Today we're going back in time. Back... back... way back... no, a little more...Okay, stop! Stop! Stop here! (screeeeeeech!!!!)
Here. To the middle ages. When kings were kings, and chivalry was alive, and cell phone technology was large and clunky and...
Okay, well. So a little anachronism creeps in now and then.Yes, folks, today we are going to the Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival! For those who love pageantry, fantasy, romance-- and a certain amount of silliness-- this might just be the place for
you.
If decorating your home, you can actually find some very unique (and even tasteful) handmade items to integrate into your decor. And if decorating your own person, there's no shortage of jewelry and clothing to choose from there, either. This, in addition to exciting jousts, handsome knights, medieval nibblies, and wandering minstrels-- well, it makes a pleasant day out.
So let's enter through the guarded castle walls on this beautiful September day, and see what's in store!...
Welcome to "The Shire," a village of shops, restaurants and performance stages integrated into the landscape of West Newton, PA.
We're grateful today we wore shoes with a little bit of traction on them, because we'll be walking over fields, down glens, and into dappled forests. Starting off, we think a little bit of shopping might be in order. We'll peruse wares today from intricate pewter goblets, light switches, and necklaces, to delicate Celtic-inspired earrings, heavy brocade cloaks, incense, leather-works, forged weaponry, hand-blown glass and more.
Like here at Delight's Fantasy Art tent, we pause and are struck by the artwork's bright colors...
You examine some original tapestries and clever mousepads, while I set my sights on a print that would work well in my William Morris red-and-green livingroom...
We head down the forest path and encounter the Duck Lady. Ah, there are some strange and unusual characters in these dark times! This particular one has a serious duck fetish and a repertoire of about a million duck-inspired puns...
Here she chats with a teeny little princess who is wary of any person with a strong duck fixation.But as the rest of us quack up, the toll of bells calls to us-- and we find ourselves mystified by a truly remarkable performance...
The instrument is the Carillon, and the artist is "Cast in Bronze." The carillon consists of 35 bells, played by a modified keyboard which uses the hands and feet-- and from what we read, this is the only musical act in the world to feature this four-ton medieval instrument.
The musician, Frank DellaPenna, performs his haunting compositions to the accompaniment of recorded vocals and other supplementary melodies. One of the pieces is an intriguing medley of "Tubular Bells" and the "Phantom of the Opera" theme. We end up mesmerized.
We also end up with some CDs to play in the car. For folks who'd like to learn more about this performance and see Cast in Bronze in action, click here and go to the Media section, to check out the videos.
Appetites whetted with shopping and music, we stop for a bite to eat. Should it be soup in a bread bowl, a giant turkey leg, or...? Ah, there it is! Fish and chips and an ice cold beer-- lovely! Then a bit more wandering before the jousting begins.
This fellow in blue tells us he'll be our wizard for this evening. He basically gives us the run-down of what we can expect from the jousting today, and who our resident Knight of the Realm will be...
And this is our knight-- Sir Roderick. He's pretty dishy, which is probably why we, his people, put up with his less-than-sportsmanly "Cheat to Win" motto. He's also a bloodthirsty sort... but he wears black and gold. Always fashionable here in Pittsburgh. (Er, The Shire.)
These are Sir Roderick's challengers, Sir William in the red, and Sir IDon'tRememberHisName in green and black.
Based on his shield emblem, he may be Sir Drinksalot-- what do you think?...
Here we see the Royal Court...
The king and queen speak, to open today's jousting festivities...
And then on to the main event!
Sir Drinksalot ends up wounded due to dirty dealings by our Sir Roderick. Sir William challenges Sir Roderick to a fight to the death and... Oh wait. The exciting conclusion ends up being the 5pm show. Gosh, this is more complex and dramatic than WWF wrestling!
Well, let's do a bit more wandering.
Need any pence from Ye Olde Money Store?...
We encounter some unexpected pirates...
And in order to be fair to my male readers, we have for you this buxom wench... See, I think of you guys, too!
And in M. Sotherden Art Glass, I become entranced by some beautiful hand-crafted glass and sterling silver necklaces. These two pendants will come home with me! I love the irridecent sparkle!
I notice the owner has a web site (msotherdenartglass.com) as well as an Etsy shop where she sells her work (msotherdenartglass.etsy.com ). Gosh, these Renaissance folks are awfully forward-thinking, in some respects, aren't they? Why, Etsy won't even exist for them for several hundred years!
Well, we take in one last musical act, and then we consider calling it a day.
Need to make a pitstop first?...
Comfy? Then we get back in our time machine and set the dials for 2008. Thanks so much for coming along with me today!
- If you missed last Wednesday's Treasure Box post, click here to see the Fruits of Thrifting.
- And did you seen last Sunday's "Fleaing Lambertville and Discovering New Hope"? If not, click here.
As they say in Medieval times, "Huzzah!"
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