my dream event
Apr. 10th, 2021 08:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kareinaI was asked today by a dear friend "Ditt drömevent, vad består det av.. om du fick ta och välja precis vad som helst, Hur ser det då ut". Having taken the time to write a reply in Swedish, I thought I would paraphrase and describe my dream SCA event in English, too, for your reading pleasure.
There are, of course, two very different types of my dream event, depending on if it is summer (camping) or winter (indoors).
If it is summer, then my ideal event would be a large camping event which draws from the best of West Crown Tournament, Egil Skallagrimsson Memorial Tournament in An Tir, Cudgel War in Finland and Double Wars in Sweden, with hints of our local Medeltidsdagarna.
From the West I would take the central square around the fighting field, which is big enough to hold six different fighting fields. Surrounding that field are large sunshades, all of which are welcoming to guests, and all who wish to relax in the shade and watch the tournament or work on a project are encouraged to do so. Behind the sunshades are larger pavilions and household camps which are interested in providing hospitality this event, and they encourage all and sundry to make themselves at home. Further back are other household and individual pavilions and camps, and beyond them are the modern tents and motorhomes for those who prefer them. There would plenty of toilet facilities, with hand washing stations so that no one has too far to walk for those late-night trips to relieve oneself.
On the corners of the field, and probably scattered in other locations as well, are craft stations for larger crafts that need special equipment, including glass working, smithing, dying of fabric, wood working, stone carving, serious perod food cooking over fire, using soapstone pots. Basically anything A&S that sounds like fun to someone on site.
There will be dancing and acroyoga sessions. Evening bardic circles, with at least 50 people in attendance who know the choruses of the songs, so that we can all sing together. There will be enough days at the event for everyone to do at least a little of everything they think fun, and lots of their favourite things. There will be no smoking of any kind, and only moderate use of alcohol (and no one getting stupid drunk, because if I am dreaming I may as well dream), and everyone will treat everyone else with courtesy. There will be plenty of consensual flirting for those who will, and no pressure to partake if one doesn't feel for it.
The weather will be perfect--lightly warm or cool and comfortable without ever getting cold and never any heat. Scattered light clouds for intermittent shade, but no rain. A light breeze now and then to keep the banners aflutter, but no strong winds.
The site will be far from any towns, and the view will be pretty. There will be a lake or a river which is a joy to swim in. There will be sauna and/or hot tub available.
If it is Winter we are gathered in a castle or a period stone building, such as a town hall, or perhaps a beautiful period wooden house. Either way, there is plenty of room for everyone, and we are able to sleep on site. The event itself is a blend of Norrskensfesten/Bard of the Mists (from which I took the inspiration for Norrskensfesten), 12th Night Coronation and Accademia Della Danza (which I attended in Germany in a stone town hall from the 1300's). There is a feast which is served during the day (when I am hungry, so I get to eat with my friends). During the feast there are performances for the rounds of the bardic competition, and in between the rounds and the feast courses there is dancing, acroyoga, games, and pleasant conversation. Court takes place in the early evening, leaving plenty of time for evening bardic circles, which, as in summer are well attended with many voices raised in shared song. Others enjoy games and conversation, but, since it is my dream, no smoking of any kind, and alcohol use is moderate, with no one getting drunk. Flirting is fun and consensual, and no one is pressured to partake. It also spreads over more than one day, so there is time for everything, and we eventually leave site feeling like we were exactly the right amount of busy, but never felt rushed, that we got to have good conversations with everyone, and we did everything we wanted to do.
...and hugs. There are lots of hugs both in summer and winter, and cuddle piles of people for those of us who want them.
There are, of course, two very different types of my dream event, depending on if it is summer (camping) or winter (indoors).
If it is summer, then my ideal event would be a large camping event which draws from the best of West Crown Tournament, Egil Skallagrimsson Memorial Tournament in An Tir, Cudgel War in Finland and Double Wars in Sweden, with hints of our local Medeltidsdagarna.
From the West I would take the central square around the fighting field, which is big enough to hold six different fighting fields. Surrounding that field are large sunshades, all of which are welcoming to guests, and all who wish to relax in the shade and watch the tournament or work on a project are encouraged to do so. Behind the sunshades are larger pavilions and household camps which are interested in providing hospitality this event, and they encourage all and sundry to make themselves at home. Further back are other household and individual pavilions and camps, and beyond them are the modern tents and motorhomes for those who prefer them. There would plenty of toilet facilities, with hand washing stations so that no one has too far to walk for those late-night trips to relieve oneself.
On the corners of the field, and probably scattered in other locations as well, are craft stations for larger crafts that need special equipment, including glass working, smithing, dying of fabric, wood working, stone carving, serious perod food cooking over fire, using soapstone pots. Basically anything A&S that sounds like fun to someone on site.
There will be dancing and acroyoga sessions. Evening bardic circles, with at least 50 people in attendance who know the choruses of the songs, so that we can all sing together. There will be enough days at the event for everyone to do at least a little of everything they think fun, and lots of their favourite things. There will be no smoking of any kind, and only moderate use of alcohol (and no one getting stupid drunk, because if I am dreaming I may as well dream), and everyone will treat everyone else with courtesy. There will be plenty of consensual flirting for those who will, and no pressure to partake if one doesn't feel for it.
The weather will be perfect--lightly warm or cool and comfortable without ever getting cold and never any heat. Scattered light clouds for intermittent shade, but no rain. A light breeze now and then to keep the banners aflutter, but no strong winds.
The site will be far from any towns, and the view will be pretty. There will be a lake or a river which is a joy to swim in. There will be sauna and/or hot tub available.
If it is Winter we are gathered in a castle or a period stone building, such as a town hall, or perhaps a beautiful period wooden house. Either way, there is plenty of room for everyone, and we are able to sleep on site. The event itself is a blend of Norrskensfesten/Bard of the Mists (from which I took the inspiration for Norrskensfesten), 12th Night Coronation and Accademia Della Danza (which I attended in Germany in a stone town hall from the 1300's). There is a feast which is served during the day (when I am hungry, so I get to eat with my friends). During the feast there are performances for the rounds of the bardic competition, and in between the rounds and the feast courses there is dancing, acroyoga, games, and pleasant conversation. Court takes place in the early evening, leaving plenty of time for evening bardic circles, which, as in summer are well attended with many voices raised in shared song. Others enjoy games and conversation, but, since it is my dream, no smoking of any kind, and alcohol use is moderate, with no one getting drunk. Flirting is fun and consensual, and no one is pressured to partake. It also spreads over more than one day, so there is time for everything, and we eventually leave site feeling like we were exactly the right amount of busy, but never felt rushed, that we got to have good conversations with everyone, and we did everything we wanted to do.
...and hugs. There are lots of hugs both in summer and winter, and cuddle piles of people for those of us who want them.
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Date: 2021-04-10 08:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-04-11 05:08 am (UTC)