Category: Activities

Spreading the word

Isn’t amazing when you find out how much fun something new is?

Last Friday I attended the demo at the Carnegie Science Center.  They hosted an evening event for adults over 21 to enjoy a medieval-themed evening. I loved the amount of people who were interested and enchanted by our wonderful Barony, Kingdom, and Society.

We had around 100 volunteers present to speak about different aspects of the society. Our Baron and Baroness helped party-goers take pictures that made them look like royalty. We were able to offer pictures with a prince or princess.  We performed, talked about fighting, archery, fencing, siege weapons, thrown weapons, A&S, and made the Science Center ring with our voices.  People fought and fenced for the entertainment of the people.  I spent the evening behind a table of archery and thrown weapons equipment.

People walked by and immediatly wanted to know more about what we did.  They wanted to handle our axes, crossbows, and more. They asked questions about everything from what we did to historical information and many wanted to know how to find more information and how to join in our fun. Several people were sad that we couldn’t throw axes right there, inside the Science Center.

Telling people about our hobby is always the most fun thing for me.  Between the myriad questions and excitement about something that I love, it always makes it a fun time that will never get old. Considering that this demo had over a thousand people that were some of the most interested people I’ve ever takled to it made it some of the most fun I’ve ever had in the SCA.

– Tigerna Alister Sionnach MacLeod

SCA Garb Basics

For March 8th’s A+S Meeting, let’s talk about garb

It's the Art-Signal! Quick, to the Science-Mobile!
Arts & Sciences Meeting

One of the things that sets the SCA apart from other organizations is that participants are required to make a reasonable attempt at dressing like medieval nobility when they attend our events. This is meant to encourage participation in the experience, but it can seem daunting when you are first getting started in the SCA.

Let’s have a garb basics round-table this Thursday where we can talk about our experiences getting started with SCA garb, show some examples of basic garb in different styles, and share some tips on how to overcome the basic fear of applying scissors to fabric.

Whether you’re a newcomer who needs to ask a pile of questions, an experienced SCAdian thinking of trying something new, or a garb expert with detailed help to offer, please meet with others in the Baronial Arts and Sciences community tomorrow night in Pittsburgh’s Southside.

We will be at Victory Pointe Gaming Lounge (and ice-cream parlor), upstairs in the game room, at 1113 Carson Street on the South Side, March 8th starting at 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.

Upstairs is not handicap accessible, so if you need assistance or have questions, please call me at 412-596-2204.

Be sure to park safely — feed the meter if needed. They ticket like crazy on the South Side. I think the best place is across the street in the bank parking lot.

Yours in service,
Ishiyama Gen’tarou Yori’ie
(Arts and Sciences Deputy)

Important: Science Center Demo Parking and Entrance

From Lady Zianna. If you only read one post about the demo, please pay attention to this one:

Tomorrow – Tomorrow – the Demo is Tomorrow!!!

I need to stress the following information….PLEASE FOLLOW THESE FEW RULES!!!!!

  1. Parking for us is in the BUS/GROUP parking lot.  That is the lot that is between the Red SportsWork Building and the Casino.  It is the closest to our entrance.  You can park in the other lots but know that is much further to walk to get into the Science Center.
    1. If you are pn North Shore Drive with Hienz Field on your left and the Science Center in front of you and slightly right – TURN RIGHT ONTO CASINO DRIVE.  You are following the arrows on the small red sign for BUS Entrance/Deliveries.
    2. Once on Casino Drive you will turn at the next Red sign that says BUS ENTRANCE/Deliveries.  Follow around and through the parking gates.
    3. If you need to drop items off – please follow the delivery arrow and go slightly right to the loading dock.
    4. If you need to park –  please follow the parking area and go slightly left and find a spot to park in, There are designated handicapp spots there.
    5. You will be given a parking validation ticket when you leave the science center.  This will make the parking FREE.  YOU MUST KEEP THE TICKET YOU GOT WHEN ENTERING.
    6. For FREE Parking – put your entry ticket into the machine – then put in the validation ticket when asked for payment.  The gates will open.

Entering and exiting the Science Center:

YOU CAN NOT ENTER OR EXIT THROUGH THE MAIN DOORS!!!!!

We can enter as early as 4pm to start setting up.

  1. You MUST enter through the Security Entrance by the loading dock area.
    1. You MUST be on my list
      1. I can take additions up until 4pm on Friday
    2. You will load in and out through this area.
    3. There are a few flatbed carts and a frieght elevator to use to get materials to other floors.
    4. There will be an SCA contact  and a Science Center contact at the entrance at all times.
      1. Each floor will have a SCA contact person that will be able to assist with things on that floor.
  2. You MUST be in GARB!
    1. There will be a SMALL changing area for us.
  3. You MUST sign the SCA Waiver!
  4. You MUST exit through this entrance to get your parking validation ticket.

I want to thank everyone in advance for making this evening an amazing event.  Your help – your willingness – your passion – your support makes our game  – our hobby – our organization one of the best in the WORLD!!!

One last thing  – – HAVE FUN!!!!!!

See you tomorrow

A and S — Free Fun Time – March 1

Greetings to the Debatable Lands!

Tomorrow, Thursday March 1st, is once again A&S in BMDL!

Got a project you’re working on? Got an inkle loom you can’t get under control? Need embroidery info? Need help with sewing up some garb? Get some help, work on a thing, or just talk about what you’d like to see in the future.

We will be at Victory Pointe Gaming Lounge (and ice-cream parlor), upstairs in the game room, at 1113 Carson Street on the South Side, starting at 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.

Upstairs is not handicap accessible, so if you need assistance or have questions, please call or text me at 724-759-3333.

Be sure to park safely — feed the meter if needed. They ticket like crazy on the South Side. I think the best place is across the street in the bank par! king lot.

See you there!
Elss Augsburg

Demo: Retainers, Heralds, Trumpeters, and Drummers..

From Lady Zianna:

I need to hear from you!!!!

If you have not yet contacted me about being able to retain – we could really use your help. I am looking for shifts to be 30-45 minutes (or longer if you want.) If you have thought about trying to retain or you have years of experience – we have open times this Friday at the Carnegie Science Center from 6pm-10pm.

Trumpets! Drums! Banners! Oh my! Calling all musicians, heralds and warriors: help us process through the masses by clearing a path for Their Royal Highnesses to enter the demo in grand style.

Contact me if you are interested or have questions– ziannaevents at gmail dot com.

See you on Friday!!

TRH to attend Demo

From Lady Zianna:

Hear ye! Hear ye! We have great news this fine morning!

Their Royal Highnesses will be attending this Friday! If you are able to help retain for them, please let me know.

We also learned yesterday that Dream Song will be performing and accompanying the dancing at 7:00pm in the  amphitheater!

Come one! Come all! Join us in making our Barony, Kingdom, and organization shine!  Contact me with questions or concerns.

ziannaevents @ gmail dot com

Demo Update

Read now the words of Lady Zianna:

OYEZ!!! OYEZ!!!

Good gentles of our great Barony and beyond – I, Lady Zianna, bring you glorious updates on the demo coming up this Friday.

Yes, it’s this Friday from 6p.m. – 10p.m. at the Carnegie Science Center (1 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212).

Come and spend the evening showing off your skills, talents, and interests to over 400 people. That’s right: there have been over 400 tickets presold for the event, and there could be as many as 2,000. If you come dressed in garb and go through the secret entrance, you get in and park for FREE!!!

We need YOU! Below are just some of the scheduled events for the evening. We need more people to make our village come alive!

Their Excellencies will be greeted by all the guests as they enter the gates of the village. There will be a photo opportunity for guests to sit on the thrones. Can you retain for Their Excellencies? Can you guard this area to keep them safe? Please contact me to help out.

MARTIAL ACTIVITIES

Heavy Fighters – beginners to Knights – we have some great fighting areas at this event!
We have a river/submarine view that will have one, if not two, lists set up for bouts and education. Get boasted into a bout by a herald – we will have them!
There are two 20-minute demo slots in the Works Theater, at 6:30 and 8:30. We need volunteers for the demos!!! This is such a cool place to demo, in the round and with the spotlight on you!
Weather permitting: give the visitors a glimpse of your skills right outside of the entrance doors! Feel free to sit at a table and work on armor or weapons – we will have spots all over the venue.

Fencers – Oh my! We have a balcony with two lists for you to duel in. You will be visible from three floors on this great balcony!
Our neighbors from Silva Vulcani are joining our forces this great evening. Vivant! Come and test your blades against theirs.
We have a 20-minute demo slot in the Works Theater at 7:30 that we need volunteers to help with.
You, too, can be outside as the visitors enter, should the weather permit.

A ballista and trebuchet will be guarding the entrance to our great village. Siege engineers, and those interested in siege, keep watch for a shift, and teach the visitors about these forms of combat!

Speaking of combat…. Calling all combat archers! If you can be there, we need protection!!

Join the archery and thrown weapons display. Need to sharpen those axes or repair those arrows? We have the space and this area will also be visible from all floors of the venue.

Jousting, anyone? Our great equestrians will be out in force! They will be slaying some silly “Bouncy Jousting” enemies. Come and cheer them on!

ARTS AND SCIENCES

We have an entire floor dedicated to Arts and Sciences. We have a lot more space to be filled!
There will be appearances by the Great Wheel and the Printing Press. We have knitting, weaving, embroidery, and calligraphy for the start of a great arts circle.

Have a project you are working on? Bring it! Sit by the windows or by the fighting or in the theaters. We all need a few extra hours to work on a project!

I would love to have an illumination display! Who can make this happen??

Brewers: we will have the bar set up for you. Bring your best to let our visitors sample them. Remember there are already 400 tickets sold. A few good gentles unable to join us have arranged to have their product transported to the venue, but we need more!

Music! We need music! If there was ever a space for loud band, it’s here! Stroll the halls – sit by the tavern – did I mention there are several stages?

Bards, Dancers, and Drummers–OH MY! Tell a story from a balcony – stroll about, singing your favorites. Demonstrate a dance under the leadership of THL sionn the lost. Perform on a stage. Do one or more or all of the above! Members of the choir will be there to sing a few selections, as well.

Heralds, HELP!! We are going to have announcements to make all night long. Please contact me if you are available to be a roving or stationed herald.

BRING YOUR BANNERS! We want to see your heraldry! There are places for them to be hung – there are places for them to stand.

As you can see, this is a major exposure opportunity for the region, so the more participation we can get, the better. Again it’s this Friday from 6p.m. – 10p.m. at the Carnegie Science Center.

If you are on my list already, the secret entrance location will be given to you posthaste. Remember, you need to come in this way or you will not get in free.

If you have other questions, or need to be added to my list to learn the secret entrance location, please contact me:

ziannaevents at gmail dot com or Lady Zianna on Facebook.

Special Announcement coming soon….

-Lady Zianna

(Posted by
Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres, OL)

A and S — Making a Belt Favor – Feb 22

Greetings to the Debatable Lands!

Tomorrow, Thursday Feb 22nd, is once again A&S in BMDL!

This is a make-and-take — make yourself a belt favor to display important things — your heraldry, kingdom/barony affiliation and such-like. Materials provided, but you are on your own for “important stuff”.

We will be at Victory Pointe Gaming Lounge (and ice-cream parlor), upstairs in the game room, at 1113 Carson Street on the South Side, starting at 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.

Upstairs is not Accessible, so if you need assistance or have questions, please call or text me at 724-759-3333.

Be sure to park safely — feed the meter if needed. They ticket like crazy on the South Side. I think the best place is across the street in the bank parking lot.

See you there!
Elss Augsburg

Spring Archery Muster

On April 22nd, an enhanced martial practice will be held at Earl Thomas Byron of Haverford’s castle, the address of which is listed in the Dark Pages.

The primary focus of the day is archery, with a range set up in front of the garage all day and also a shoot from the castle turrets from about 1:00 pm onward. THL Deryk Archer has worked hard to create a set of target challenges for us. The Thrown Weapons and Youth Fighting communities will join us. There will be a space dedicated to A&S, and a few classes will be held.

This practice will be held on Sunday, April 22nd in place of the regularly scheduled practice.

Posted on behalf of Mestari Urho Waltterinen
crossbow1953 (at) Verizon (dot) net
Per valde mustache adveho valde officium

https://www.facebook.com/events/216367475589410/

Tavern in the Park – Vivant!

Cheers to all of you who worked to bring this Tavern event to life. The tavern was so much fun because of these people:

ZIANNA BEGUY URDINA DE ZABALETA who trolled everyone in with help from Cassandra Matis, Nichola Beese, Joe Feil, Chrissy Feil, and Casey Redmane;

BARON BRANDUBH Ó DONNGHAILE whose presence was much appreciated and his herald, KIERAN MACRAE, who kazoo-ed open the court; BARONESS HILDERUN HUGELMANN, we missed you!

ELSBETH ANNE ROTH who staffed a busy heraldic consult table;

AIBELL INGEN CHERNACHAIN who provided amusement with family activities;

BUGGA BILIBIT who led a Pilgrimage singing practice and GWENDOLYN THE GRACEFUL who knows and sings all the songs at the Bardic Circle (even the one about the Haggis!);

An extra Vivant for these first-time event staffers:

ELSA TALIARD my co-autocrat, who backed me up and also made sure the lodge was clean at the end of the day with help from Raven Whitehart, Eilionora inghean an Bhairdis, Ihala Auvinen, Ceindrech verch Elidir, Amanda Bowen, and Gwendolyn the Graceful;

EILIONORA INGHEAN AN BHAIRD developed challenging A&S competitions and offered display spaces for our arists;

IHALA AUVINEN who created a hearth-side bardic semi-circle and arranged for singers to lead us in our favorite songs;

RONAN O’CONALL organized the adult beverages so many of us enjoyed – mmmmm, mead;

EMILY FORNEY who brought in two merchants of wonderful goods, and who not only has never helped at an event before, but also has never attended an event before – really?

KATTERA DOPLERIN while not new to cooking, was head cook for the first time, and made terrific food that deftly avoided everyone’s food issues.

To all of you, I say again, many, many thanks!

If I did not list someone by name or deed, please know that the fault is mine, but that everyone’s assistance is most gratefully appreciated. Please let me know who has been omitted so that I may render thanks where it is due.

Yours in Service to the Barony,
Elss of Augsburg