Lessons Learned: Defending the Gate and Performer's Revel

(Before I get going on the weekend event wrap-up, let me just state that the missing cat came home. Now all three of my landlord and landlady's cats are sporting collars with Airtags.)

Now ...  on to the wrap-up of the end of the month. I've done a lot of things in the SCA, but never before had I gone to two separate events in one weekend. But now I've done just that: Defending the Gate in the Barony of Stierbach and Performer's Revel in my own Barony of Storvik.

Stierbach's Canton of Sudentorre actually runs Defending the Gate as its annual signature event in early spring. The fighters build some sort of temporary "gate" structure and the heavy fighting scenarios revolve around it. That's about all I know about the fighting. I've never been a fighter. At the evening feast, the servers hail from the Renaissance Club at the nearby University of Mary Washington, and any tips they collect go toward the club's activities. Personally, I think this is a great idea; I think more colleges should have such clubs that collaborate with the local SCA, given that most institutions of higher education these days make it tough for outside organizations to get a foothold on campus.

The thing I want to remember for next year is: Prepare for the WEATHER. The main building where food was served and court was held is UNHEATED. The day was sunny, but the site, so far away from the modern urban heat island, was chillier than I'd expected. I should have brought a warmer hat, fingerless gloves (for playing my recorder), and my wool hood. Really, I need at least one plain wool dress with long sleeves. As much as I fuss about having the right garb for hot-weather events like Pennsic, I really need to keep in mind that sometimes events are cold.

The Performer's Revel* was cozy as always, even though it took place in a community center gym. I danced, played my recorder, and did some drumming. So, yeah, I performed! A few of our regular attendees were away on a cruise, but maybe they will be able to come next year.

Next up on Lady Patricia's progress is Spring Coronation, also in Stierbach. (Impressive that that barony is holding two events one week apart!) Per the request of the incoming Royals, each barony will be given a display table so that people can make a pilgrimage through the Kingdom by visiting the tables. I've stepped up to organize Storvik's table, largely because no one else wanted to do it. I hope to have some photos to show for it in future entries (however, I haven't yet downloaded this weekend's photos off my DSLR, so don't hold your breath).

* I think the event should be called "Performers' Revel," but people keep spelling it "Performer's Revel," so I'm just going along with it.