my reader is Bertram Ripley. There are a couple older women in the audience who are really laughing up a storm as they recognize the advice perhaps. After the show, one of them turns to her grandson and says “what is really funny is that I used to wear one of those.” To which the grandson replies “you were from the renaissance?” Day made.
STUPINA HITS THE STREETS
This is the first day that the weather is really good and the lines aren’t so long that I can’t walk about as Stupina. I spend some time on Fairy Godmother’s chair and draw a bit of a crowd in waves taking pics and saying hi. I mosey into the village and wander near Noblesse and Piland’s and sit on a tree base. There I greet people as they walk by. I wander by the Sherrif’s men and a long sword of apples, which I attempt to eat, but am unable to. Besides, I don’t think they would want to see me eating on street in that mask. Not pretty. I dust people, try to clean off tattoos, have random conversations, and have general fun. Soon enough, it’s time to head back and I wander to find Columbina.
TRANSFORMATIONS
I peel off Stupina to discover some of the sealant (I fixed her last week) has come off on my face because of all my sweat…joy. There is still enough on the mask, so I don’t have to worry about it. I air it and begin the transition. I realize after I have started changing that I need to pee, but I have to wait as Columbina’s chemise is rather sheer and I can’t head out to the privies until I am transformed and laced up again. I redo the hair since it’s not looking like rain, fix the make up, pull and switch props and extras, then dress, THEN pee. A few last minute adjustments and I come out to see Carmita learning how to crack a whip. Nikolai, Dash and myself offer a few pointers here and there and I take a crack at it (all puns intended) a few times before I head to the streets.
BACK TO BASICS
I hit the streets and decide to go to get a Steak on a Stake, my first of the year. Perhaps that was what was wrong. It isn’t crowded, so I get a mooer and am treated to the juicy lovely treat. I sit with some patrons. One has been here before, the other two are new. I welcome them to our shire and answer questions about the shows. There is also a lovely family and I give them suggestions of kid friendly shows, just not mine. After a little while, I ask what time it is and find out it is 10 minutes till my show. YIKES! I say a quick goodbye and hurry to the stage to mic up. We pull a set list, mic up and head to the stage. The Pyrates welcome us up and we make squoogy faces at them…cause they are dreamy.
INTERPRETATION THE FIRST
We take the stage and start the show. We find fun patrons to play with and get a little off script, but it’s fun and the audience seems to appreciate it. I am glad I have high notes. As we get to the end of the show, I see all of the Village Idiots and know we are clear to switch. The boys are fun to play with and hopefully we will get a chance to do more of that soon…well, at least before they leave. We clear the stage just on time and head to the back of the house to chat with a few patrons. One of which is from FL and visiting…at least I got me one Maid Marian this year! There is enough time and after we finish, I pack up and hit the streets with a sparkly mask and head over to find Baby Stupina.
WALKIES
It’s not the first time I have had her out, but the first in a while. I see a bit of a mark on her nose from when I put her back last time, but it rubs off and I head out. The one problem with walking her is both my hands are full, so I don’t have my water out with me. That means I can’t be out for huge amounts of time or I will dehydrate and risk my singing voice….whee. I do have time to take her for a walk up Stub Toe, over toward Noblesse and around to the privies/atm line before I turn back. On the way, I meet up with one of the Dueling Fools, who looks at me funny. Well, his eyes look funny. There was an incident during fight call and he is just back and ready to do his first show of the day, except it’s time for his third. He tells me briefly of what happened and we separate, me to play and him to hawk a bit more. On my way back, I hit the other side of the street and wander behind the pub back up Stub Toe. This took about an hour and I am hungry.
BANANANA!
(yes, I know there are too many Na’s in there…nyah nyah!) I head to the banana booth and get a frozen banana dipped in Peanut butter. MMMMMMmmmmMMM. I do find that I need my water as it is sticking in my throat, which is NOT a good thing. I do have fun chatting and slowly heading back toward the pub touting the upcoming show. I arrive in time to mic up, pick the setlist and see Abby Green sing her last song of her set. YAYEEE. She’s fun. We take the stage for show two.
HOT HOT HOT
The weather this season hasn’t really been hot yet and I see the audience wilting. The crowd is a bit smaller as most people have given up around 4. We were expecting to do a crowd song, but there isn’t enough to be sure. We do a smaller crowd song and still end up with a responsive, albeit tired audience. I am pleased as we get a trifle silly and have some lovely gents in our audience to sing to. The show ends and we clear the stage for Pub Sing. We chat with some of the lovely men (and women) and find out what we are preparing for Pub Sing. Tonight we choose, “How the Money Rolls In.” I take quick wander over to the Pyrate encampment to find out what is going on, then head back to the pub. The show has a fun energy to it and Mary and I break the Village Idiots with some of our hidden talents…well, not so hidden, but there were new skills involved. It’s a fun energy tonight and by the time the bells are called, we are all ready to call it a night.
FESTIVITES
I head to the costume house and there is a flurry of activity. The Sondheim song ‘Waiting for the Girls Upstairs” comes to mind, but only because I am one of those weird show tune buffs. I am the last one out, but at least I straighten a trifle and leave my area clean. Outside there is lots of energy and we finally decide on cheeseburgers for dinner. Two tables of fun people arrive and order shakes, fries and other not as healthy things. We play trivial pursuit with the cards at the table and musical chairs. One of the Dueling Fools gets a shake that no one can share with him, but discovers he likes my blackberry one more. We part ways and on the way home hit the all night pharmacy, because I am a big protective Jewish Mother type. We head home and get some tea and some rest after watching a preparatory Girlie Girl DVD.
THE SECOND DAY
I head quietly out of my house so as not to disturb the others sleeping. I get to site on time and begin to stretch in my normal routine. I have discovered that by not cutting my hair this year, my braid is longer and it is harder to fit in my hood. I need to address this, but for today, I just deal. I am met by Richard Southwell again and we stretch a bit. I make up after chatting about spiders with SMLiz as she cleans the stage. I head down and see my props have fallen. I go to check it…JUST IN CASE, and discover the back has broken, crap. I take it down the hill with me, grateful I had my crazy glue. I hope it has time to set. I fix it, put everything where it goes and pray.
ONWARD AND UPWARD
I change and head up to sound check. Today isn’t much better, but it is better than the day before. I grab my things once we are done and head to cast call. The RH and MM memorial seats are filled with a dueling fool today, only one, but it’s nice to see a friendly face next to me. Morning meeting is overall positive, but we briefly discuss keeping all talk of the date on the down low as people coming here are NOT trying to remember. We BEEP and head out. Again, I can sit on the comfy side and stretch after my morning pee. BOOM and they come in.
AWASH WITH NEWNESS
Friendly faces arrive and one I hadn’t seen in a while. She has a precious cargo so she can’t stay long. The audience is inside quickly as it’s early on a Sunday and the day has significance to many. I hawk to the people coming in now about the show. I do see a couple friends: a very pregnant friend and hubby, and they decide to stay along with a few others, even though a pink friend can not stay. I head up to the stage and as we continue the show, the crowd grows a bit. I have a fun moment with Rocco Burnetti and Bob and the audience leave happy. Of course now that I fixed one prop, when I got to pull the tiara out, I find THAT has broken for a second time. Luckily it has a base and I can fake it a bit. Rocco notes that he is having a bit of trouble reading, but he did ok, I am more worried about the steel he will be looking for later.
BUTTERFLIES AND MEMORIES
I have little time after the show and pack up quickly then put on my face again and head quickly down to the wine garden. On the way, I see Fletcher coming back from his set at the Globe and we agree to walk to the site together, after he puts down his instruments. We head up to the Wine Garden for a very special private moment. This is also the 10th year since Bill Huttel, the man who was King Henry for so many of us, passed away. Because of this, Amethyst has arranged for a butterfly release again in his honor. As I walk up, I see Handsome Dave walking away and am afraid we are too late. When we arrive, there is a HUGE circle of courtiers, villagers, vendors, patrons and playtrons waiting. We are handed our butterflies and I head to the center to share a memory about them, and let the bouncing insect fly away. Fletcher comes in next and says a few words and releases his. Everyone is standing there and Amethyst says she isn’t sure what to do, so I raise my bota and make one more toast. I don’t remember what I said, but have been told it was inspiring. Guess I was channeling what I loved about that man. I toasted the king that was, the king that is now and the joy that this place gives us. After the toast, I said something to the effect of that it was a great gift we have by being able to give joy to others, and it was time to get back there and do that for all the thousands more that will come through the gate in the future. The group took that energy to break the circle with the happiness that this place offers us all. I heard tell throughout the day of flitting monarchs through the village distracting a few patrons and performers, but always putting a smile on their faces. Good work, Bill.
MELLOW MOMENTS
Since I am up that way, I head to my stump at Kenwood and sit there for a bit of chatting with passers-by. The village feels empty and the energy is somber. After a bit of that, I head back and stop at my tree by O’Shucks. I sing a bit about sitting in the dirt amused that Omar, one of the prior YAE’s is now a garland boy and permanently addicted to the festival as I am. He tries to convince a shy person or two that I am actually nice. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but it’s ok. Soon enough, it is time and I head back to find Columbina.
CRACKS AND WISE-TALK
As I am changing, I share some tales of Bill backstage with Ophelia as she is also changing. This is a tough day for her today, and she appreciates the stories of 9/11 back then here, as well as the memories that make this place dear. Outside, I hear cracking and know I can’t go out yet, as the outfit is too sheer, but once I am done, I see that Nikolai and Dash have been coaching well. Even the Hermit gets in the game to make Carmita a force to be reckoned with. She is happy at her improvements. I hit the street and chat with patrons. I see that by the time get to White Hart, I have 20 minutes and haven’t eaten yet because of distraction. I grab a meatball calzone and head back to sing. We mic up, put together the set list, set props and again, and I get to play the bodhran in the sweaty heat…joy. We discover that heat has taken away our ability to do any of our songs that have number in them, but at least the audience is enjoying themselves. We do lose one group of three to a naughty joke, but with a HUGE PG-13 on the stage we can’t say we didn’t warn them. The show ends well and while hot, people are in good spirits.
PATTERNS TO RETURN
I watch a couple minutes of the Village Idiots and see the wenches surprise them by crowding the edge of the stage. It’s amusing. I head over and take Baby Stupina out for a short walk greeting others. I am amused when people see the marionette and say “we met her in the morning” and they don’t seem to put 2 and 2 together to realize the woman in blue in front of them was the creature in white this morning. It’s fascinating, and funnier when they do. Passing by the White Hart, I see the powers that be stop for a rest in the pub to watch a bit of the show. I am glad the men on stage don’t know what he looks like…makes it easier to just do their job. After a while, I bring Baby Stupina back to rest and get myself another bannananananananana with peanut butter. I watch a moment of the fools at a distance and then head back to sit at tables and chat with strangers on my way to the White Hart. I say my goodbyes and wander by a few shops to make my presence “known” and then mosey by to other patrons on my way to the White Hart.
LAST INTERPOLATION
I get to the White Hart to mic up and prep our show. We decide on show 2 with a tweak, since we cut a song from show 6 which we did at 2:30….yeah, we have 6 of them, and almost have 7 ready. The crowd is much smaller. Between the heat and the date, it is mostly the regulars here, but they are our loyal audience and we do get some new faces in the crowd. The show goes well, albeit silly. As we are finishing, we hear lightning and the crowds start to pack up. Trinket is starting to panic a bit and trying to speed up, but I have already decided that God will not rain on me this weekend because s/he realized how mean s/he was to me and won’t do it again. We keep our pace, we clear the stage, and once everything is safely away and I am up by pyrate camp, the wall of rain hits. We see it approaching. The Pub sing gods are not happy.
THE POWER OF THE INTERPRETERS
It begins raining and the pub sing hosts are not happy. I understand. We pull people up to the top of the stage to sing and it is crowded and we are all still getting wet. When it is time for our song, I borrow Kat’s bodhran and we play Itches in Me Britches. By the time we are done, the rain has passed and is stopping. See, God just had to make it up to me from last weekend. The rest of the show is clear and we are able to sing normally. The ladies sing a great song followed by the men who make us swoon. It’s lovely to see everyone there and participating. We end with Nelson’s Memory, which always makes me cry. We have made it. My feet are achy, but only normally so, so I call it a win. The bells echo, I toast the memory of a dear friend, the cannon booms, and the weekend ends. I walk carefully back to get changed after gathering my things so as not to slip. Tonight, it’s warm Chinese food. Peking Duck to be exact. Ironically, many others had the same thought and I table bounce for the first part off the meal. It’s a great end to the great weekend. I am glad to be back in my stride.
This weekend, George Silber of the Dueling Fools will read my book on Saturday. Sunday, it’s Nan Mannerly. Don’t miss it! Otherwise, I will see you in the Grove. And on behalf of our Beloved Bill, “Until we meet again, in this life (or the next) I wish you Godspeed and good day to all!”
WHAT TIME IS IT?
This weekend was one that we weren’t sure could turn out successful. Pouring rain all week, iffy forecasts, threats of MORE rain, and mostly healing selves. It was time for it to go well for a change. I had a house to myself and time to rest on Friday and enjoyed that time by not vacuuming. I went to bed and had a good long night’s sleep…too long. Turns out my alarm clock wasn’t making noise and I woke up 45 minutes late. This is a big deal as all 2.5 hours from my arrival to site until we open on site is blocked out with pre-show tasks. I made it out the door after feeding cats in about 10 minutes and made it to site only ½ hour behind schedule.
PLAYING CATCH UP
So they warn us it is supposed to rain again today, in prep, though I have doubts it will, I do rain hair as it is no faster necessarily. Richard Southwell joins me, well, I join him as I was late. The stage is covered by a wet rug, which we roll up partially while we stretch/make up. I have vocally warmed up in the car and get a few minutes of physical stretches before I have to head down to the costume house. I am now back on schedule. SMLiz and I roll the rug back and then I climb over a bunch of stuff backstage and set Stupina’s props, then head out to get changed, then over to sound check at the White Hart.
INTERESTING
It’s humid, we are using an old sound system and it’s picky. We keep switching out base stations and realize we are just going to have issues with them. We are working so hard on getting it set that we almost miss the start of cast call. With the ground a bit muddy, but not nearly as bad as I expected, I walk quickly and don’t rush too much, so I won’t fall. I already ace bandaged my ankle in advance of the day since I was just on the mend and really don’t want to find out it didn’t work, the hard way. At morning meeting, we go over the basics, prep for the upcoming day, and set our clocks together. BEEP and away we go.
TRADITIONS
As it is too wet for the horses to bring in the king and queen, I can sit in my normal spot before the gates open. I stretch a bit more and get ready to put my face on, I am early almost when I discover my inner hood is on backwards and have to pull everything off, including the safety pins and other neatly organized items in about 30 seconds as the king is about to enter and open the gates, AACK! I make it in time and boom, the gates open and in they pour.
GOODBYE!
As the crowd enters, there are familiar faces and the energy just feels better. There isn’t a huge crowd, so I am unsure as to how big an audience I will have for my show. I tell many little girls that I am going to have a girlie girl show at 10:30 this morning, but only a few are ready to stay up front to see it. I also have an interpreter, but not me, signing the show for the deaf. It’s always amusing as you see the eyes of the audience bouncing from me to them regularly. Today, my reader is Bertram Ripley. There are a couple older women in the audience who are really laughing up a storm as they recognize the advice perhaps. After the show, one of them turns to her grandson and says “what is really funny is that I used to wear one of those.” To which the grandson replies “you were from the renaissance?” Day made.
STUPINA HITS THE STREETS
This is the first day that the weather is really good and the lines aren’t so long that I can’t walk about as Stupina. I spend some time on Fairy Godmother’s chair and draw a bit of a crowd in waves taking pics and saying hi. I mosey into the village and wander near Noblesse and Piland’s and sit on a tree base. There I greet people as they walk by. I wander by the Sherrif’s men and a long sword of apples, which I attempt to eat, but am unable to. Besides, I don’t think they would want to see me eating on street in that mask. Not pretty. I dust people, try to clean off tattoos, have random conversations, and have general fun. Soon enough, it’s time to head back and I wander to find Columbina.
TRANSFORMATIONS
I peel off Stupina to discover some of the sealant (I fixed her last week) has come off on my face because of all my sweat…joy. There is still enough on the mask, so I don’t have to worry about it. I air it and begin the transition. I realize after I have started changing that I need to pee, but I have to wait as Columbina’s chemise is rather sheer and I can’t head out to the privies until I am transformed and laced up again. I redo the hair since it’s not looking like rain, fix the make up, pull and switch props and extras, then dress, THEN pee. A few last minute adjustments and I come out to see Carmita learning how to crack a whip. Nikolai, Dash and myself offer a few pointers here and there and I take a crack at it (all puns intended) a few times before I head to the streets.
BACK TO BASICS
I hit the streets and decide to go to get a Steak on a Stake, my first of the year. Perhaps that was what was wrong. It isn’t crowded, so I get a mooer and am treated to the juicy lovely treat. I sit with some patrons. One has been here before, the other two are new. I welcome them to our shire and answer questions about the shows. There is also a lovely family and I give them suggestions of kid friendly shows, just not mine. After a little while, I ask what time it is and find out it is 10 minutes till my show. YIKES! I say a quick goodbye and hurry to the stage to mic up. We pull a set list, mic up and head to the stage. The Pyrates welcome us up and we make squoogy faces at them…cause they are dreamy.
INTERPRETATION THE FIRST
We take the stage and start the show. We find fun patrons to play with and get a little off script, but it’s fun and the audience seems to appreciate it. I am glad I have high notes. As we get to the end of the show, I see all of the Village Idiots and know we are clear to switch. The boys are fun to play with and hopefully we will get a chance to do more of that soon…well, at least before they leave. We clear the stage just on time and head to the back of the house to chat with a few patrons. One of which is from FL and visiting…at least I got me one Maid Marian this year! There is enough time and after we finish, I pack up and hit the streets with a sparkly mask and head over to find Baby Stupina.
WALKIES
It’s not the first time I have had her out, but the first in a while. I see a bit of a mark on her nose from when I put her back last time, but it rubs off and I head out. The one problem with walking her is both my hands are full, so I don’t have my water out with me. That means I can’t be out for huge amounts of time or I will dehydrate and risk my singing voice….whee. I do have time to take her for a walk up Stub Toe, over toward Noblesse and around to the privies/atm line before I turn back. On the way, I meet up with one of the Dueling Fools, who looks at me funny. Well, his eyes look funny. There was an incident during fight call and he is just back and ready to do his first show of the day, except it’s time for his third. He tells me briefly of what happened and we separate, me to play and him to hawk a bit more. On my way back, I hit the other side of the street and wander behind the pub back up Stub Toe. This took about an hour and I am hungry.
BANANANA!
(yes, I know there are too many Na’s in there…nyah nyah!) I head to the banana booth and get a frozen banana dipped in Peanut butter. MMMMMMmmmmMMM. I do find that I need my water as it is sticking in my throat, which is NOT a good thing. I do have fun chatting and slowly heading back toward the pub touting the upcoming show. I arrive in time to mic up, pick the setlist and see Abby Green sing her last song of her set. YAYEEE. She’s fun. We take the stage for show two.
HOT HOT HOT
The weather this season hasn’t really been hot yet and I see the audience wilting. The crowd is a bit smaller as most people have given up around 4. We were expecting to do a crowd song, but there isn’t enough to be sure. We do a smaller crowd song and still end up with a responsive, albeit tired audience. I am pleased as we get a trifle silly and have some lovely gents in our audience to sing to. The show ends and we clear the stage for Pub Sing. We chat with some of the lovely men (and women) and find out what we are preparing for Pub Sing. Tonight we choose, “How the Money Rolls In.” I take quick wander over to the Pyrate encampment to find out what is going on, then head back to the pub. The show has a fun energy to it and Mary and I break the Village Idiots with some of our hidden talents…well, not so hidden, but there were new skills involved. It’s a fun energy tonight and by the time the bells are called, we are all ready to call it a night.
FESTIVITES
I head to the costume house and there is a flurry of activity. The Sondheim song ‘Waiting for the Girls Upstairs” comes to mind, but only because I am one of those weird show tune buffs. I am the last one out, but at least I straighten a trifle and leave my area clean. Outside there is lots of energy and we finally decide on cheeseburgers for dinner. Two tables of fun people arrive and order shakes, fries and other not as healthy things. We play trivial pursuit with the cards at the table and musical chairs. One of the Dueling Fools gets a shake that no one can share with him, but discovers he likes my blackberry one more. We part ways and on the way home hit the all night pharmacy, because I am a big protective Jewish Mother type. We head home and get some tea and some rest after watching a preparatory Girlie Girl DVD.
THE SECOND DAY
I head quietly out of my house so as not to disturb the others sleeping. I get to site on time and begin to stretch in my normal routine. I have discovered that by not cutting my hair this year, my braid is longer and it is harder to fit in my hood. I need to address this, but for today, I just deal. I am met by Richard Southwell again and we stretch a bit. I make up after chatting about spiders with SMLiz as she cleans the stage. I head down and see my props have fallen. I go to check it…JUST IN CASE, and discover the back has broken, crap. I take it down the hill with me, grateful I had my crazy glue. I hope it has time to set. I fix it, put everything where it goes and pray.
ONWARD AND UPWARD
I change and head up to sound check. Today isn’t much better, but it is better than the day before. I grab my things once we are done and head to cast call. The RH and MM memorial seats are filled with a dueling fool today, only one, but it’s nice to see a friendly face next to me. Morning meeting is overall positive, but we briefly discuss keeping all talk of the date on the down low as people coming here are NOT trying to remember. We BEEP and head out. Again, I can sit on the comfy side and stretch after my morning pee. BOOM and they come in.
AWASH WITH NEWNESS
Friendly faces arrive and one I hadn’t seen in a while. She has a precious cargo so she can’t stay long. The audience is inside quickly as it’s early on a Sunday and the day has significance to many. I hawk to the people coming in now about the show. I do see a couple friends: a very pregnant friend and hubby, and they decide to stay along with a few others, even though a pink friend can not stay. I head up to the stage and as we continue the show, the crowd grows a bit. I have a fun moment with Rocco Burnetti and Bob and the audience leave happy. Of course now that I fixed one prop, when I got to pull the tiara out, I find THAT has broken for a second time. Luckily it has a base and I can fake it a bit. Rocco notes that he is having a bit of trouble reading, but he did ok, I am more worried about the steel he will be looking for later.
BUTTERFLIES AND MEMORIES
I have little time after the show and pack up quickly then put on my face again and head quickly down to the wine garden. On the way, I see Fletcher coming back from his set at the Globe and we agree to walk to the site together, after he puts down his instruments. We head up to the Wine Garden for a very special private moment. This is also the 10th year since Bill Huttel, the man who was King Henry for so many of us, passed away. Because of this, Amethyst has arranged for a butterfly release again in his honor. As I walk up, I see Handsome Dave walking away and am afraid we are too late. When we arrive, there is a HUGE circle of courtiers, villagers, vendors, patrons and playtrons waiting. We are handed our butterflies and I head to the center to share a memory about them, and let the bouncing insect fly away. Fletcher comes in next and says a few words and releases his. Everyone is standing there and Amethyst says she isn’t sure what to do, so I raise my bota and make one more toast. I don’t remember what I said, but have been told it was inspiring. Guess I was channeling what I loved about that man. I toasted the king that was, the king that is now and the joy that this place gives us. After the toast, I said something to the effect of that it was a great gift we have by being able to give joy to others, and it was time to get back there and do that for all the thousands more that will come through the gate in the future. The group took that energy to break the circle with the happiness that this place offers us all. I heard tell throughout the day of flitting monarchs through the village distracting a few patrons and performers, but always putting a smile on their faces. Good work, Bill.
MELLOW MOMENTS
Since I am up that way, I head to my stump at Kenwood and sit there for a bit of chatting with passers-by. The village feels empty and the energy is somber. After a bit of that, I head back and stop at my tree by O’Shucks. I sing a bit about sitting in the dirt amused that Omar, one of the prior YAE’s is now a garland boy and permanently addicted to the festival as I am. He tries to convince a shy person or two that I am actually nice. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but it’s ok. Soon enough, it is time and I head back to find Columbina.
CRACKS AND WISE-TALK
As I am changing, I share some tales of Bill backstage with Ophelia as she is also changing. This is a tough day for her today, and she appreciates the stories of 9/11 back then here, as well as the memories that make this place dear. Outside, I hear cracking and know I can’t go out yet, as the outfit is too sheer, but once I am done, I see that Nikolai and Dash have been coaching well. Even the Hermit gets in the game to make Carmita a force to be reckoned with. She is happy at her improvements. I hit the street and chat with patrons. I see that by the time get to White Hart, I have 20 minutes and haven’t eaten yet because of distraction. I grab a meatball calzone and head back to sing. We mic up, put together the set list, set props and again, and I get to play the bodhran in the sweaty heat…joy. We discover that heat has taken away our ability to do any of our songs that have number in them, but at least the audience is enjoying themselves. We do lose one group of three to a naughty joke, but with a HUGE PG-13 on the stage we can’t say we didn’t warn them. The show ends well and while hot, people are in good spirits.
PATTERNS TO RETURN
I watch a couple minutes of the Village Idiots and see the wenches surprise them by crowding the edge of the stage. It’s amusing. I head over and take Baby Stupina out for a short walk greeting others. I am amused when people see the marionette and say “we met her in the morning” and they don’t seem to put 2 and 2 together to realize the woman in blue in front of them was the creature in white this morning. It’s fascinating, and funnier when they do. Passing by the White Hart, I see the powers that be stop for a rest in the pub to watch a bit of the show. I am glad the men on stage don’t know what he looks like…makes it easier to just do their job. After a while, I bring Baby Stupina back to rest and get myself another bannananananananana with peanut butter. I watch a moment of the fools at a distance and then head back to sit at tables and chat with strangers on my way to the White Hart. I say my goodbyes and wander by a few shops to make my presence “known” and then mosey by to other patrons on my way to the White Hart.
LAST INTERPOLATION
I get to the White Hart to mic up and prep our show. We decide on show 2 with a tweak, since we cut a song from show 6 which we did at 2:30….yeah, we have 6 of them, and almost have 7 ready. The crowd is much smaller. Between the heat and the date, it is mostly the regulars here, but they are our loyal audience and we do get some new faces in the crowd. The show goes well, albeit silly. As we are finishing, we hear lightning and the crowds start to pack up. Trinket is starting to panic a bit and trying to speed up, but I have already decided that God will not rain on me this weekend because s/he realized how mean s/he was to me and won’t do it again. We keep our pace, we clear the stage, and once everything is safely away and I am up by pyrate camp, the wall of rain hits. We see it approaching. The Pub sing gods are not happy.
THE POWER OF THE INTERPRETERS
It begins raining and the pub sing hosts are not happy. I understand. We pull people up to the top of the stage to sing and it is crowded and we are all still getting wet. When it is time for our song, I borrow Kat’s bodhran and we play Itches in Me Britches. By the time we are done, the rain has passed and is stopping. See, God just had to make it up to me from last weekend. The rest of the show is clear and we are able to sing normally. The ladies sing a great song followed by the men who make us swoon. It’s lovely to see everyone there and participating. We end with Nelson’s Memory, which always makes me cry. We have made it. My feet are achy, but only normally so, so I call it a win. The bells echo, I toast the memory of a dear friend, the cannon booms, and the weekend ends. I walk carefully back to get changed after gathering my things so as not to slip. Tonight, it’s warm Chinese food. Peking Duck to be exact. Ironically, many others had the same thought and I table bounce for the first part off the meal. It’s a great end to the great weekend. I am glad to be back in my stride.
This weekend, George Silber of the Dueling Fools will read my book on Saturday. Sunday, it’s Nan Mannerly. Don’t miss it! Otherwise, I will see you in the Grove. And on behalf of our Beloved Bill, “Until we meet again, in this life (or the next) I wish you Godspeed and good day to all!”