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chris_lang_mdrfWell, the three-day Labor Day Weekend of MDRF 2026 is in the books. And now it's time for me to do my recaps of all three days at the Maryland Renaissance Festival.
I arrived for Opening Gate, where Mayor Hugh MacGregor and Reginald Waldegrave are joined by Queen of Anna of Cleves, who had arrived with Sir Richard Rich ahead of the King and the rest of the Court. Millie, meanwhile, explained some of the apple business to the Queen. Soon, the King and the Court arrived, and the Queen told of what she had seen as she toured the village and got to know it better. In particular, the Queen shared the benefits of food on a stick.
Soon, the gates opened and it was time for the day to officially begin. I obtained this week's schedule from the Guest Services Pavilion, and then I saw Saturday's Entry Poll from Hugh and Millie. The first question was "What's thy favorite food-on-a-stick?", and this being Faire, there are certainly plenty to choose from. It was narrowed down to three options in the version I saw, though.
I made my way to the White Hart Tavern where the Hooligans were starting their hangover set. They started the set off with some banter before moving on to "Back Home in Derry". This was followed by the "Night Visitors Song", which is basically the slower version of "I'm a Rover" (if you've heard both songs, they have the same storyline and even the same verses, just with a different chorus and a different tempo). There was some banter talking about how the Hooligans got started (they were founded many years back by the now retired Mickey Hooligan and the two Johns, who were part of the Village Ensemble cast at the time. After Mickey Hooligan moved on, the Hooligans continued, growing and evolving along the way).
Next came "1353", the comedic song about an inept attempt to woo a lady. On a more serious note, Patrick sang lead on "Motherland". This was followed by "O Danny Boy", a song the Hooligans have done at least two recordings of on their albums/CDs (one the straight serious version, the other, not so serious). They moved on to "Loch Lomond", a song about how when a Scotsman passes on away from home, his spirit returns home to Scotland via 'the low road'.
Poehemia was next at the White Hart Tavern, and their set featured "Dirty Old Town", a song written by Ewan MacColl inspired by the town of Salford. Next was "The Scotsman", a song familiar to many at Faire. After "All For Me Grog" and "Old Black Rum" came a version of "Wellerman". They followed that up with "Streams of Whiskey".
Over at the Reveler's Bower was a STREETSpeare scene from "Everyman Out of His Humour", a play by Ben Jonson. In this scene, Buffone gives advice to Sogliardo on the ways of a gentleman.
At the other side of Revel Grove at the Blackfriars Stage was Boom Boom Shake, a music and bellydance band. Featuring Shane on drums and other instruments, Claudia Harrison (familiar to many longtime MDRF fans) on violin, and some talented bellydancers, it's a spectacular show indeed.
Over at the Gatehouse Stage, Bardy Pardy performed their 1:PM set. When I arrived, they were in the midst of combining 'Wild Rover' with a few other songs. They moved on from there to a romantic song, "Like Ships Need the Sea". They followed that up with "Queen of Argyle", and then the heartfelt "Back Home Again".
I then made my way to the Reveler's Bower, in time to see Hammered, a duo of hammered dulcimer players, performing their set. Said set included a few familiar songs, including "The Boatman" and "Auckland to the Bluff."
I stayed for the STREETSpeare scene from Henry IV where Falstaff and Mistress Quickly have their discussion about Falstaff's tavern bills. This was followed by another STREETSpeare scene, Arden of Flaversham, involving (as the card describes it) "a volatile clash between adulterous lovers".
Over at the Globe Theatre was one of the three one-act plays performed there this season, this one involving the Mechanicals and the 'play within a play' from Midsummer Night's Dream, Pyramis and Thisbe. The Mechanicals perform a tragedy that might (unintentionally for them) come across as a comedy instead.
I then headed over to the Ground for Defense near the Royal Pavilion and the Chapel for another STREETSpeare scene, taken from Romeo and Juliet. This one takes a different approach to the Romeo, Mercutio, and Tybalt incident by having witnesses to the incident recount it while the flashback to it is enacted before us.
I only saw a bit of Reveler's Roulette on Saturday, in time to see Beck Marshall and Lottie perform a lovely version of "The Baton."
I returned to the Reveler's Bower (I know what you're thinking - quite a lot of moving from one end of the village to the other, and back), and saw the STREETSpeare scene from Satiromastix, from the 'Poetomachia' sub-series. This scene involves the arrogant poet Horace who has a rivalry with other poets Crispinus and Demetrius. This was followed by another STREETSpeare scene, this one from the 'Scene Stealers' sub-series, from Measure for Measure, featuring Elbow the constable bringing forth two criminals for questioning.
I stayed at the Bower for Casks and Flasks, which focuses on the history of brewing and beverages. Today's theme was cider. After a rendition of "Drink Up the Cider", there followed a discussion of cider and just how cider is made, and how deviations from the cider recipe could result in non-alcoholic apple juice. Plenty of advice on how to do it properly for the best results were given.
From there, it was a very short trip to the nearby Globe Theatre. There, I saw the 4:30 Royal Court show, Recollections May Vary. It starts with the King noting how he fell in love with the woman in the portrait but found that the actual Anna of Cleves is nothing like the portrait. Members of court mention other possible options for the King, including the Duke of Norfolk's niece Catherine Howard (who is not with the Court in Revel Grove, but instead at Woodstock Manor). It also becomes clear that Cromwell's enemies at Court such as the Duke of Norfolk are taking advantage of the situation to bring about Cromwell's downfall.
Then, things take a turn when the Queen's Players show up and give us not one, but two re-enactments of the day King Henry met Anna of Cleves. They enlist the help of the Court, but members of the Court end up disputing their initial re-enactment. The second one is also disputed. Thus we come to the theme of the show where memories of certain events may be affected by people's biases. Afterward, we get some more personal monologues on the matter, first from Anna of Cleves, and then from King Henry. It is painfully clear that the marriage to Anna of Cleves is not going to work out. And also, one would NOT want to be Thomas Cromwell in this situation.
Some time later, I found myself at the White Hart Tavern in time for the Hooligans to begin 'Rattlin Bog'. I think I'll keep this one short and say that in the end, John Dickson Wakefield won the Rattlin Bog medal.
Pub Sing began with "Health to the Company" and continued with the Adventurers leading that old Pub Sing favorite, "Roll The Old Chariot Along". Millie Appleton sang lead on "Nancy Whiskey". The Weyward Sisters were next with "Irish Eyes". Then we had the ensemble song "Misty Moisty Morning".
After the Host Toast came the Adventurers with "Santiana". We had a surprise appearance from Queen Anna of Cleves as she visited Pub Sing, and she stayed for "Step It Out Mary" before heading off on her way. Jack Ripley was next with his version of "Old Dun Cow" which always works in excerpts from a different song during the last verse. Then it was time for Last Call.
The Brocades were next with an Isley Brothers inspired arrangement of "Chandler's Wife". Then the Weyward Sisters appeared with "Moon Dance". Nell Quickly sang lead on "Bell Bottom Trousers". Idle Fancies was next with "Love and Freedom". And then Jack Ripley led the Tavern in the Ripley Rhumba dance.
The Adventurers returned with "Row Me Bully Boys". The Weyward Sisters were back with "I Am The Moon", while Tommy Crommy and company performed "Swing, Boys, Swing". As Pub Sing moved into the slower, sentimental portions, Sir Richard Mondes with Millie and Viola performed "Mist Covered Mountains". Pub Sing concluded with "Wild Mountain Thyme".
And so concludes Part One of the three-day Labor Day Weekend. On Sunday, we would see both old favorites and new at Reveler's Roulette, plus a different Grimm subbing for George at Village Court. But those are stories for Part Two.
I arrived for Opening Gate, where Mayor Hugh MacGregor and Reginald Waldegrave are joined by Queen of Anna of Cleves, who had arrived with Sir Richard Rich ahead of the King and the rest of the Court. Millie, meanwhile, explained some of the apple business to the Queen. Soon, the King and the Court arrived, and the Queen told of what she had seen as she toured the village and got to know it better. In particular, the Queen shared the benefits of food on a stick.
Soon, the gates opened and it was time for the day to officially begin. I obtained this week's schedule from the Guest Services Pavilion, and then I saw Saturday's Entry Poll from Hugh and Millie. The first question was "What's thy favorite food-on-a-stick?", and this being Faire, there are certainly plenty to choose from. It was narrowed down to three options in the version I saw, though.
I made my way to the White Hart Tavern where the Hooligans were starting their hangover set. They started the set off with some banter before moving on to "Back Home in Derry". This was followed by the "Night Visitors Song", which is basically the slower version of "I'm a Rover" (if you've heard both songs, they have the same storyline and even the same verses, just with a different chorus and a different tempo). There was some banter talking about how the Hooligans got started (they were founded many years back by the now retired Mickey Hooligan and the two Johns, who were part of the Village Ensemble cast at the time. After Mickey Hooligan moved on, the Hooligans continued, growing and evolving along the way).
Next came "1353", the comedic song about an inept attempt to woo a lady. On a more serious note, Patrick sang lead on "Motherland". This was followed by "O Danny Boy", a song the Hooligans have done at least two recordings of on their albums/CDs (one the straight serious version, the other, not so serious). They moved on to "Loch Lomond", a song about how when a Scotsman passes on away from home, his spirit returns home to Scotland via 'the low road'.
Poehemia was next at the White Hart Tavern, and their set featured "Dirty Old Town", a song written by Ewan MacColl inspired by the town of Salford. Next was "The Scotsman", a song familiar to many at Faire. After "All For Me Grog" and "Old Black Rum" came a version of "Wellerman". They followed that up with "Streams of Whiskey".
Over at the Reveler's Bower was a STREETSpeare scene from "Everyman Out of His Humour", a play by Ben Jonson. In this scene, Buffone gives advice to Sogliardo on the ways of a gentleman.
At the other side of Revel Grove at the Blackfriars Stage was Boom Boom Shake, a music and bellydance band. Featuring Shane on drums and other instruments, Claudia Harrison (familiar to many longtime MDRF fans) on violin, and some talented bellydancers, it's a spectacular show indeed.
Over at the Gatehouse Stage, Bardy Pardy performed their 1:PM set. When I arrived, they were in the midst of combining 'Wild Rover' with a few other songs. They moved on from there to a romantic song, "Like Ships Need the Sea". They followed that up with "Queen of Argyle", and then the heartfelt "Back Home Again".
I then made my way to the Reveler's Bower, in time to see Hammered, a duo of hammered dulcimer players, performing their set. Said set included a few familiar songs, including "The Boatman" and "Auckland to the Bluff."
I stayed for the STREETSpeare scene from Henry IV where Falstaff and Mistress Quickly have their discussion about Falstaff's tavern bills. This was followed by another STREETSpeare scene, Arden of Flaversham, involving (as the card describes it) "a volatile clash between adulterous lovers".
Over at the Globe Theatre was one of the three one-act plays performed there this season, this one involving the Mechanicals and the 'play within a play' from Midsummer Night's Dream, Pyramis and Thisbe. The Mechanicals perform a tragedy that might (unintentionally for them) come across as a comedy instead.
I then headed over to the Ground for Defense near the Royal Pavilion and the Chapel for another STREETSpeare scene, taken from Romeo and Juliet. This one takes a different approach to the Romeo, Mercutio, and Tybalt incident by having witnesses to the incident recount it while the flashback to it is enacted before us.
I only saw a bit of Reveler's Roulette on Saturday, in time to see Beck Marshall and Lottie perform a lovely version of "The Baton."
I returned to the Reveler's Bower (I know what you're thinking - quite a lot of moving from one end of the village to the other, and back), and saw the STREETSpeare scene from Satiromastix, from the 'Poetomachia' sub-series. This scene involves the arrogant poet Horace who has a rivalry with other poets Crispinus and Demetrius. This was followed by another STREETSpeare scene, this one from the 'Scene Stealers' sub-series, from Measure for Measure, featuring Elbow the constable bringing forth two criminals for questioning.
I stayed at the Bower for Casks and Flasks, which focuses on the history of brewing and beverages. Today's theme was cider. After a rendition of "Drink Up the Cider", there followed a discussion of cider and just how cider is made, and how deviations from the cider recipe could result in non-alcoholic apple juice. Plenty of advice on how to do it properly for the best results were given.
From there, it was a very short trip to the nearby Globe Theatre. There, I saw the 4:30 Royal Court show, Recollections May Vary. It starts with the King noting how he fell in love with the woman in the portrait but found that the actual Anna of Cleves is nothing like the portrait. Members of court mention other possible options for the King, including the Duke of Norfolk's niece Catherine Howard (who is not with the Court in Revel Grove, but instead at Woodstock Manor). It also becomes clear that Cromwell's enemies at Court such as the Duke of Norfolk are taking advantage of the situation to bring about Cromwell's downfall.
Then, things take a turn when the Queen's Players show up and give us not one, but two re-enactments of the day King Henry met Anna of Cleves. They enlist the help of the Court, but members of the Court end up disputing their initial re-enactment. The second one is also disputed. Thus we come to the theme of the show where memories of certain events may be affected by people's biases. Afterward, we get some more personal monologues on the matter, first from Anna of Cleves, and then from King Henry. It is painfully clear that the marriage to Anna of Cleves is not going to work out. And also, one would NOT want to be Thomas Cromwell in this situation.
Some time later, I found myself at the White Hart Tavern in time for the Hooligans to begin 'Rattlin Bog'. I think I'll keep this one short and say that in the end, John Dickson Wakefield won the Rattlin Bog medal.
Pub Sing began with "Health to the Company" and continued with the Adventurers leading that old Pub Sing favorite, "Roll The Old Chariot Along". Millie Appleton sang lead on "Nancy Whiskey". The Weyward Sisters were next with "Irish Eyes". Then we had the ensemble song "Misty Moisty Morning".
After the Host Toast came the Adventurers with "Santiana". We had a surprise appearance from Queen Anna of Cleves as she visited Pub Sing, and she stayed for "Step It Out Mary" before heading off on her way. Jack Ripley was next with his version of "Old Dun Cow" which always works in excerpts from a different song during the last verse. Then it was time for Last Call.
The Brocades were next with an Isley Brothers inspired arrangement of "Chandler's Wife". Then the Weyward Sisters appeared with "Moon Dance". Nell Quickly sang lead on "Bell Bottom Trousers". Idle Fancies was next with "Love and Freedom". And then Jack Ripley led the Tavern in the Ripley Rhumba dance.
The Adventurers returned with "Row Me Bully Boys". The Weyward Sisters were back with "I Am The Moon", while Tommy Crommy and company performed "Swing, Boys, Swing". As Pub Sing moved into the slower, sentimental portions, Sir Richard Mondes with Millie and Viola performed "Mist Covered Mountains". Pub Sing concluded with "Wild Mountain Thyme".
And so concludes Part One of the three-day Labor Day Weekend. On Sunday, we would see both old favorites and new at Reveler's Roulette, plus a different Grimm subbing for George at Village Court. But those are stories for Part Two.
