March Crown Dance Ball -- a blatant plug and plea

[callistotoni]

March Crown is less than three weeks away -- ack!

I confess that I am behind on Dance Ball planning, and I beg forgiveness on the grounds of being absorbed by The Big Move, work, Brandee, and resume-writing for my sweetie. But the time has come for the Big Planning Push, so...

Any help any of you can give to the 16th Venetian-themed Masked Ball, to be held Saturday Night at March Crown, would be much appreciated. Vyncent and Crystal are spearheading the dance and music elements of the Ball -- *many* thanks to them for all their work! I've just got Sarah to agree to helping with hall decorations -- anyone want to help her with that?

I will be bringing my collection of 16th C games (board games and card games) -- anyone want to take on getting people to play games? I can send you game rules in advance, and I will bring my binder of game rules and have that available on site as well.

If nothing else, food-wise, we will need pitchers of water (dancing is thirsty work!) I will bring some gallon containers of water and my 3 pichers, but it would be great if any of you can bring more water and pitchers. Refreshments in general would be most welcome, but I'm not stressing the food-aspect of this event because, well, a) it will be after dinner, and b) it seems like the cooking community is being tapped a lot to contribute to events like this, and I don't want to overtax their generosity. Of course, if any of you fine cooks want to practice your 16th C finger-food recipes, than your efforts would be gratefully accepted. :-)

There will be tables and chairs in the hall. We will need to set them to the side after court to make way for the dancing. We may also need to set up tables to meet our needs, so any offers of physical labor will be appreciated.

The hall itself is not the same one we've used in years past, but it is functionally the same (and a little bigger). The hall we've used in the past is on the left side as you enter the fairground gate, and this hall is on the right side. We (the WK/SCA) have full access to the hall for the whole event, so there is not set time that we have to be out of the hall by.

This is, according to Their Magesties Pleasure, a Masked Ball. Many thanks to Trystan for posting her Mask article (http://www.trystancraft.com/costume/articles/sca-march10-masks.html). I would encourage all of you to bring masks, or use this event as an excuse to do a little research and try something new. :-) Me, I'm not sure what I'm going to do mask-wise yet. :-0 Maybe I should borrow someone's Viking kit -- that would be a stealth costume, for sure! ;-) . Although I think, this being Venice, it would be Very Cool if a group came as visiting Turks, or Venetian Nobles masquing as Turks. :-)

Another way to help would be to Show Up and Look Fabulous! If it seems like The Cool Thing happening than the Ball will be more successful, and there will be more of a chance that we can do these sorts of indoor Courtly Activities-type sub-events in the future.

Well, that's all I can think of for now. As I've written before, these sorts of events are what we make them. Thank you all in advance!

Comments

[sarahbellem.livejournal.com]

I've got trystbat on board for the decorating committee, but if anyone else wants to pitch in, I'm open to offers. :)

[zoccolaro.livejournal.com]

Just a thought out loud, but if this is after dinner, perhaps a selection of liquid refreshments may be easier and more appealing? It would be very useful for those wanting to practice their Tablero skills. =)

[callistotoni.livejournal.com]

Certainly, a variety of liquid refreshments would be optimal, but we will have to rely on the generosity of others. Truth to tell, I wish J/S and I could donate a keg of cyser to this worth cause, because alcohol is a major factor in the success of parties. ;-) But, most regretably, there is no way we can afford that right now. :-(

I will poke around and see what I can get for Liquid Refreshment Contributions. :-)

Oh, and do you own a tablaro set? We have a board, but no playing pieces/cups.

[zoccolaro.livejournal.com]

Hmm, well, I know I would certainly be willing to donate for a half keg of Cyser. =) Perhaps the K&Q might also consider a donation as well. I'll follow up and check some prices.

[syele.livejournal.com]

Cyzer is just under $200 a keg or so... We'll be picking one up for Ysa's party. Party time!

[zoccolaro.livejournal.com]

Sweet! Actually, giving it some thought, just picking up some growlers of braggot and such would probably work better. Will give us a chance for variety as well!

[kbhjs.livejournal.com]

Hey there... Thanks for the idea and the offer! We would certainly be willing to pay for the other half of a Keg of Cyser. This sounds like a great idea!

[zoccolaro.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the gracious offer! I called up with Fionn, and he said that he'll have to check to see if he has some half-kegs (7.5gals) around, unless you think your guard, company, household and friends are up to the task of a a full one (15.5gals) =)!

[kbhjs.livejournal.com]

Well, I assume much like any party, everyone on site (we hope) will make it to the ball at one point or another... so... I would be more included to go with a full keg, as we never seem to have difficulty floating those. We could also put up a "donation jar" next to the keg or see if other people are willing to chip in as well. While we can't afford the entire thing out of pocket (especially after Estrella), we should be able to do half no problem (about $100)...

[zoccolaro.livejournal.com]

The same way all of the other parties are monitored...=P

[zoccolaro.livejournal.com]

We can discuss more offline; there are typically enough adults around to make sure that problems don't occur, just as there will be in this instance.

[zoccolaro.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan! I've got a couple of people lined up for donations already, and thank you so much for your contribution! =)

[kbhjs.livejournal.com]

I have a tablero board... Just have to find it. I'm sure I can also come up with some dice and shot glasses...

[kbhjs.livejournal.com]

Yup :-) I do, at least!

[ppfuf.livejournal.com]

I need to trot by IKEA to get a thingie, I'll see if they still have those sets of cheap shotglasses.

[zoccolaro.livejournal.com]

I certainly wouldn't complain for a bit o' the dawg =)

[acanthusleaf.livejournal.com]

Hey wow, something I can help with! I have a small suitcase full of medieval and medievaloid tapestries and hangings that I can bring and help decorate.

I was disappointed to see that there is no mention of the ball in the Feb. Page. Has March come out yet? Do we know if there's info? A party isn't a party without people!

I can also bring a blue ceramic pitcher and a gallon of water. I could probably pitch in a few dollars (literally like 5 dollars, things are very tight) toward some cyser.

Do we know a starting time? I presume after Chiv council and court, but how long after?

Ooh, this will be fun!

[sarahbellem.livejournal.com]

Yay! Tapestries will be much appreciated! Can I put you on my list of people willing to contribute to the decorations? :)

[acanthusleaf.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed. Happy I could find a way to do something useful for once. ;-)

[kbhjs.livejournal.com]

I know we made mention of it in our words for the March page. I don't know if its mentioned in the actual site copy though. Hopefully it is, but unfortunately it didn't even occur to me to check there :-(

As for time, I think we have decided that chiv will be immediately after the tournament, at which point people will break for dinner. We will then have court in the grand hall which will roll right into the party (around 8ish?) I think that's right...

[hunrvogt.livejournal.com]

I have a glass water dispenser urn should that prove useful.

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

sign me up for games! (I'll bring food if I have some, but I might not have anything)

[thelbk.livejournal.com]

The kid and I will make ourselves available for general help of course!
I'd be happy to bring some wine donations :-)

[j-i-m-r.livejournal.com]

I have some of the 16th c style candied fruit I can bring. We may also have a pitcher to share.