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Post by BlackKnight on Aug 16, 2007 22:14:56 GMT -5
You are right Scarlet! My bad....Hank's rat still ate his brain though... Sorry Hank for picking on ya!
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Allyn
Mercenary
Posts: 232
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Post by Allyn on Aug 17, 2007 4:45:50 GMT -5
As I did not(once again) get to come to the Faire as much as I really would have liked to....I only have a couple of comments. No programs....No Excuse.....The cast and crew should listed in that program! Jousting squires..........Although I was only able to squire the first weekend, both days, and than the 2nd Sunday........because we were short on squires...some cast and former cast were brought in. They were GREAT to work with! BUT some of them really did NOT want to be there. This is NOT for everyone.....2000Lb. horses, flying lances, lots of edged weapons,etc. Notice, I said EDGED weapons? Apparently if you take a dull weapon and beat it against armor, or another dull weapon long enough....It gets an edge on it again!!!! Lady Leo and Digger were naturals, But This is not for everyone. Also, why not have a Squire school? Would be Squires could be taken around some horses and shown ahead of time proper handling etc.
E Muzeki......I had heard they were good. Boy was THAT an UNDERSTATEMENT! JUST UNBELIEVABLE! Amazing group!
Allyn
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Post by bunbun / Hank on Aug 17, 2007 5:47:12 GMT -5
BlackKnight...Apology accepted my friend, but none needed. Scarlet hit the nail on the head in reply #14. They are certainly NOT a country, nor rap group. But I still maintain they are a niche group with a style of music that either appeals to you or it does not. You stated they are a Celtic/Gypsy band, so be it. They sounded more mid Eastern to me. Like the kind of music you would hear coming out of some sheik's tent in a Lawrence of Arabia type movie. As I stated, I did listen to a couple of their shows and I did enjoy it, but simply not enough that "O boy! I just HAVE TO HAVE their CD's! It's like bagpipes. A lot of you folks just can't seem to get enough of em. Me, if I hear Barrett once that is enough bagpipes to last me for 6 weekends. Just means we have different tastes in music. Some other criticisms I have are some a great many of you have already mentioned. The lack of a PROPER program as in years past being my number one. Another one being that I and others like John and Tina (the guy in the wheelchair, with the bum leg, and his wife) are on the mailing list to receive information about the faire. I got my notice after the first weekend had come and gone, and John and Tina NEVER got theirs. Now in our cases this was NO big deal as we all knew the dates of faire months in advance. But what about the AVERAGE patron who signed up to get on the mailing list so as to get a reminder that GLMF is coming soon and never received it? I think John/Hack did a wonderful job as E.D. but I don't care if he reunites the Beatles and has em playing on the Stumble Inn stage next season!! If people do not know about it, they WILL NOT come out to see it. Oh, one last thought. BlackKnight is probably correct. The rat did eat too much of my brain. That could account for a lot when ya think about it. HANK.
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Post by SwordSchoolGroupie on Aug 17, 2007 9:01:07 GMT -5
No programs - bad marketing/PR whathaveyou. I have talked enough about that in other threads. I agree the jousting was not really all that great. It's the biggest draw to the faire and I didn't feel a part of the show. And it only lasted for about 20 mins. I think that the telling the crowd to use aye, nay, and huzzah at the joust are essential to get them to participate in other aspects of the street work. I agree about taking cast away for beer school and squiring. There just wasn't enough steet work going on. I ran into wandering minstrels alot esp. Managarie. Either by the feast hall or the sky chairs. The dragon quest thing was cool but definately needs to get into the program. Basically everything that was there needs to get into the program (a readable, understandable one). I thought the pub sings were great they just needed more of the musical acts to participate. Personally I don't think the pub sing should start until all the other shows are done and maybe go til 7:30. As for the beer school being over by emuzeki. As I understand it - it was supposed to be in the feast hall but then they had a wedding... it took them til almost the last weekend to move it over to a big tent where the elephant used to be. That's a pretty good place for it. I agree the tartan terrors just didn't have the certain something they used to but they were still good. I missed seeing them play in the lanes with the sheep like they used to. I saw one mudskipper do mud statues for a little while. Basically the entertainers need to participate with the cast and the patrons a little more when they aren't working. Shakespeare was awesome! I was so impressed by how they used 5 people to do all those parts - very ingenius. Midsummer's was definately funnier but it's a comedy and MacBeth is a tragedy so yeah that's to be expected. Oh and bring back sword school duh!
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Post by Dillasandra on Aug 17, 2007 11:44:35 GMT -5
Yes, yes!!! Reunite the Beatles!!! I never could stand their music, but I LOVE zombies.............................. Oh, and Hank, the rat could indeed account for the last couple of weeks - but how do you explain before that??!!
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Post by bunbun / Hank on Aug 17, 2007 14:22:44 GMT -5
Dill....How do I explain my behavior before the rat ate my brain? HMMMMM, UH, I do bang my head on the underside of cars a lot That might account for some brain damage, ya think? HANK.
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Poison Ivy
Lord
Hello, you tasty little morsel.
Posts: 440
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Post by Poison Ivy on Aug 17, 2007 14:43:31 GMT -5
The following complaints / remarks are not mine, they are things I overheard while wandering around, or things patrons said directly to me. And I must say, this is the first time in all my years at faire that I ever heard patrons openly complain about an act.
A whole lot of people were dissatisfied / disappointed that Menagerie was 1. not hosting Pub Sing, and 2. did not even get to perform at Pub Sing.
I also heard a lot of grumbling and snide remarks about how Porter and Stout were monopolizing the stage during Pub Sing and not letting the other musical acts play. This was really brought home when one rather irate woman marched up to me, and demanded, "Isn't this supposed to be the big song finale where all the musicians get a turn?" I assured her that it was. She then pointed to the stage where P&S were well into their fifth or sixth number, and snapped," Well.....aren't they going to let anyone else perform? I want to hear Maidens Four!"
I looked over to where Maidens Four along with Axel, and Gibbon's group were patiently waiting their turn, and hastily told her that I was sure they would be onstage soon, all the while keeping my fingers crossed that they would. Apparently unconvinced, the woman just looked disgusted and stomped off. I don't remember if Maidens Four got to play at that particular Pub Sing or not.
I got the very distinct impression that most patrons didn't care much for Porter and Stout. I won't repeat the comments from the patrons who decided to use me as their personal sounding board (Trevor would just have to censor it anyway). Suffice to say that they (the patrons) were less than thrilled.
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DameGoode
Mercenary
Here we go again!
Posts: 154
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Post by DameGoode on Aug 17, 2007 16:08:57 GMT -5
I was pretty thrilled that there is more children's stuff and family junk. (Yeah! big surprise there, Christy!) I thought I would hate the dragon show, but I really didn't. It was pretty funny watching the two year old watch the dragon between her fingers over her eyes.
I liked that jousters did the tack and suiting up in the front, so you could see what the squires were doing. BUT over all. I was pretty underwhelmed by them. They didn't explain their scoring system (at the jousts I saw) and didn't differentiate between points for disarmerment or hits or breaking lances. There did not seem to be a clear beginning and end of the show or the individual events. I think bad jousters are better than forgetable ones.
I wish that certain roads were closed and more shops were closer to each other. The chess stage could be/would be the best stage, if it was located close to "something" or connected to the outside for a real loop.
I wish there were more variety to shop from as well. I still think too many of the same types of vendors sign up year after year. It's not I want to get rid of anyone, far from it! Add add add!
I'm glad the music is well on it's way to returning. Most everywhere was ringing with music. I love that Maiden's IV was at the joust list, because we needed quality down there. I honestly enjoyed Porter and Stout. They make great pub music that you join in on the chorus. They are friendly and laid back. I think the Stumbull Inn needs lots of music acts, that make you go, "I love this song!" and then you go back to drinking for awhile.
While it is a shame there is no programs, I'd almost rather have NO PROGRAMS than WRONG PROGRAMS, with maps that are wrong that have been wrong for years.
All in all, great job and room to grow in a positive motion!
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Post by Dillasandra on Aug 17, 2007 17:08:44 GMT -5
Have to agree with Ivy about the pub sing thing. I spend virtually ALL my time in the Grove, so I get to see every pub sing, and every time it seemed that Porter and Stout were dominating it to the exclusion of a lot of the other acts....many of whom would wait patiently by the stage night after night, and frequently wouldn't get on!!!
I had a number of patrons commenting on this, wanting to know why P&S did so many numbers while so many other favorites were left out. This came home especially clearly one evening when a woman approched me, clearly confused, about HALF WAY through pub sing and asked " Why is the Porter and Stout show running so long, and when is pub sing going to start?"!!!!!!
I belive the idea of HOSTING is to emcee for and showcase other acts, NOT take over and make it YOUR show 'with guests.......'! Especially when Richard actully horned in even on Owain, stepping up in the middle of Owain's beloved signature 'Health To The Company' to sing a verse of THAT!!
Sorry, P&S fans, but somebody needs to rein this guy in! A patron actully refered to him, and I quote, as " the ego that walks like a man!" 'Nuff said.
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Post by Dillasandra on Aug 17, 2007 17:11:48 GMT -5
And yeah, Hank, that car thing WOULD account for a lot. That, and Bunnie smacking you upside the head to keep you in line! ;D Now, what's MY excuse??!? ;D
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Post by SwordSchoolGroupie on Aug 17, 2007 18:25:06 GMT -5
well Axel and Gibbon had shows at 5:30, Rio was doing the joust at 6pm, and I think other groups were still doing their thing too. So I got the impression that P&S were filling in and keeping things moving until the other acts could get there. At every pub sing I was at the visiting minstrel for the weekend, Abbadon Crest, Maidens IV performed and Axel the last couple of weekends started doing it too. The only ones that I didn't see perform were EMuzeki, Barrett Taylor, and Managarie. I figured Emuzeki with the big drum set and Managarie with all the problems they've been having just didn't want to do it, but then again I'm not in the loop. As for the extra verse - he must have gotten permission because Owain let him do it and I think it was nice to extend the song that we were all waiting for but didn't want it to end. I especially liked the tie-in song to the cast show (and I believe Richard was singing as the minsterel/storyteller for that one) He sang/narrated at both gate shows, the chess match, and the stunt show to connect all of the cast parts. I think it was a nice touch and tied everything together. He also had a different costume for all of that but obviously couldn't change during the middle of pub sing.
I also got the impression that they were saving Maidens IV, Rougues etc and Owain obviously, til the end because everyone liked them so much and wanting more people there after the joust let out. etc etc
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Post by BlackKnight on Aug 17, 2007 19:27:19 GMT -5
My additional complaint is how certain people keep beating the dead horse with Porter & Stout. You made it clear that you don't like them, don't need to keep bringing it up. It is a matter of opinion and musical taste, but they are good enough (which I think they are) to be performing at various faires throughout most of the season. Remember, John determines the pub sing schedule, so don't blame P&S for doing what they were hired to do.
Another thing to consider...Menagerie are taking care of their grandkids now, that may be in part why they are not doing stage and MC.
I am quite suprised at the complaints of the jousters, but after thinking about it, perhaps they should have had the announcer on the field interacting with the crowd more, explaining more. Roy is the owner of the Freelancers and is very old-school....he just wants to hit things...not be fancy. Now that the wife and I know them personally, I can mention it to them.
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Post by SwordSchoolGroupie on Aug 17, 2007 21:34:02 GMT -5
Another thing to consider...Menagerie are taking care of their grandkids now, that may be in part why they are not doing stage and MC. Yeah - that's what I meant... I just figured the people that wanted to got to. I liked them leading the singalong. And now that I have the wonderful song book by Helena Hilton I will be able to join in with many more of them:)
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Post by Scarlett on Aug 17, 2007 21:38:39 GMT -5
Wow. I haven't visited this thread since yesterday and am surprised to see so many negative comments on P&S, even if they are second hand reports from other faire-goers. I know the guys semi-personally, as they are at most faires I attend, in one capacity or another. Vinnie and Richard are great guys, and take their jobs seriously. Are they the best musicians on the faire circuit? Probably not. (Owain & E Muzeki for instance) The worst? Certainly not. I like hearing them as background music to a rowdy pub scene. Lord knows I'm at the pub enough.
As for why E Muzeki did not participate in pub sing, maybe it's because they are an instrumental act only, with no vocals. It's called Pub SING afterall. BTW, Did everyone see that photo of me and, oh never mind!
I'm sure there are a lot of things that happen "behind the scenes" at faires that management tries its best not to interfere with the run of the faire. Glitches happen - nobody's perfect. I'm certainly not raising my hand to join cast or management. If everyone continues to offer positive constructive criticism, I'm sure the PTB will examine all input to help improve the faire as it goes forward.
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Post by Kayenne on Aug 17, 2007 21:44:35 GMT -5
I still think the joust needs a sound system, would make it easier to interact with the crowd. I'm old school myself when it comes to jousting, horsemanship and full contact makes me very happy. I have no complaints about them whatsoever! :-)
Taking care of the grandkids may have been part of the reason Menagerie wasn't on stage or hosting pubsing this year. But they haven't been on stage for at least a season or two back, and seem to be happier doing the lanes.
My only musical complaint was the lack of Emuzeki at Pubsing, but as was pointed out, that may have been by choice. Perhaps they wanted to keep a low profile their first season and not step on anybody's toes.
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed Porter & Stout, and thought they did a good job at Pubsing. I never got the impression it was the P&S show with guests and never heard anyone refer to Richard like that, cousin. They may not be to everyone's personal musical taste, but they are a perfectly good musical act.
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