My first experience with the SCA.
I attended my first ever SCA event yet yesterday, called Flight of the Falcon. It is, as far as I can tell, a quasi-Invisifest of SCA events. (For those people who weren't in VTSFFC, this is to say it was a one day event with multiple small tracks, meant to give people a wide overview of the many things that happen in the organization).
Several of the things presented at the SCA definitely piqued my interest. Heavy-weapon fighting does not look like it would be my thing, but light-weapon fighting seems like it might be. There were also several crafty people producing many different period items, most of which were of surpassing quality.
I also managed to participate directly in a few things. The few contra dances Crimson took me to enabled me to dance in good stead, or at least stumble into fewer people than I would have otherwise.
My nascent attempt to learn a few period tunes paid off extremely well; in the music track, there was a lot of recorder action, which goes perfectly well with the D pennywhistle I brought. Eventually, the guy running the track pulled out some sheet music and I got to sight-read along with him. I also played along to a two-person drum circle to an improvised performance by a pair of belly dancers, which was also very cool, if slightly distracting. Obviously I need to learn more minor-key period music, so if the opportunity comes up again, I'm not distracting myself.
So, in summary: the local SCA seems to be cool and interesting. I will definitely be going back.
Several of the things presented at the SCA definitely piqued my interest. Heavy-weapon fighting does not look like it would be my thing, but light-weapon fighting seems like it might be. There were also several crafty people producing many different period items, most of which were of surpassing quality.
I also managed to participate directly in a few things. The few contra dances Crimson took me to enabled me to dance in good stead, or at least stumble into fewer people than I would have otherwise.
My nascent attempt to learn a few period tunes paid off extremely well; in the music track, there was a lot of recorder action, which goes perfectly well with the D pennywhistle I brought. Eventually, the guy running the track pulled out some sheet music and I got to sight-read along with him. I also played along to a two-person drum circle to an improvised performance by a pair of belly dancers, which was also very cool, if slightly distracting. Obviously I need to learn more minor-key period music, so if the opportunity comes up again, I'm not distracting myself.
So, in summary: the local SCA seems to be cool and interesting. I will definitely be going back.