minstrel: Bards, bread, and boredom

[William and Scianna Augustine]

Good gentles:
I invite you all to the Barony of Starkhafn in the Kingdom of Caid,
where performers are popular and bards are blessed. We regularly hold
bardic circles at small events and large wars (although usually after
the pot-luck is finished). These circles are designed so that all types
of performers, from beginners to professionals, have an opportunity to
share their stories and songs. Starkhafn's bardics have become so
popular that, at the recent Highland War in the Shire of Al-Sahid, the
audience endured mighty winds and chilling temperatures for hours...then
requested we do it again the next evening.

Of course, our feasts include performers -- dancers, singers,
instrumentalists, storytellers -- and our autocrats work with the
feastocrats to determine the best schedule for performances during the
feasts.

Why are our bardic events successful?
(1) Respect for performers. The previous Baron and Baroness enjoyed the
bardic arts, and honored performers with their attention. Now that my
lord and I, also bards, wear the Baronial coronets, we carry on that
tradition of honest and respectful attention. If the High Table displays
respect for performers, then others will, as well.

(2) Respect for the audience. Our performers tend not to be primadonnas.
They ask for attention, but do not demand it. They show respect for the
audience by considering the appropriateness of the material. They show
respect for other minstrels by not hogging the stage.

(3) Respect for the art. The entertainments at our feasts are carefully
thought out, so as to heighten the experience for both performer and
audience. At our Yule feast, revelers knew they would be entertained;
performers knew they would be heard. The nuances of timing mentioned in
previous posts are part of this structure. Unlike our feasts, our
bardics provide a place for fledgling bards to perform, still in an
environment of respectful attention. This way, they gain experience and
confidence, and pick up techniques from older bards. And our audience
gets a wide variety of entertainment.

I do not know if the above qualities can be taught. But they CAN be
learned. So we invite you to come visit us. In our Barony, there's
always a warm spot by the fire for those willing to share their songs
and stories. 

In service to all our dreams,

Sionnach
Baroness of Starkhafn



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this list, send email to majordomo at pbm.com containing
the words "unsubscribe minstrel". If you are subscribed to the digest version,
say "unsubscribe minstrel-digest". To contact a human about problems, send
mail to owner-minstrel at pbm.com