Post by Sir Black Fox on Sept 5, 2007 16:06:35 GMT -5
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.
**********************************
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!)
Sincerely,
Carolyn Spedden
Artistic Director
MDRF
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.
**********************************
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!)
Sincerely,
Carolyn Spedden
Artistic Director
MDRF