September Re-Arranged!

The other day Greg Schmidt from Festivals International called and offered us the village pillory at the Des Moines Renaissance Festival for the second weekend of September.  Although we had a soft verbal with another event for the weekend, we decided that the Des Moines opportunity was something we could not pass up.  Therefore, on the weekend of September 9 and 10, we will be seen in Des Moines, Iowa instead of Carollton, Missouri.

I’d like to point out that it is rare for MOPO to back out of an event.  For the most part, we operate on a “first booked, first served” basis.  This is the first time we have been presented with such a difficult choice, and it wasn’t made easily. The company hiring entertainers for Carollton is a personal friend of mine, so dropping out on them carries a very bitter taste in my mouth. 

However, when stripped of emotional values and viewed strictly from a marketing viewpoint, Des Moines is the clear choice.  We will only be working the Pillory and not performing stage shows, but the increased exposure at a much larger faire than anything we’ve previously worked is incalcuably valuable to our future plans.  This is a step that we need to take, that we want to take and I feel it is in the best interests of the troupe that we make the switch.  It may seem mercenary to a point, and frankly… it is.  I just want it to be very clear that this was a choice made with nothing else in mind than what would be best for the continued success of MOPO.

We are looking for a couple of volunteers for the weekend.  If you’re interested, visit the MOPO forums at http://mopo.proboards21.com/

That’s it… the rest of our September schedule remains (and will remain) as previously noted.  See you all at faire!

THUMBS UP!

September Looms!

Right, in a couple of weeks we’ll be hitting Amana, and we’ve been having some very good rehearsals in Omaha.  Of course, we’ll be missing Mandy and Melissa, but we did find ourselves a piece of luck in the form of Justin Stiles, who will be filling in with his peasant character, Carlton Paine.  Justin has been hitting the scripts and I must say, he brings a whole new realm of comedy into the mix when you see him in a coconut bra.  Nuts are NOT always right.

And speaking of rehearsals, a HUGE shout out to Marc and Heather… without their help, it would have been a far more difficult process.  Their willingness to suffer hours of relative inactivity only to be asked to put on silly hats and whatnot was, is and will always be deeply appreciated.

I also want to thank Mandy and Melissa, because they spent two weekends rehearsing with us when they knew they wouldn’t be doing the shows with us.  That’s a great gesture, and I think it speaks volumes to the friendship and solidity at the core of MOPO.  Good people.  Make sure if you are visiting the Des Moines festival that you attend at least one of their shows.  I’ve been priviledged to get a sneak peak at the scripts, and believe me, you’re in for a good time. 

Anyway, bottom line is that we have streamlined the shows a little, condensed two roles into one, and we think we’ll be putting on some pretty decent shows.  At any rate, you know we’re gonna have fun. 

Hope we see you in Amana!

Schedule update

Just a couple of quick updates on our upcoming schedule.

First, we have decided NOT to participate in the Charles City Renaissance Arts Festival in Charles City IA.  We were originally booked for a two day event, which turned into a one day event, which turned out to be a four hour event.  We would still have made a decent fee, but because we rely heavily on tips to supplement our contracted fee, we thought that four hours wouldn’t provide us with enough income to counter the expenses of travel and lodging.  We reluctantly backed out, but Mike Lemke, who is co-ordinating their entertainment, was very understanding and polite.  Hopefully the event will prove a success, and he promised to keep us on their contact list for future events.  It would have been nice to get in a faire before the September grind, but alas, it was not to be.

You may still see us listed as performers at that event on different message boards and web sites, but the official word is that we will not be in attendance.

But, there is a good chance we will pick up one more event in September, that being a new faire in Carollton Missouri.  Irish Knight Productions Inc, the producers of the Amana Colonies Renaissance Faire, is locating entertainers for the Carollton event, and we have started negotiations.  The dates for that event are September 9 and 10, and I would say right now there is a 75% chance we will wind up performing at that show.  Right now we’re just waiting for a confirmation on the fee bid.

The Royale Pirates of Tortuga, our sister troupe, has suffered a loss.  Sarah Lane, who plays the role of the Contessa, lost her father last night.  Please join us in sending our sympathies and love her way, and keep Sarah and her family in your thoughts and prayers in this time of sorrow.

I will keep you all up to date on the Carollton event as things progress.  Don’t forget, you can catch us in the Amana Colonies the first weekend of September, in Nodaway Iowa on the third weekend of September, and in Sioux City on Sept. 30 – Oct. 1.  More info on dates, locations and official web sites of the faires we are working can be found here.

THUMBS UP!