At any rate… for those who don’t know, there will be no MOPO in 2007.  For various reasons (mostly real world solutions to real world problems) I’ve decided to disband the troupe for now.  Steve will surely go on doing Pirates of Tortuga gigs, although I have resigned from that outfit as well.  Mandy and Melissa have a really great wench show in the works, and I hope everyone will throw their support to our beloved Grace and Emma.

MOPO will be back, hopefully in 2008 in a slightly different incarnation and format.  As with all of life, things change and transform, but all things turn upon themselves in time.  We will miss seeing all of our friends and those three fans we picked up along the way!  But for now, it’s fair sail to ye all.

But remember… we’ll be back!

AMANA COLONIES

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!

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!

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!

After taking a few weeks to enjoy a bit of a vacation, we’re about ready to start preparing for our fall shows.  Rehearsals are about to kick back in with full force, with about five weekends available before our next scheduled gig in Charles City Iowa on August 19th and 20th.  I still have a few details to sort out for that particular show, and will be sharing some of them as more information becomes available. 

Our real concentration, however, is on our September gigs at Amana and Nodaway.  It seems we’ll be needing to make a few substitutions and / or alterations to the composition of the troupe in order to make those shows happen, and I want to pre-empt any rumors that might start cropping up as people start to wonder what the heck is going on.

First, I am very happy to let everyone know that Steve and I have had a number of heart to heart discussions, and it is with great joy that I can tell you that Captain Steve will indeed be rejoining our merry little Ministry.  In this day and age, anytime people can sit down, intelligently discuss their problems, look for and find solutions and then act on them, it’s a victory.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, loosing Steve was a nasty situation, and I think I speak for everyone when I say that we’re excsta… eccsta… escsta… really really glad he’s back.

However, Mandy and Melissa won’t be able to make our September gigs.  They have cooked up a show along with Allen Huffman (of The Pirate Comedy Show and the Regional Renaissance Reporter) and will instead be performing all three weekends at the new Des Moines Renaissance festival.  Now, as much as I hate loosing Mandy and Melissa, I do wish them (And Allen, I suppose,   ) the very best with the show, and hope that they’re a big hit.  I have always, and always will, encourage members of MOPO to do what is best and right for themselves, both personally and professionally.  Mandy, living in Des Moines, wanted to be a part of a faire that could well impact the national scene, and quite honestly, I would have done the same in her shoes.  Please join me in giving them a pat on the back for following their hearts.

Now, join me in damning them for abandoning us in our time of need! (THATS A JOKE!) Seriously… we knew this would probably happen long ago, it was anticipated and accounted for, and if anyone tells you that we’ve broken up or fractured or split due to any circumstance other than our desire for each of our members having the ability to do what makes them happy… you’ve been lied to.  Nuff said.

Adding to the complications, all the same, is Kathy’s (Bonny Kate) work schedule, as the first two productions at Kansas State Unviersity come very early and practically on top of each other. (One opening a week after the other closes) and so at this point we’re not exactly sure if she’ll be able to join us for the fall season.  Taken simply on that, things started looking a little grim. 

However, blessings come in the stranges disguises, and all it takes is a little perspective to find it.  What appears to be a stumbling block is an opportunity for us to grow, both in confidence and in repretoire, and in our circle of friends for that matter.  In a way, its quite exciting actually… let me explain.

We were fortunate enough in the last couple of months to make the aquaintences of a couple very special people, namely Mark Tomasello (a.k.a. “Mad Jack Morgan) and Heather Westcott (a.k.a. “Bloody Mary McGee) who are charter members of Cutthroats N Corsets, a new reenactment troupe out of Omaha.  Mark and Heather have offered their help to substitute in for missing members where they can, and to help us develop what I’ll call “reduced” versions of our shows.  Long story made short (ish) it is entirely possible that if you come to see the shows in Amana or Nodaway that you’ll be witness to unpredictable permutations of our bits.  It could be Myself, Steve and Kathy.  It could be Myself, Mark and Heather.  It could be just Steve and myself.  Or… if every aspect of Murphy’s Law decides to crash all at once… it could be just me. (Which would make for easy math when it comes time to divy up the hat.)

Besides, we won’t be the first troupe to have numerous permutations of performers.  Heck, the Limey Birds have what… 12 or 15 various members over the year and from time to time?  And look how successful they are! (Not to mention sexy and talented.)

Anyway… rest assured that MOPO will continue to provide quality entertainment, no matter what assemblage of characters we have to work with, and that we’re around for years to come.   

I guess I can't speak too much for the future, but I have a feeling you'll be seeing MOPO at RFotM again next year… and perhaps for a few more years to come.  Thanks again to everyone for their support… especially to the members of the Lawless Bob Club, who are always around to lend us a helping hand.  Upwards and onwards everyone!

THUMBS UP!

I have to say that we had a pretty good time this evening.  I got to the grounds around 4:30 or so, not quite sure of what the routine would be as far as figuring out where to park, (legally) and knowing that the College World Series traffic was going to snarl my route (not to mention construction on I-80 on the Iowa side) might add a lot of unexpected time to the drive.

Anyway… I had time to say hello to a few folk, and then strolled up to the gate to greet the crowd.  I got up early enough this morning to raid Nobbies, and I had picked up this nice little treasure box a day before… which I filled with all kinds of little goodies… lots of eye patches, yes… but superballs with a skull and crossbones, a batch of plastic princess rings, little rubber pirate figues, tiny little whistles (mom and dad LOVE me on the ride home) compass rings, etc etc… and then I splurged and bought a half dozen "big dollar items" to mix in along with the general swag.  Anyway, I start talking to random people and slowly approaching kids… and sooner or later one asks what's in the box.  Then the fun begins.

Later, Mandy and Melissa were towing me around in the shrew's fiddle with a 10' rope attached to it, and I was asking kids to help me escape in exchange for a bit of my treasure.  We did that for a couple of hours, and I'm gonna tell ya, the box got a little empty… and this was only a three hour day.  tomorrow is 11 to 9… we're gonna have to pace ourselves, or we'll wind up completely out of treasure by noon Sunday.  We'll have to go sack Faire and Fowl and steall all their huzzah chips.

Nuff said… it was a good time.  The only things we were missing were Bonny Kate and Captain Steve.  It would have been really fun to have all five of us playing this tangent.  It's a neat little development, but I'm not sure financially feasible in the long run… you can get a lot of stuff cheap, but when you're just giving it away…

Anyway… it's worth it for a weekend just to see the kid's eyes light up.  Fun stuff.  AAAAnnnd… the Tortuga Twins are here, along with the Jolly Rogers… good line up when you're able to stroll past the stage at the right time.

Now, how will a visitor to the faire be able to find MOPO?  Easy!  Look for the handsome man in the Shrews Fiddle being pulled around by two beautiful women, and you've found us!  We will be throwing some new bits in, since we don't have our usual base of operations to work around… (although I understand there is a pillory on the grounds somewhere, so you might see us attempting to lure folk into it) so instead we'll be playing a few games of HUZZAH with the patrons (if you don't know what HUZZAH is, it's basicly a cross between bingo and a scavenger hunt with a little I-SPY mixed in for good measure) and I will be trying to earn my freedom by enticing pretty girls to kiss me on the cheek.  For the little ones, there will be a treasure box full of goodies they can share in if they are willing to distract the "guards" and such… so I think that even without our usuall gags 'n such, we will have a very good time.  Weather looks to be in the mid 80's most of the weekend, so it should shape up very nicely!  Hope to see many Lawless Bobs, and if you are attending and you want a Lawless Bob Club pin… be sure to track me down!  Unfortunately, we're not allowed to sell anything at this event, so I guess we're just going to have to give the silly things away! 

I'll have an after-action report for you all next week. 

THUMBS UP!