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“Excuse me, Your Grace? They want to see you in court…” Illustration by Mistress Abigail Kelhoge.
Tales of the Sylvan Kingdom
02 Monday Mar 2020
Category Archives: Bardic
Ice Dragon Pent Live Performance Criteria Released
13 Thursday Feb 2020
Posted in Arts & Sciences, Bardic, Competitions, Ice Dragon
The Passing of the Ice Dragon Arts & Sciences Pentathlon has released the judging criteria for its third category: Live Performance! Examples of this category can be instrumental performance, vocal performance, dance, juggling, storytelling, drama, comedy, improv, oratory performance as well as historical combat showcase (no entry of any kind will be accepted if the presentation requires a Marshall or safety equipment to be present). Entries should not exceed 15 minutes unless you have made prior arrangements. As there are time and space limits, the number of longer performance entries may be limited and are at the discretion of the Coordinator.
For more details on the Live Performance category, please visit the Pent website.
The Stuart Steiner Theater, now available to our performing arts as part of the Ice Dragon Pentathlon!
The Pent room will be open for registration from 9:15 AM to 10:30 AM. At 11:30 AM all Pent Performance Judges and Entrants gather at the Stuart Steiner Theater. The theater can be accessed from the theater lobby, either from the main entrance (which leads into the lobby) or by walking through the building.
And the populace is welcome to witness our Live Performance entries! We are able to use a beautiful professional theater and the performers would be sure to enjoy the live audience. Please keep in mind the doors will be shut during the 1 hour sessions to prevent disrupting the performances.
Documentation for Performance Art may be verbal this year. If an entrant chooses this option, there will be a 5 minute time limit. The entrants are welcome to utilize the judging criteria to self-score their work ahead of time and tweak any areas they feel might benefit.
Keep an eye on our website and on social media to see all we’re up to. The end of March is creeping up fast, and that pesky Ice Dragon sure is in need of some slaying!
Looking forward to your entries.
– cori
Pentathlon Coordinator
Kingdom Event page on the AS 54 Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon.
Home page of the Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon.
Home page of the Passing of the Ice Dragon Pentathlon.
Tales of the Sylvan Kingdom
12 Wednesday Feb 2020
Posted in Bardic
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Coffee & Cartoons – by our talented Lady Grainne Ruadh of the Barony of Delftwood.
Sylvan Bard Éadaoin Ruadh presents a challenge to all Bards and Performers!
29 Wednesday Jan 2020
Posted in Arts & Sciences, Bardic, Competitions
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The Sylvan Bard championships had over a dozen bards entering! That’s GREAT!! I was excited to see so much talent and passion come out of the woodwork for it. For next year, I’d like to see us get 20 bards out there to compete, especially considering how much territory we cover. On that note, I’m putting forth the challenge to make next year’s championships about original material. Bards and performers are the best way (in my opinion) to preserve and spread the milestones and culture of the Marc.
My intent for next year’s competition (given their future Majesties’ permission) will to limit entries to wholly original or filked pieces based on something that happened to or within AEthelmearc at some point between today and next year’s Kingdom Twelfth Night. And for the non-composers among us, I know that might be a step up for you, but I believe Æthelbards are up to the challenge. We are bigger than our doubts and current abilities. To be safe, I’ll be reaching out to our baronies and shires to make sure those off of social media know.
As unfortunately there was no video of the winning performance, here is a sneak peek at another most unusual performance, “Perche dolce caro bene” by Bran o’Labradha.
For inspiration, and just plain fun, many of the Sylvan Bard Championship performances are now uploaded to the Kingdom ofÆthelmearc Youtube channel at Ætube. Take a listen, and enjoy our Kingdom’s bardic talent same as we did!
That said, I’m a wordsmith first, and I am fully at your disposal for any assistance you may need in that regard. If you’re struggling on phrasing, or don’t know how to convey certain messages, or even if it’s just what to rhyme with, please reach out to me. We need to remember we’re a community, and together, we have the skills and talent to do great things. Onward and upward!
Yours in Service,
Sylvan Bard Éadaoin Ruadh
Jean-Claude’s Workshop Woes
19 Sunday Jan 2020
Posted in Bardic
Carpenter at work. 15th-century artwork of a carpenter measuring and drawing in his workshop. Artwork from ‘Questio de septem artibus mechanicis’ (Questions on the Seven Mechanical Arts).
Joint project by the Kingdom of Æthelmearc and the Kingdom of the Meridies! Original words by Sir Jean-Claude von Adlerstaat (to the tune of Sound of Silence), inspired by a conversation with a Laurel in their workshop; design by Elska á Fjárfelli.
Bards of Æthelmearc Perform at Kingdom 12th Night
16 Thursday Jan 2020
Posted in Arts & Sciences, Bardic, Competitions
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By Elska á Fjárfelli, Æthelmearc Gazette editor.
Over a dozen bards performed their best in the wonderful acoustic Masonic Temple hall that served as a beautiful medieval backdrop to their different performances at Kingdom Twelfth Night in St. Swithin’s Bog.
The hall was well filled and I felt honored to be one of spectators present at this special event. Hersir Torvaldr Torgarson had organized this years’ competition after winning the honor of representing the Bardic Arts for Æthelmearc last year and it was quite the show. Each entrant could choose to perform either something about Æthelmearc or what they thought of as their best work. This was my first Bards of the Sylvan Kingdom Championship, and if this is what happens each year I sure have been missing out! As I quite enjoyed the different performances, I thought perhaps you would to, so I made a list of who did what for you to see what you missed… Enjoy, and perhaps we’ll see each other at next years’ event, organized by the newly minted Sylvan Bard Éadaoin Ruadh.
Hersir Thorvaldr welcoming all entrants and spectators.
Hersir Thorvaldr opened the competition after a short welcome to everyone competing and otherwise with a moving piece he wrote himself called the “Ballad of the Lonely Norseman.” Visit the Book of Faces post for the lyrics, or see the Moving Pictures here (Melody and lyrics by Thorvaldr, instrumental by Valadonis Stareagle)
Then THL Magge Illefoster, a Sylvan Bard of the past herself, blessed us with a wonderful rendition of the “Rose of Arindale” which she wrote in honor of Queen Gabrielle, as she was once again present to judge those true and worthy.
For more on the song click here
Kicking off the competition was Master Dagonell the Juggler, who performed “Paintin’ Flowers” as a filk to “Countin’ Flowers” by The Statler Brothers. Dagonell dedicated the song to Baroness Ekat, for putting the earworm in his head in the first place!
Visit the Book of Faces post for the lyrics
A hard act to follow, Bran o’Labradha performs “Perche dolce caro bene” with bellowed gusto!
A most surprising performance was given by Bran o’Labradha with “Perche dolce caro bene” – quite singularly my favorite, but then I do have a weak spot for classical guitar. Singing both the male and female parts, in Italian, while accompanying himself by guitar, was fantastic, even if the experience left Bran a wee bit shaken!
Master William de Montegilt read his original poem, “Something about Æthelmearc.”
Count Jehan de la Marche recited the Shakespearean speeches between Hotspur and Falstaff, both from Henry IV part 1, with a little help from His Royal Highness Prince Maynard von dem Steine.
Lord Éadaoin Ruadh performances “Towton’ s Creek,“
Lord Éadaoin Ruadh stole the day with his performance of a song called “Towton’ s Creek,” his filked version of “The Green Fields of France,” to cover the Battle of Towton from the War of the Roses, and which had the spectators humming along with him.
THL Alianora Bronhulle sang with a song “Raise your glass (to the Lady fierce and true)” – a fun song that made us all chuckle out loud!
Keris Silber sang the beautiful “My Sylvan Home.”
Visit the Book of Faces post for the lyrics
Maighstir Liam Macant Saoir did a strong rendition of his original piece, “Sylvan Soldiers Song,”
Lady Nicola Beese had us grinning with “Fortune my Foe,” a song about angst, and who does angst better than the Elizabethans, Lady Nicola implored us!
And Wulfflaed on Hehstaldes closed the performance with a heart-warming rendition of the traditional holiday song Oh, Tannenbaum, in German.
Count Jehan de la Marche enthusiastically reciting the speeches between Hotspur and Falstaff, with help from His Royal Highness Prince Maynard von dem Steine.
Hersir Torvaldr Torgarson then thanked all the entrants for their passion for the bardic arts, and for making the task in choosing his successor so difficult. Vivant, all bards of Æthelmearc!
Interested in the Bardic Arts?
Follow the bards on the Book of Faces at the College of Æthelmearc bards
All photography by Tristyn (Jean H. Keene), thank you!
Tales of the Sylvan Kingdom
06 Monday Jan 2020
Posted in Arts & Sciences, Bardic
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Coffee & Cartoons – by our talented Lady Grainne Ruadh of the Barony of Delftwood.
All hear! The Bard of Æthelmearc Championship is nigh!
04 Saturday Jan 2020
Posted in Arts & Sciences, Bardic, Competitions
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Greetings one and all from your Bardic Champion as the Bard of Æthelmearc Championship is almost upon us! This year, there will be two categories: your best piece and something about Æthelmearc. It is the intention entrants will perform a piece in either category – if there is not enough time to do both the entrant will get to choose which one they want to use. It is preferred the piece be written by the entrant, but if they prefer to use a historical period piece then that is also acceptable.
Come all, and enter for the privilege of becoming the Kingdom Bard! Entertain our Sylvan Kingdom, and help record Kingdom events and history. The glorious position of Kingdom Bard welcomes composers of original work, and encourages research into period work. If this sounds interesting to you, or if you would just like to perform for the heck of it, we’ll be looking forward to your entry!
Their Royal Majesties King Timothy of Arindale and Queen Gabrielle van Nijenrode, and I, current champion Hersir Torvaldr Torgarson, will be judging. I look forward to seeing all the talented and wonderful performers. The Bard of Æthelmearc Championship will be at Æthelmearc Kingdom 12th night in St. Swithin’s Bog on Saturday, Jan 11th 2020.
More information on the upcoming Kingdom 12th Night can be found on Æthelmearc.org and on the Book of Faces. For more information on the championship you can contact Hersir Torvaldr Torgarson (Robert Torvaldr Koepke) on the Book of Faces.
Songs of the Sylvan Kingdom: A 2D World by Éadaoin Ruadh
01 Wednesday Jan 2020
Posted in Arts & Sciences, Bardic
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This song was performed live by Éadaoin at the 2019 Æthelmearc 12th Night, for the Sylvan Bardic championship. It was originally performed from the mixed point of view of a 5th century monk and a SCAdian scribal artist. The upcoming Kingdom 12th Night will be January 11th 2020 in St. Swithin’s Bog, inviting us all to celebrate the glory that is Æthelmearc, and enjoy a winter day of fighting, fencing, feasting, dancing, music, and halljoy together! Who knows, we might even catch a glimpse of Éadaoin, performing again!
A 2D World
Lyrics (mostly) by Éadaoin Ruadh (mka Rebecca Glon)
Melody from “A Whole New World” Composed by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Tim Rice
I can show you a world—
Maybe not shining, but splendid—
Where I can’t remember the last time
Part of my skin wasn’t dyed.
Such an intricate art,
Lines and spaces at play…
Why is this horse green?
Oh well, it’s a rough draft anyway.
A 2D world: an old yet simple point of view.
This medium doesn’t show depth, I know,
But I can flatten any object on cue.
This 2D world: so many scrolls ruined by a cat
Or by my dragging sleeves, and remember, please:
Keep your tea and wash water separate.
(Or you’ll hallucinate a whole new world!)
Unbelievable hours,
Chained to my chair for weeks.
Two scrolls by Thursday?!
Looks like I’m not getting any sleep.
Our 2D world (don’t you dare lick that scroll!)
Just please say “thanks” once so we think you care.
We hope in your new scroll’s home, it might get shown,
But after it’s buried in a pile of garb somewhere.
For a 2D world of beautiful art, we hope and pray.
When gilding and paint won’t stick, we mutter “Shiiiii…oops!”
That’s the most explicit thing I can say.
A world in two dimensions is where I’ll be,
‘Cause we don’t see the third ‘til the fourteenth century.
Éadaoin Ruadh is an active member of the Æthelmearc College of Bards on the Book of Faces. More information on the upcoming Kingdom 12th Night can be found on Æthelmearc.org and on the Book of Faces. And if you feel inspired to join in the fun, the event posting lists: “We graciously announce that the Kingdom Bardic Championship will be held at our event this year, so come prepared to share your talents!”
Happy New Year! Tales of the Sylvan Kingdom
31 Tuesday Dec 2019
Posted in Arts & Sciences, Bardic
Coffee & Cartoons – by our talented Lady Grainne Ruadh of the Barony of Delftwood.