Is your group interested in hosting a future Mid-Realm Bardic Madness?
Please contact the provost, Hilla Stormbringer, for more information or to place a bid!
For this event the hosting group provides the logistics (space, local staff, & food...), and the Bardic Madness staff provide the scheduled programming/activities and classes for the day. They also work together with the hosting group on PR.
Typically the hosting group adds the event to the Kingdom Calendar, the Pale, as well as inviting the Royalty. More detailed information below.
- If you think of RUM style events as the class/lecture portion; Bardic Madness is the practicum/lab experience.
- For many reasons, this event is not run as a 'track' within other events. The primary focus is on SCA Bardic and their community building; and is welcoming to other Performing Arts activities. It does not include other Arts, Science, or Martial activities.
- The day is focused on a variety of opportunities for Bardic performers, of all experience ranges, to challenge themselves. There are no competitions. (All performers of any experience level welcome!)
- Following the event- there is always a 'Post-Revel' social bardic circle, providing an opportunity to perform in a casual-social space.
The Previous Event Archive, on this website has examples and information on past events. And invite you to visit Master Cerian Cantwr's or Viscountess Elasha bas Riva of Northshield's YouTube channels to view performances from past events.
Useful Terms:
* Fyt ('Fyt of Madness') - A set of three separate 'challenges' covering the different types of typical Bardic performance: Song, Story, & Poem. These include performance opportunities that are improvised/created the day of event and ones that are prepared ahead of time.
* Bardic - A performing art for SCA Bards and Bardic Arts, (in general): Those who perform created, or selected, works with a focus around a narrative/story/idea from SCA historical eras and cultures, as well inspired by the 'Modern Middle Ages.'
* Bardic Circle / Bardic Post Revel - A group of performers (generally sitting in an open circle) taking turns performing and being audience - sometimes singing/clapping/playing instruments along with the person performing. Also includes those who are there as audience to be entertained by the wide variety of live performances.
Generally, what Bardic Madness is seeking from a hosting group and for a preferred site:
Hosting group to provide an Autocrat/Event Steward who will be the primary point of contact between the Provost of Bardic Madness and the event hosting group, to build the event together.
Host group to coordinate: local staff, event site, post-revel site, gate, tokens, site booklet, lunch, feast, Pale announcements, merchants liaison, lodging/crash space, and royalty liaison if needed.
Bardic Madness provides the event website and details. Can create and share the FB event if needed*. (*following Midrealm Social Media policies.)
Preferred date range of the event: Last weekend of October, First weekend of November, through the First Week of December
Not the weekend immediately following Thanksgiving; ideally not the weekend right before it.
If possible, not the same weekend as Crystal Ball (out of Shattered Crystal), RUM, other music/performance events,
Or major fencing events inside the Mid-Realm, Northshield, or bordering Kingdoms.
Answers to FAQ's on Lodging, Site Requirements, Lunch/Feast, and the Post-Revel Space:
Site:
Indoor site large enough for 50-80+ people that includes chairs and tables, usually with a kitchen space.
Larger gathering room with chairs for the various challenge 'fyts' and the Concert to occur - typically used as a common room during class periods.
Ideally 2-4 spaces for classrooms that may be also used off and on through the day for different purposes. Depending on instructors, some may involve musical instruments including drums.
Water, coffee, tea... readily available to attendees throughout the day of the event.
A few merchant spaces if possible.
Site that allows indoor 'on-site crash' for attendees is a bonus.
Lunch/Feast:
Water, Coffee, and hot water for tea is usually available all day.
Lunch on site is usually provided.
Challenges and performances do continue during Feast. Those at feast come knowing and expecting this.
Will need some 'off-board' seating available, for folks who want to attend feast and provide their own food.
The Provost and MC of the event are expected to work with the feast steward and head server to keep challenges running smoothly around the timing of food being served.
Feast need not be an elaborate four course extravaganza. A comparatively simple, but filling feast will do us nicely.
Post-Revel Space:
The event always includes a welcome-to-all, hosted* Bardic Post-revel Circle. This can happen at the site or an alternate location such as hotel or friendly local member. (*Bardic Madness provides an organizing host for the circle.)
Having this Circle go on as long as possible is ideal. We know that site/crash/space arrangements mean this is not always possible.
Water, coffee, tea, 'leftovers', snacks... available to attendees throughout the post-revel is a bonus.
For this reason, a site that provides 'on-site crash', nearby private space, or a hotel that will allow free or low-cost use of their breakfast area that is amicable to our singing; is a definite bonus. Some may also have reasonably priced meeting rooms.
Lodging:
Local crash-space coordinator a bonus
Information for hotel options: Very often multiple folks travel to this event from 40-400+ miles away.
If possible, set up a reserved block of up to 20 rooms (mixed single/doubles, accessible...)
A clean hotel in the middle-ish price ranges, ideally that offers a complimentary hot continental breakfast.
(Groups have had reasonable luck with known local hotel chains, as well as 'Best Western,' 'Holiday Inn', 'Sleep Inn', 'Days Inn', and 'La Quinta Inn'. Hilton and related can get a bit pricey.)
Site Accessibility:
Restrooms that include mobility accessible stalls with bars.
Advanced notice and planned access to mobility accessible parking and entrances
Elevators or ramps if the site is multi-floor.
FYI, Information for those with sound and movement sensitives:
This is a performance based event, with different types of solo and group vocal, accompanied, and instrumental music. Along with a variety of spoken and occasional theatrical works. Depending on the site- sounds can become loud, with echo, and magnified with aural bubbles overlapping some. Some classes and challenges will include cacophony and spontaneous movements.
Any other questions? Please contact the provost, Hilla Stormbringer, for more information or to place a bid!
Thank you for your interest in hosting Mid-Realm Bardic Madness, we hope to hear from you soon!