I was introduced to Michael Van Slyke, a wonderful singer, by Cedric Fithelere, who has provided the incredible strings for this album that I cannot wait to share with you. Michael and I are collaborated live between New Jersey and Texas today, as he recorded the part of Sir Palamedes the Saracen for the title track, “Hold the the Door Open”.
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We head out for Pennsic today. I’m excited to be doing the whole thing this year and camping on-site once more, even as I’m nervous about factors beyond our control that we never used to worry about (Covid, air quality).
And I’m excited to be doing my concert again, having opted not to stay for war week last year. Barring things we can’t prevent, I’ll be performing on the big stage for the first time in four years. So I wanted to do something special. Ambitious. Maybe a little crazy? (For someone who isn’t exactly made out of spare time.)
I decided to perform Hold the Door Open with a full voice cast for the four main characters. A representative voice cast, including performers who could demonstrate the diversity of sometimes marginalized experiences the song is about.
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The Use of “I” Statements
This is a quick post to address, once and hopefully for all, an issue of writing choices, so that I can just reference it when necessary going forward, instead of having to repeat it.
There are certain contexts in which people are encouraged to use “I” statements instead of “you” or “we” statements. One example is couples therapy, where each member of a couple is invited to talk about their own needs rather than the expectations they place on the other member. Another is in some group support environments, where a speaker is invited to take ownership of their own experiences and wants, rather than hiding behind an imagined group (“I deserve better” instead of “we deserve better”), or an imagined hypothetical person (“and then I get upset” instead of “and then you get upset”).
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Looking back at Pennsic 47
So, even by my sluggish standards, this Pennsic post is really late. We got home three weeks ago. There are a few reasons (excuses) why I didn’t jump on it right away:
- Between my job and rehearsals for The Mystery of Edwin Drood (which opens next weekend), I have been very busy and squeezed a bit hard on re-entry the last few weeks.
- I did do a few shares on this blog related to Pennsic, including two posts from war, a new song which recapped some of my experiences with a broad brush, and posting my full concert on YouTube.
- Because the Sing for the East project added songbooks to our offerings just in time for Pennsic, and we still had some inventory left when we got home, I felt like I was attending to unfinished Pennsic business for much of my first week back. (We did sell out quickly enough on Bandcamp, and have sent this year’s donation to the EK Royal Travel Fund.)
Nevertheless, it’s important to take time to reflect on a two-week event we only experience once a year, and I have lots of people to acknowledge (even if I have mentioned some of them previously).
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Teasers #8 and 9
I feel behind on these, what with getting ready for the Laurels’ Prize Tourney yesterday (which I will post about a bit later). Let’s get caught up now.
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Article: Create Your Masterpiece
A member of the Bardic Arts group on Facebook shared this article called “Create Your Masterpiece”. I read this, and recognize the steps I went through in getting Hidden Gold done. It’s powerful stuff, and worth your time.
Sweet! Season Two has arrived!
Pennsic 45 begins this weekend. Before I head out, I wanted to mention that there are some wonderful friends of mine being showcased this year in the Performing Arts tent who don’t (or haven’t) regularly performed there. You should definitely check these folks out, if you’re wondering how to be profoundly entertained at War:
- Monday August 8, 8-9 pm: Mar Yaakov HaMizrachi, Tales from “The Book of Delight”
Tah Sh’ma! Come and hear! Storyteller Mar Yaakov HaMizrachi in performance of his reconstruction of the period work “The Book of Delight” by Yosef ben Meir Ibn Zabara. Zabara wrote this classic work of folk tales in about the year 1200 in Toledo, Spain. Hear how a clever fox seeks to trick a foolish leopard to his doom! Only the leopard’s wise wife stands between our Well Meaning but Foolish Hero and his certain death! In this contest of wit between a loving wife and a cunning foe, whose cleverness shall prevail?
I wanted to mention this performance first because it’s a late addition to the schedule, and thus may not end up listed in the printed book.
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Norse Oddity (David Bowie Tribute)
I wanted a tribute to David Bowie I could sing at bardic circles, like the one this coming Sunday. I don’t often filk, but sometimes, whatcha gonna do? So I reached out to the hive mind…enjoy, and feel free to make use if you feel called.
Norse Oddity (to the tune of “Space Oddity”)
By Juliean Galak and Eric Schrager (with help from the Filker and SCA Bardic Arts Facebook groups)
Oarsman Troels to Captain Bjørn
Oarsman Troels to Captain Bjørn
Eat your salted cod and put your helmet on
Oarsman Troels to Captain Bjørn
We’ve got our oars down, let’s row on
Check the sails now, and may Thor’s luck be with you…
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Arrived at Pennsic
And, as luck would have it, guess who was 3 cars behind us in line for gate.
Heather is only here for the weekend to set up camp, but I’m happy to provide the preview for next Sunday night at my show. 🙂
Drake Oranwood 