2007 season criticisms

[Sir Trevor]

Ok.
No matter how great the season was.
I am sure everyone has something they didn't like.
Well, get it off your chest in this thread.
What rubbed you the wrong way, or really disappointed you.
I already told John I would be making this thread, and he loved the idea.
He honestly wants to know what people think.
So here is your chance. Just try not to be too mean about it.
I'll let someone else start it off and post my complaints later when I have more time.

[Hawise]

Okay, I'll start. The main issue I have is, oddly, with the music. More specifically, the volume of the sound systems. I was thrilled when the systems first appeared so we could actually hear, however it seems that this year the volume was so high that acts could be clearly heard much too far from stages, interfering with other acts and street work. Perhaps they could be tested when entertainers first arrive (granted the ambient noise won't be the same without the crowds) to see how far the sound carries.

Related to sound - I don't think having Owain at the Stumble Inn worked well. Aesthetically we lost the intimacy of being tucked in the woods as at the Harmony Stage, and the ambient noise and the danged tip bell at the pub drastically interfered.

Another HUGE entertainment/marketing issue I have, as I have said before, is the lack of credit/identification given to cast members. To give credit where it is due to the actors, and to give more clarity to who the villagers are and how they fit in (which I think can encourage visitors to interact more), the cast listing in the program is vital. I really missed it.

I cannot, however, come up with ANY complaints about the guest or the cast performances. You guys were AMAZING and I already miss you all!!!!

Hawise

[Army Shmuck]

The one thing off of the top of my head which is at no fault to anyone is that the crowds and patrons were not as interactive or responsive as previous years. or at least from what i noticed

[Dillasandra]

I'd like to know why an act that was mediocre at best, Porter and Stout, ( and that was not merely MY opinion, I have never in my 12 years of goddessing heard so many derogatory comments on an act ) had the lion's share of the main stage, while a group like E Muzcki - who virtually EVERYONE was raving about - was relagated to the back of beyond?!

Shouldn't the better, more experienced, more popular acts by rights share the MAIN stage? ( And possibly then be able to take part in Pub Sing if they so desire?)

If you happen to be a fan of Porter and Stout, my apologies, different strokes and all, ( and that means you too, Jasmine), but from a purely business and common sense standpoint, you highlight your best and most popular, you don't stick them in the back of the Shire!


And I have to agree about Owain...as much as we enjoyed hearing him in the Grove, and we did, his style of warm, intimate personal music IS rather swamped in a larger setting.

[Griffin]

Army said:

The one thing off of the top of my head which is at no fault to anyone is that the crowds and patrons were not as interactive or responsive as previous years. or at least from what i noticed

Just a note from someone who has a bit of experience in this. This year's crowd was made up of a whole new demographic. Thanks to some wonderful marketing, we found ourselves dealing with crowds who had no idea what to expect or how they should react.
In recent years we have been lulled into the same crowds returning and their experiences from prior years. They were well trained on how to act and react.
We had similar situations as vendors with people not wanting to dress up on their first visits, not knowing what to expect as far as how much money to bring or what crafts would be available.
Hopefully we had them sort of indoctrinated by the end of faire.
I guess I won't be there to reap that benefit, but you all should see a difference.

[airduwinne]

I missed having Menagerie at the Stumble Inn. There wasn't really anywhere to sit and enjoy their act, and with my physical limitations (gimp leg) I couldn't stand for any period of time long enough to enjoy their music.

[CelticWench]

dillasandra said:

I'd like to know why an act that was mediocre at best, Porter and Stout, ( and that was not merely MY opinion, I have never in my 12 years of goddessing heard so many derogatory comments on an act ) had the lion's share of the main stage, while a group like E Muzeki - who virtually EVERYONE was raving about - was relagated to the back of beyond?!

Shouldn't the better, more experienced, more popular acts by rights share the MAIN stage? ( And possibly then be able to take part in Pub Sing if they so desire?)

If you happen to be a fan of Porter and Stout, my apologies, different strokes and all, ( and that means you too, Jasmine), but from a purely business and common sense standpoint, you highlight your best and most popular, you don't stick them in the back of the Shire!


And I have to agree about Owain...as much as we enjoyed hearing him in the Grove, and we did, his style of warm, intimate personal music IS rather swamped in a larger setting.

I have to agree with the Pickle Lady about Porter and Stout. I *DID* enjoy them last year as a lane act, but they didn't "claim" the stage like Menagerie. Sorry, guys. I only officially attended one pub sing - the first weekend - but I was at a booth very nearby the rest of the time, and pub sing's musical energy just wasn't comparable to previous years. (I can't and won't comment about the rest of the show, because I wasn't there, and pics and other comments would indicate that craziness and fun WAS had.)

While I rarely made it all the way around the shire, my husband said the Amadon Crest shows were very poorly attended, and he wasn't impressed.

[bunbun / Hank]

Have to agree with you guys about Porter and Stout. Richard needs to enunciate his words better, or get the mike out from under his beard, as most of the time he mumbled the lyrics.

Didn't think much of the joust. saw it three times. 1st, 3rd and 5th weekends The 2nd and 3rd times were better then the 1st. but were by no means the best jousts I ever saw.

E Muzeki...Must be a lot of fans of mid Eastern music around. I caught their act a couple of times and I will say they were OK, I didn't like them enough to purchase any of their CD's. I guess they are like Ska, Rap, or country music, if you like that genre, then you like that genre! I for one don't, No big deal.

Shakespeare...A big bore! I saw midsummers nights dream. too few actors playing too many parts, was just too confusing. Guess you have to be a Shakespeare fan to enjoy it.

Thats it for now. HANK.

[Lady Catharine]

Are you sure?

[Dillasandra]

Yeah...it's kind of scary when the songs being sung are not only old standards, but lifelong favorites of mine, and I can't even tell what they are until the chorus!

[BlackKnight]

Ok....

In John's defense, The Stumble Inn stage was relegated for rotating acts and one main act. Porter & Stout was selected as the master of ceremonies so they had the stage for the run.

I also think that Menagerie should be master of ceremonies, but that is all up to John and the contracts they agree too. I miss Lizzie and John on the stage. Porter & Stout should be on the Drift Inn stage, since it is a pirate themed stage afterall.

John did not even know who Emuzeki was until I and a few other mentioned them to him, so he was unfamiliar of their crowd potential and had a spot to fill on the Harmony Stage since Owain was moved to the Stumble Inn as a rotating act. Emuzeki has requested to be on a larger stage next season if they are asked to come back. As popular as they were, that shouldn't be a problem.

Hank...yer a riot! Must be that rat on yer head eating your brains. Where on earth did you get the impression that Emuzeki are rap and country? LOL! Emuzeki is a gypsy/celtic band. They don't even have a vocal. Maidens IV is more country than Emuzeki.

Amadon Crest sounded really bad...I am sorry to say. I cringed whenever I heard them perform as I was walking by. Gibbon by himself (or with his son) is much better.

Tartan Terrors are not the same anymore. They were better in the 90's. Also, they just sounded terrible...they are loud enough, they didn't need a sound system, which sounded like they were going to blow up everytime they played.

Yes...Owain needs to go back to Harmony Stage. That's his stage.

Cast...great as usual, but absolutely very little interaction with the patrons unless it was planned. It has been like this for a few seasons now.

Who's bright idea was it to host Beer School at the same time as when Silent Lion was playing right across the lane? You had some guy talking on a PA, drowing out Silent Lion. Totally disrespectful.

I just hope with attendance up (20% I heard), that our faire can attract more vendors to fill up the back half by Tinkers Camp.

And finally....the season programs, or lack of, SUCKED.

[Sir Trevor]

Ok, time for some of my complaints.
People who know me, know that I loved this season.
It was awesome, and so many things were done so well that I was completely amazed.
That said, there were still a few things that really rubbed me the wrong way.

The first part, has to do with the cast.
They were great. But we had a small cast to start with, then we had activities that took what we did have off the streets of the shire.
My biggest beef was beer school. As in years past this event used street cast to server the patron. Stretching an already thin street presence even thinner. I don't know how many cast hours this thing actually required, but it seemed like it was at the worst times. The streets were already close to empty around mid-day due to the stunt show / parade / chess match.
So taking even more cast off the street then was really noticable.
They have been doing this for several seasons now. You would think Larry could use some of his regular employees for this.

The next thing is the joust squires.
I know John got into a bind with the squire situation.
And I know some of the cast who ended up being drafted for squire duty actually loved it.
But again, it depleted an already small street presence.
We lost several good street performers to squiring. And while I am glad that they enjoyed their work, I do lament their loss on the streets.

I do have to agree also with the complaints about some of the sound systems. Notably the one used by Amadon Crest.
Every morning that thing would be cranked up so lout you could hear them performing when you were down by the Hack & Slash stage.

[Poison Ivy]

Tartan Terrors are not the same anymore. They were better in the 90's. Also, they just sounded terrible...they are loud enough, they didn't need a sound system, which sounded like they were going to blow up everytime they played.

I agree with you on just about everything you said, except this. I LIKED the Tartan Terrors! I made sure I was around whenever they were on stage. If you think they were better in the 90's, well, you're entitled to your opinion, but I think you just miss all the little dancing girls in mini-kilts, showing off their thong underwear. (among other things)

[BlackKnight]

LOL! Shhhh! Actually...the ladies looked great in their sheep attire this year! My wife will kill me when she reads this....oof...

Seriously....I just didn't like them this time around. Maybe my tastes have changed since then...who knows.

[Scarlett]

Geoffrey my dear - I re-read Hank's post and I think you misunderstood him. He didn't state Emuzeki is like rap or country. He said that fans of their style of music are like fans of other genres, whereas they like it while others do not. Right Hank? You rat is just fine. he he

Now, for my two cents. E Muzeki was friggin awesome! I bought both cd's and have been listening to them non-stop. I also keep gazing at the photo of me and Joshua , the drummer. But I digress. Where was I now? LOL. Oh yes. I actually liked having them where they were for the simple fact that they were located next to the Tinkers - who I also thought were a GREAT addition. If they return next year, I would hope they play near the Tinkers, if they also return. Or near a gypsy encampment if there is one.
If it wasn't for the fire breathing Tinkers and their crazy antics, I wonder how much traffic that part of the shire would have gotten?

I think Owain should have been at the Harmony stage too. His music is so intimate, the rowdy pub atmosphere was not a good counter balance. I also think having P&S at the Drift Inn is a good idea because of their pirate theme. They will be the house band at the Pittsburgh faire this season at the new/improved pirates pub. Makes sense to me.

I had very little "play" this season with the cast. Where were they all day? Okay, so they're not at the pub all day, but I mean I rarely saw them anywhere in the shire. Except when the parade went by.

No programs was a HUGE blunder.

I noticed a lack of music in the lanes. That is something I always liked about GLMF. I saw the piper in the lanes, but no other musicians that I recall. I emailed John prior to the season opening about a duo I saw at the Fairy Festival, djilia phralengo, but the budget was already all spent. They would have been awesome strolling around or set up near the Tinkers, as they have a gypsy feel to them. Maybe next year. Anything to expand on the gypsy/Tinker area would be great - people really seem to like it.

That's all for now.