Memoirs of Agoura's topics - tribe.net

Costumes--You know you want me

2008-09-24T06:39:35Z

The Costume Shoppe--Le Maison du Costumes--is OPEN Wed, September 17, 2008 - 2:14 PM
"The Costume Mistress" is open for business--We can design, construct, reproduce,procure, rent --basically provide you with any costume you desire. We can also produce full on theatrical events for you--be they weddings, plays, parties.

designercostumer@yahoo.com 208 863-1309 510 704 8893
Website to come--meanwhile check out the costumechick on myspace for quality of work.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

ugma- a reminder

2008-09-24T01:20:19Z

Greetings o'Beloved Friends & Followers of Ken E.,
On Sunday, September 28th, there will be the Memorial Ugma For Ken E. Millkan.
The Ugma to Invoke & Celebrate Ken's Life & Art will be held at Barn, Rancho Sugayan, in the hinterlands of El Sobrante & Martinez.

Guests are invited to come early, for greeting & gnoshings.
The Ugma Memorial will start around one o'clock, in the meadow behind the Barn.

The Grand SwillGuzzleBelch&Giggle will begin around three-ish.
This will be a Feast, supplied by the infamous chef-nazi & (as proclaimed by Ken) Inga-Hippie-Ghawdess-On-Earth, Sandy(short) Tremblay.
Pot-Luck Donations & BYOB will be most gratefully accepted.

Please bring any photographs, items, and recordings, to place on the Ugma Altar.

A redwood tree has been donated, to plant in Kenny's honor, with his ashes.
If anyone else cares to donate redwood or fruit trees, they will be gratefully accepted to create a grove and orchard.

For way too much information of The Ugma, please go to the UgmaBlog
http://tubertalis.blogspot.com

Feel free to post your memories, pictures, and odes.

Also there will be memorial tables for Sully-Gordon Sullivan, Ruth Woods Leggett, Bruno Brian Dell'Arme, & any others.
So Bring out your Dead, to your Ring out your Dead!

please email Sandy (samtbyrd@pacbell.net) to reserve your Saturday night camping, if you intend to help work on Saturday, in setting up, especially any memory Tables, setting up in the Barn, prepping for Ken's Trees, etc.
There will also be rehearsals for musicians who will Process.

May i express my gratitude to those who have already volunteered, & to those who will show to help out.
This has been a long depressing slog to organize, & one long Summer of Depression, for many of us.

At last, we can Danse for our Dead, and enjoy our Living!

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 1 reply

teahouse refuge for memories

2008-09-17T14:31:07Z

http://teahouseofthedonkey.ning.com/

we have Luisa!

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 14 replies

The First Stop on the Brian Dall'Armi Memorial Tour

2008-09-02T00:07:06Z

This is the official invitation to the first leg of the Brian Dall'Armi Memorial Tour.

Saturday, September 13th, 6:30-10pm (Second Weekend)
The Amethyst Arbor Stage, NorCal Ren Faire (Casa)

This will be a chance to share stories, remembrances, music and dance. If you like, please bring an easy, potluck dish to share.

If you -- or someone you know who should be there -- are not already on a Gate List, Nell has been given a special list just for the Memorial.

Please respond to nwblackwell@yahoo.com by midnight of Wednesday the 10th if you'd like to be included on this list.

People are welcome to show up Friday or Saturday at the Pass Gate; you will have to pay $10 for after hours/camping for the weekend -- even if you aren't planning to stay past the memorial.

Please advise friends who have no Renaissance costumes, to at least come festively and/or aesthetically attired.

******************************************

I've also started a "Brian Dall'Armi Memorial" photo pool on Flickr. Join up and post your photos, stories and memories of Brian. Depending on what we get, I may compile these into a book for Nell.

http://flickr.com/groups/briandallarmi/

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

Ken E. Millikan's Ugma

2008-08-21T17:38:42Z

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

Brian Dall'Arme

2008-08-10T22:41:28Z

I just got this via faire jungle drums from Cat Taylor. If you don't know, Brian was a long time fiddler for the morris and coutrny dancers at both Southern and Northern Faires. He was also a roommate of mine for a couple of years and the reason my faire acquaintance broadened so considerably to include musicians and dancers and any number of wackos outside my little Court circle. I haven't seen him and Nell in so long, I didn't even know he was ill!

Cat sez:
Some of you who are new to Fair(e) may not know Brian, but I just got this and thought it important that I send it to the entire list so no one who wishes to write in birthday greetings is left out. Pipe & Bowl Morris has always had dancers and muso's of great *character* and Brian is no exception. A fine fiddler, a joker and actually... a really nice guy. If you would like to send birthday wishes to Brian, please do so through Nell at the address listed below.

From Nell:
Brian is in his last days with us, hanging on by a very tenuous thread. I think that he (on some level) was determined to make it to his 62nd birthday, which is today. A few Faire folk have passed through in the last week, saying their goodbyes. Others have been phoning, asking me to tell Brian they love him. I remind him often that we do. I can only guess how many people will want to phone or visit before he leaves us. If people send birthday emails, I promise I will read them aloud to him.

After Brian goes to meet up with Bob Thomas & Dave Ricker, we will have a wake, here in Vallejo. Please email, if you would like to attend. If you are unable to attend, send me a favorite "Brian story" or photo, which will be read aloud and/or shared around. There will (probably) also be memorials at Northern, Dickens & Southern, kinda like The Brian Dallarmi Memorial Tour. Those of you who would like some of his ashes to take to exotic (or old, familiar) places, let me know. Thank you for your love and support

Nell
email: nwblackwell AT yahoo dot com

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 4 replies

Another gone

2008-06-24T16:45:22Z

Posted, on another tribe:
It seems we lost Kenny Milliken. The post is dated
20 June.
Thank you, J.Paul, for sharing that sad news...
I, for one, will miss him greatly. His is one of the
first faces I remember from Agoura. Sweet and
always a fun guy to be around!

Faire Well, dear friend!

Sad Dinosaur

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 1 reply

Deathless Lines

2008-06-13T15:14:32Z

We've all heard 'em, the line that you remember ever afterword. I've got a few, I'd like to hear yours.The first involves Patrick Duffy, a Court Director of some infamy. Upon being told that one courtier had forgotten his shoes and had only wallabys, P.D. looked down from his Great Height and said : " If they look at your feet, there's something wrong with your face".Words to live by. Also from Will Wood: " Where's my hat, what's my line, who do I kiss?" Any others?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 69 replies

Request from Outer Space re Outer Space

2008-05-27T05:25:24Z

Okay, all you old-timer Agoura campers-out.

This request in from my friend Jay Goodman (former tight-rope walker and belly dancer of the John Compton/Bal Anat era, let's say mid-70 just for the ol' hey ho. Jay also was the performed of the somewhat politically incorrect tight-rope walker in drag at Dickens during the same period. He's not someone you'd forget easily, to be sure! Used to trot around with a small sewing machine on top of a basket on top of his head if that helps. A true Gypsy.)

Here's the question.

Does anyone else remember (aside the the small group with whom Jay was hanging at the time) a late evening when, looking west, towards the ocean, there was a huge UFO-ish object in the sky which spawned little UFO-lettes, sort of like spider-ettes.

Jay recalls watching this, and then, eventually turning to his friends and saying "Do you see what I'm seeing?" To which they responded, "Yes! We thought we were only ones!!!!" For once he claims no drugs were involved, and, just recently he saw something on TV which matched his description to a T.

Jay's not a Triber (in spite of my best efforts), but I volunteered to ask.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 5 replies

x-posted from the RPFS tribe

2008-05-04T22:08:57Z

"Thew wrote:

It is with a sad heart that I must share with the clan that one of our brothers has stumbled. Don Brown has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will be starting chemo soon.

I'm afraid that's all I know, right now - updates as I get them.

Please send your love, light, and well-wishes to our beloved Mullah "

My husband tells a tale from before we met that he and a friend had the distinction of closing down the Mullah's one evening in Agoura. You remember their motto was "We Never Close, Last Call". :-) They were sitting drinking coffee and talking til like 2ish when one of the Mullettes came and asked if they could go to sleep now.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 1 reply

Anyone remember Dundii ?

2008-04-29T16:58:51Z

What a guy...

I was in his production of Faust. And, that leads to So Many stories !

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 28 replies

To swipe from my RPFS tribe post (QE I):

2008-04-22T05:35:56Z

I now know (generally) when two of the ladies who portrayed Queen Elizabeth I reigned over the Agoura Fairesite:

Peg Long: 75 - 79 (80?)
Luisa Puig: (80?)79 - 92

However, according to what I know of Faire history, the time frame of 1962-1975 still needs to be filled in as far as who ruled as Queen.

Gail is tossing out hints and such, but I was never good at guessing games and have only worked Faire under Luisa and now Gay Linn. And, honestly back in my boothie days at Agoura I didn't care to know who played Queen, all that mattered was she was the Queen and as a peasant, I needed to act accordingly. But my history bug has bitten and I think it would be cool to know as much of the hisotry of this first historical reenactment for the public event as I can.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 123 replies

The brats and where they are today

2008-03-29T06:08:31Z

Hi, my name is Tim, and I was (am?) a faire brat. An Agoura brat, to be precise. '85-'88 (parents didn't come back after the move). I'm not sure if I'm PROUD of that fact, but Hells, it's true. I grew up at faire, literally; got my first serious head injury at faire, got fawned over by beautiful women at faire (hazy memories of backstage at Buckets), even got scared into potty-training at faire.

And now? Hollywood post-teen. Writer, software programmer. Faire worker. Hells yes I do faire. I keep out of guilds, too much political crap. I don't touch Irwindale, nobody could pay me enough to work it, most people couldn't afford to pay me to attend. I vend, and make spare cash doing odd work at a couple different faires (made almost 200 bucks in tips at Big Bear slinging ale). I try to maintain the traditions I vaugely recollect such as hawking, working drunk, making people laugh at themselves, and conniving my way into bodices and skirts at every turn. It's an uphill battle but, damnit, I'm fighting.

So, any other grown-up brats from my era on here? Their parents willing to tell embarasing stories about them?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 6 replies

Agoura Renaissance Faire Reunion Picnic

2008-03-28T17:52:47Z

Once again the Friends of Paramount Ranch have gathered and planned nothing for the "Umpteenth Annual Renaissance Pleasure Faire Reunion Picnic" to take place at Paramount Ranch on Sunday March 23 from noonish to dusk. The traditional Memorial Service will take place on Procession Hill in the waning afternoon. Bring what delights you will - Pack it in, pack it out! For those working Irwindale and/or those more Paganly oriented there will also be a gathering from sunrise through the day on March 20th. (The actual Equinox)

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 7 replies

Celebrity Spotting

2008-03-20T18:34:49Z

Still cruising all the archives on these Faire tribes, and the picture of SilverUnicorn with Robin Williams (at Blackpoint) has me thinking about Celebrity Spotting. Especially in the 70s in Agoura there were scads of famous folks padding around the Faire. In fact the craft economy of the Faire depended on rock stars (and wanna be rock stars) who could afford $1000 for a hand-hammered headress or $500 for a pair of hand-batiked harem pants.

It was a unique and, let's face it...libertine place to visit. Especially if you happened to live just down the road in Topanga Canyon.

My first paying gig at the Faire was a game called Tilte A Lidde. There were several young girls working as hawkers. We were given big marbles (shooters, about an inch in diameter) which were playing pieces in the game and sent out in the crowd to drum up business by giving away "free tries". The patter went something like

</me, sidling up to unsuspecting male patron and linking my arm in his as though I'm a lightskirt>
"Can you handle your balls well, sirrah?... You look as though you can, truly"
</me bats eyelashes, slips marble into his hand>
"Would you handle them for me?"
<his inevitable girlfriend tries to pull him away from me>
"Mistress, do you not want to see him handle his balls?".

..you get the picture.

One day I did this exact bit to a smallish man with leather jeans, curly dark hair and a big black leather hat on. The hat had a feather, but I couldn't see his face. I sidled, I slid my arm in his and started my patter. He froze in his tracks, stiff as a leper and turned his head to look at me. It was Bob Dylan. I completely lost all vestige of character (Hey, it was my first year) and a large bodyguard type person peeled me off of him and he kept on walking. Kept my marble, too.

So, who did you see? Who did you *think* you saw?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 64 replies

Kissing Bridge

2008-03-19T14:12:19Z

Can you imagine trying to get away with something like that nowadays? Let alone Drench a Wench.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 14 replies

Judy Cory Returns !

2008-03-18T17:04:46Z

A Real Character from the Renaissance Faire HISTORY Returns !

Oh, my goodness ! Yesterday as a part of the Pre-Faire workshops at the Santa Fe Dam in preparation for the Ren. Pleasure Faire's 46th Edition... she looked somehow familiar, but I couldn't 'place' her...

Then she introduced herself ---- Judy Cory !

Migosh, if you already KNOW her name, you can understand how happy I was to be in her presence ! If not, let me just say that Judy, along with Ron and Phyllis Patterson, is one of the people MOST RESPONSIBLE for ALL the Renaissance Fairs, as we know them today, held worldwide !

There is more, MUCH MORE that could be said about her, of course.

My mother, a Volunteer and Radio Station KPFK subscriber, helped to plan and put on The First Renaissance Pleasure Faire EVER... and it was Judy who 'to the core' was a vital part of 'all that'... and, yesterday, I got to meet her, and be a participant in her "Hawking to Sell" workshop !

I kind of dont' want to 'Spill the Beans' about this, for I myself plan on attending ALL of the next ones that she will give... but if YOU really are interested in 'experiencing a part of Faire History' --- well, attending her workshop will do that for you !

I am So Glad that she has 'come back' to Faire ! She may not do much more than this, at least for now, and has been gone for quite some time....

For me, like the Return of Spring, I feel so 'Refreshed' by the moment, and so full of hope and expectation for a Glorious New Faire Season !

HIP HIP HUZZAH, indeed !

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 4 replies

S C U T T L E - B U T T

2008-02-22T01:33:59Z

Shades of a ressurection. St. Helena's Guild returns this year to the Dam Faire (RPF-S) under the very fine guidance of Merlin-of -the-Hill. Mark Lewis is also returning as well as David Springhorn and Daniel Singer. There is also an attempt to lure Judy Kory back as well. iIam pleased to announce that I have been cast as the Harbor Master. I am looking forward to a fabulous experience. Come work the show, if not, come play - ALL HANDS ON DECK !

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 7 replies

Ageless Greenman

2008-01-25T17:45:39Z

Billy Scudder, our revered Greenman is celebrateing his natal day this Sunday. Jan. 27th. Not sure how old he is but Archaeologist have shown interest in him. Should you have contact with him, best wishes are in order.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

Peg Long - Where Did She Go, Post Fall 1979??????

2007-12-18T22:47:14Z

This is as appropriate a place as any to post this given the activity on the QE1 thread here. I might cross-post it later if I don't get any feedback here, but I feel many who are reading this have the answers.

Having read Vytas' poignant interview with Peg (given immediately after her firing from the Faire), I began to wonder what happened to her after this. I left all things Faire in fall, 1979, and only visited rarely after that, usually at 5 year intervals.

Did she return to the Faire, forgiving and forgetting? Those were very rocky times, so anything is possible, and her interview is quite measured in tone (although hurt feelings do show through).

Catt mentioned supplying fruit for a booth she ran with Dennis and Ernie, but I'm unsure when this was. I had lunch with my friend Sean Sharp today (another old Faire-y), and he couldn't recall either, although he continued on an off at DCF.

I was never sure of Peg's age during the 70s, but I have a dim recollection of attending a 50th birthday party for her around 1977 at Toad Hall (although I may be collapsing this and swapping Peg's 50th for Dale's 30th -- don't ask me how). This seems about right, but Peg had the type of face and whiskey voice that could have been much younger (or older).

I ask this question with the greatest respect, and I feel that she would get a kick out of all of this attention from her fans.

So...anyone?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 11 replies

RPF Museum (cross-post from Memories of Blackpoint)

2007-12-13T04:34:41Z

(cross-posted by Danese for J. Paul)

The subject has been touched upon in a few various threads and I would like to dedicate a specific listing to address the idea of creating a Renaissance Pleasure Faire museum, perhaps in Novato. Years back Phyllis opened the white tent display in front of Front Gate featuring artifacts and photos from former Faires. It had several names, some nicer than others. I would like to see a space aquired in Novato where a wide collection of memorabilia can be gathered and displayed. I expect there are many, many, many of us who have items from arts, crafts, photos, drawings, writings & videos that we would be willing to donate to such an endeavor. Phyllis, herself, it is rumored, has an entire house full, and I mean FULL of memories. Perhaps she might be persuaded to locate some of her collection to a proper museum where the history of our remarkable endeavors might be shared with the public.
SO: Who knows of a reasonable priced, proper and semi-respectable space that might be leased in Novato for such a project? No doubt, from all the hundreds, (thousands?) of current and former participants we could raise enough capital to bankroll an ongoing museum.

Might also consider the same project for Agoura and will post a similar topic on Agoura Memories.

Our and I repeat, OUR Faire has had a major impact on these two towns, as well as the nation in general (what some 200 Renaissance Faires around the country and growing?) This element of California Culture is more than worthy of substantion recognition and preservation.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 2 replies

Looking for pictures of Mace Hanley

2007-12-04T12:19:35Z

Sandra was kind enough to point me here and to point me in particular to a pic that was posted previously. Mace was a really important part of my life and, through one thing and another, I don't have any pictures of him. I would be very grateful.

Many thanks,
Gwen

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 3 replies

facebook place to hang out... Pleasure Faire Refugees

2007-11-12T15:49:01Z

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7428736999

Hey guys this is really pretty fun, and sometimes it is more fun than donuts for breakfast.

Have a nibble on some baklava and have a cup of chai...the facebook.com Traders Market is open.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

Storm'n Norman

2007-11-04T19:40:37Z

"Storm'n Norman" Woods was hit by a car while riding his bicycle on the night of October 31st.
As far as I know, his death was immidiate and he did not suffer.
Shannon and Wayno are helping his family to deal with details, memorial service and such.
If you would like more info, message me and I will forward their phone #.
Shannon said she looks forward to hearing from our family, and no one should hesitate to call for more info.

Norman, thank you for everything.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 2 replies

Fallbrook Fire destroys David Springhorns home

2007-11-04T04:56:13Z

tribes.tribe.net/fairefrie...sterrelief

I am sorry to repost but I want to be sure every one who knows him gets a chance to help

Long Story Short, David Springhorn lost his home and 30 years of belongings and memorabilia in the fallbrook fire. His house will be replaced by the insurance but the beauty of his home will not. Please help him by donating time or money to help rebuild some of those memories and re fit his home with beauty.

You may now make online donations towards helping David Springhorn and family. Please click on the following link and make your donation via visa, mastercard or bank card. There will be a box on the registration table at the Dickens fair workshops that will enable you to make donations there as well. You may now make the checks out directly to David Springhorn as he will have signed the signator card which enabled him to take ownership of the account.

www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr

Great minds are at work and we need you to be a part of it. Please join me at the Ca Faire Participants Disaster Relief Tribe tribes.tribe.net/fairefrie...sterrelief Suggestions and help are welcome. Please send this on to those who may be interested.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

Malibu fire

2007-10-23T05:43:48Z

Is Paramount Ranch in any peril?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 9 replies

Any Little Random Thing Will Do!

2007-10-13T22:13:37Z

Can we please keep sharing? Anything about Agoura will do....favourite spots, favourite moments, feelings, dreams, you name it...I am up for hearing about everyones exoeriences. How about you all? there are 51 of us on this tribe. It sure would be grand if we shared more...what say you ?
Anyone want to step up to bat??? Give a storie ....about our time in Agoura....

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 47 replies

Another passing x-post

2007-09-17T11:49:29Z

Information passed on from Venta.

A bright light has gone out... I'm very sad to report that Mary Jo (Goss) O'Connor, former of Ren Faire props & deco, passed away suddenly yesterday, from a rapid, agressive recurrence of cancer. I will forward information about arrangements when I find out more.

Venta

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

When did Nobles/Royalty enter into the Faire Scene

2007-08-27T23:28:24Z

I seem to remember reading or hearing somewhere that when Faire began there was no noblility or royalty. Does anyone know when the upper-eschelon of Elizabethan Society saw fit to grace a podunk market faire with their presence?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 35 replies

Sad News - Robin Wadsworth

2007-08-15T16:03:01Z

Pardon the re-post... trying to let as many people know as possible, so I'm copying here from my blog...

Robin Wadsworth, whom many of you may have known, died in a swimming accident while on vacation out of the country. He was very dear to me, and I can't really find words right now... too many tears. Please let anyone know who needs to... I'll post more later as I know it. A beautiful man with a golden voice, taken far too soon...

So many good memories from so long ago. I won't wax nostalgic here; hurts too much. The world is a sadder place without you, Robin.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 3 replies

Hoodstink's Memorial at the Agoura Faire Site

2007-07-21T08:48:29Z

Hi All. This is from Q's sister, Sue. Hope to see you there...

Dear Friends,

We have come to a decision in regards to a memorial for our friend and brother, Q. As he so loved the outdoors, we thought it fitting to sprinkle his first ashes at his number one choice place, Troll Hollow. His other great love was a picnic, so this is The Q'sville Memorial Picnic at the Old Renaissance Faire at Witches' Wood. It'll be on Sunday, July 29th, 2007, the day before his 55th birthday, at four am. Kidding. It'll be at nine am and go to about noon. As many of us have been dragged along under the blazing sun, hiking with Mr. Q, we know the heat did not bother him. But as it will be hot, wear a hat and sunscreen. The ground is awfully prickly out there so bring a tarp to lay under your blanket to put your booty on to have a snack. And bring that snack... and any liquid refreshment that you require. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of his favorite causes, which will be detailed at the memorial.

Thank you,

Sue "Wacka-Do" Siebenthal and Shellendina or What?

P.S. On Tuesday night, July 31st, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony will be performed at the Hollywood Bowl at eight pm.Twelve dollar tickets are still available. He'd like that.

P.P.S. Please forward this to all concerned.

P.P.P.S. For directions, try to remember the eighties. If that doesn't work call Shelley. It's really called Paramount Ranch and it's off of Kanan Rd. off the 101 then left on Cornell Rd. in Agoura. Remember?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

Q

2007-07-16T18:03:05Z

Forwarded from an email from JPaul Moore.

"I am saddened to report that Q (Marque - Pantalone from Comedia) has gone on to the next adventure. Have no details yet, but he was found in his bed, this morning. Got word from Billy Scudder just a few minutes ago. Surely details of memorial et al will be forthcoming. Please spread the word as you can.
Silly I

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 4 replies

The Queen's English (cross post)

2007-07-09T21:12:43Z

While doing some clean up I came across my copy, on cassette, of Robert Easton’s talk “The Queen’s English” with “The Living History Centre” also on the label. Does anybody know who holds the Copyright? Is it LHC and successor organizations? It isn’t in the public domain.

I’d like to make it available to folks IF it isn’t available anywhere else but need to get permission first.

For those that don’t know, Robert Easton is a master of dialects who gave a lecture / speech on 16th century English. BFA (Basic Faire Accent) developed out of that talk. Run a Google search to discover the number of movies he has worked on. It is a very impressive list.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 6 replies

maypole

2007-07-09T01:30:15Z

Ah today i just couldnt help thinking of weaving a matpole. In the old days these were the workshop in the woods weeks and every day for several weeks of may the pole would be wound...sometimes several times a day.

good stuff.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 23 replies

Reduced Shakespeare

2007-05-29T17:48:09Z

Last night I watched a DVD of The Complete Works, Abridged show from 2001.

A special feature showed a home video of Romeo and Juliet from sometime in the 80s during which they mentioned being on the Paramount Ranch. They were obviously inside a barn-like structure and artificially lit, but I couldn't place the location anywhere on the site unless it was maybe the prop shed or something.

Has anyone seen this and know where it was filmed?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 4 replies

Remember Dundii? Dundee? Old 8 mm movie on the CD in the Buck and Mug 2000 or 2001

2007-05-23T21:53:10Z

If you have the Buck & Mug from 2000 and 2001 each has a CD and one has a short movie on it of a few of Dundii's stage creations from 1971 and 1972 that I took with an old 8 mm that I did not know how to use. It includes the Giant from Main Stage whose face exploded and gave the kiss of Death to those on stage as well as the two great two faced Bishops with the giant red tongues (arms) Dundee is on the film with his exquisite Angel wings that rose over his head by several feet. and hung to the ground. Patty farber and her dance troupe as well. Michelle Amsbury

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 38 replies

What the Faire Means to Me

2007-05-04T16:24:52Z

45 Years Young... What the RPF Means to Me

(NOTE: What follows was submitted to a Newsletter for The Society of American Magicians. It is a Publicity Release meant to bring in Patrons to Faire)

Two Score and Five Years Ago…

What does the Renaissance Pleasure Faire (RPF) mean to me ?

In 500 words or less, more or less, no less ? First, I actually attended the ‘First One Ever’ as a teen, dragged off to it by my ‘Artsy-Fartsy’ Mother. It was hot, dusty, and very hilly, sparsely populated and attended, and not really all that interesting to me. However, I heard a trio of Recorder Musicians playing a really beautiful rendition of “Greensleeves” and I at once fell in love with that tune, and those simple reed instruments. I realized that here was a really great POTENTIAL, even if the ‘reality’ left something to be desired.

Now, 45 years later, the RPF is still ‘alive and kicking’, which is certainly quite an accomplishment, plus it has spawned similar Faires and Themed Events literally all-over-the-world. Who could have imagined, way back then, how successful this concept would be ? A re-creating of an ancient time, a period in history when a rebirth of interest in ‘the arts’ occurred as an abandonment of the so-called ‘Dark Ages’ sprang forth. Music, Dance, Painting, Invention, Science, Math, Drama and numerous Handicrafts, among other pursuits, flourished.

The timing of this Very First RPF was inescapably linked to the current events of its time, too… counter-cultural movements, President Kennedy’s famed ‘Camelot’ Era, and the growing unrest over repression of freedoms in Europe, coupled with an exotically strange exploration of newfound freedoms that were ushered in with the advent of something called in the vernacular “The Pill.” But then, that is all another story, actually, for today the RPF exists in an entirely different culture.

As the Original Fire Eater, too, I personally had a much different ‘stake’ in the proceedings than I do, today. Now, it is much more formalized than it was then. There is STILL a lot of ‘Street Theatre’ and purely ad-libbed interplay with the Patrons (Visitors)… but once the streets were full of itinerant performers who ‘passed the hat’ for whatever tips they could garner, and the noisy clanking of Chinese Linking Rings rang out from most every 'corner.' Venice Beach and ‘Street Busking’ today exist largely as an offshoot strongly influenced by that more experimental and experiential time.

But one dynamic still remains, as firmly as ever: the sense of FAMILY that the fellow participants have and share towards each other. “Back-in-the-day” all members of a Shire like that of the Faire would address their friends and acquaintances as ‘cousin’… and at the RPF this is truly what is often a feeling that exists between the costumed members --- a relatedness, a sense of ‘being home.’

Enter the Shire in costume and you Magically Transform from being merely a visitor, metamorphing into a member of the shared experience, a part of the Village, celebrating Spring, and the visit of our beloved Queen.

Huzzah for another glorious and fun-filled season of goode cheer ! Long May She Reign, Ever Victorious, Our Beloved Faire !

As it was Two Score and Five Years Ago, it remains today… full of Potential, a Possibility to Create a Fun and Exciting Experience !

Come Ye One and All to Faire and Rejoice !

*************************

Matt Savin and many Other Magicians of Note have graced the streets and stages of the RPF. Matt once made Tina Lennert disappear in a puff-of-smoke when she was but a faire young Mime there, and J. Paul Moore {from the recent movie The Prestige’} and Penn Jillete also once honed their interpersonal performance skills there, too.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

Word of another passing

2007-05-02T00:11:52Z

From the RenBev list:
Gordon Geever has passed away. A good friend and mentor to me in Agora.
He was the Head Server at the Royal Oak, when fine wine at the Faire
still lived in all it's glory. He dubbed himself with the title of "The
Evil Gordon Geever", but all who knew him found that to be totally
untrue. He had a generous heart and soul, and I am a better person to
have known him. He will always find a place to stand, even if it is in
the back,in the great Opera House in Heaven.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

Annual Faire Reunion at Paramount Ranch

2007-04-30T07:43:19Z

just found this site, be sure and check it out !

http://dragondance.com/faire/index.html

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 4 replies

Since this seems to be a horror point

2007-04-28T02:30:34Z

and brought up many times as a bad example of modern faires.....

There was PIZZA at Agoura.... across from Montebank.. and I actually *do* somewhere have a picture of the booth and pretty sure it did say pizza, on the top of the booth

*sigh*

for those who say pizza is one of the roots of all evil at modern renfaires....

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 41 replies

Night Shows?

2007-04-07T22:59:07Z

Okay, how about remembering the shows that were held afterhours or at night "just for us"?

Crew show was always at Blackpoint, but there were certainly many Night Shows in Agoura.

I remember during one "Underwear Show" that Sally Schneider, LNR Harrold and some others (apologies if I've forgotten you) got up on stage in bloomers and camisoles and did a SHOCKING thing. They Morris Danced!!!

For those of you who have grown up watching women dance in troupes like Apple Tree Morris...in the early days of Faire the Morris was danced by manly men only (hence the whole Bruno thang that Pipe and Bowl started). Girls could do English Country Dance. But strapping bells on was out of the question.

Caused quite a sensation.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 26 replies

A Sad Passing; Sharon Moyer

2007-04-07T12:23:26Z

Sharon Moyer, long-term faire participant and member of the Mongers and St. Cuthbert's Guilds, passed away this Wednesday evening due to heart failure following a valve replacement in January. She went peacefully. She is survived by her daughter Beth, and husband Phil, former guildmaster of the Mongers, who is also, unfortunately, in poor health and not able to participate at faire this year.

Sharon was a former Monger and a puppeteer with many ties to the puppeteer community. For those who might not know her by name, in recent years at Southern she is the lady from St. Cuthberts who had the Queen Elizabeth puppet and did meet and greet at the front gate. In the Mongers she was mother and gammer to us all. We will all miss her.

There is a memorial service being planned and details will be posted when I know more.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 1 reply

speaking of points of horror....

2007-04-03T07:00:04Z

John Davidson had a game booth called ' Friar Tucks' . They played chess, they wore monks robes and spoke very bad BFA. It was accross from the pizza booth near Montebank stage. Clearly, when a celebrity calls ( even D- list ) how can they be refused....

At the time I was outraged but now I just look back on it as part of the flavor of Agoura.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 5 replies

Mark Lewis ... xpost

2007-03-27T00:06:06Z

Mark Lewis
Saturday, March 24th, 7PM
El Portal Theatre
5269 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Tickets are $35 and $50
818/723-0542

Mark Lewis, legendary storyteller, actor, and musician, will be appearing in the southland for one night only.

This is a special benefit concert for Camp Bravo (where Mark and Billy Scudder have been teaching for several summers). Seating is limited.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 24 replies

What Ho, Behold and Lo! The Memories!

2007-03-20T05:58:19Z

Ahh - the Faire. Hey ho, the Faire. My happiest memories of an otherwise disgusting adolescence are all from the Agoura Faire. I remember Dundii, didn't know him, but thought he was pretty great. I was a wandering minstrel playing classical guitar in '73,'74 & 75. Mostly I just hung around ..... one year (or was it two?) I was a garland bearer, this was the same year I called myself Hillary. To the two fine young (then, me too) women who bore the garland with me, i am ashamed to admit I can't remember your names. You were both great, though. I remember that parade down Procession Hill, god it was exhilarating. None of the Faires I've been to since have been so wonderful ..... of course I'm a garb vendor now, in Oregon & Wash. state. Make it all myself ... men's outfits and hats. Oh, and in 1978 I was an actual Paid Employee (boy, I thought I was hot sh*t) wearing the Wildman costume & running in front of the parade to clear the way! Fun fun fun! I even had a line in the show! I tell people now about the APF & they get bored! What jerks! SO HAPPY to find this Tribe!! Maybe one year I can get to the reunion ...
my family is really close, in Woodland Hills. Huzzah!

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

THIS SUNDAY ! ! !

2007-03-13T15:23:35Z

(note: this is a 'copy and paste' of what I posted on the Friends Of Faire website --- AND I plan on 'following the good Dr.' and doing some of my own Magic)

Reunion At Paramount Ranch in Agoura... where this all got its start !
Name: Matt "Wiggins Biggins" Savin
Date Posted: Mar 12, 07 - 7:21 AM
Email: mrsavin6996@aol.com
Message: Dear Goode Faire Folke:

I just received this message (which I am editing down for length... it included directions and more details about those who have passed away... please contact me if you would like to see the 'full text' version, or have any questions about it).

While I truly wish to be at the SFD on this day, and both attend classes AND work Construction... well, this being the 45th anniversary, and an opportunity to see Billy again (I used to work with both he and J.Paul at 1520 A.D., and was the original Fire Eater in Agoura), well... it is a difficult choice to make, but I know OUR Faire will continue, while THIS is a rarer occurance...and maybe a last chance in too many ways, sadly.

Please do pass this info along to anyone else that you think might be interested, too !

Here is what the message said, in the main:

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

The Friends of Paramount Ranch Proudly Present
The Ninth Annual Agoura Renaissance Faire Reunion

'Sempre ubi, sub ubi (always wear underwear)' - motto of the Guild of St Helena's, peasants -

Sun's Day, Spring Equinox, March 18, 2007,
Noonish to 6PM

Bring viands and repasting for yourself and friends, blankets for the greensward, offspring, tales of adventure and romance, costumery, songs and drums and instruments of music, boxes containing tiny Flemish painters - come join us under the Oaks as we once again recall, celebrate, and otherwise remember our times at the Southern Renaissance Pleasure Faire in
Agoura...

Come and be warmed by the sunny memories of a simpler time, back in Agoura, when Faire was perfect. As in years past, you are invited to put on your Faire clothes (or what of them is left), and come out to the old Hallowed Ground once more.

Bring your pictures, if'n you are of a mind; bring instruments, food,friends, children; bring folk who never did Faire there but always wondered about the place; most importantly, bring that essential Faire sizzle that lives in your memory, that special frisson that could only come from a day under the hot Agoura Sun with twenty-five thousand of your closest friends...

So far, i have this to report: Billy Scudder will be coming into town for his mother's 94th birthday (many bright blessings to them both), and he plans to be with us for the ReUnion. He has also agreed to be Pope
this year, and lead the memorial on the Hill.

I've sent word to the Hobby Horse folk, and gotten a positive response. There is talk of a parade... Even now, our plan for the event is still crystallizing, so if you want to put some of your own spin on things, please let us know (contact information is at the end of the e/mail); or better yet, just come to the Reunion and let fly...
* * *
Help Us Circulate this Flyer

If you think this is a worthwhile endeavour, please pass this flyer along to folk on your own e/mail lists. Forwards, in this case, are good.

We would especially like news of the Reunion to go to the Performers' list, Guild lists, booth owner lists, Friends of Faire, or any interested folk that you would like to include.
* * *
J. Paul Moore Says,'If you are up for it, bring a kite of some sort and we will fill the air above Procession Hill with color!' Also, after much pleading and cajoling, the aforementioned Doctor
Moore has agreed to do some (performance) magic on our stage in Witch's Wood (or more accurately, where the stage used to be). He will be on at 1:30, and
we would welcome anyone else who would dare follow him. * * *

What Do We Need?
All manner of things; your good will and your Vision, your desire to relive and recreate and pass along the magic...And, there are practical considerations as well; even though(through the good graces of our friends at the National Park Service) we are not required to have a permit this year, and we will be using the elegant flush privies in Western Town instead of the usual Gump, a donation to help
cover our other expenses would be much appreciated.

The Friends of Paramount Ranch would use any extra funds we receive for the benefit of the site; we will be having a Medea Creek cleanup day sometime after Southern Faire, and there are other projects on the
horizon. * * *

We have lost a number of comrades over the years, and in their honour we will be holding our traditional memorial ceremony at 4pm on Procession Hill.

In light of the above, here are some words from Cat Taylor, Director of Entertainment for the Dickens Christmas Fair : 'For those of you who weren't blessed by working or attending the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Agoura, it was a beautiful and special place. Every year there is a reunion there, which unfortunately for yours truly (who is also a Celtic fiddler) coincides with St. Patrick's Day weekend, so I have been unable to attend.

'This year there will be two special remembrances for Agoura faire folk who have passed in the last few months, Manny Suarez and Charles Taylor.'Manny Suarez of Quail Inn made churros, artichokes, and quail and some truly wonderful breakfasts at both
Renaissance Faires and Dickens Fairs. Charles Taylor was a founding member of the Sea Dogs.'

Portions of both Manny's and Charles' ashes will be scattered in memorial to them, and their love for this hallowed ground.
* * *
Many thanks for your past participation and your good wishes - we hope to see you at the Reunion.

Fare Ye Well,

For The Friends of Paramount Ranch

################################################

Regardless of how YOU spend that day, may it be Faire Ever Glorious !

With Love,
Matt

PS. the website for this group is:

www.dragondance.com/faire/

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 2 replies

Gold Coast Faire

2007-03-02T08:31:27Z

Hobby Horse Spring Schedule

Hobby Hoss will be at the Spring Escondido and Casitas Fairs. There is Plenty of Camping with fire, No Costume Check,(but still required), and Flexible Street Show Schedules.

Escondido Faire, Two Weekends
April 14th & 15th and April 21st & 22nd, 2007
Gatelist cutoff date - April 1, 2007

Lake Casatis Faire, Mothers Day Weekend
May 12th & 13th, 2007
Gatelist cutoff date April 29, 2007

Run with a black wooden horse, chassing women, and talk them into kissing you. Sing your favorate songs in our comfortable guild incampment.

If you would like to run with the Horse at Faire any of these dates, Please contact me at Zueskitty@yahoo.com before the cutoff date.

Thank you

Jason D

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 1 reply

Anyone see "The Prestige"?

2007-02-23T16:56:47Z

Did you recognize J Paul Moore as one of the magicians? Small non speaking role, but it was great to see an old Faire folk on the big screen.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 8 replies

Mama Galina

2007-02-07T04:25:54Z

I just got news that Mama Galina (Konstantin's mom) of Piroshki died within the last day or two. That woman was a great cook-her Pilmeni (Russian ravioli) were my favorite. She would make those for dinner on occasion, or somtimes just because you asked. I remember she loved red wine, so lift a glass of Cab, Merlot, whatever to Mama Galina!

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 1 reply

Children At Faire

2007-02-04T16:58:46Z

Hi, all!
I know this is kind of an "off topic", but I read on another thread that they are looking for someone to do "child care". within one of the "guilds"!
LOL, remembering 'Children's Dell' and the failed "attempt" to help out fellow actors and patrons, alike. At $2 a pop. Per hour? Made good money, I understand, IF anyone wanted to work there! LOLROF!!
Of course, I think they had a "special rate" for participants. I may even have the price down wrong....I just know that they put my little brother in there (Dan Rutherford.....age 7) He had gotten away from Margie Wright, and myself. Security found him, on top of Steak-on-a-Steak (having a "sun" on the roof) and put him in there.
Queen's show was passing (I think it was Julie's Last year? Maybe Peg's first??) and he stood on the fence and yelled "Someone let me out of here!!!" and "Hey, why are you walking with Henry the eight?" (refering to Bruce Roberts) It was my first "dressing down-Court gig" Called out, on the street, by the "Queen", to "rescue the young tike"
AH, the "old days!"

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 2 replies

Screwy customer Stories

2007-02-04T05:50:13Z

I remember the year, a customer stuck his hand down a hole, to find out what was in it. It turned out, what was in the hole, was a nest of baby rattlesnakes. He had to be helicoptered out that day.

What's your screwy customer story?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 6 replies

Magic in Witches' Wood

2007-02-02T02:56:21Z

A bit of background for those who'd rather not read my profile.
I started going to Faire in 1984 in the company of a couple of high school friends. We Faire-ever Passed it until 1986. Our costumes weren't perfect, but they weren't completely awful either (I never bared my shoulders, though my skirts were too short!). I worked Faire 1987-88 in the company of my then-future-husband. When Faire left Agoura we quit working. We didn't even attend first year DeVore 1989, but went at least once a year until this year when we came out of retirement and actively participated again. Strange thing about that is, when we worked Agoura we were boothies (I take no umbridge at that term, it's a descriptive) and now, at the Dam, we're members of a stand-alone English Country Dance Troupe started by former members of Newcastle in an effort to revive that art form (as a stand-alone thing) at Faire. We hope to be invited back next year.

Now that the intro is over, I experienced some wonderful magic in Witches' Wood before I started working Faire. One of my friends and I were back there, near where Heart's Delight was located. Dirty Jack 'Noff (aka Mark Lewis) was sitting on the stoop of the booth resting when he sees and calls over one of the feral domestic cats that lived on site. Not only did that cat wander over to him, but he picked it up and in no time had it on its back stretched out on his lap enjoying a belly rubbing and scratching.
More magic was to be had after I started working Faire as Witches' Wood was where Storytelling would take place (after it had outgrown the Maypole area). Hearing Mark Lewis weave his word pictures, playing Spark in the Dark and singing "Them" songs were a wonderful highlight to a weekend at Faire.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 16 replies

Before there was Faire, Paramount Ranch held Sports Car Races !

2007-01-28T18:47:21Z

I mentioned on my home page about this, and how Billy Scudder was a Flagman at them. My father raced Sports Cars at many venues, including the beautiful and also treacherous Paramount Ranch course, which featured what the Rangers there now refer to an "Over-and-Under" which means that part of the race course traveled over over a tunnel that the cars also passed through.

Due to liability problems, this race course was only in operation for about a year-and-a-half and closed down after 3 deaths occured during races there.

One of the most beautiful courses ever built, part of it was viewable from the participant's parking area during Faire. To this day, parts of it still remain. There is even a group that seeks to rebuild it, but I doubt that it will ever host actual races again, given its history.

A movie was filmed there called "The Devil's Hairpin," which also 'featured' a spectacular crash sequence.

I have JUST obtained some pictures from when we raced there, and am posting them on my home page. We raced both a Morgan there, and later an AC --- fittingly, both British Imports !

This AC actually was the fore-runner of the famed Cobra which is another story, entirely. Carroll Shelby was inspired by how well our car performed, and 'the rest is history' as the saying goes...

If anyone is interested, there is a group called "The Fab 50's" that celebrates that particular definitive era of Sports Car Racing, and they, too, have an annual Picnic at the old Agoura Locale: Paramount Ranch. Contact me for details, membership is free.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 4 replies

BOB and MARG

2007-01-17T03:46:54Z

As some of you may know, Bob Wright has undergone another surgery recently,and I thought friends might like to offer their support and wishes.

I don't want to publish their address on the net: if you already have their new snailing address please send Marg a card or a letter: she remembers and loves all of you!

I will be happy to forward all cards and letters to Marg: you can send them to me--- Marg Wright c/o Patrick Porter PO Box 1020, Ferndale CA 95536

thanks
Patrick
phbp@webtv.net

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 1 reply

When Did You Find Agoura? What impact did it have on Your life?

2007-01-03T17:11:27Z

Like I have said many many times before....I grew up in Agoura. It was where I was born...at age 7 but where I was born non-the-less~
What impact did the Agoura Faire have on you when you first went to this magical faire?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 20 replies

Manny from Quail Inn

2006-12-30T03:06:53Z

Passing this on from another list:

With the deepest, deepest sadness, I must tell you that Manny Suarez, our “Cuban National Treasure”, left the planet this afternoon, carried off by a heart attack.

Fernando is handling things. I will pass along more information as soon as I have it.

Venta

He will be deeply missed

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 4 replies

Dragons eggs...

2006-12-19T07:16:32Z

One of my very earliest memories of Agoura Faire were the confetti filled "dragons eggs" sold out of baskets. This was a ver y colorful era of faire (late sixties early seventies), very free-form and creative. The eggshells were carefully kept intact, and then filled with tissue paper confetti and covered at one end with a piece of brightly colored tissue paper.

You would be suprised suddenly by the "crack" of the egg on your head (usually). At once you would be showered in confetti and decorated in a festive manner. On the ground would be this circle of colored paper dots that would slowly become part of the smooth worn ground. We used to also sometimes make our own. The ones at Faire were the best because the eggshells were colored with watercolor splotches so that they did look a bit like magical dragons eggs.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 3 replies

The 'giving tree' stump

2006-12-12T15:22:55Z

Hi all, thought I'd start this thread as my most cherished memories of Agoura and as an intro.

My family had roots with the faire that go way back to when it was still a benefit for KPFK in LA. Dad was an engineer working at the Mt. Wilson outpost and was into the whole benefit thingy. Mom and dad had a booth selling grape juice with dry ice in it and called it love potion. or so my older siblings tell me, I was just a baby.

But when Ron and Phyllis decided to make it an independant (from KPFK) non-profit, dad wanted nothing more to do with it. But the seeds had already been planted and by the time I was 7 my sister was dancing on the little round jugglers stage with a troupe. And here is where my first memory of main stage come in. I remember ditching the family and running around by myself at that age and ending up over near mainstage, sitting on the stump and watching Belly dancing! I remember a rather talented woman dancing with a snake. The entire audience was mesmorized. That stump was a great place to sit and watch the shows! The one towards the back of the hay bales which has been there forever and for some reason never moved.

Fast forward about ten years or so. I'm now 19 and working at the salad booth. My sister is now running the finance office and I am generally being a scamp and running around having a good old time. It's after hours and I've taken some shrooms and set out to watch the night show. I'm back on that stump, which has been smoothed over by wear and time, enjoying Cock and Feathers. The show as usual was excellent. I'm laughing my ass off. Literally. I start laughing at the night show and can't stop. The show is of course very funny, but suddenly it's over and the crowd is dispersing and I can't stop laughing. The shrooms are taking effect and I fall of the stump laughing. I literally crawl across the road and try to stop laughing, but I can't. I sit in the front of the booth and someone comes by, I think a co-worker at the booth, and he's having a bummer night, but I still can't stop laughing and he thinks I'm laughing at him. I apologize and try to explain through the laughter that I'm not laughing at him at all. He goes off in search of something. I eventually calmed down enough to get my shit together to go out to the showers and take one.

But there you have it, one of my favorite memories of Agoura, that lovely stump and the things I did on it! Any body else have a special spot at faire they cherished?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 5 replies

Return of "The Fire Eater"...

2006-12-11T19:39:55Z

Thank You, Shiretripper, for thinking of me, and inviting me to join, here. I was the Original Fire Eater (and the sole one, typically) for many a year, in Agoura. I also performed to a lesser degree at the Northern Faire.

At the age of 16, my 'Artsy/Fartsy' mom dragged me off to the Very First Ever Renaissance Faire, and later, when I was able to drive myself out there, I began performing in Agoura.

I would love to 'hook up' with others that have similar memories/experiences, and more so, if anyone should have any pix of ME, from back then . . . sadly, all that I have left from then is a black & white copy of a picture that was used in a Newspaper Article about me, circa 1969.

I was also a member of Dundi's Troupe, appearing in Faust, and ... I worked at 1520 A.D. in Anaheim, too, along with J. Paul, and others of Ren Faire Fame.

Anyone remember me from back then? I had long curly Auburn hair, and a red beard then, and although I called myself "Matthew the Magnificent (Magician)" at the Faire I was more typically just known as 'The Fire Eater..."

Great to find this site !

Love, Matt

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 9 replies

to mimic another What did you do at Agoura?

2006-12-07T22:09:58Z

well.. I was brought out to Agoura with high school friends.. we were soo young *lol* made our first set of clothes *shudder* and of course had no clue what we were doing... there really were no set guilds per se when I started, you were a street person , stage , booths and such... and of course you were very careful of the container monster...

then was with helena's for eyars, and then migrated to Cuthberts.. yes I know a little out of order, but we did have fun.. still can recite oh brave young knight...... nothing like being at the top of procession hill in the early morning before faire started.. and that last morning every year..*ahhh**

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 36 replies

first impressions...

2006-12-06T19:01:58Z

Some of my favourite memories are my very first impressions of the Faire. Of course I was actually a child so the memories are mixed with that whimsical sense. At one point I remember the backstage for the stage near witches wood was shielded by giant panels of fabric which were painted to look like big cards. It was very "Alice down the rabbit hole".

I also remember holding a hot giant cookie and milk (cold and frothy...perfect). And a puppet toy which popped in and out of a cone.

Most of all I remember that exciting feeling coming up on the faire from the parking lot. All the banners and details and the layered sound as you came up past the water.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 4 replies

S(crew)y Stories

2006-12-05T00:10:46Z

How about a thread of stories about how the crew handled "special situations"?

For instance...we all remember or have heard about the time Orange Crush (the Garbage Truck) stalled at 9:30 in the morning on its way out the back road and couldn't be moved before opening...so...it was quickly burlapped and a detail of actors did a bit all day about the elephant that they were hiding as a surprise (for the Queen? I don't remember for whom).

Or how about the time a large swarm of bees decided to rise out of one of the Oaks during Queen's Show so they could strafe the audience and then move to a different (presumably less noisy) neighborhood near Mountebank. That time the crew very quickly cordoned off Mountebank and I think nobody got stung.

Or how invariably during a "Red Zone" day (when we had capacity crowd and it became literally impossible to walk on some streets and so all the street entertainment was halted)...one or more of our largest patrons would keel over from heat prostration or too much beer and have to be hand-carried out to the ambulence. No wonder we needed the Goons.

Do you have an amazing crew story?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 3 replies

What Ever Happened To...

2006-11-17T15:47:36Z

There are so many people I wonder about...For example, what ever happened to the handsome young man who played Sir Walter Raleigh? or Does anyone know Stimie Stu-stu-stumpp who had a pet rock?
What About the actors of the Globe Theater??? Mark, Steve, Michael, and Kelly???
I really miss these guys and wish I knew what became of them..
Does anyone wonder about anyone else from their Agoura Memories?

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 25 replies

Jessica Overstreet

2006-11-02T17:24:54Z

Jessica Overstreet (or Jessica Johns for those of you who knew her before she was married) was my aunt. My uncle Steven Overstreet fell deeply in love with her and married her in the 70's . She was tragically taken from us in the early 80's. I have many fond memories of her -her smile, her tickling me, her creative influence on Steven and my mom. She had a wonderful sense of innocence. She had a knack for collecting antiques of extraordinary value (and not just in the monetary sense either). It wasn't until my uncle took her into the hills that she saw the starry night sky! Her reaction was "I never knew THIS was here!" She wasn't a fool...she was just truly INNOCENT.

After she passed away, her ashes were spread in Witch's Wood. Her influence can STILL be seen in the design of Ren Faire costuming / clothing design - among other things. Her work was worn by celebrities and FaireFolk alike.

Many of you know Steven Overstreet one way or another (c'mon ladies...you know "Stevie", admit it). My uncle Steven has been a fixture of Faire for many, many years. HE has been a tremendous influence on my life (just as Jessica was with his). Now that I've joined the ranks of Faire Folk, I feel the need to not only learn more about my roots but to honor my aunt. I'd love to collect stories about Jessica for my uncle for Christmas.

Do any of you remember her, or her work? Please, please, PLEASE post them. I will compile them and give them to Steven in a nice printed form. If you have pictures of her or her work (or you, or someone you know, wearing her work) that would be great too!

Thank you very much!

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 2 replies

memento memori

2006-11-02T14:39:47Z

Rushing to get ready for morning gate. Twisting hair into braids and fussing with bodice holes. Mmmm another gulp of Chai, and another. Together we would spill out of our tent, Jane and I, slightly painted and already planning mischeif.

For now it was get ready and go.

The sounds of the last bits of crew equipment being put away...a rumble of a vehicle, the steady finiality of a few hammer strokes. As we hit the coffee house for more chai (more chai!) we could hear the sounds shift as the show took over. Accents and tone, the last bit of ice and the last keg secured, we would slip a little on the muddy road on the way out of traders market past the glade. There was really no time to duck backstage of main and see who was up and what was about...however ( as Peg would say..."never say "but" or "No"...say "*and*,*YES*,*however* and *yet*!")...who could resist a pass through that rabbits hole of people and props and whirling energy.

As the morning procession people pass us by headed up to start the day, we greet and are greeted as we are still having hurriedness and making a quick break of it. Backstage is strangely quiet, the conbtainer (lair) is empty seeming. Terry is even hidden for a moment.

Then we hear the pipes.

As we struggle out laughing and holding hands and running through the giant burlap curtain (made to accomodate the giant puppets) we can hear that Bob Thomas is piping on the high road.

Instantly we are transported and the *show* has begun. We are in fairlyland....a place of imagination...a place where we can play all day with all of these marvelous people. Weare the "O'Greal" sisters.

Walking now quickly, yet with purposeful stride we can see him standing tall with great dignity blowing away at the very top of the high road. His face moved in queer contortrions that matched the emotional tone and intensity of the music. Strange yet oddly sensical. As we made our way up the hill to him, and past him I swear I saw a twinkle in his eye that said ...

"Oh *there* you are. Finally. I was waiting just for you."

I knew he made everyone feel that way, and yet it was true it was true.

Down and down past the Maypole and out through the front gate.
Happy Dia De Los Muertos.
I miss you Bob.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 0 replies

Another passing

2006-10-25T03:04:43Z

Just posting the messsage I received from Venta:

Our irascible friend Stan Goold, for decades the proprietor of Turkey Legs, truly the icon food item at the Faire, passed away gently and quietly yesterday evening after many months of failing health. According to his daughter, who asked us to help spread the news to his friends, there will be a wake in a couple of weeks. I will get word out when I know the details..

Stan was famous for telling terrible jokes, real groaners, and for playing Dixieland jazz on the stereo real loud at the breakfast counter, and for accosting hapless visitors in the street with his gigantic turkey-leg prop (which I think was made for him by Hippie Jim). He had a fabulous garden at home and always brought lots of great vegetables & fruit (and seeds) to share with his friends and neighbors at faire. In total Stan fashion, his request for his remains was to have his ashes scattered in their compost.

There will be great pumpkins next year.

Venta

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 1 reply

You want more little girl...?

2006-10-04T13:18:09Z

Lemons cut in half with a candy stick to drink out the sour lemon juice...like lemonade only better. You had a choice of candy flavour, the guy in the floppy blue velvet hat (looong ostrich feather...) would break the stick in half and put one in a lemon. I think that they were fifty cents or something. They would last for hours.

My very fondest memories of Agoura, since it is all just flowing out, was sitting with Peg while she gave directors notes to the stage shows. This was a workshop and Friday afternoon activity...and this was our special time together.She had a way of sitting with you, even when she was completely absorbed in something else that made you totally aware of her affection and of her attention. The touch of the hand, the knowing glance, the unbounded laugh.

We would sit on the good bales in front of Maybower...you know the ones. Right up stage left underneath the big big Oak. Easily I can recall sifting through the hay sparkles as a very yound child in that same spot. She would call out to the actors, watch them intently, laugh *loudly*. She would invest herself in what they were doing...it is a trick of the *big* heart. By letting the actors know that she was going to "own" the artistic puzzle and problem with them...that she would stick it out with them through to the end...she added this magical other dimension to the practice space.

A dyamic audience.

Sometimes she would pace, bringing her hand up to her chin and covering her mouth slightly as if to remind herself to wait...silence...for now. If she had a good idea you could tell because she looked like she could burst.

Peg was classic pan-faced Irish red, saddle ass, fat fingers, piggy eyes.

Somehow still always magnificent. She could radiate the most pure sexual charisma...even in her darkest and meekest hours she was a commanding presence. Great Beauty.

Truly a great beauty. Sparkling engaging eyes.

When we were in those precious hours, honing the show, making it go, I felt so alive. It has really only been recently that I have begun to really feel as if the *air* and spirit of those days is fresh and for the serving...I feel alive like that again.

In Agoura Peg had her container, at least by that point I was spending a fair amount of time in the "Lair". Intensely you could hear the hum and dinn of the merry whirwind just outside the improbable confines of a shipping container. Five feet away would be a huge horde of people ...a couple thousand (no kidding) all sitting and standing and watching the STAGE together...and there we would be working out which ribbon to put on her basket for her peasants costume and "hurry up already!" late for the sing along with Oak Ash and Thorn at The Well...

(pics of Peg and more on my site http://rtgarden.com)

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 3 replies

video circa 1987

2006-09-12T01:39:14Z

Hello All,

My name is Dale and I have been doing Faire since 1980. This year is my first year back since Newcastle was not rehired some 6 years ago. I started out teaching juggling at Bob Sturer's School and became a Bruno with Newcastle / Pipe and Bowl morris in 1985. I have had this on video tape for years and thought I would put it up on Youtube.com. Pretty amusing stuff. We did the Popeye cartoon show with Tom Hattan as a promo for Southern Faire. It has Newcastle (of course), also Bob and Gypsy, and Will Wood. Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWaCZq8szzM

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 13 replies

pick a word any word

2006-08-23T03:40:43Z

This memory always makes me laugh or run screaming.... my eyes...

Albasquid

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 6 replies

Ian Abramovitch Has Passed Away

2006-08-11T03:49:11Z

It is with GREAT sorrow that I pass on this sad news.

Farewell, my Scotch loving friend ...

Suzanne ~<{:o)

-----Original Message-----

It is with great respect and admiration I must inform you of the passing of Ian Abramovitch. He left this world earlier today after suffering a heart attack on Friday. Ian was a regular fixture at the faire. He was a member in good standing with the Clan MacColin. He was also the percussionist for the celtic group Highland Sun. I was lucky enough to perform with Ian on a few ocassions and will miss him dearly.

Final arrangements have not yet been made. It is expected there will be a very quick burial in accordance with remaining family wishes. Below are some links where you can find out more about Ian:

http://www.highlandsun.com/bandinfo.html
http://www.highlandsun.com/bandinfo/ian.html
http://www.cpmusic.com/perform.html

Although it was not available when I sent this message, it is expected something will be posted on the Clan MacColin web site:

http://www.maccolin.com/

A wake is expected to commence on Sunday at the home of Ian's sister Gail Schroeder in Van Nuys. If you are interested in attending, please send a response to me and I will try to get you more information.

Please pass this on to anyone you know that is a friend to Ian.

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 2 replies

Shamless (Yet Delicate & Unsolicited) Plug for Dan's DVD

2006-08-08T16:40:09Z

I recently puchased a copy of Dan's "baby," a DVD he's created with Larry Hansen called "Retrospective: Twenty Years of Court Music Videos."

After getting over the intial shock of spotting my ugly mug here and there (consider yourself warned!), I really enjoyed watching the history of this particularly branch of the Faire family unfold. He's done an excellent job (he must do this professionally) and I can heartily recommend it to anyone who might have an interest in Faire history (particularly of a Courtcentric nature).

For Agouroids, it's particularly interesting as it's RPFS-based (he's a SoCal homeboy).

We were such good commuters/pilgrams in those days it really doesn't make much of a difference to me as a Northerner. It was sort of one big, dare-I-say "happy", family huddled 'round the Mother of All of All Mamas, QE1 (in her Peg, Luisa, Athene, et al. avatars).

I can hardly wait for his next endeavor which I believe is supposed to be a 30-year retrospective....I started in Court in 1976, so I have a vested interested.

Here's a link to Danny Boy. He has done an excellent job in preserving a bit of our collective histories and deserves kudos!

people.tribe.net/26669d90-...1f0d2acc39

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 1 reply

Photos anyone???

2006-08-04T00:40:15Z

So far so good but I would sure love to see others that I haven't seen before!
So Please!, take a moment to scan any old Agoura photos that you have and put some up.
Please, please, please!
*clasping hands and batting lashes*

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 26 replies

well there was the time

2006-07-11T04:31:39Z

ok.. a lot of stuff isnt repeatable in an open forum *blink*

but I will always remember the day the piece of wood broke and Leilo was left hanging.......

and another thing I will do as soon as I get a working scanner.... friggin passwords...

and I was always told never to go under mainstage.. and other tales that cant be repeated.. argghhhh

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 19 replies

Sharing the Old Time Magic

2006-07-07T03:18:21Z

Hi All,
Welcome!!
I created this tribe after joining Memories of Blackpoint...it inspired me to find any of us out there with stories and/or pictures of Agoura's past Faires. So Please feel free to post your photos and share those stories of one of thee Most Beautiful places on Earth...

The Aguora Original Southern California's Renaissance Pleasure Faire~

posted in Memoirs of Agoura - 2 replies

Memoirs of Agoura's topics - tribe.net

Costumes--You know you want me

ugma- a reminder

teahouse refuge for memories

The First Stop on the Brian Dall'Armi Memorial Tour

Ken E. Millikan's Ugma

Brian Dall'Arme

Another gone

Deathless Lines

Request from Outer Space re Outer Space

x-posted from the RPFS tribe

Anyone remember Dundii ?

To swipe from my RPFS tribe post (QE I):

The brats and where they are today

Agoura Renaissance Faire Reunion Picnic

Celebrity Spotting

Kissing Bridge

Judy Cory Returns !

S C U T T L E - B U T T

Ageless Greenman

Peg Long - Where Did She Go, Post Fall 1979??????

RPF Museum (cross-post from Memories of Blackpoint)

Looking for pictures of Mace Hanley

facebook place to hang out... Pleasure Faire Refugees

Storm'n Norman

Fallbrook Fire destroys David Springhorns home

Malibu fire

Any Little Random Thing Will Do!

Another passing x-post

When did Nobles/Royalty enter into the Faire Scene

Sad News - Robin Wadsworth

Hoodstink's Memorial at the Agoura Faire Site

Q

The Queen's English (cross post)

maypole

Reduced Shakespeare

Remember Dundii? Dundee? Old 8 mm movie on the CD in the Buck and Mug 2000 or 2001

What the Faire Means to Me

Word of another passing

Annual Faire Reunion at Paramount Ranch

Since this seems to be a horror point

Night Shows?

A Sad Passing; Sharon Moyer

speaking of points of horror....

Mark Lewis ... xpost

What Ho, Behold and Lo! The Memories!

THIS SUNDAY ! ! !

Gold Coast Faire

Anyone see "The Prestige"?

Mama Galina

Children At Faire

Screwy customer Stories

Magic in Witches' Wood

Before there was Faire, Paramount Ranch held Sports Car Races !

BOB and MARG

When Did You Find Agoura? What impact did it have on Your life?

Manny from Quail Inn

Dragons eggs...

The 'giving tree' stump

Return of "The Fire Eater"...

to mimic another What did you do at Agoura?

first impressions...

S(crew)y Stories

What Ever Happened To...

Jessica Overstreet

memento memori

Another passing

You want *more* little girl...?

video circa 1987

pick a word any word

Ian Abramovitch Has Passed Away

Shamless (Yet Delicate & Unsolicited) Plug for Dan's DVD

Photos anyone???

well there was the time

Sharing the Old Time Magic

You want more little girl...?