Arts and Sciences

Music

Music Comes to Egil’s Tourney: This year we have set aside a 10’ x 20’ covered area next to the list fields all day Saturday and Sunday for bardic activities of all types – performances, group singing, jamming with other musicians, storytelling, poetry recitals, etc., etc. If you would like to sign up for some time in this area, please email  egils@antir.org with Bardic in the subject line and your SCA and modern names + email or text #. Tell us what you’d like to do and your preferred time for doing it. Or just show up and join the fun.

Little Free Library and The Garb Exchange

Adiantum’s Little Free Library and the Garb Exchange will be available in the A&S area. Bring SCA appropriate fiction and non-fiction books and garb to leave and take books and garb that you can use. Children’s garb is especially welcome.

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Offerings Received So Far

Here are the classes, geek sessions and demos that people have offered to present as of 4 May 2024. We will update the list as we get more information.

CLASSES

One Piece Shoes from the Bronze Age to the Roman Era, Agatha Iris – Agatha will discuss one-piece leather shoes, tips and tricks for making your own, and share her process for making them. Old enough to hang out and learn about making shoes!. Please bring your own seating. 1 hour. Limit 20

Introduction to Medieval Cookbooks and Recipes, Constance Davies. Come learn about cookbooks from Roman through the 17th century! If you’re interested in working with recipes from period resources, this is for you. A reading list will be provided. Please bring your own seating. 1 hour. Limit 10.

Ahead of the Curve: Mechanics and Techniques for Sabre, Samwell Langdon. We all love a nice, curved blade, but are you getting the most out of it? This class will cover body mechanics and techniques drawn from Russ Mitchell’s excellent book “Hungarian Hussar Sabre and Fokos Fencing”. We’ll examine how to best utilize a curved blade for both defensive and offensive actions with incorporated footwork, as well as a few nasty tricks with the false edge. 30 minutes. Limit 12. Minimum 16 years old. Required: A fencing mask and gloves as well as an SCA legal steel sword or synthetic trainer, preferably with a curve. Some swords will be available to borrow, but supply is limited.

So, You want to be a Laurel? “Looking behind the Shrubbery”, Seamus O’Caellaigh – Come learn about the Laurel Circle, common misconceptions, and different ways to walk the path to Peerage. Please bring your own seating 1 hour.

Beginning Embroidery, Leda Aleskandrovna Lebedovicha. Limit, 6. For those old enough to hold a needle (under 12 must be accompanied by a parent). Cost: $2 for the bibliography handout. $10 if you need all the materials, or you can bring a 6” embroidery hoop, three colors of embroidery floss, a comfortable needle, beeswax, plus 8″ X 8″ plain cotton/blend fabric.  2 hours. 

How to design/plan and budget for an event Proposal, Kattera Giese. Interested in doing an event but not sure where or how to start? This is for you. Limit 20. Age 15+. 1.5 hours.

Knit a Pouch, Gytha Anora ni Keran. This is a class for advance beginners of any age. If you know what and how to knit a CO, K2tog and YO then this is a great opportunity to knit your own pouch! We will be knitting with wool and all supplies will be provided (except embroidery scissors) for you to keep. This is a class for advanced beginners. You need to know how to knit. Limit 6 people. 1 hour.   

Loud With Purpose: An Introduction to Voice Heraldry, Randulf Greenwall. In this class I will take people through the basics of voice heraldry. We will cover Court Heralding, Field Heralding, Town Crying, and then leave room at the end for questions and answers. No size or age limit, but under 12 must be accompanied by a parent. 1 hour   

Introduction to Thrown Weapons, Eoghan Ua Cléirigh – An introduction to the rules and safety requirements on the Thrown Weapons range along with basic instruction on form and scoring. You must be 9 years old or older and wearing closed toe shoes. Loaner weapons provided. Held at the Thrown Weapons Range.  Limit 6. 1 hour.

Pewter Casting and Soapstone Mold Carving, Brizio de Maroni Carazzaio.  Buttons – buckles – pilgrim badges, an introduction to carving soapstone molds and casting your own pieces in pewter.  Class includes everything you need to get started:  soapstone, tools, pewter, along with a lot of knowledge and instruction for only $20. Due to molten metal, adults only; limit 5. 2 hours. Please email  egils@antir.org with Pewter in the subject line and your SCA and modern names + email or text # to reserve a place by May 5. The class will be offered twice and there are only a couple of places left in the second class as of May 4.

Coordinating the Merchant Area of an Event, Elsbeth Cameron. For event staff, merchants, and populace alike, this class/article addresses merchant coordinating in general… as well as some of the various issues (both obvious and obscure), complete with sample forms, reference links, and a worksheet of potential scenarios. Specifics as to laws in Washington, Oregon, & California are used as examples I’ve dealt with first-hand over nearly twenty years coordinating merchants. 2 hours. Handout

Inkle Loom Weaving For Beginners, Isabeau de Loutre Argent. An informal approach to the art of inkle weaving: warping, simple patterns, and weaving. There will be a couple of looms for hands-on to practice, or bring your own. Limit 8. 10 years and older (under 12 must be accompanied by a parent). 1 hour.

Learning to Make Basic Garb: T-tunic and Trousers, Isabeau de Loutre Argent.  Bring paper and pen, fabric, measuring tape, scissors if you have them. Limit 5. 14 years and older. 2 hours.    

Introduction to Festoons, Isabeau de Loutre Argent.  Learn about some history of the decorative festoon and its use. $20 for handout and materials. 12 years and older 1 hour.

Beginning Mead Making, Hrodnavar Hakonsson. How to get started making your own mead. This class is intended for the rank beginner, absolutely no experience required. I will go through the steps of starting a batch. This will not be “hands on”, and no materials are provided. 1 hour.

Volunteer Orientation, Muirenn inghean Uí Cléirigh. This is a space for new volunteers or volunteers who are new to Egils to learn the ropes, find the volunteer tent, and ask any questions they may have! 30 minutes. Under 12 must be accompanied by a parent (but there are volunteer opportunities for children!)    

Best of the Bestiaries, Liutgard of Luxeuil. A thorough examination of bestiaries and their roles in medieval culture, including the symbolic meanings of the individual creatures. Limit 10. Adult only (some sexual themes). 1.5 hours.

Middle Eastern Rhythms and Movements, Morgan Mayhem. Embark on a journey into the heart of Middle Eastern Rhythm and Movement guided by three expert instructors. Explore four vibrant rhythms with two experienced musicians, then let a skilled dance instructor immerse you in the art of Middle Eastern dance in a captivating workshop. Bring drums or percussion instruments if you have them; some will be available. 15 and older for drumming, 12 and older for movement. 2 hours. You will be able to use your new skills at the Hafla Saturday evening!    Saturday afternoon

Archery Workshops by the Grey Geese. Each workshop is approximately 10 minutes of information or demonstration and then 2-5 minutes of questions or practice at each station. Visit several stations to meet various Grey Geese and learn from their expertise, or stay in the same place hearing it several times to hone that particular skill. Workshops may cover these topics: Stance, Aiming, Release Techniques, Time Skills, Arrow Straightening/Inspecting, Bow Care/Inspecting, Period Gear, Crossbows, Novelty Shoots, Event Prep, etc. On the Archery Range, Saturday 1-2 pm.

Wild Tea Foraging Walk, Muirenn inghean UiCléirigh. From the A&S tents we’ll take a short walk around gate and down by to river to identify local plants (many the same or similar to varieties in Northern Europe) that can be used to make tea.  Upon return, we’ll make fabric tea bags and brew a cup if time allows. Bring a gathering basket if you are able. 1.5 hours.  

Besom (broom) Making, Onóra Ui Cléirigh. A brief history of brooms before creating our own hearth besoms (small, round brooms.) 1 hour.   

Stones and bones, Muirenn inghean Ui Cléirigh. We will look into the materials and process of creating paints (as well as writing utensils) from rocks, minerals, and bones. Those who want to learn more can come back for the Natural Pigments class in the afternoon. 1 hour.   

Natural Pigments Around Us, Muirenn inghean Ui Cléirigh. Includes an overview of the paint / ink making process with time to play with the paints. Weather permitting, maybe a walk afterwards to look for suitable plants. 1 hour.     

Brocade Tablet Weaving, Ainslee Goldheart. Experience required. This will be a hands-on class to learn the specific technique of Brocade. You will need a solid knowledge of tablet weaving. The class can accommodate 4 students and 4 observers.  There will be no time in the class session set aside for warping. Students will need to bring with them a warped loom. * Warping is single color alternating SZ * You can come to the earlier Geek session, Weaving All the Things!, and warp then. We will gloss over the basics to be sure everyone is up to speed. The goal is to end with a working knowledge of brocade, a pattern chosen, and a band well underway. If you have any questions, please reach out to me well in advance so that we can make it the most positive experience we can (lady.ainslee@gmail.com or Facebook @Ainslee Goldheart). 90 minutes.

Who are all those people with shiny metal head gear and how do I address them? Aila’ntha of William’s Keep. 30 minutes; in the Chatelaine pavilion.   

A Brief History of the SCA, Aila’ntha of William’s Keep. Aimed at the curious and the new, here’s how we started and got to where we are now. 30 minutes; in the Chatelaine pavilion.

What is a persona, and how do I get one? Aila’ntha William’s Keep. 45 minutes; in the Chatelaine pavilion.

How to become involved in your local Barony, Shire, or Canton, Aila’ntha of William’s Keep. 45 minutes; in the Chatelaine pavilion.

Roman Tunics & Toga, Helen Gaskyn. This class will discuss how and by whom  these were worn and their basic construction. We will measure you and help you format a pattern so you may construct the garments on your own. 1 hour.

Roman Tunic, Stola, and Pala, Helen Gaskyn. This class will discuss how, when and who wore these items. You will receive construction instructions and be measured so you can cut out and construction these garments on your own. 1 hour.

Laundry Through the Ages, Helen Gaskyn. This class will review laundry techniques from pre- Roman time to the 1700s. I will have some river friendly soap and paddles; if you want to give it a try, bring a dirty garment. Open to anyone who can make it to the river – if the weather is good, we’ll hold class there. If bad weather, we’re in the A&S classrooms next to the list fields. 1 hour.

GEEK SESSIONS

Summits Apothecary Guild, Seamus O’Caellaigh – Interested in period Apothecary? Want to be part of a group? Share sources?? Come geek out. Handout available. Please bring your own seating. 1 hour. 

Motivations and Needs by Generation for Volunteers, Kattera Giese – Let’s talk about what motivates and encourages volunteers by generation….bring your stories, ideas, observations – I will bring the research ($5 for hard copy; please let me know ahead of time at aurorasouthern@hotmail.com ). 1.5 hours

“I failed. Now what?” How to get back on track, Ainslee Goldheart. We all go through set backs, mistakes and failures. The key is how to get back on track without losing your drive. This will be an open/guided discussion about how we as individuals manage our disappointment and get back on track. Handout available. 1 hour.    

Working With Wool: Fleece to Finish, Rowan Stewart Walker. A demonstration and discussion of wool preparation from the raw fleece to the finished product. Interactive class, participation welcomed. Bring whatever you wish to join in with or have questions about — drop spindles, spinning wheels, fleece, spinning prep tools or anything else. I’m glad to answer “What’s this/how does it work/how do I fix it.” Eight 30 minute segments, all in one session. People can come and go as they please. There will also be a concurrent display of  Rowan’s naturally dyed (from plants and lichens) skeins of wool as well for commentary and questions. Saturday, 1-5 pm.   

Female and Gender Minority Fighters – Taran Dæstingr will lead a discussion of about fighting in the SCA from the perspective of not being male.

Egils Spinning Circle, Oswyne Walston. Hang out and spin! Bring your spindle, wheel, current project and seating. I will have hand cards and English combs for use if you’d like to bring scoured wool. Bring your own seating. 1 hour.

Siege Weapons, Quinn Phelan. Ask questions, share your interest in the siege weapons on display immediately following the shooting demo on Saturday. Demos at noon Saturday and Sunday, geek session Saturday only at 1 at the Archery range.

Weaving all the things!, Ainslee Goldheart. Come join us to celebrate and play with all things band weaving — inkle weaving, Baltic weaving, tablet weaving, and brocade.  Bring your current project, your loom if you have one, or any other weaving project you want.  There will be some books and assorted supplies to look over. Some tools and supplies may be available for purchase. If you need anything specific reach out to b\me prior to the event. (lady.ainslee@gmail.com or Facebook @Ainslee Goldheart). Questions are welcome and troubleshooting available. If you are taking the brocade class, this would be a good opportunity to warp your loom if you have not already done so. 2 hours.    

DEMOS

Kantele Demo, Khanzara of Samarqand – learn about and get a chance to play a kantele – an ancient zither from Finland that likely dates back to at least the iron age or possibly earlier, and featured in the Kalevala, Finland’s famous national epic poem.  Any age to listen, toddler age and up to try the instrument with parental help and supervision 1 hour. 

Scheitholt Demo, Khanzara of Samarqand – learn about and try a scheitholt, a fretted zither from late period Germany. Any age to listen, 5 and up to play the scheitholt with parental help and supervision Bring a chair and your curiosity about weird instruments. 1 hour.

Dressed to Kill: Late Period Polish Garb and the Sabre, Samwell Langdon. An examination of Late Period Polish Garb, its influences, and its practicality for dueling with the sabre. Please bring your own seating. 30 minutes

Cut and Thrust Armor as Worn, Bohemond Reynard de Gervais – A pre-tournament class/demo/practice for all participants of the cut and thrust armor as worn tournament to ensure that they are on the same page about what the rules are. Participants in the class must be at least 16 years old; participants in the tournament must be authorized fighters. Entrants need a cut and thrust legal kit, meeting or exceeding An Tir’s requirements. There will be a limited quantity of loaner gear available. 30 minutes.

Embroidery with Gold Thread, Leda Aleskandrovna Lebedovicha. 1 hour  Handout will be available for $2 (includes bibliography, suppliers). 

Create a rolled felt rug from wool to walkable, Vivien NicUldoon. This two day, all day interactive demo will create a rolled wool felt rug starting with loose wool and ending with a completed rug. Anyone of any skill level can join in at any point in the process – many hands make it a game instead of work. Begins in the morning Saturday: We lay the wool for the cut shapes, roll the felt, cut the patterns and lay the wool for the completed piece.
Sunday: Finish laying loose wool, Roll the rug until its completely felted and ready to use.
– Songs are used to track how long the rolling goes and keep everyone rolling together. No one is required to sing – and – everyone is welcome to. The tunes are all simple and the lyrics will be visible while we roll. 
– There is water involved in rolling. It’s kept mostly kept contained, but not entirely. Dress accordingly when you help roll.
– The process we’ll use scales down unchanged to allow a single person to make felt for rugs/shoes/hats while inside at home. 
– The process has simple variations we’ll demonstrate that accommodate most physical limitations while rolling the felt.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent and safe around boiling water.

Basic Wool Spinning, Oswyne Walston. How is wool made into yarn? Watch a demonstration of basic wool combing, carding, spindle, and wheel spinning. Wool spinning dates to prehistoric times and the basics haven’t changed much. 30 minutes.

Seed and Plant Exchange, Gytha Anora ni Keran. Bring your extra seedlings, plants and seeds to exchange for something you just might want to try this year in your garden (veggies, flowers and herbs). There will be a blue pop-up canopy set up just outside the Clan Wagner encampment for you to check out! This will be ongoing Friday evening into late Sunday morning Ask for directions at the A&S pavilion on the main meadow.

Siege Weapon Firing Demo, Quinn Phelan. On the archery range from noon to 1 pm both Saturday and Sunday. Learn about siege weapons, how they can be used in SCA war, and watch an arbalest, ballista and trebuchet in action. Train to be on the team. A geek session about siege weapons will follow from 1-2 pm Saturday only.

Metalworking in Action, Rowland of Jerago con Orago. Two full days of metalsmithing and forge work. Demonstrations of shaping and tool hardening mild steel. Kids (of all ages!) can make their own mini-sword. Under 12 must be accompanied by a parent.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Mistress Yseult at egils@antir.org