Pub Sing Memories
I put a lot of work in to how to word this post. I was unable to find a way to do it in that it wouldn't sound like fluff or be insulting to anyone.
It has been said that there will be no Pub Sing this year. Each and every one of us who goes to faire more then once goes back for their own reasons. The musical variety and amazing number of fantastic musical acts that have been on those stages and lanes is a big reason why I love the MDRF over any other faire. I have been attending the MDRF since 1983. I have seen dozens of performers, made hundreds of friends, and spent scads of money. Faire has always been an escape from reality for me, a place were I can dress up and have fun with some friends that I might never have known if it wasn't for those few weekends every year.
I made statements to many people in all kinds of places about who and what I like most about faire. There are so many reasons I go back day after day, weekend after weekend, year after year. A number of years ago a Pub Sing was started at the Boar's Head Tavern. It grew and grew. It was moved to a new venue, the White Hart, and that venue was changed several times to accomodate the success of the show. Several people slammed the Pub Sing as "one big in joke that no one could hear if they weren't in the front row". For me it was a place to say good night and good bye to my friends and family for one more day, week, or year. It was always a place to see the King and his court as alchohol and friends always seemed to keep me from staying up with the royal progress. It was a opertunity to see the guest acts who often performed at Pub Sing, even if it was only one song. A chance to hear silly top 10 lists or a joke you never thought you would here. The pub would fill with rennies, cast and mundanes all ending their day with a drink, smile and song.
Pub Sing was never about any one person or act and I'm sure if you looked at all 19 Pub Sings over the course of a season you would see a large portion of the faires performers. No not all of them, probably not even half, but it was a chance to showcase a good part of the faire. I can't count the times I broke in to tears surrounded by friends and family as a this song or that was sung. The incredible number of raised mugs in toast to the fine company assembled, even the looks, smiles and nods of friends who couldn't get close enough.
Pub Sing had incredible moments for me. I can remember hearing "Until we meet again, in this life or the next..." for the last time. The only time I ever heard the words "This one's for Lumpy" from Jack as he teased me about a drunken tirade the day before, will stick with me forever. I laughed out loud when King II, sat at his first Pub Sing and laughed and cheered and sang along with the rest of us. When my step-daughter and I reconcilled as the Pyrates sang "MacIntyre", I cried and thanked the friend who made it happen. There were plenty of Pub Sings where I sat on a bench and sang with every thing I had in me right along with the rest of the crowd. One of the best was when almost everyone on the stage at Pub Sing including all of the Pyrates, Mickey, Emrys, Jack and even the King were all wearing the Clan McLumpy Tartan.
My fondest memory of all though came one night when I was sitting on the wall next to RifRaf and this woman came up to me and said, "I never got my kiss". We embraced and I saw fireworks as our lips met, I knew I wanted to share my life with this woman. As I pushed her back I realized that there was a spotlight on us, and quite a few eyes as well. Prax has become a very important part of my life, and Pub Sing has been a part of our love.
Pub Sing will be missed, I will miss the songs and the jokes and all of the people. I guess this means I will get to see a little more of faire and I am very excited to see the new closing that is planned. All things change and change isn't always bad.
For me though one song has always been a perfect description of Pub Sing and even a good bit of faire to me...
Some come to work,
While others, to play;
Some come in evening,
To pass time away;
Some come to laugh,
their voices to ring;
But as for me,
I come for to Sing.
-from I Come For To Sing - led by Jack Rackham at the final MDRF Pub Sing back in 2006
It has been said that there will be no Pub Sing this year. Each and every one of us who goes to faire more then once goes back for their own reasons. The musical variety and amazing number of fantastic musical acts that have been on those stages and lanes is a big reason why I love the MDRF over any other faire. I have been attending the MDRF since 1983. I have seen dozens of performers, made hundreds of friends, and spent scads of money. Faire has always been an escape from reality for me, a place were I can dress up and have fun with some friends that I might never have known if it wasn't for those few weekends every year.
I made statements to many people in all kinds of places about who and what I like most about faire. There are so many reasons I go back day after day, weekend after weekend, year after year. A number of years ago a Pub Sing was started at the Boar's Head Tavern. It grew and grew. It was moved to a new venue, the White Hart, and that venue was changed several times to accomodate the success of the show. Several people slammed the Pub Sing as "one big in joke that no one could hear if they weren't in the front row". For me it was a place to say good night and good bye to my friends and family for one more day, week, or year. It was always a place to see the King and his court as alchohol and friends always seemed to keep me from staying up with the royal progress. It was a opertunity to see the guest acts who often performed at Pub Sing, even if it was only one song. A chance to hear silly top 10 lists or a joke you never thought you would here. The pub would fill with rennies, cast and mundanes all ending their day with a drink, smile and song.
Pub Sing was never about any one person or act and I'm sure if you looked at all 19 Pub Sings over the course of a season you would see a large portion of the faires performers. No not all of them, probably not even half, but it was a chance to showcase a good part of the faire. I can't count the times I broke in to tears surrounded by friends and family as a this song or that was sung. The incredible number of raised mugs in toast to the fine company assembled, even the looks, smiles and nods of friends who couldn't get close enough.
Pub Sing had incredible moments for me. I can remember hearing "Until we meet again, in this life or the next..." for the last time. The only time I ever heard the words "This one's for Lumpy" from Jack as he teased me about a drunken tirade the day before, will stick with me forever. I laughed out loud when King II, sat at his first Pub Sing and laughed and cheered and sang along with the rest of us. When my step-daughter and I reconcilled as the Pyrates sang "MacIntyre", I cried and thanked the friend who made it happen. There were plenty of Pub Sings where I sat on a bench and sang with every thing I had in me right along with the rest of the crowd. One of the best was when almost everyone on the stage at Pub Sing including all of the Pyrates, Mickey, Emrys, Jack and even the King were all wearing the Clan McLumpy Tartan.
My fondest memory of all though came one night when I was sitting on the wall next to RifRaf and this woman came up to me and said, "I never got my kiss". We embraced and I saw fireworks as our lips met, I knew I wanted to share my life with this woman. As I pushed her back I realized that there was a spotlight on us, and quite a few eyes as well. Prax has become a very important part of my life, and Pub Sing has been a part of our love.
Pub Sing will be missed, I will miss the songs and the jokes and all of the people. I guess this means I will get to see a little more of faire and I am very excited to see the new closing that is planned. All things change and change isn't always bad.
For me though one song has always been a perfect description of Pub Sing and even a good bit of faire to me...
Some come to work,
While others, to play;
Some come in evening,
To pass time away;
Some come to laugh,
their voices to ring;
But as for me,
I come for to Sing.
-from I Come For To Sing - led by Jack Rackham at the final MDRF Pub Sing back in 2006