Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Better than Disney World: Why the Renaissance Faire is the Perfect Summer Adventure For the Whole Family


Every kid dreams of their first trip to Disney World, and some adults too for that matter! It's a shame that Disney Parks are so far away for most, so time consuming, and so costly. Let's face it. Geek is chic nowadays for folks of all ages and it can be challenging to get your fandom fix, especially when it comes to funding fantasy for the whole family. What if I told you that in a park near you, hides another world where knights, queens, heroes, and villains reign supreme for a mere $20 a ticket? 


Just a short drive away there's probably a renaissance faire about to kick festivities into high gear for the summer with jousts, maypole dances, first class entertainment, and fairy magic. You'd be a fool to miss out on the fun!

The finest food in the kingdom!
Renaissance faires boast delicious turkey legs fit for Henry VIII and treats to wow kiddies and parents alike. Faires offer chocolate covered bacon, funnel cake, and even Butterbeer for the wandering witch or wizard!
Carolina Renaissance Festival DavidsonNews.net 
Merchants and artisans galore!
Talented craftsmen and women from around the country gather at faires to showcase everything from blown glass to blacksmithing- even children's toys! My favorite is the marshmallow catapult found at the New York Renaissance Faire. It sure makes for an interesting drive home!
Sterling Renaissance Faire starryskies.wordpress.com
Entertainment for all!
Fire eaters, belly dancers, and bawdy songstresses- Oh my! There's something for everyone at renaissance festivals whether you enjoy acts of daring, acrobatics, or comedic magicians. 
Stephanie Veto for The Intelligencer 
Mirna L. Faulkner NYRF

Costumes to die for!
Some people spend years collecting or hand crafting their costumes and those that are provided for the cast always add that extra wow factor! Prepare to be amazed and enchanted by your surroundings.
Cherry Bomb Photography
Family Travel Files Ezine

Action and adventure!
No renaissance faire is complete without knights hurtling lance first on horseback down the field of battle and buxom women exchanging blows! Jousts and living chess matches will be sure to thrill even the staunchest curmudgeons in your party.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival Family Outings blogs.twincities.com 
Romance galore!
Heading to your local faire is the perfect way to celebrate your relationship! It's a fantastic first date or even a chance for long married couples to dress up together and rekindle that still burning flame in a thrilling immersive environment. Chivalry and romance are very much alive at the renaissance faire!
NY Renaissance Faire renfair.com/ny
History so close you can touch it!
For the history buff's in your family, a visit to the royal court is a must! Cinderella step aside, because at the faire, you'll get a chance to meet her royal majesty Queen Elizabeth I and the members of her retinue- all played by actors who are passionate about sharing their fascinating stories. This is the perfect way to get children interested in important historical figures.
Kimberly D Stockton

Fantasy for all!
Get swept up in the experience. After a day at faire, it can be hard to return the harshness of the real world but the fairies will always be waiting for your next visit! Your children will be enchanted by interactions with magical spirits and legendary heroes like Robin Hood. Adults will be transported to another era by wielding swords and enjoying flagons of mead in this enthralling environment. It's impossible not to fall in love with this irresistible escape and luckily it's easy for it to become a yearly outing! 

Twin Cities Daily Planet

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Premiering TIA


"What do a Broadway-or-bust diva, an avant-garde performance artist, a dancer starting too late, and a hapless jack of all trades have in common? Find out in the new webseries, 
This Is Art, a satirical love letter to the postgraduate misadventures of undiscovered artists living in NYC."

THIS IS ART is a comedy created by and starring my best friend Emily Floyd, who has been mentioned on the blog several times, and myself. We just premiered in partnership with BroadwayWorld.com Comedy and we'd love for you to tune in and watch! The first two episodes are out and available for viewing with a new episode airing every two weeks afterwards. 

In 2011, we did an Indiegogo campaign to raise money for the show and exceeded our $6000 goal by over $1000. We successfully crowdfunded our entire first season and dove headfirst into production. After a whirlwind ten day shoot, we started a bumpy post production period that lasted years as we worked to complete what equated to a full length feature film, requiring the talents of industry professionals willing to work for way below their typical pay grade.

This is also a wonderful look back in time to a older version of myself. I'm no less proud of my performance and all the hard work I put into this show but this was a pre- Project Reroll Anne. I hardly recognize that girl when I see her on screen and I am so grateful that I've been able to pursue performance more vigorously since getting serious about personal health. I'd love to bring my new self, experiences, and physique to a new season of THIS IS ART.

If our audience for the first season is good, we may get an order from Broadway World to make more seasons of the show. Please watch and consider supporting us by sharing on your social media pages.

Here's our premiere on BWW Comedy:

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@followthisisart

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You can also contact us at thisisartwebseries@gmail.com

Thanks for supporting our show!