New Faire Website is all about HTML!
October 27, 2013
Check out the new website! We hope you find it user friendly and informative. Now, mark your calendars; we're looking forward to seeing you at faire!
2013 Faire Dates Announced
October 12, 2012
Mark your calendar! San Jose Renaissance Faire returns for its third time to Guadalupe River Park August 3rd and 4th, 2013! Ever been to a Queen's Mask?
2013 Ren Prod Tour Dates Are As Follows:
San Jose Fantasy Faire - April 13/14
Valhalla Renaissance Faire - June 1/2 & 8/9
San Jose Renaissance Faire - August 3/4
Folsom Renaissance Faire - October 19/20
Ardenwood Faire September 14/15 - PENDING
Renaissance Symposium May 4/5 - First weekend in May was set as the Ren Symposium date as of last year, but a new faire was recently announced in Shasta on that weekend. So, I'm teetering on changing this date. For now though, please pencil this date in your schedule.
How To Dress For Faire
October 12, 2012
A Renaissance Faire is where you can really let your creativity run wild and shine. It is a chance to express your love of history and passion for reenactment while amongst friends and family.
The best way to enhance your Faire experience is to put together a show-stopping outfit. You can assemble the appropriate attire with items you have in your closet mixed with thrift store finds. Or perhaps this will be the year you sew and create your own costume from scratch!
The first step to prepare for a Renaissance Faire is to plan ahead. You want to have plenty of time to get everything ready so you look your best. Note the date of the Faire and begin planning at least two weeks in advance. I would recommend starting even sooner if you plan to sew your costume yourself. Take time to enjoy compiling pieces of your outfit without having to scramble at the last minute.
The next step is to get inspired! The Internet the best place to get started in order to get some ideas. Flipping through costume books is also incredibly helpful when you are searching for some inspiration. No matter what style you want to dress as, you are sure to find plenty ideas just through some simple research. Search under keywords such as Medieval costume, Renaissance costume, Elizabethan costume and costume patterns to get started.
Now that you have an idea of the look you want to recreate, it is time to search for what you will wear. Start with your closet to search for pieces that might work in your ensemble. For ladies, peasant blouses, lace-up vests, poet shirts, and long peasant skirts are great items you probably already own. For men, poet shirts, pirate shirts, and vests may be hiding in your very own closet as well. Search for some trousers that you might have laying around too.
Next, scavenge thrift stores for items that will work for your costume. Keep an eye out for items made from natural fiber fabrics over synthetic fabrics. Linen is the perfect fabric if you are striving for authenticity. Not only does linen suite historical costumes perfectly, it helps keep you cooler on a warm day at the Renaissance Faire.
If you are a wizard at the sewing machine, then creating your own costume is great idea. Even if you are hesitant about your sewing abilities, test your skills by making a small portion of your outfit. Many Renaissance clothing patterns are fairly simple and easy to make. Try something uncomplicated to start with, like a tunic, or just altering some clothes you already own. Once you realize how easy it is, nothing will be able to limit your creativity.
Thrift stores and discount stores are great places to find shoes for your costume. Boots are usually more affordable and look worn in when purchased second-hand. For men, try to search for boots that are high enough to allow you to tuck in your pants.
A lot of online sites, and most fabric stores, offer really simple costume patterns. Select deep, rich linen colors to create you pants and skirts. For your tops, use white or off-white linen. For outerwear, such as vests, us heavier weight linens (ex. IL090 or 4C22)
Using clothes you already have or making your own costumes from scratch are great ways to avoid spending a lot of cash for a costume. Retailers online are usually quite expensive and made from cheap synthetic materials. Decent quality costumes are usually priced around $150, whereas linen for making your own costume is affordable (go to Fabrics-Store.com). You will most likely have to purchase accessories such as hats, boots and shoes, at higher costs so save some money where you can!
Care of http://www.fabrics-store.com/blog/2011/04/04/how-to-dress-for-a-renaissance-faire/
Top 10 Reasons to Attend Faire
October 10, 2012
1. Family Friendly Event Renaissance Fairs welcome kids of all ages. Rides and performances are offered to entertain any and all age groups. From face painting to carnival rides to the beer garden, these festivals do their best to keep everybody happy. Compared to spending a day at an amusement park, Renaissance Festivals are often much cheaper for a family fun day. Save money and have fun!
2. Stage Theater Performances A great treat when visiting Renaissance Festivals is being able to see trained actors play medieval and Shakespearean plays for little cost. Most of the time the stage performances are a part of general admission into the faire.
3. Artisan Crafts and Demonstrations Renaissance Festivals offer a chance for attendees to see how everyday items were made in medieval times. Most Ren Fairs include a blacksmith, jewelry makers, pottery sculptors, basket weavers and other artisans of the time. Buy their goods and be assured that you have a one-of-a-kind item!
4. Food! Renaissance Faires are known for their food. Finger foods, even things that normally would not be considered finger food, are the hot commodity. Scotch Eggs and giant turkey legs are a couple popular delicacies. Wash them down with a mug of (root) beer and your day is complete!
5. Dress the Renaissance Part For a few hours, patrons can dress and act as if they were living during the Renaissance time. Throw out as many Huzzahs and Ye Oldes as you can. Check your local Festivals themes. Many have pet-themed days where they encourage pets and their owners to dress up in medieval costumes.
6. Street Performers Hit the Grounds Not only will patrons see trained actors on stages, but also performers who volunteer their efforts. Musicians and magicians entertain the masses while wondering around the fairgrounds. The performers who mingle amongst the patrons often hassle and joke with the crowds. Their insults and mockery should be taken lightly as they are only there to entertain. Throw some lighthearted insults back and you may make a friend for life.
7. Jousting Tournaments and Knight Battles Watch as knights fight for the King and Queens favor during battles of whit and might. Jousting tournaments add exceptional amounts of entertainment to the festivals. These battles of the fittest have kept crowds entertained for years.
8. Medieval Museums Add a little education into your day at the Renaissance Faire! Some festivals feature museums which display pieces of everyday life from the Renaissance period. Items are offered for sale so patrons can take a bit of the Renaissance life back home with them.
9. Rides and Games Renaissance Festivals offer the chance for people to ride elephants and test their ax-throwing abilities. Games and rides found at Renaissance Faires are not typical of most carnivals as they are usually not electric powered. Test your accuracy with a bow and arrow or a tomato. Renaissance Festivals offer a fresh change to the clanging and singing of usual fair rides and attractions.
10. Lasting Memories Whether you have attended one Renaissance Festival in your lifetime or many, chances are the memory has lasted. These faires are unique and wonderfully entertaining. The people who work them truly love what they are doing. Their main priority is to make sure all patrons are having fun.
Care of Medieval Costumes and Gifts: http://medievalcostumesandgifts.com/medieval-blog/10-reasons-attend-medieval-faire/
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