Welcome to the SCA Bardic Arts Resource Page!
This is a website to provide resources and links for those in the Society of Creative Anachronisms (SCA), interested in the Bardic and Performing arts around the SCA Known World.
The First Question Many ask: "How do you know if you are a bard?"
To paraphrase a quote: "That's easy! And it's the same answer to, "How do you know when you are an archer, vs. doing/enjoying archery as a thing you do?"
"There are things one enjoys casually/socially, and things that pull in your passion, and you add in the time, energy, focus to learn the skills to do it really well over a period of time. Time that often passes without you noticing because you're doing something you deeply enjoy, often finding people with this similar shared interest traveling along side you!"; "And, yes, it is *absolutely fine* to enjoy something, even many other things, at a casual-social level, as well as to have more things you are doing or trying out, as interests change over time! (If you don't, you might be missing the 'Modern Middle Ages' around you.)" ~L.E.B.
"What are the SCA Bardic Arts?"
This 'Living Definition' was started by Master Owen Alun, Northshield, approximately AS25, and growing list of performer types expanded by Northshield and the Midrealm Gorsedd Bardic group. Ongoing changes most recently discussed and approved during AS53. ...With the added amused group consensus of all those reviewing this, that perhaps 'florid style' is not good for creating a "concise definition".)
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.'
Covering multiple performance types *(see footnote) with material drawn, or recreated, from the wide array of SCA Corpora historical eras and cultures, inspired by historical events, period legends and heroes. Encouraging of original creations and arrangements. As well as drawing inspiration and creating works from the events, experiences, traditions, people, as well as those reinforcing the culture, values, and ideals, from the 'Modern Middle Ages.'
With performance styles analogous to descriptions of what/how/where such works were presented in pre 17th C settings. And oral historical experiences passed down through the ages. Sharing these with one another, and audiences, in a variety of settings ranging from highly formal and solemn occasions, all the way to entirely casual; preserving and honoring the 'oral tradition' while entertaining all and sundry. Bringing together what and how this provides an authentic experience for the performer and audience.
Poets, singers, singer-songwriters, storytellers, wordsmiths; minstrels, musicians, instrumentalists; Bards, Fillids, Griots, Jongleurs, Minnesingers, Meistersingers, Olaves, Scops, Skalds, Troubadours, Trouvères...
(...And Welcoming to All Friends of/within the wider Performing Arts Community including: Actors, Commedia Arts, Fools, Improvisational Artists, Jesters, Jugglers, Mimes, Movement Arts, Mummers, Musicians and Instrumentalists from other areas of focus, Physical Theater, Players, Stage Magicians, Theatrical Arts, and more!)
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