MDRF Third Weekend 2026, Saturday recap
Sep. 16th, 2026 08:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chris_lang_mdrfWell, here we are at the Third Weekend of the 2026 season of the Maryland Renaissance Festival. And it just so happens to be Myth and Magic Weekend, so this weekend the village saw visits from the (adjectiveless) Bards and Bard City. We also saw Chaste Treasure and the Rambling Sailors return to Revel Grove. But more on that later.
After Opening Gate, I did what I always do on Saturdays of a new MDRF Weekend and obtained the sheet with this weekend's schedule from the Guest Services Pavilion. (I highly recommend doing so, as it's a very handy means of knowing this particular week's schedule and knowing just when and where certain acts and shows are going to be performing). I then made sure to see Saturday's Entry Poll from Hugh MacGregor and Millie. This one was asking about the best apple products.
Over on the Market Stage, Vixens en Garde performed their take on one of Shakespeare's Roman plays, Corialanis. While it's not one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays, the story of a former hero of Rome who ends up joining with his former enemy still gives the Vixens plenty to work with, as they work in plenty of pop culture references.
At the Boar's Head Tavern, the Rambling Sailors performed their first set of the day. They began with "Day of the Clipper", before moving on to the softer and more contemplative "Rolling Down to Rio". Next was "Run the Rigging Again", about a woman's experience in disguise at sea. This was followed by a song titled "Ned's Shanty" by its original writers despite the fact that it's not really a shanty (shanties are basically work songs at sea) and there isn't a Ned in the song (nor is it written by anyone called Ned). So most of us might know it better as the "wind in the rigging and the rain on the deck" song.
Next was "The Night Pat Murphy Died", which falls into the tradition of comedic Irish songs about gatherings such as weddings or wakes (in this case the latter) where things go a bit awry. This version goes into more detail about the events that transpired at the gathering supposedly to honor the deceased Mr. Murphy, telling of the mishap that befell poor old Darby Flynn, as well as further indignities the deceased faced as the party got out of hand. On another note, the Rambling Sailors followed with "Rambles of Spring", about a musician getting ready for another season of traveling.
Over near Potomac Leather, Sir Richard Mondes, Viscountess Rochford, and others were doing a 'Shark Tankard' bit where members of the Village Ensemble present their newest product and see if anyone's interested. In this case, Viola and Violet Belgard (who Pub Sing audiences might know as Idle Fancies) presented their 'stain away' quill, a quill that helps remove stains from clothes.
Bard City had a new (for them) venue this week, the White Hart Tavern. They began their set of tabletop role-playing inspired songs with "Friendship", a song telling of the reasons adventuring parties go on quests and venture into dungeons. Next was the short and to the point "A Level Three Party Accidentally Breaks Into the Lair of a Beholder". Even if you're one of those who's not entirely sure what a Beholder is, there's more than enough here for one to get the general idea.
Afterward, they did a song about adventurers who were working with incomplete information (possibly due to failed perception checks), "Are We the Bad Guys?". Next was a new song, "Ten Levels Down", where people are advised not to make themselves at home in a particular dungeon. Next, guitarist Onion sang about meeting what he believes to be a mimic at a bar. They concluded the set with a song about a scenario Dungeon Masters sometimes find themselves in: When the players' favorite NPC turns out to be someone the DM didn't really give a lot of thought to and has "absolutely no backstory", "Greta the Goblin."
The (adjectiveless) Bards were next at the White Hart Tavern, singing a set that was a mixture of shanties, drinking songs, and at least one that didn't quite fall into either category. "Row Me Bully Boys" and "All For Me Grog" was followed by "Drink to all the lassies and the jolly roving tar". Next came "Drunken Sailor", followed by "Irish Rover" (that would be the one that didn't quite fall into either category, as it's a tall tale about a sea voyage).
The Rambling Sailors performed their next set over at the Cottage Stage. I arrived in the midst of "Twa Recruiting Sergeants", which was followed by "Rolling Down to Rio". Afterward came the much loved song about persistence, "Mary Ellen Carter". Next was "Bully in the Alley", about a drunken sailor having to sober up outside the tavern.
After "Santiana" came a song about a sailor pondering quitting sailing, "An Ex-Sailor's Life". Next was "Last Shanty", a song about changes to life at sea after the end of the golden age of sailing and new advances in technology. They finished the set with the heartfelt "Nelson's Memory".
After getting some lunch, I found myself at the Boar's Head Tavern for Reveler's Roulette. After the opening Toast, Roisin appeared on stage to perform "She Moved Through the Fair". Next, Anne Bracegirdle took the stage to sing lead on "Cockney Mermaid". Ginger and Robin were joined by Viola for the old favorite "Demeter's Daughter", about Persephone's perspective on life as she has experienced half the year in the land of spring and flower and the other half in the Underworld. Beck Marshall was next with "Peasant's Throne", and Robin and Ty contributed a new tune. Lottie Grimm was next with "Stranger at my Door".
Over at the Gatehouse Stage, Chaste Treasure performed their mid-afternoon set. This set featured their 'Royals' parody, followed by 'Otto Correct' (inspired by a certain feature many of us are familiar with). They then asked the audience for suggestions for the 'Professions' song so they could improvise new lines for it. This time, the professions included bricklayer, vet, and bus driver. They finished the set with a song about "The Two Things We Hold Dear" that will likely get stuck in your head after hearing it.
I saw again the STREETSpeare for "Poetaster", an item in the 'Poetomachia' track involving an argument between writers that resulted in a number of plays involving arrogant, over-the-top poet characters. This is from a play by Ben Jonson, and the poet in question is Crispinus, whose style is called into question at certain points.
I stayed for Jammers Ceilidh, featuring the Jammer Clan and the Revel Grove Dance Company. We began with Jack Ripley leading the Dance Company with "Heave Away", before moving on to "John Ryan's Polka". Bardwin the Bard then took the stage with "Hills of Connemara". Allison performed a lovely rendition of "Village Down By The Sea". After a waltz inspired by a popular fantasy film, the show concluded with the Ripley Rhumba dance.
Next at the Gatehouse Stage was Village Court. Presided over by Justice of the Peace Reginald Waldegrave, with bailiff George Grimm, petty Constable Margery Malagrave, stenographer Hugh MacGregor, and musician Ty, this improvised show has people invited to share their cases or argue against citations issued against them earlier.
Case one involved a man who was accused of sassbackery toward an official, among other things. The citations stood.
Case two involved a white-haired woman in a white dress stained with something red (ketchup?) who was suspected of being a daywalker vampire. Margery took the defense, saying that the teeth didn't mean anything and her client is a vegetarian. Grimm was suspicious of the client not approaching Reginald until invited, as there is vampire lore stating that vampires need an invitation to enter people's homes. In the end, the jury decided the client was a daywalker, and the invitation was rescinded.
Case three involved a woman with a rat's tail accused of lycanthropy. Margery defended, and said the citation must be thrown out because her client is not a werewolf (though possibly could be a were-rat). Grimm said that both wolves and rats are Dracula familiars. However, in the end, the citation was thrown out.
Case four involved a client standing on a bench and sassbackery toward an official. When the client's friend noted that Reginald was standing on a bench, Margery said that Reginald was allowed to do that. The citation was thrown out.
Case 5 was another case involving a certain dungeon crawler. In this 'snap judgement' case, the dungeon crawler's companions Donut and Mongo also escaped the dungeon. Grimm said the dungeon crawler should be in the dungeon. The citation stood.
Case six involved windshield wipers. Margery was picked to argue against her own citation. It was asked which version of Margery should we believe, the one arguing now or the one who issued the citation? The citation was thrown out.
Case seven involved a woman in princess attire charged with radiant beauty. Grimm had to argue against, while Margery argued for. The citation was thrown out.
I made it to the Globe Theatre area in time to see the last part of the Royal Court show, Recollections May Vary. The Queen's Players realize that King Henry's marriage to Anna of Cleves is falling apart, and that these are matters in which they should not meddle.
At the Reveler's Bower, I chatted with Rosamund Wooler a bit. I mentioned a song I'd heard at Jammer's Ceilidh the previous week which involved people in a similar line of work as Rosamund and her fellow spinners. We also chatted about the weather and the Faire dust. The weather for Saturday, by the way, was all right. Better than Sunday's, but I'll get to that later.
I arrived at the White Hart in time for the Hooligans and the Wildest Rover Singing Competition. Defending champions the Mighty Mighty Pie Wedge went first, followed by the Relatively Normal People on the Right, the 'corn' section technically outside the White Hart (all three of them - not many participated), and the Freaks on the Left. The Participation Award went to the Relatively Normal People on the Right and the Wildest Rover trophy went to the Freaks on the Left.
Next came the Rattlin Bog competition, where the Hooligans challenge each other to see which of them (if any) can make it through all the new words added to the progression without messing up. Today they had a special guest participant, John from the Bards. This resulted in a progression with several Bards, Jakes, Johns, and at least one maid and a man. Now, as anyone who's seen enough of these Rattlin Bog competitions knows, when they add multiples of anything (such as 'maid', 'man', 'John', 'bard', whatever), that inevitably leads to confusion, omission, and getting things in the wrong order.
In the end, no one won the Rattlin Bog medal. The multiples were just too much.
Pub Sing began with "Health to the Company", which was followed by the Adventurers with "Roll the Old Chariot Along". The Vagabonds were next with "Courtin in the Kitchen", and then we had a group number version of "Rocky Road to Dublin". After the Host Toast, Idle Fancies were next with "Lady So Frolic". Jack Ripley took the stage with "Heave Away", and the Weywards were next with "Weyward Daughter".
Sir Richard Mondes and company were next with "Past Times With Good Company", a madrigal song attributed to King Henry VIII himself. They received permission to do a faster version of the song via a message from the King relayed by Thomas Cromwell. Afterward, the Vagabonds performed their hit song "Oak and Ash and Thorn."
Soon it was time for Last Call. This was followed by a tune from Robin and Ty, and then the group number "Step it Out Mary" with much dancing in the aisles. Jack Ripley performed "Old Dun Cow" and worked in "Some Say The Devil is Dead" into the song during the last verse. Alys Overdun performed a rendition of "Spanish Lady", and the Weywards returned with "Devil's Paintbrush Road". The Adventurers were next, with "Sleeping in the Cold Below".
Pub Sing soon moved into the softer section, with Millie Appleton performing "She Moved Through the Fair". For the penultimate song, the Vagabonds performed the beautiful and moving "Bring on the Starlight". Pub Sing concluded, as usual, with "Wild Mountain Thyme".
And so Saturday of the Third Weekend concluded. Sunday would have its challenges temperature-wise (and some would say that's an understatement), but would still be enjoyable nonetheless. But I'll get to that with the Sunday recap.
After Opening Gate, I did what I always do on Saturdays of a new MDRF Weekend and obtained the sheet with this weekend's schedule from the Guest Services Pavilion. (I highly recommend doing so, as it's a very handy means of knowing this particular week's schedule and knowing just when and where certain acts and shows are going to be performing). I then made sure to see Saturday's Entry Poll from Hugh MacGregor and Millie. This one was asking about the best apple products.
Over on the Market Stage, Vixens en Garde performed their take on one of Shakespeare's Roman plays, Corialanis. While it's not one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays, the story of a former hero of Rome who ends up joining with his former enemy still gives the Vixens plenty to work with, as they work in plenty of pop culture references.
At the Boar's Head Tavern, the Rambling Sailors performed their first set of the day. They began with "Day of the Clipper", before moving on to the softer and more contemplative "Rolling Down to Rio". Next was "Run the Rigging Again", about a woman's experience in disguise at sea. This was followed by a song titled "Ned's Shanty" by its original writers despite the fact that it's not really a shanty (shanties are basically work songs at sea) and there isn't a Ned in the song (nor is it written by anyone called Ned). So most of us might know it better as the "wind in the rigging and the rain on the deck" song.
Next was "The Night Pat Murphy Died", which falls into the tradition of comedic Irish songs about gatherings such as weddings or wakes (in this case the latter) where things go a bit awry. This version goes into more detail about the events that transpired at the gathering supposedly to honor the deceased Mr. Murphy, telling of the mishap that befell poor old Darby Flynn, as well as further indignities the deceased faced as the party got out of hand. On another note, the Rambling Sailors followed with "Rambles of Spring", about a musician getting ready for another season of traveling.
Over near Potomac Leather, Sir Richard Mondes, Viscountess Rochford, and others were doing a 'Shark Tankard' bit where members of the Village Ensemble present their newest product and see if anyone's interested. In this case, Viola and Violet Belgard (who Pub Sing audiences might know as Idle Fancies) presented their 'stain away' quill, a quill that helps remove stains from clothes.
Bard City had a new (for them) venue this week, the White Hart Tavern. They began their set of tabletop role-playing inspired songs with "Friendship", a song telling of the reasons adventuring parties go on quests and venture into dungeons. Next was the short and to the point "A Level Three Party Accidentally Breaks Into the Lair of a Beholder". Even if you're one of those who's not entirely sure what a Beholder is, there's more than enough here for one to get the general idea.
Afterward, they did a song about adventurers who were working with incomplete information (possibly due to failed perception checks), "Are We the Bad Guys?". Next was a new song, "Ten Levels Down", where people are advised not to make themselves at home in a particular dungeon. Next, guitarist Onion sang about meeting what he believes to be a mimic at a bar. They concluded the set with a song about a scenario Dungeon Masters sometimes find themselves in: When the players' favorite NPC turns out to be someone the DM didn't really give a lot of thought to and has "absolutely no backstory", "Greta the Goblin."
The (adjectiveless) Bards were next at the White Hart Tavern, singing a set that was a mixture of shanties, drinking songs, and at least one that didn't quite fall into either category. "Row Me Bully Boys" and "All For Me Grog" was followed by "Drink to all the lassies and the jolly roving tar". Next came "Drunken Sailor", followed by "Irish Rover" (that would be the one that didn't quite fall into either category, as it's a tall tale about a sea voyage).
The Rambling Sailors performed their next set over at the Cottage Stage. I arrived in the midst of "Twa Recruiting Sergeants", which was followed by "Rolling Down to Rio". Afterward came the much loved song about persistence, "Mary Ellen Carter". Next was "Bully in the Alley", about a drunken sailor having to sober up outside the tavern.
After "Santiana" came a song about a sailor pondering quitting sailing, "An Ex-Sailor's Life". Next was "Last Shanty", a song about changes to life at sea after the end of the golden age of sailing and new advances in technology. They finished the set with the heartfelt "Nelson's Memory".
After getting some lunch, I found myself at the Boar's Head Tavern for Reveler's Roulette. After the opening Toast, Roisin appeared on stage to perform "She Moved Through the Fair". Next, Anne Bracegirdle took the stage to sing lead on "Cockney Mermaid". Ginger and Robin were joined by Viola for the old favorite "Demeter's Daughter", about Persephone's perspective on life as she has experienced half the year in the land of spring and flower and the other half in the Underworld. Beck Marshall was next with "Peasant's Throne", and Robin and Ty contributed a new tune. Lottie Grimm was next with "Stranger at my Door".
Over at the Gatehouse Stage, Chaste Treasure performed their mid-afternoon set. This set featured their 'Royals' parody, followed by 'Otto Correct' (inspired by a certain feature many of us are familiar with). They then asked the audience for suggestions for the 'Professions' song so they could improvise new lines for it. This time, the professions included bricklayer, vet, and bus driver. They finished the set with a song about "The Two Things We Hold Dear" that will likely get stuck in your head after hearing it.
I saw again the STREETSpeare for "Poetaster", an item in the 'Poetomachia' track involving an argument between writers that resulted in a number of plays involving arrogant, over-the-top poet characters. This is from a play by Ben Jonson, and the poet in question is Crispinus, whose style is called into question at certain points.
I stayed for Jammers Ceilidh, featuring the Jammer Clan and the Revel Grove Dance Company. We began with Jack Ripley leading the Dance Company with "Heave Away", before moving on to "John Ryan's Polka". Bardwin the Bard then took the stage with "Hills of Connemara". Allison performed a lovely rendition of "Village Down By The Sea". After a waltz inspired by a popular fantasy film, the show concluded with the Ripley Rhumba dance.
Next at the Gatehouse Stage was Village Court. Presided over by Justice of the Peace Reginald Waldegrave, with bailiff George Grimm, petty Constable Margery Malagrave, stenographer Hugh MacGregor, and musician Ty, this improvised show has people invited to share their cases or argue against citations issued against them earlier.
Case one involved a man who was accused of sassbackery toward an official, among other things. The citations stood.
Case two involved a white-haired woman in a white dress stained with something red (ketchup?) who was suspected of being a daywalker vampire. Margery took the defense, saying that the teeth didn't mean anything and her client is a vegetarian. Grimm was suspicious of the client not approaching Reginald until invited, as there is vampire lore stating that vampires need an invitation to enter people's homes. In the end, the jury decided the client was a daywalker, and the invitation was rescinded.
Case three involved a woman with a rat's tail accused of lycanthropy. Margery defended, and said the citation must be thrown out because her client is not a werewolf (though possibly could be a were-rat). Grimm said that both wolves and rats are Dracula familiars. However, in the end, the citation was thrown out.
Case four involved a client standing on a bench and sassbackery toward an official. When the client's friend noted that Reginald was standing on a bench, Margery said that Reginald was allowed to do that. The citation was thrown out.
Case 5 was another case involving a certain dungeon crawler. In this 'snap judgement' case, the dungeon crawler's companions Donut and Mongo also escaped the dungeon. Grimm said the dungeon crawler should be in the dungeon. The citation stood.
Case six involved windshield wipers. Margery was picked to argue against her own citation. It was asked which version of Margery should we believe, the one arguing now or the one who issued the citation? The citation was thrown out.
Case seven involved a woman in princess attire charged with radiant beauty. Grimm had to argue against, while Margery argued for. The citation was thrown out.
I made it to the Globe Theatre area in time to see the last part of the Royal Court show, Recollections May Vary. The Queen's Players realize that King Henry's marriage to Anna of Cleves is falling apart, and that these are matters in which they should not meddle.
At the Reveler's Bower, I chatted with Rosamund Wooler a bit. I mentioned a song I'd heard at Jammer's Ceilidh the previous week which involved people in a similar line of work as Rosamund and her fellow spinners. We also chatted about the weather and the Faire dust. The weather for Saturday, by the way, was all right. Better than Sunday's, but I'll get to that later.
I arrived at the White Hart in time for the Hooligans and the Wildest Rover Singing Competition. Defending champions the Mighty Mighty Pie Wedge went first, followed by the Relatively Normal People on the Right, the 'corn' section technically outside the White Hart (all three of them - not many participated), and the Freaks on the Left. The Participation Award went to the Relatively Normal People on the Right and the Wildest Rover trophy went to the Freaks on the Left.
Next came the Rattlin Bog competition, where the Hooligans challenge each other to see which of them (if any) can make it through all the new words added to the progression without messing up. Today they had a special guest participant, John from the Bards. This resulted in a progression with several Bards, Jakes, Johns, and at least one maid and a man. Now, as anyone who's seen enough of these Rattlin Bog competitions knows, when they add multiples of anything (such as 'maid', 'man', 'John', 'bard', whatever), that inevitably leads to confusion, omission, and getting things in the wrong order.
In the end, no one won the Rattlin Bog medal. The multiples were just too much.
Pub Sing began with "Health to the Company", which was followed by the Adventurers with "Roll the Old Chariot Along". The Vagabonds were next with "Courtin in the Kitchen", and then we had a group number version of "Rocky Road to Dublin". After the Host Toast, Idle Fancies were next with "Lady So Frolic". Jack Ripley took the stage with "Heave Away", and the Weywards were next with "Weyward Daughter".
Sir Richard Mondes and company were next with "Past Times With Good Company", a madrigal song attributed to King Henry VIII himself. They received permission to do a faster version of the song via a message from the King relayed by Thomas Cromwell. Afterward, the Vagabonds performed their hit song "Oak and Ash and Thorn."
Soon it was time for Last Call. This was followed by a tune from Robin and Ty, and then the group number "Step it Out Mary" with much dancing in the aisles. Jack Ripley performed "Old Dun Cow" and worked in "Some Say The Devil is Dead" into the song during the last verse. Alys Overdun performed a rendition of "Spanish Lady", and the Weywards returned with "Devil's Paintbrush Road". The Adventurers were next, with "Sleeping in the Cold Below".
Pub Sing soon moved into the softer section, with Millie Appleton performing "She Moved Through the Fair". For the penultimate song, the Vagabonds performed the beautiful and moving "Bring on the Starlight". Pub Sing concluded, as usual, with "Wild Mountain Thyme".
And so Saturday of the Third Weekend concluded. Sunday would have its challenges temperature-wise (and some would say that's an understatement), but would still be enjoyable nonetheless. But I'll get to that with the Sunday recap.
