Idyllwild '26—Completed!

Good afternoon, mortals! We are returnèd from the mountain, descended from Idyllwild ‘26 back down into the horrors of the Real.

A successful & soul-bolstering week-end all round, I think. We forged new friendships, renewed old ones, met many mortals & reunited with many others.

On Saturday night, after sharing much mead, we were treated to the usual sort of festive debauchery—a glance through a telescope, aimed at Saturn as it scurried through the night. Ne’er had either of us seen it so clearly from the Earth, & that image shall stay with me for some time.

We found more opportunities to be of help to our fellow performers & crew—assisting new-comers with their first tent, hauling props about, sharing provisions & advice. When operational crises arose, we organized amongst ourselves to ensure smooth resolutions. ‘Tis no small part of the faire-joy, that we live in a more anarchist mode for the duration…& when we leave, we always wonder, Why can mortal society not organize this way every day?

Many of the folk who work to make faires work, live on some “margin of society” or another. Often poor, with “irregular” employment, hailing from so-called “minority groups,” elderly, disabled. Groups whom the domineering nobility seek to oppress & suppress, whom they seek to malign & erase. & yet we come together, in joyous solidarity, to build a better society for a week-end or two. Truly, the Renaissance faire be one of the Imperium Americum’s only laudable cultural innovations.

The patrons, we notice, grow e’er more radical o’er time—EXCELLENT. At the faire, we need be less circumspect in our language & imagery than on these “web platforms.” The crowds, increasingly, bay for the blood of the billionaires, cheer for rebellion against data-centres, & yearn for a total reconstruction of society. ‘Tis a good sign, I think—if ye feel those ways, ye are not alone! & ye are in more crowded company than ye think. Folk from all walks of life attend our shows—from pre-school teachers (two this week-end!) to engineers to EMTs to Wal-Martsmen to death doulas—& the breadth of anti-Capitalist alignment, the diverse array of people dying to live fairer lives, ‘t provides encouragement in these dark times. We are at a boiling point, & when the dams burst, more mortals than ye suspect may be ready to join the fray…

But! Enough over-thought, onto IMAGERY!

I called after these two, “Shreks, may we take a photo?” They turned about, explained that they were in fact Fionas, & that there is not “just one ogre.” I apologized for my ignorance, we made amends, & they allowed us to capture the image seen above. Please bear my gaffe in mind the next time ye espy such beings—call them “ogre,” safely, instead.

We had the pleasure of sharing the tavern stage with the Flying Witches, a story-twirling ærialist coven. Their ærial array wobbled in a way that made Summersbane & I nervous, but they assured us ‘twas normal. Kind witches all, bringing a new mode of mind-body motion-show unseen anywhere else!

The kind folk at the Esperance of Adria provide shade, company, water, & artful steeled clashes. An excellent place to spend some time, whether performer or patron!

As the Sun began to set, I were invited (as all are!) into the most pleasant faire-closer ritual with Ram Top Morris—lately, ye may have seen, of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Wonderful ‘twas to dance with them again, & to share some drinks & laughs afterward, in the orange eventide glow.

Thank ye for reading—& thank ye to the growing cadre of generous mortals who can & do support our works here with coin!

I shall write ye again Wednesday, with news of this week’s streaming episode! ‘Til then—be safe, be well, & keep the faire in thy heart…

Cheers,
Amoenus Franco
Wizard, Writer, So Tired