Wednesday, August 20,1986
City/Area
University Daily Kansan
13
Students relive medieval age at annual Renaissance benefit
By Lynn Maree Ross
Special to the Kansan
The Renaissance Festival, sponsored by the Kansas City Art Institute for seven consecutive weeks starting Sept. 6, in Bonner Springs.
Tickets are $7.95 for the general public at the gate and $7 in advance. $3.25 and $2.75 for students and senior citizens. $6.75 for students and senior citizens. And available for groups of 25 or more at $6.50 can be purchased by calling (816) 681-8005
The festival, which is an annual benefit for the Kansas City Art Institute, is held in Bonner Springs.
The Renaissance Festival is a few weeks away, but several KU students have been working for months creating the crafts and characters of 400 years ago.
"To be a performer, a street character or a crier you have to audition," said Alyson Burnett. Lawrence junior. Burnett is a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a group dedicated to the study and enactment of medieval and Renaissance life.
After the first audition, the selected people can attend workshops to learn to speak medieval English and get help with their characters.
After practicing, each person auditions again. Burnett said that sometimes the second auditions were held in public at Nichols Fountain on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.
Auditioning in public gives people a chance to practice in front of a crowd, she said. It also gives the judges an idea of how well each person stays in character under pressure.
This attention to detail might seem overdone, but it's the duty of those participating to make the visit to medieval days as realistic as possible, Mary Strobl said.
Strobl, her sister Dorothy Strobl and Barbara Jones, Peculiar, Mo., sophomores, perform as the Dotty Minstrels. The trio sings Renaissance songs.
But staying in character isn't difficult because performers look out for each other, she said. For example, they remind people to take off watches or other jewelry that doesn't look medieval.
Richelle Basgall, Dodge City senior, also will return to the festival this year as a street musician.
Bassagall came to the festival in years past as a visitor. Last year, Bassagall said, she decided to become part of the festival.
She and Jennene Rohr, Topeka sophomore, wandered the paths of the festival grounds playing Irish tunes last year. Bassgail played the violin and Rohr played a lap harp.
Participating in the Renaissance Festival has an added benefit for Basgall and Burnett. The festival allows them to delve into the real-life trappings of their university studies.
John Andrews, a Lawrence resident and KU graduate, also has more than a passing interest in the Renaissance Festival. Andrews will perform vocal solos at the festival for the sixth consecutive year.
Basgall was a music major but switched to humanities, which involves studying the Renaissance period. Burnett studies medieval literature.
"Music is my greatest love," Andrews said. "The festival truly means a great deal to me."
Andrews sang a variety of songs, but "Danny Boy" and "Green Sleeves" are favorites of the festival visitors.
"I slip into it, it seems, almost without effort," he said.
Besides the chance to sing, Andrews said, the formality of the time
period is much like the way he lives.
For that reason, getting into the character of Andrew A. Cappella is easy.
The chance to get away from unpleasant reminders of the 20th century is something Andrews is quick to take advantage of.
Although Basgall, Rohr and many other people had to audition to participate, not all performers audition.
--catholic. "People come in and bring their friends. It's good for the business," he said.
"It's like a getaway," he said. "But my God what a pleasant getaway."
Burnett said that because the Society for Creative Anachronism was invited to participate each year, the members don't have to audition.
It must be frustrating to be an inspired singer, instrumentalist, poet or comedian and have no place to perform.
Doug Hassig, the owner of Up and Under, 403 N. Second St., said Mike nights were for anybody who wanted an audience for their talents. Performers have 20 minutes on stage every second Wednesday.
So, several nightclubs in Lawrence schedule "mike nights" to attract untamed and hardworking artists and give them an open microphone and an audience to perform in front of.
By DeAnn Thomas
'Mike nights' provide local spotlights
Matthew Moore, a local soloist and poetry reader, said, "There is very little baiting of the performances by the audience. It's a good opportunity for local artists who are just putting their acts together to get response."
Tim Ebeling, drummer for the Tornado Alley band, said mike nights tested the nerves and poise of the artist.
"Some are good, some not so good, but people like seeing new performances."
"It gets people used to performing," he said. Ebeling and his band usually attend Tuesday open-mike nights at the Rock Chalk Bar, 618 W. 12th St.
Audiences are usually very receptive to the performers, Hassig said.
Staff writer
The combination of new talent and local professionals who stop by to play between shows provides an enjoyable, learning atmosphere.
Rick McNeely, owner of the Jazzhaus, $92.1%$ of Massachusetts St., said that he got a good response when he held the Lonnie Ray's Blues Jam, the Jazzhaus' version of mike night.
The Lonnie Ray's All Star Band, which plays traditional blues and rock 'n' roll, provides the jam session.
People have brought harmonicas, guitars and saxophones to the session. Their names are called off the sign-up list, and they join the band on stage and make music.
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