For the week of August 27 - September 2, 2003

Renaissance Fair
hails many

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

The assorted folks who both attended and participated in the first Sun Valley Performing Arts Center Renaissance Fair, in true Ketchum style, created quite a buzz about town. They also established that this was an "annual" and not a one-time only event.

The fair kicked off at noon Saturday, Aug. 23, with a parade from the Sun Valley Performing Arts Center at nexStage Theatre. Mayor Ed Simon gamely gave a welcoming speech to the assorted commoners, serfs, lords, and damsels.

Prue Hemmings, Renata Begun and a band of some 75 volunteers turned the Forest Service Park into part market place and part royal court, with booths surrounding the courtyard that enticed passers-by with everything from falcons to palm readers.

Among the activities were demonstrations by the Sun Valley Swords Fencing Club with Shane Harrison and Bowe Bergdahl; an Elizabethan musical performance with Gregory McQueen, Heidi Bynum, Ron Wade, Flavia Pop and Lynda Staum; and a brief performance piece by several of the actors in "All’s Well That Ends Well," including Robert Rais, Matt Gorby and Nick Green. David Winstein gave juggling lessons and was the court jester.

Ye Olde Rotten Apple Tavern provided ales, tarts and other vittles to the common folk, all of whom were served by "lusty wenches," Hemmings laughed.

Kayla Harrison and Mareena Moss presented a "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" dance interpretation.

Ye Olde Iconoclastic Book Shoppe carried beautiful Shakespeare volumes, and there were booths for Children’s Medieval Arts and Iris Barratt’s Mystical Fortunes. The charlatan soothsayer, Tony Evans, sold beliefs, penances and tales. Michelle Schwartz taught fencing moves and choreographed the sword fight.

"This whole thing is because we want people to know about our plays and Sun Valley Performing Arts. I like the concept of it being for children and families," Hemmings said. "I’m already having debriefing sessions about how to make next year even better."

 

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