Great Kilts?? at the Renn Faire

[MacSimoin]

davedove: Seems I've inadvertently taken on the role of threadjacker...this was not my attention, so I apologize.

...I like going to them for the fun times I have with my daughter and because like it or not, that's our cultural heritage as Europeans, if they get it mixed up, it's a shame, but not a crime to celebrate our history in such a cool way.

Shay: I'm glad that you can entertain your child by taking her to events like this. However, though this isn't a personal affront, I don’t like it and it is a shame and a crime when people swallow the kind of garbage displayed on the site you referenced. Personally, I feel many events portrayed and re-enacted at 'faires' don't accurately mirror my own heritage (for various reasons) so I choose not to 'celebrate history' by not attending them. I'll learn more from a book than I ever will at a faire, and that to me, is far more important and useful than anything 'ren faire' performers re-enact.

On the other hand, I feel Revolutionary and Civil War re-enactors (and other similar troupes) are far more credible (my opinion) and I have much more respect and admiration for what they do. I don't buy the 'selective history' depicted in many ren faire re-enactments and although artistic license can be a good thing, applying it the re-enactment of a factual event is dangerous and foolhardy (think Oliver Stone or Michael Moore). In short, I prefer history straight up like good 18-year-old single malt…but don’t take any of this personally; I’m not trying to ruffle any feathers here.

I think it's possible to attend these events and have fun provided you don't take them seriously. Offer a knowing wink, let your guard down, and enjoy the bufoonery for what it is.

Blu (Ontario): That’s half my point: I don’t take them seriously but a fair amount of performers at ren faires take themselves way too seriously and genuinely expect you to respect and admire what they do…I know some feel this way, having been close friends with many ren faire performers in years past. I’ll pass on the buffoonery, thank you.

...I've always considered the Faire to be "street theatre". It is based on history, but it is far more entertainment that education. The participants (actors) I've spoken to seemed to be very dedicated to their craft... For my education and research I look to books, museums and the occasional presentation by the History Channel or PBS. For entertainment I look to Hollywood…

Piper: I agree that they’re dedicated to their craft and genuinely strive to entertain---I have old friends who still perform at these events and I know they give it their all. It’s the people who ‘believe their own press’ that I have concern with…I’m with you on your closing statement but I’ll leave off ‘ren faires’: I’d rather get away on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic, visit Ireland for a weekend or stroll the woods of Maine. To me, all are more inspiring and worthwhile.

I went to the PA Ren Faire yesterday and it was kind of funny what some of the men were wearing for kilts...Some of their tailored kilts were also pretty cheap looking, including one guys that hit him about mid-thigh...I also listened to the Tartan Terrors, A Canadian group, perform. They were pretty good and fairly humorous.

davedove: Back to you and your original post…I’ve seen the same thing many times, even at Irish and/or other 'Celtic' events. I usually just laugh to myself and look the other way. As far as the guy with the ‘mid-thigh’ kilt, well, I’d probably do the same thing (let’s face it, it’s a skirt if it’s that short). Thanks for the tip on the Tartan Terrors…they seem a riot and worth seeing.