School: Alder Creek Middle School, June 4, 2010

Don Juan and I were fortunate to once again participate in the Alder Creek Middle School Event in Truckee, with our lovely host, Sandy Hord (aka Lady Jean Campbell, aka Dame Charlotte Carmichael). As in years past, the children were wonderful, the staff was marvelous and the food was terrific!

This year we were fortunate that Lady Anne-Marie joined the ranks, as then my services were not required to teach dance (although I did come prepared with music and boom box in hand).

The morning started out cold and lightly rainy. Scott, Shannon and their friend Melissa braved the elements and set up Rounders on the field outside. The kids loved it...especially when Her Majesty would appear and help out the losing team. Sir Ryk and the guys from the Western Circle of Sword took quarter staff practice outside as well. The rest of us traversed between the stations until lunch time.

After lunch (a very fine meal of chicken [drum sticks of course], bread and watermelon, with lemonade to drink), we split up. Sir Ryk and the Western Circle guys went into the gym and set up sword practice; Lady Anne-Marie, with the able assistance of Dame Shaila & her girls went into the music room; Dame Bonnie & Lady Kathleen (aka Katie) traveled outside and upstairs to teach herbs; Don Juan went to assist Jim in his Trebuchet demo; and the rest of us stuck with the Queen (Dame Annabel; Lady Marni and I), roaming from station to station until the end of the day.

At the end of the day, we all congregated into the gym with the students. We told the story of how James Stewart was attempting to usurp the throne (we were doing 1568, when Mary was married to Bothwell - portrayed by Sir Ryk) and thus left the school.

Upon return to Sandy's house, we were treated to a fabulous tritip dinner and then took our leave.

Sadly, this will be the last year that Sandy hosts the school event. The event will go on, but things will be changing. More to come on that...

School: San Lorenzo Middle School, May 6, 2010

Once again I have traveled to a Middle School in King City to participate in their afternoon Renaissance Faire. I was fortunate enough to have Orion and young Gavin with me this year.

We arrived early and were able to peruse the castle projects the students had constructed. They were made from all sorts of material, from construction paper to foam to wood. Some of htem had obviously put quite some effort into their projects as some of them had people, animals and vegetation. The details on some were meticulous. Some had opted instead to build working siege weapons. There were mostly mangonels but also a few trebuchets.

We shared lunch with our friends in St. Andrews who did the morning presentation, then came the faire. The students used tickets to play at the booths or purchase food as this is a fund raiser for the following years students. They had archery, a dunk tank, bowling, foam swords and a jail.

We started off very slow until the kids realized we were throwing water balloons. Orion took tickets and Gavin was great at handing out the water balloons. In truth we had more kids volunteering to catch the balloons.

All in all a good time was had by everyone. And as always I look forward to next year.

Don Juan

School: St. Mary's School, April 16, 2010

It was wonderful returning to St. Mary’s. St. Andrews was there in force. Old faces like Dame Alice Sinclair, Cailin Seaton, Our own Gwen as Mary Queen of Scots, some new faces, Dame Bonnie Gunn & Sir Ryk Tucker (although he was playing some other character for the day), and our own little group of Tory, Detta, Don Juan and I were in attendance.

After some introductions to the children, we broke off into four groups (weapons, dance, games/siege weapons, queen). Tory stepped up and talked to the kids about both siege weapons and period games (she did some voice projection exercises with them, which they seemed to enjoy), until Don Juan returned with more period games (from the trailer). Cailin and Sir Ryk ran the weapons table with some other St. A’s help. Gwen ran the queen group with the able assistance of Dame’s Bonnie & Alice. Poor injured Detta, Debbie, one of the new St. Andrew’s folk and I ran dancing.

The groups of kids were so small that I had to can my plans (I had wanted to teach them Welcome to the Dance), and I taught them the more complicated version of Sellinger’s Round. Each of the groups picked up the dance fairly easily, up until the last group. They were completely different children than the other three groups. Anyway, after the last group we ended up breaking for lunch (it was almost noon and the food was getting cold). As we needed to get out of there by noon, we weren’t able to coach the children through the group dance. I understand from Detta & Gwen that it was interesting.

We’re looking forward to next year.

School: Alder Creek Middle School, June 5, 2009

Once again we were fortunate enough to participate in the Alder Creek Middle School Event in Truckee, with our lovely host, Dame Charlotte (aka Sandy Horn, aka Lady Jean).

The school was fantastic. We did get a surprise morning of, however...the choir person was a no show and we needed to teach a couple of 1/2 hour dance classes instead. Okay, no big deal...we thought. We didn't have any music but figured we could make due. It wouldn't be the first time. Turns out it was 4 dance classes of 40+ students each...a bit more daunting that we had supposed. By the end of the day Don Juan and I had it worked out and things were running fairly smooth. I've vowed to put discs of the music in both vehicles so we won't be caught unawares again. :)

School: San Lorenzo Middle School, May 8, 2009

Don Juan attended the school event as the sole representing member. Here are some photos that he took while he was there...the children are amazing!