Scarborough Faire

Taking a break at the faire with Maya.

The 2005 season of Scarborough Faire opened today! I've been so looking forward to this day, not only since the last season ended, but especially since I got a 2005 Royal Pass for my birthday in January. Last year, Scarborough Faire was my first outing since learning to walk again after being hospitalized for 6 weeks with Guillain-Barré Syndrome. The highlight of my day was discovering the troubadour Owain Phyfe. I purchased one of his CD's, listened to it daily, and rushed back to Scarborough Faire to see him again as soon as I could. Unfortunately, he had already gone back to Michigan, so I bought another of his CD's from Cantiga, who perform with him as the New World Renaissance Band, and thus began a long year of eager anticipation as I looked forward to seeing him again this year.

Imagine my dismay as I rush through the gates with my season pass in hand, pick up an entertainment schedule, go over it three times looking for either Owain Phyfe or New World Renaissance Band, then give up and rush to Cantiga's performance to ask them when I'd see him, only to be told that the powers that be at Scarborough Faire hadn't signed him to perform this year!! Alas and alack! Despite my bitter disappointment, it was still a great day at Scarborough Faire. It was so nice to know that I could come back any time with my pass, and not feel as though I had to rush from performer to performer like I usually do. Maya and I ambled along, stopping when we felt like it, lingering over peaches and cream, chatting idly with Condesa Catalina Marina La Fey (who had the acumen to notice how "exquisite" and "perfect" baby Maya is) and the members of Cantiga, one of whom informed me (oh, happy day!) that New World Renaissance Band, Owain Phyfe included, would be performing a free lunchtime concert about 5 miles from my house later this month! Now to just figure out what to do with the children ...

Aside from that delightful news, my two favorite moments at the faire both involved Cantiga. The first one occurred as they were playing one of my favorite songs, "Tourdion," which is a French song about drinking and spinning. As they played, two large fuzzy bumblebees lazily performed their mating dance on and around the stage, turning in slow circles as the harpist and I eyed them warily. It was perfect, as though they were enjoying the music and joining in! The other great moment occurred as they moved from a slow ballad into a lively jig just as the wind picked up. This wasn't just a gentle, whispering breeze. This was a strong wind that sang through the trees and dissipated the stagnant heat of the day. The timing with the music was, again, perfect.

I fall more in love with the faire every year. I suspect that by the time a year or two passes, I'll be going in costume and speaking with an accent. I already dream of the day that my teenage son and I can be counted among the performers there. Does that make me a geek? Nah. Actually, it means I'm on my way to becoming a "rennie."

Edit: Thank you to all who followed the link (now removed) and signed the petition to bring Owain Phyfe back to the Faire. He was signed for the 2006 season and sent me a personal "thank you" that made my day!