davezilla.com > current: August 27, 2001: "Let’s rewrite history, shall we?"

last "Overheard" :: Current :: next "They’ll print anything I guess"

August 27, 2001 :: "Let’s rewrite history, shall we?"

Tamity had the brilliant suggestion of going to the Michigan Renaissance Festival on Sunday. I hadn’t been to one in several years so I agreed. Now, I can’t speak for other states, but the Michigan Renaissance Festival attracts an unusual mélange of neo-pagans, rednecks, death metal fans, screaming children, Dungeons & Dragons afficianados and [ahem] bloggers.

Now I have been told by members of the SCA, that employees of the Renaissance Festival pride themselves on authenticity of costume, accent and overall knowledge of the era. If that is indeed the case, then my knowledge of 16th Century culture is rather lacking. Here are some of the authentic accoutrements worn by Renaissance Festival employees. I felt as if I had stepped backwards in time:

He said. She said. There’s 12 Comments

I should point out that we saw the chainmail on a woman over 50. Not a good thing. By Davezilla :: August 27, 2001 09:37 PM EST

what about the "floation-device" platform shoes (or flip-flops) for women? By tian :: August 27, 2001 09:40 PM EST

As if chainmail is a good thing to have up your ass at any age. By maggie :: August 28, 2001 06:43 AM EST

The Village Idiot! Don't forget the Village Idiot! By Tami Jo :: August 28, 2001 07:59 AM EST

AND the pickle vendor! What about the pickle vendor that spouted "Who wants to suck on a great big fattie?" By Tami Jo :: August 28, 2001 08:01 AM EST

I suddenly had this image of a 50 year old village idiot wearing a chain mail bikini and seductively sucking a big fat pickle. Not pleasant. By Michele :: August 28, 2001 02:31 PM EST

at the risk of exposing myself as a geek (albeit NOT a pickle-sucking, chainmail-clad one)... ummm, SCA folk and Ren Faire folk are often quite different in their attitudes towards authenticity. I've seen some very scary stuff at faires out in CA... By JessaJune :: August 28, 2001 03:09 PM EST

I figured as much. That's why I gave the disclaimer. I have never been to an SCA meeting, nor have I seen any Ren. Fests outside Michigan. Didn't want to assume you know... By Davezilla :: August 28, 2001 03:54 PM EST

You know the feathered roach clip on the halter top says it all. By Jax :: August 28, 2001 06:53 PM EST

Oh yes, ren faire people and SCAdians often have VERY different attitudes toward costumes. SCAdians often do this as a life occupying hobby.

As a past Ren Faire entertainer (6 years at BARF)and as someone who frequents SCA events as a vendor, the difference is that ren faire people are acting. SCA people are living a fantasy. When you are "on" for 12-16 hours, comfort wins all over authenticity. Anachronism is the fault of the management.

And chain mail bikinis are wrong no matter who or what you are. By Sherri :: August 28, 2001 07:22 PM EST

I am laughing at all the posts about how nasty and wrong the chainmail bikini looks and probably is. They are all posted by women.

During the same time period I have received nine emails and two Instant Messages [from men] asking if there are any MORE sites about chicks in chainmail.

:^p By Davezilla :: August 28, 2001 08:34 PM EST

Jeez. Don't you know that everyone in Ye Olde Merrie Englande wore dreamcatcher earings? By Zoe :: August 29, 2001 05:59 AM EST