CharityRackham

I would love to see a page that breaks piracy into time periods and spend more than a sentence on a time period. Why? well....

The Jade Dragon crew was made for a 1500s storyline at the BC Renaissance Festival and I was amazed at how many people said to me 'there were pirates in the 1500s?' or 'where's your gun or coat?'. We now give our customers a choice of 1500s or 1700s (it really is a simple matter of coat instead of cloak and a pistol on the outfit) but it would be nice to see a page that is divided down into decades and include things like Vikings and early Asian piracy.

AND since we are the Jade Dragon crew and you are talking about imaginary... I have to start being kinder to my hands BUT if you have Skype I'd be happy to talk about what we do. The difference between LARPING, stage fighting and real fighting is one possibility of discussion. Our scripts to final product, can be another. Costumes - what do we push for real and what's pretend and why.

You can cheek out the growing collection of videos at: http://www.YouTube.com/bcrenfest There is a Jade Dragon folder.

Also get a copy of 'piratitude' and you can do a comparison between the modern image and the actual...

It's be kind of neat to see popular pirates through the ages, get compared to each other (how the 1940s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s saw pirates) and maybe see what made them who and what they were/are. Why did the 80s encourage pirates like Genna Davis to exist whereas the image of a pirate in the 40s/50s was Errol Flynn?

Plenty of possibilities. Gotta dash. Hands hurt and shouldbe out the door by now.

Have fun and good luck.

Quick in and quick out. Busy day today.

If any more possibilities come up I'll try to remember to post again. First year's always the tough one and profit is usually not made until year 5 or 6. If you got a huge sponsor I am sure folks like Cascabel (and folks like ourselves and some of the actor folks across North America) would love to get out there and introduce that corner to their talents but always keep all of us up to date anyway. Sometimes plans bring people in a direction of an event and they just may become customers one year and performers another.

Good luck and I am hoping 'Faires in Time' can help you out. They're a good group of people. I've always had positive experiences with them.

TTFN!

I know where you are! AH HA!!!

Drop me a line and we'll chat.

Bouncing between 4 different pages (logged on to each one and jumping back and forth to get things done) but that's normal for me. Looking at the map you are in Canada so you won't have as many issues as I have had... No border crossing - No passports. Many of the folks who have come up for us didn't this year as their passports ran out. One at a time they are renewing and a few of them are coming up for us for Hallowe'en.

We head down there a lot to help them out.

SO.. I left some links for you on your other post. Hope they help.

Later.

Everyone here in Raleigh thinks I'm crazy but it's for a great cause. To raise money for the Special Olympics I have agreed to repell over 30 stories from the roof of the Wachovia building in downtown Raleigh as Blackbeard. The target goal for this to happen is $1000.00. That comes out to only $1 a member of the pub. Please help me reach the goal of $1000 by going to www.firstgiving.com/chrissuttle

Every little bit helps. Fundraiser ends Oct. 1 so please go check out the site as soon as you can. If every member gave only $1 it would be the largest amount raised by one group ever for this event. I will post video of the "decent" if I reach the goal by the deadline. Thanks in advance for all the help

You may want to let the Portland Pirate fest know. Maybe send them a flyer or ask for a link/promo on their page. With them promoting like mad to reach another record.. Who knows...

http://www.portlandpiratefestival.com/

Good luck. And.. Umm.. Stay safe.. Please.

We'd like to see yah back.

Well my dear. Keep the Jade Dragon crew up to date:

http://www.jadedragonpirates.com

or

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jade-Dragon-Pirates/133757749987214#

Here's confusion for yah - The facebook link to the group keeps adding a second slash after the .com and before pages. If it does it for you just delete the one.

Many of our group goes back and forth and around and so forth, so you never know BUT...

In the meantime.. Give my buddies in Ontario a buzz.

http://www.fairesintime.com/

Faires in Time mostly consists of the group that ran The Ontario renfest (they lost the property - long story but we're still hopeful they can restart) but they also run a small Pirate Festival:

http://www.facebook....?gid=2458251403

or

http://www.thepiratefestival.com/

There's also a company in Ottawa who does pirate adventures:

http://www.pirateadventures.ca/

They might be able to help. Let's see...

Pirates of the Great Lakes is south of you BUT since we go back and forth here a lot (and many of my friends in Ontario followed us to Maryland every year for the MRF)

http://www.brethreno...greatlakes.com/

Halifax is the other coast but they may be of some suggestion or help:

http://www.facebook....3166&ref=search

I have a whole list of links in my bookmarks and many of them I have had experiences with so if you want more let me know. I don't have too much time right now but...

OH! Another suggestion.. See if there's a production of Gilbert and Sullivan happening any where in and around you. There's a group that, more than likely, also has the outfits and the 'piratitude' you may be looking for. Also look for Celtic and sea shanty (Chanty) groups near you. Who knows. They may be willing to whip up a pirate outfit for additional promotional exposure.

That's about all I have time for. Like I said. If you'd like to poke me, go right ahead. I don't mind. I've been around in the renfest/pirate performance thing for a number of years and have done much with a number of people. I don't know anyone direct where you are but I may still have a few treasures still in the archives. I may not get to answer right away but...

Gotta dash.

OH HEY! One last idea popped in my head. I've worked along side costume shops before. They usually use an event as a way to promote rentals for costumes and since you are talking pre Hallowe'en... Ask your local costume shop if they want to dress up and just give them a way to advertise their shops...

TA DA.. Now I go. Dinner is calling.

The man behind the Davenriche European Martial Arts School (historic edged weapons training) once told me that a woman's wider hips allow for more mobility when swinging a sword, so she has a distinct advantage. Also, the fact that a woman's center of gravity is lower makes her more nimble in close quarters fighting. And since speed and skill will always beat size and strength, particularly when fighting with edged weapons, a woman who applies herself can do really well. I've been fighting with edged weapons for - geez, thirty years now - and can tell you from experience that this is true.

YUP!

Believe it or not my first weapon was a quarterstaff in order to get me going on a Bat'leth.

Now I've been working with various weapons for.. oh man... Since 1999 - I think.. I'd have to check my records.. But the fact that I am shorter then my primary fight partner and my weight is distributed in a way that I can balance, I am able to do a few moves that he finds difficult. I was also born with a curse and blessing. An already existing muscle mass and solid bone structure. I've been fairly bad to myself over the last few years and have to work a little harder to stretch and therefore move so no matter who you are (or what sex), once you start working with blades don't stop. Hurts like hell to start again.

If you are that curious:

http://www.youtube.com/bcrenfest#g/c/847A7DD62492EE1A

Emjoy.

Since medical procedures are always popular, here's something from way back...a long way back. And when they start talking about how sharp obsidian flakes are...trust me, they *are* sharp...you hardly notice you've been cut until your hand starts sticking to the stone...

The Obsidian Spirit gets thirsty from time to time, I guess...

Really old brain surgery

May Charity and CObbs' necklaces never break. That's what they are made of. Silver and Obsidian. All the way back from Mexico.

We do joke about how, if they did break, we'd have a few more options on weapons. See.. We were right!!

OH!! DUH!!!!

Our friend who custom makes our Jade Dragon pins. He is BRILLIANT!!! He will hand craft your unique crest, skull, whatever and make them out of pewter...

Hang on.. Finding his link...

http://studiobergstrom.com/

stumer@verizon.net

You can see my pin in the pics. Actually.. All members of the crew wear one either on their collar or over their breast.. Yes I said Breast...

You people need more shoreleave.

Don't know if you can see this image but this was the first batch he did for us:

http://twitpic.com/zqjx9

Ok. Now I go.

Nice list. I can add a bit... Only have a few minutes then I have to hit that hay. Have an appointment with a Doctor to look at my foot.. I hurt it.. Which brings me to....

Swords we use are:

http://www.starfireswords.com/

Our Hats:

http://www.snoods.com/hats.html

http://www.pyrate.org/piratehats.html

Of course pirate pots are important and necessary to keep on happy:

http://www.lostmtnclay.com/pirate/

Is a good start or addition?

Must hit that bed soon so will cut it off here. Inspiration hits? I'll be back.

again much thanks to all!! &if i can be of any service to one&all,i am at ur disposal...as flounder said in animal house-"OH BOY IS THIS GONNA BE GREAT"!!!!

Now if that doesn't say your age....

I'm not that far behind mister.

Later and thanks for the offers of assistance. Brethren sticks together after all.

Good day, good sir.

I like the 'cheesy' shots.

I've not been here long

Long enough to sing a song

A song of praise

and songs so hazed

For you a song

Of welcoming grace.

Well.. We get ours from:

http://www.snoods.com/hats.html

Getting ready to start shaping a new hat and was surprised by the prices on EBay since my last search. I know all the vendors we talk about(Hats by Leko, Ghost Forge, ect) but I always like to try and buy from the pub first. Have a budget of $25 to $30 for a gray wool felt hat blank size 8. Maybe you got one lying around you ment to work on but never got around to it. Or it could be a blank you made that just didn't turn out the way you wanted and you were gonna scrap it but kept it around for a while. I will add shipping into my budget up to a point but really can't go over $35 total right now. Help anyone?

I am a tour guide in Pike PLace Market in Seattle. I am the only kilted tour guide in the Market!

Haven't seen you yet. What's your hours?

Day job for me?

The BC Renaissance Festival and The Jade Dragon Crew gigs.

Rehearsals, promos, fight practice.. Name it...

Hubby is a prop maker in the Stargate shop. The main reason we live here and not back in Toronto is that.

So... Eric.. Let me know and I'll try to time it to say hi next time I am through.

ONE WORD

BRILLIANT!!!

ahoy mates,ravanos cain reporting4 duty!! aka terry,been doin charecter work for apx 15 years-pirates,super heroes,monsters&what nots!!done a LOT of charity work for make a wish,give kids the world,base camp,arnold palmer,mostly as jack sparrow,but done batman,wolverine,ozzy,dracula-what ever is needed.lookin to join a ship/crew in the orlando,fla area..what say you?

Hey Ravanos!

If you are on Facebook connect with:

William Mcrea:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/williammayhem

Or connect with Ken Ostrow:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000705988364&ref=sgm

Or connect with Christine (Johnny's Angels):

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/johnnysangels

You could check with:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Florida-Pirates/152717581408946?ref=ts&v=wall

Or even with FLARF:

http://www.ren-fest.com/deerfield-home.asp

or

http://www.facebook.com/flarenfest?ref=ts&v=app_10467688569

There's a few others I know and/or know of (on Facebook, in person or on Myspace) but I have so little time right now to check. Don't know if you can do a location search on here but... So connect with them and they can get you redirected or hooked in.

Have fun and good luck.

I can't help you from up here but there are no shortage of pirate groups in Cali. Have you thought to check FaceBook for groups in California OR..

Even indie production lists. Here in Canada we get production lists from the individual film commissions. You may have a skill that a mid size indi film may need and they may be looking for non union workers with your skills.

http://www.film.ca.gov/

OR..

The renfest circuit. Most publicly produced renfests are run by producers looking for additional help. It would be based on seasons but with a number of different renfests in Cali the season thing may just match your needs.

http://www.renaissancefestivals.com has an incredible list.

Good luck on this. Wish I could do more.

Later

I've read through the posts and I am pleased with what I see. So... I'd like to add to it:

I've been a special skills performer for approx. 20 years (also in the entertainment industry since I was 8 - I'm 42) and I own my own festival so there's been a 'both sides of the fence' thing for me and I use those experiences to shape the rules for the actors and attendees.

Swords and Alcohol: Our rules state that if we are in character we are not to have alcohol. I always make sure one (or all) of my pirate pots are with us and filled with bottled water. This means we can give the look of 'alcohol' without actually drinking. Usually at the end of the night/day when the public is gone (or fading away) we will have one drink that gets stretched to fill the rest of the time. It makes sense and, to me, I don't care what your 'tolerance' is you are still an influence on others. It is amazing to also see how other events affect ours. This year, based on something that happened at a completely different event, we had to have a weapons check at the pub because the peace bonding we have for the even itself was not to the satisfaction of the RCMP. Out of the blue.. Who knows.. Next year may be back to that last 3 year's rules. The audience/playtrons/etc was fine with it and we were very lucky that it didn't seem to affect any sales or support.

Interrupting other performers: Yeah.. That one is tough. You can't police that and can only hope that the other performer winds up looking bad, not you. Many of our friends push us to take part in a show or a presentation. I love the fact that we have support but I will not join in unless the performer invites me. And we've been invited. It's great. It's like earning your wings. But yeah.. All you can do is hope another will give you the same consideration. And the insult thing also mentioned. Okay.. I know we're pirates but unless your character is set up for that (the receiving character that is) don't. I've come back with some doozies when another 'pirate' treats Charity like a wench and degrades her. It is obvious that she isn't. If you're that frustrated, go find a wench. Don't continue to interfere with the other pirates routine. As this is a also a HUGE community (much like Trek was in it's peak) there is bound to be fractions. I've watched many a group with members coming and going. Even we've had that and we're not as established and long lived as folks like The Seattle Seafarers. The worse part about it is when factions steamed from a group or other groups created from those factions, do things that make audience/customers/playtrons/other performers, paranoid or uncomfortable. If it is fresh (or even if it is lingered) save it for a one on one with that person. Respect the performance. Don't go out of your way to linger in the areas they are in or hover just in sight, knowing that they hurt. In other words.. Don't use the energy you carry to cause them to falter on the show nor discredit them. People will discredit themselves, over time, but to make yourself the enemy just because you're hurt (so are they folks) is making the audience and other performers pay for your emotions. Not worth it. Really.. It is a form of interruption and I've been a victim of that as well as seen many really good performers (with low self esteem) be taken down by others doing this and when the others go down, no one is left.

Attendees/Playtrons: Respect for each other is good. I like all the advice about knowing a little about the subject matter of the event and knowing if it is a reenactment or something a little more relaxed and/or commercial. I've also seen quite a bit of disrespect for performers on that one. In all my years of being around this sort of event, I've seen no shortage of rude remarks to the performers about not being accurate or stage fighting isn't real so the actors are whimps or even walking up to a fellow attendee and criticising their outfit..... Hey look.. A Star Trek con... There is a ton of similarities in most 'pop culture' events/gatherings. History or not, if it is popular then it is claimed by pop culture. IT really isn't worth it. If you are there for you and simply find the aspects of the event that make you happy, then you have spent your entry fee wisely. I would love to see an event where all in attendance actually goes just to have fun not poke fun.. You know what I mean? I know.. Big dream but...

I'd also like to see attending folk not criticize the vendors. That'd be nice. The price is the price. If you don't like that vendor or the product, don't buy from them. I see, too often, folks try to shutdown a vendor due to a personal disagreement or a price that they feel is too high. Recently at an event a perfect example came up. A friend wanted to buy me a new pouch and she asked which pouch. My description of the booth and the pouch I wanted wasn't as clear as we had hoped. There is a vendor I don't really like. In my world their product is too much money for too little product and the shape of their pouches don't fit the space on my belt and lower back. But the friend was in a rush and she went to the first person she saw with pouches and bought the wrong one from the wrong vendor. It had to be returned and one from the right vendor was purchased. Now... I could go on and on for people not to buy from the first mentioned vendor but I won't. They have their fans and their customers and that's cool. My friend could bitch about it too. They wouldn't refund, only store credit. To me that's bad form but my friend found it acceptable. So.. Her call not mine. This is good form. I won't speak on her behalf and we will never tell people to not buy at the one vendor. It isn't our job to upset or impress the customers of these vendors. It is theirs.

I have to dash... Work is calling...

Thank you for giving me this space to just... well.. Share...

Later.

And a good welcome to you.

If that you be true.

To hold to the code

No matter what be your mode

Supporting Brethren

to the very end, again and again

Loving the Sea

No matter who you be...

Okay.. Not one of my best but a poem non the less.

For the renfest and any other thing the Jade Dragon crew does, we stick to songs we know are not copyrighted or are listed as free domain and/or traditional. Sometimes we are inspired by versions from our favourite other performers but we are not doing their songs but more motivated and formed on their variation of a song.

I've had a number of people come up to me with a list of songs they want to perform at BCRF. I remind them that their signed agreement/contract with us states that they are responsible for any copyrights or the like. We don't design their sets so we can't really control their performance in this way. I always tell them that the songs we (cast at the pubsing) do are 'free for alls' and that's partially why we do them.

Lately a few of the stage performers have asked me again about songs like "Drink up me Hearties - Yo Ho" and "Hoist The Colours". As far as I know they are Disney and Disney is a stickler for the copyright thing (never worked directly with them but have heard stories) yet I see other pirate performers do those songs. Then there's incredible performers like Bogg and Salty, who write original songs I know some of our performers want to use.

All I can tell them is that I always get permission when I use music and songs for our promo videos and, in performance, we stick to the songs we know won't get us in trouble.

Here's where you lot can help. What songs have you had problems with or know there will be a problem?

Have any of you used copyrighted materials and an owner turned a blind eye, or went after you? Why do you think (or know) that is so?

Have you noticed certain performers, artists or companies are pickier or more difficult then others?

Have you ever modified music or songs to avoid or change the copyright permissions/access?

I would sooo love to be able to give the BCRF stage performers a better answer then "you worry about it" for the 2011 BCRF.

Thanks, in advance, for any help you can give.

Killer Pixie.

Shes a black Tracker.

Smaller then our previous SUV but just as tough.

Hey.. Wish I knew this was here. I would have joined a lot earlier. But since I am here now:

BC Renfest is still going and you can follow the Jade Dragon pirates either through the weboage:

http://www.jadedragonpirates.com

or on their facebook or myspace pages:

http://www.myspace.com/jadedragonpirates

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Jade-Dragon-Pirates/133757749987214?ref=ts

AND BCRF is at:

http://www.bcrenfest.com

See yah around and thanks!

July 17th, thru 19th, 2009: BC Renaissance Festival

Fort Langley, British Columbia, CANADA

Aldor Acres Farm, Fort Langley

24990 84th. Avenue

84th and 252nd.

9 am. to 9:30 pm. each day

2nd annual BC RenFest held in conjunction with Alder Acres Farm. The pirates of the Jade Dragon continue the storyline but now have to contend with King James IV, King Of Scotland. Our story year is 1510. Vendors, stage performers and games to delight and entertain. We will also have a'pub' and therefore a 'pub sing' at the end of the day. If you are interested in entertaining, being a vendor or have special needs please make sure you send to the correct person on the team. When you go to the webpage click on the contact us link at the bottom and/or go to the contact info on the subject page (vendors page - performers page - etc.) and talk to that rep. We also encourage people to join the newsletter so that they can be kept up to date.

Address for info: P.O. Box 43004, Cascades R.P.O., Burnaby, BC, V5G 4S2

Just finished a meeting and have a few spare minutes to explore.

Charity was named based on the first story of her. 2005 we got involved with Sea Vancouver and she didn't have a name. When we sat down and realised that, if these characters are going ot continue they should be named. So by TLAP that year we had named her Charity Rackham.

She is the only woman on crew (the joke is that she is permanently frustrated) and the Captain so if she is to remain in control the last thing she should show them is Charity.

And Rackham.... Well.. What male in pirate history showed women any.. ummmm... consideration?

We got to hinting that because she exists before he did, that she might have been his great great... grandmother.... Hell.. Everyone was doing the 'kid of' thing. We just went the other way around.

The middle name? Well.. Ann sounded right in between the two and we found other Charity Rackhams on line, AFTER we named her.

TA DA!

Previous crew can be one or more of a number of people and the ones you refer to are not concerned with the personal loan and do appear to be trying to shut us down. They aren't the first and since a number of other pirate performers and business types have been (and a few presently are) in court cases or have had folks try to shut them down I simply felt that it was a bit of a blanket statement.

I have made no mention of the personal loan (which BTW, we offered to pay back but the offer was turned down - we have a book of proof coming with us to the court case for the invested BCRF money now being claimed as being a loan - not an investment - they claim it is a business loan - BTW not personal which is why it wasn't mentioned in my post.). The post was in relation to the other posts re: past members and having control over including or deleting images. That's been a tough one for us as there are about 3 different sets of previous members of crew (who are in images we use for promo) and actors who have come and gone with the cast (who are also in images we still use for promo) and it is a constant concern with our group as to how to balance the personal emotions with the professional image. Some have peacefully and gracefully left and others have not. This is a common thing and I was relating. For all you know I could be referring to two others who were part of the crew MUCH longer back and the ones you just referred to were never Jade Dragon crew anyway.. They were BCRF cast NOT crew. So... Yeah... Besides... That private court matter became less private when a mis quote on FaceBook was brought into the police by them, and two members of my team were called and told that they were threatening their lives. One now can not renew his security license until it is over with. His income is now affected and all he did was post his frustrations with society NOT the person in question.

Really.. I had no intention of publicising what is going on but I find plenty of sympathy for those trying to decided how to handle images of previous crew on a public form. AND... I have never done anything along the lines of what is being accussed of me. I really would appreciate it if next time, you write me a personal note asking if my post is what you think it is and ask me one on one, if it was possible to reword it in order to make it clearer. I've been in this industry for 34 years. I could be referring to anyone or anything.

Thank you.

I don't know why you find it necessary to say that previous crew are trying to shut you down, when in fact it is (or should be) a private court matter stemming from an unpaid personal loan.

Please don't bring that nonsense here.

Just a heads up!! The Portland Pirate fest is going to attempt to break the world record once more.

http://www.portlandpiratefestival.com/

And members of the Jade Dragon crew will be back to fight in the fight ring, help out the organisers and do what we've do best! Help make the atmosphere and reconnect with Brethren.

Portland has been very good to us and we are looking forward to returning and once more not only reconnecting but helping out.

Looking forward to it.

Good day to you fine folk of hte sea. I am Captain Charity Ann Rackham and I was pointed in this direction from a friend. In all reality I do not know how often I will be able to come by (photo shoots, gigs, sword practice, the rest of life, promos, etc...) but as it was sugeste dthat I come by here, by a person I do respect.. Here I am.

My ship is The Jade Dragon. We were created for the BC Renaissance Festival storyline and have since then blossomed into outside gigs and many adventures. With previous crew mates trying to shut us down (I did read some of the 'should we have a crew photo album' posts and noticed the concern about pics staying up if crew have left - makes sense) it has been a long struggle but over the last 6 years we still remain in existence. It is a shame I had not come here until now.

Ed (Firstmate Cobbs) and I have been working more and more with our blades and have done the most travelling. The crew has changed a bit but the core group stays loyal. We are keeping the core group small and having others sort of 'in and out' as we need them....

Not sure what else to tell you.

http://www.jadedragonpirates.com

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Jade-Dragon-Pirates/133757749987214?ref=ts

Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/bcrenfest#g/c/847A7DD62492EE1A

I've been editting video for the last week from our last gig so there should be more going up soon....

Umm.. Yeah... Let me know if there is anything in particular and so on..

Gotta dash. Have to actually get a few hours sleep tonight.

May our ships pass peacefully in the night. Note I say nothing of the day.