On Renaissance Festival . com, there's been some flack going around
that Renaissance Magazine isn't what it used to be. . . . especially
when one out of every six issues is designated for weddings.
I got that itchy artsy/publishing feeling again.
Then I got goaded by a few fans who would love to see a full color magazine with full features about different faires
including prices, types of food and drink, and detailed info on where
to stay in the area, what to expect, etc.
Questions. What if
it included a part just for serious reenactors. . . and a vendor's
area. . .and a garb-making area. . . and a feature on some interesting
faire artists that you might not know about? If it all came in a nice
package every quarter for only about $6 an issue. . .would you be
interested?
So, yes, I've begun work on the project and there's enough support from both renfaire enthusiasts and advertisers to get the first magazine out to subscribers and on the street by Autumn. In fact, the first 500 subscribers will get a pin to wear on their garb, proudly announcing that they're on board with us.
Our Pyrates Way distributor, Ingram Periodicals, has also shown a lot of interest and is presently deciding on how to distribute the new magazine.
Starting with the Spring Issue of 2009 The Pyrates Way will be coming at you every other month! We've been getting letters for a year asking for us to grow in either page count or more often. People want more pirates!
Thus, we decided to go with MORE OFTEN!
With a never-ending list of article and feature ideas, both our readers and our advertisers will be the folks who profit by this new growth. . .why? Because we're at a point where we can afford to expand in this way WITHOUT RAISING ADVERTISING OR SUBSCRIPTION PRICES! Our magazine will still be only $5.95 per copy at all the national & local bookstores and both subscription and ad rates will remain the same.
More for our audience without a price increase. . . it's just another way that The Pyrates Way gives back to the pirate community at large.
Thank you again for supporting us as we grow!
www.pyratesway.com
(Please repost at will!)
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that's where you can vote on the best of renstuff for 2007. . . make sure on question 14 you vote for: WWW.FRIENDSOFMDRF.ORG
Get
all your friends to sign on and vote for us! We're the only online MDRF
community with our own, individual web hosting. (i.e. we don't share
the spotlight).
Thursday, October 18, 2007, 06:59 PM EST [General]
Are we all ready for this?
When Cyn and I started an online group back in 2002 it was out of that "newbie" love of MDRF. We were at the end of the 3-year seasoning and were captivated by the magic that kept us coming back.
I really didn't want the festival to be over and so I started a Yahoo newgroup called "Friends of MDRF" with only a handful of folks participating. We shared stories and photos, dreams and experiences. But most of all we wanted to share the atmosphere of being at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. From the feel of woodchips under our feet to the smell of steak-on-a-stake, we enjoyed sharing the magic.
This is the end of our eighth season at MDRF and we STILL enjoy sharing the memories with folks who've just started enjoying the festival AND with 20+-year-veterans. It's the friendship of sharing that makes the magic, m'thinks.
So if you see a Klingon-Pyrate with tears rolling down his cheeks at PubSing on Sunday night, just an hour or so before it's all over. . . . understand that I'm emotional not because the season's over, but in happiness. . . that I got to share it with so many fantastic friends.
I love everyone who's said hi, gave me a hug, or gave a rowdy "huzzahh" with me. . . don't often show it because it lies behind the smart-ass persona, but it's there. . . and I can't wait to be in your presence again. . .sharing a cider or an ale next to Manny at The White Hart Tavern.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 05:15 PM EST [General]
Hi Steve- You would do me a favor if you could post the following, and tell others they are free to post it - in its entirety- on any other festival fan forum or site. Thank you so much. **********************************
Subject header: The Urban Legend of Pub Sing
Dear Friends of the Maryland Renaissance Festival,
I have addressed the issue of Pub Sing on several occasions, but with your indulgence will do so once again because some interesting mis-information has popped up and now repeated as fact, which just isn't so.
1. I did not cancel Pub Sing - we have 6 wonderful days of a pub sing this season, and I hope everyone - old-timers and those new to the festival - enjoys them! For various reasons - there isn't just one - I decided we needed to step back a little and let a natural evolution of the pub sing show happen since our host, Jack Rackham, retired and there has been some change-up in some of the bands.
You don't have to agree with my decision, and I do appreciate the thoughtful emails of those who expressed their disappointment. (Not lovin' the nasty grams, but that happens.) Part of my job as Artistic Director is to always take a good hard look at the show and do all I can to keep it moving forward. I fully expect that everyone won't agree with all that I do, but never think I make such an important decision lightly. I
2. I have always planned on bringing back a Pub Sing (meaning a sing-along) next season. So, please don't think sending me nasty grams has made me change my wicked mind. I always intended on bringing it back.
2A. In answer to some of the emails: yes, I do actually think I have a heart & soul :).
3. No one loves Pub Sing more than I do. It is the only show I actually make a point of seeing every day - and I have ALWAYS gotten that the chief reason for its popularity is the sing along aspect. Except for church and some social groups, sitting around and singing as a community has pretty much disappeared from modern life, so I think pub sing fills a social need that is vanishing.
4. The Urban Legend Buster: People are now repeating that sales are down, the sky is falling, and droves of people are leaving early because there is no Pub Sing. This just isn't correct. First weekend was one of the hottest we can remember - heck, I wouldn't have stayed if it wasn't my job :) This past weekend was great weather, and great attendance. I had a confirmation that sales in the White Hart have never been better. Common sense would tell me if folks are drinking and singing in a Pub from 6pm - 7pm, they aren't shopping at the booths during the traditional pub sing hour, so I don't understand that connection anyway.
Cercamon rocked the Pub this last weekend. When I was watching after 6:30pm-ish, the White Hart was full and people were happy. So, while there isn't a Pub Sing every weekend, please lets not disparage the wonderful talents of the bands that are playing there.
So, everyone take a deep breath and enjoy the upcoming Pub Sing Weekends. Oh, and make sure you take a wander over to the Market Stage and check out E Muzeki, a great band new to our show and only here a few more weeks.
I'm glad you all love the Renaissance Festival and feel so strongly. I do too, or I wouldn't have been in this job for over 20 years. (Yikes!)
