The Sound of the Drums Are Calling, I Must Attend
Posted By Delirium Tribal Apprentices on September 8, 2009
The following blog post was written by Christine, one of Delirium’s apprentices. She went to Pennsic, a two-week long SCA event held in Pennsylvania every year. Most of the East Coast Tribal community attends the event to dance, make music, take classes, perform, camp and get rather inebriated. –natalie
Every year as I leave Pennsic War I exclaim “This is the best War yet”. And this year is no different; this was definitely the best Pennsic I have ever attended. But this time I mean it… really, without a doubt, this was really the best Pennsic War ever. There were several different things that contributed to this; we decided to go at the last minute, no household, no children, no drunken squires to keep up with. My husband didn’t even bring his armor, our intentions were to go, relax, enjoy, spend time together and take some classes. This year though I also went to Pennsic with a renewed passion for dance, and Pennsic met me head on for the challenge.
For those of you not familiar with Pennsic War, it is an annual 2 ½ week event put on by the Society for Creative Anachronism in which a few members (over 10,000) get together. The people in the SCA are dedicated to studying pre 17th century history and culture. This includes all aspects from every corner of the world. A stroll through the Pennsic merchant area can reveal everything from an 8th century Viking to a 16th century Tudor to a 6th century Pict. It really is a sight to see and experience.
We arrived Saturday afternoon of the middle week and to our surprise and pleasure we were directed immediately to the troll booth. Sunday was the official start of War with Rapier and Archery. Monday, the River and Gate Battle. Tuesday, Field battles. Wed was a day of well deserved rest. The sounds of war are quiet this day. Their Majesties of the East and Middle Kingdoms have declared a truce for the day in mourning for those brave and honorable souls lost in the Pennsic field battle. The war will resume tomorrow and the sounds of war drums, clashing armor and the cheers of those being defended will once again be deafening. Thursday is the woods battles which is treacherous because there are so many obstacles.
How do those fighters do it? Just watching them makes me bruise. Ahhh but wait….after a few days of dance class I too was sore and bruised. So how do I pick what classes to attend? There are 77 pages of classes scheduled!!!! The ranges of classes are astounding. You can take a class on Italian Pottery, Shogi (Japanese Chess), glass blowing, bead making, brewing, silver smithing, and of course DANCE. There are several different locations dedicated solely to dance, one of which is specifically dedicated to belly dancing. There were classes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and often hoflas in the evening to showcase your new skills. And then the night comes, that is when the magic of Pennsic peaks. Lanterns, firepits, bardic circles, drumming and dancing!! And if you didn’t get your dance fix with 11 hours of classes during the day, listen for the drums. A 5 minute walk in any direction around the lake leads to many dance oppurtunities. Often the comment like “I’m with the band” got us straight in. One instance in which that comment didn’t get us in was the Mardi Gras party and there must have been about 500 people in their camp and they were only able to let people in as they let people out. IT WAS CRAZY!!!! So, it’s 2 a.m. and I cannot sleep, the sound of the drums are calling, I must attend.
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