PERSONAL NEWS #75
Sunday, October 2nd, was the big day of the 21st Annual Renaissance Faire. It was another gorgeous, perfect weather day. [Note: Correction on previous "personal news". I had mentioned that Eileen was Programme Director. So sorry ... my bad. Rechecking the program for the faire, it lists Eileen as "Performance Director". My apologies to Eileen and the organization.] I arrived at Fort Tyron Park at 10am and headed to the staff/volunteer/
participant area, which was next to the Tournament Field & Apple Orchard. Eileen was already there and getting all of us to sign in, collects badges, agenda, etc. Eileen looked abit tired and mentioned Jay, Seth and she were up until 4am working on posters, agendas, etc. Poor darlings. I learned that I would be working with Adam, Becca, Sam and Bonnie as "stage managers". Bonnie kindly lent me one of her mustard color cloth medieval hats, so as to keep the sun off my sensitive noggin. I'm not a fan of that color, but didn't object, as I very much needed to keep the warm sun off my head. Plus I had on lots of sunscreen, so I wouldn't go thru what happened the day before. Clad in my peasant blouse, jeans, sandals, fanny pack and hat I was ready to help out and enjoy the faire. Occasionally observed the performers go into provided tents in their 21st century street clothing and come out wearing terrific Renaissance costumes.
[As you can see in photo at left]
Finally, it was time to head up to the front gate and help organize the performers for the opening procession. This is the official start of the faire. It took some time to organize ... finally Eileen snapped her bullwhip to announce the start. Bonnie and I made sure pedestrians stood back to allow the procession on its way and it finished up at the Tournament Field.
[As you can see in second photo] Back at the "staging/refreshment area" for us folk, I stood guard at the entrance to make sure that no pedestrians entered. Also partook of some free food. Ahhh ... sustenance!
Took care of this for an hour before I was relieved of that duty. Behind the Apple Orchard and Cloisters is were the Jousters are sequestered with their steeds. Eileen, Melissa and I went to check on them before they performed in the "Joust of Pleasure" at 2pm. Again Bonnie, Becca and I had to keep the pedestrians back to allow the jousters onto the field. The event was fun to watch, but Lord Morgan’s steed was being very flighty that day. Sir Thomas Banger, on the other hand, was experiencing no troubles with his Belgium steed. At one point I had to sit behind bails of hay to shade myself from the intense sun. Mon dieu! After this particular event was done ... Bonnie, Becca and I decided to check out the street vendors along Centercheap Market. Plus purchase some PULSE to fortify our thirsty bodies from too much sunshine. Lots of really neat stuff/goodies and plan on doing some shopping at end of faire. Once refreshed and sitting back at the "staging area" watched the "Living Chess Game" being played at the Tournament Field and talked about past Ren Faires held out at Tuxedo, NY. We all had a good laugh over some of the antics and folk we both mutually knew back in the day.
Shortly before 4:30pm we walked up to the Pageant Wagon, behind the Cloisters, to round up the performers for the Grand Procession that leads into the Grand Tournament. This is hosted by the royal court. What a mess in trying to get that organized and locating Eileen. Finally, at about 5pm, the procession made its way down to the field. [Bonnie and I clearing a path to the field. Pedestrians can be so dense at times.] Yep, we were late, as the Royal Court started without the procession. Most annoying! Before letting the jousters into the field for the Grand Joust, my friend Linda showed up with some acquaintances. It was great seeing her, but sadly we could only chat for abit, as I was trying to keep the pedestrians away from the horses.
[Photo of Sir Thomas Banger with Melissa the Wench at left.] The joust was a rousing success and I believe LordMorgan won, though I was cheering on Sir Thomas. Afterwards I tried to locate Linda and Eileen, but no luck with either, so I returned my "staff" badge and went shopping. Didn't purchase much, but greatly enjoyed viewing all the lovely goodies. Back at the "staging area" I ran into Melissa the Wench. We chatted and decided to walk out together, as our volunteer work was done for the day. Fun, interesting day and will definitely help out Eileen next year.Tuesday, October 4th, I attended a music recital at the Frederick Loewe's Theatre down near Washington Square in Manhattan. Was invited by fellow NYC Kucitizen Peter Calandra and his wife Nadine. One of Peter's compositions was being performed that evening by Kathleen Nester on the flute. Which was most enjoyable, especially the 2nd & 3rd movements. [Other musicians that evening were playing piano, viola, and harp.] The event was hosted and performed by the NYC Steinhardt Music & Performing Arts Professions. I was especially impressed, as the rest of the audience was, by Ms Nester's expertise on the flute during the "Carmen-Fantasie" in the program. Also enjoyed a Debussy sonata performed by flute, harp and viola. It’s a joy to see and hear the harp and not have it drowned out by a large orchestra. After the program ended I was able to chat with Peter and Nadine. Overall a delightful evening of music.
Wednesday, October 5th, I attended the monthly "Democracy for America" meetup in Williamsburg at Royal Oak Pub. Not sure what’s up with folk and low attendance. Cause the meetup was attended only by me and Dan Jacoby [host]. Despite low attendance, I enjoyed some terrific and fascinating conversation with Dan. [A link to Dan's website is listed on the left called "Jacoby's Political Essays".] Topics on the agenda, that we touched upon, are ... mayoral debate, Freddy Ferrer monthly mixer, NY Civil Liberties Unions Bill of Rights Defense campaign [Intro 649 - http://www.nyccouncil.info] and DFNYC issues for endorsements. I also told Dan about NYC DoP campaign and provided him with links for more info.
SUNDAY EVENING MOVIES HOSTED BY "9/11 Truth.org" -- 9/11 TRUTH ON SUNDAYS
7 PM EVERY SUNDAY Evening (Doors 6:30)
St. Mark's Church Parish House
10th Street & Second Avenue in Manhattan
Donation $5
Sunday Oct 23 at 7 PM - FRANK MORALES
NEW ORLEANS: DISASTER & CONSPIRACY
A talk on the deep politics of the New Orleans disaster, analyzing parallels and links to 9/11. Below the "massive incompetence" of the federal government lies a sinister consolidation of the military/police state in America, building on a decades-old history of preparations for quelling civil disturbance using doctrines of "emergency preparedness" and "homeland security." Frank Morales has written on these issues for Covert Action Quarterly, Global Outlook and other publications. FILM – New Orleans/Katrina Media Review by John Albanese
Sunday Oct 30 at 7PM - JANETTE MACKINLEY
"BEHIND EVERY TERRORIST THERE IS A BUSH"
NEW YORK PREMIERE! Featuring hyperactivist Carol Brouillet, music by David Rovics, stand-up comedy by the hilarious Will Durst and former Washington Post writer Bill Santiago, and rap-poetry by Drew Dellinger. The 2004 gala was a benefit show for the "International Inquiry into 9-11, Phase One: San Francisco."
"A film for people with brains as well as funny bones." (60 mins)The events of September 11th literally smashed through artist Janette MacKinley's windows, across Liberty Street from the World Trade Center. She authored Fortunate, a powerful memoir of that experience, and became active in the 9/11 truth movement. After several years in the Bay Area, she will be speaking on the activities and personalities of our sister group, the Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance (sf911truth.org).
Sunday Nov 6 at 7PM - NICHOLAS LEVIS
BANANA REPUBLIC: BUSH REGIME BUSINESS
Film - "Exposed: The Carlyle Group"The 48-minute Dutch documentary "Exposed" examines the Carlyle Group: a fund that united the financial interests of the Bush family and the Bin Ladin family in the shared business of war. Author Nicholas Levis, New York correspondent for 911Truth.org, presents a slide show on the history of the men responsible for Iran-Contra, the origins of al-Qaeda, CIA involvement in the drug business, the S&L plunder, longstanding plans for invading the Middle East, the development of an American police state and the “Project for a New American Century” - the same men who run the present Bush regime.
Sunday Nov 13 at 7PM - SHAWN PICKERING
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: THE FEDERAL RESERVE
Daniel Hopsicker's 60-minute documentary examines "The Secret Birth of the Federal Reserve" - how America was taken over by banking interests. Researcher Shawn Pickering looks at the system of fractional-reserve banking with interest-bearing debt that ultimately necessitates a destructive, permanent-growth economy.
Sunday Nov 20 at 7PM - SANDER HICKS
THE BIG WEDDING: 9/11, WHISTLEBLOWERS & THE COVER-UP
Publisher of the critical Bush biography Fortunate Son in 2001, Hicks casts a hard look at the official story of the 9/11 attacks in his new book The Big Wedding, a whirlwind tour of criminal informants and suppressed intelligence insiders. "Hicks is out to do nothing less than expose the planet's most insidious nexus: the Jihadists, bankers, mercenaries, drug dealers, and so-called leaders who are currently pantomiming their way through a charade they've dubbed the 'war on terror.' Imagine Henry Rollins meets the young Bob Woodward - a clean-cut, hard-as-nails punk with the reporting chops to take on an empire." - Anthony Lappe (gnn.tv) WITH FILM CLIPS from Sander's work at INN World Report.
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