CharityRackham

Hey Nigel. When you get a chance do let me know what's up. Listening to your music once more via: http://www.reverbnation.com/ironwoodrain I could think of a few pubs that might work for you. Hell... If you are doing the sea shanty thing I'd hire you. Acoustic sea shanties in the pub would be nice. But BCRF is still all volunteers and the pub is a tent with a stage (if you look at pubsing videos at: http://www.youtube.com/bcrenfest you'll see what I mean). <pout> And everyone is on the same contracts so I not only can't afford exceptions but I can't justify it. <pout times two> With so many rumours going around about us and others (PPF and Midsummers and.. Seems to be the year for it - bitter souls) many of us are struggling to rebuild our events. But... Then again... Our sister renfest in Washington (MIdsummers) starts one weekend after us. If you can 'visit' for us, you can work for them as well. And the California fest and.... A whole new and different audience.... Hmmm... Do let me know. This could prove to be interesting. Gotta dash

Ah man... That'd be great. To be able to completely decorate the pub with items of choice.... Yeah... One day we'll have a permanent site and buildings needing to be decorated then I am sooooo going purchase crazy. You've been warned.

The portion of Burnaby I'm in is literally on the East edge of Vancouver. Very close and convienent to Van., Northshore, Langley, Coquitlam... I really like my location. Still missing my home city Toronto, but happy I live in a spot easy to get to most of the life here in BC. You let me know if you need anything. I'll see what I can do. All my finances are set to support the BC Renaissance Festival and the Jade Dragon Crew but things like promo deliveries I can do during my other errands. I'm all for supporting real artists working hard and fair at making a living with their talents so... Honey... Never be afraid to ask. That's why I do what I do. And besides... You get here we can hang a bit and we'll do the BC thing. One day sushi. The next day fish and chips next to the ocean.

YAY!!! Then I'll take a minute to add a few. Cutting the cake with a blade is a great idea but be warned. Any rust or buildup or even dust from hanging for a long time can cause quite the bacteria and 'crud' on the blade that can make someone ill. I suggest you drop into a store that does cleaning of antique silverware and ask them what they use to rescue these items to make them usable and clean that blade with what they suggest. I also noticed that you stated that you didn't have a budget for a 'skeleton'. A neighbour? If you can borrow things like that from a neighbour who had one out at Hallowe'en, that would work. Skull candle holders. Things like that. Bottle stickers with a pirate theme... For food Hardtack is not really wise (we always have some kid try to bite into it without dipping it) but you can make 'pretend' hardtack that's softer. You can also make it out of wheat but we found it works with Spelt, Rice flour and Oatmeal flour as well. For those who don't eat wheat. And no one has to know it isn't flour (unless they turn it down thinking it is). http://www.google.ca/search?q=Hard+Tack&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a Dried fruit like Apples and Apricots are also ship fare so... We have a number of games we made for the renfest and use for Pirate events and parties we do but they are just simple versions of their bigger counterparts at amusement parks. Dollar stores have the suction cup guns and they can knock the little figures that you can buy at the dollar store as well, over nicely. The first pirate party we did (years ago) we made a ship out of foam core and then hotglued the little pirate guys to foam core platforms. We found spots on the ship to 'tape' the characters with cloth tape so that when the kids shot at them then knocked over but didn't go flying. Ring toss worked well. And you can make anything into a ring toss. Mini stocks, ship masts, pirate with his hands up... Pirate with his butt on the ground with his feet up... We have this canon game where you shoot canon balls at a painted ship. The canon would be a little more work to do but the canon balls are those foam balls you buy at the dollar store. Kids could toss canon balls? Actually. Since you have one week left. Check out our games videos and see if anything inspires you. That one is the primary summary video but we have a ton of videos as part of the bcrenfest page and there's a jade dragon folder. http://www.youtube.com/bcrenfest#g/c/847A7DD62492EE1A The Surrey museum may have some inspiration as well as Boat for Hope and such. Go ahead.. Have some fun with it. I have to dash. But let me know if you need more. I know it is tough for kids who have birthdays near Christmas (My dad did) so I'm pretty driven to help. OH! And.. If you want to do pirate certificates and you're stuck. PM me and I'll send a jpeg link to a 'sample' for you to use and print. I gotta go. Have fun hon!!

There you go. That's how it's done! Nice and positive.. Of course there will be restrictions and limitations. Of course there will be financial and emotional roller coaster rides. Of course there will be idiots and fabulous folks. It involves other people but that does not mean you can't do what Wes is doing. Just decide where your failures are and your successes are and change what you need to change in order to make it all work out for you. Doing anything with gov is tough. Denise (Jack Sparrow impersonator on Van Island and a long time friend of ours) met me before I had even started BC Renfest. She was trying to start a pirate fest over there and there was so much 'dancing' that she, in the end, had to give it up. That was approx. 6 years ago and she still works hard to keep a small group together over there and accomplish something that she can call hers. They do small parties and outings, as well her and her family do pirate family outings and gigs,l so it is a matter of listening to who you want support from and be willing to modify for them or go independent. OH! Another example. We are now part of Tourism Langley and that took 4 years of figuring out what we can give them and what they are able to give us without challenging their budget (Permits alone are sooo pricey here) or their format. Even if the money comes from us they still need to know that they are supporting and assisting in something that adds their image of what they need in Tourism. I find it interesting to discover that in some cases it was a matter of people I had on the team and how they worked or acted (incomplete contracts, aggressive rude or inconsiderate actors, folks using illegal substances or getting drunk, people allowing insecurities to control them in front of important folk, etc.) and it took me years to figure out who and what (no one ever tells you that people are treating them a particular way so I started asking) and then had to take the step to let them go. Even my own approach with a select number of important people had to be modified so I could find what I need. It's not personal. It's a desire to make myself and my audience happy. If it's not getting wrapped up in people who aren't willing to count a productive group as important (gov., business, team, friends, etc.) and/or insist on being miserable no matter what you do (team, friends, family), or raising money to do the smallest - biggest thing (movie night, party, single ship to full event) doesn't matter. I am NOT giving me up, yet I am moving ahead and that's the point. Money, location, people.. All factors. Now Lady B. Honey.... Your show great determination to be 'pirate' and have fun with it (considering your determination to get your pirate name on your FB ID) so go out there and have some fun and don't let people and 'lack of' bring you down. Elena. I know the internet is your primary source and being located where you are, it has to be a little tough but take a look on the net. Is there a museum or educational center you can contribute to? Romania has to have a 'pirate history' as well. Maybe you can encourage an educational day and go on out to volunteer. I know different countries have different 'restrictions', cultural controls and laws but there has to be something that can educate the kids. Maybe getting involved with something like that once a year will give you something to look forward to... Maybe? Rest of you BRAVO for your determination as well. I see hints of being able to do pirate outings and that makes me smile. And Wes. Soap box is there for a reason. Hey.... Splinter gets the crew to carry his into the pub for his moments. Handy things. I discovered during the Hyack Parade that The Seattle Seafair Pirates don't need one (pretty big without ) but some of us need a little help and that's what communication like this is for. The end of the year is near And it is time to cheer Time to start anew Show you've learned and grew We'll have good times Leave the crap behind Piracy adventures Both your's and mine Let's hear it for an INCREDIBLE 2011!!!

Hey Lady B. Don't fret about the location of a pirate event or party. Does it involve pirates/privateers/etc.? Does it have a variety of alc and non-alc food and beverage to keep everyone feeling 'piraty'? Does it involve people you like? Back in Ontario the pirate event is now held in Milton which is not on Lake Ontario at all. I've been to pirate events no where near a body of water and have run a few pirate parties myself, that do not have the view of water to compliment it but we listened to music appropriate to the theme, danced, played games, and dressed up. And that's what being social is about. I say book a ship within a 1 hour drive and let them know you're planning a pirate after noon and then get ahold of anyone else in a one hour drive and just pirate up the day. Paddlewheeller, sail boat.. Hell.. White water rafting... Marine museum.. Doesn't matter. Advertise your planned date and expect a response in time to cancel the booking if you can't get enough folks together. And just do it! Community hall. Make a ball of it and use the evening to raise money for a local charitable organisation. Pin your friends down and dress them up.... Or else.... And take over the neighbourhood or local bar. It's all good folks. I run a yearly event and it is not an easy cheap venture. I have, over the last 10-20 years been involved with events folks and have been part of many a group and organisation. Mostly on a business and entertainment level but still... If you aren't going to like what you are doing don't do it and as I grew up like this... well.. And I'll tell you.. It takes all your time and definitely much of your finances to run one of these. If you want to have a party, please send the invite out and have it. If you want to get the group together to dress up, do it. And when you get the chance to go to that BIG event you've been dreaming of attending, you'll have all the friends, support and bodies to split costs, travel responsibilities with and you'll have a much better time then you would have had otherwise. Yes? I hope you all can find some light and happiness in your love of piracy and nautical adventures and not worry so much about being land locked and more about how you're going to convert your friends and convince your neighbours that it is all right to have a full ship replica, that you can see from the street, in your backyard. Later.

I don't think I ever got to this one. Have a spare moment while the next cast video renders and doing a mad dash through the boards to post wildly and/or read informatively... So.. Well.. My ID has a bunch of pics but this has got to be one of my favs.. The softer, Intellectual of Charity. And this one: Tied with my firstmate. So yeah.. visit and check out the others to see more. TA DA! Later.

Ah.. I filled it out as much as I had time to... Always have a hard time with interests. I'm such a pop culture slut... Darn.. Did I just write that? Did I just fill this out?!?! CRUD!!! It's the internet... It's already public. Besides.. If I'm taking down a ship I'd like the crew to know who their captains are. When you change your mind on where your dedications lie the rest will know who to shoot at. Watch POTC and... Hold on.. Bad example... Darn. Not batting 100 am I.... I go find a subject that will get me in less trouble... Later.

Darn it Nigel!!! Why can't ye bring that sound up here to BC? Shake up this province a bit!! I'd like to come on out but alas. You're a little too far. Let us know how the gig went. Kay?

Agreed. My name came from the needs of the script we were writing and it stuck when we continued the storyline and the BC Renaissance Festival. As we happen in the 1500s and a certain Rackham in the 1700s had an incredible.. ahh.. respect? .. for the strong women who shared his path we thought we should hint that his genetic stock came from someone else (many do the kid or grandkid of - we went the other way) and so Rackham was chosen. Then we thought.. What should be the last thing a female captain should give a crew.. Charity... TA DA.. So mine was a product of a story and I kind of liked it so I stuck with it BUT when I saw name generators given Charity Rackham as a suggested I added the middle name of Ann. It just sounds good. Be creative and by all means use the generators as a guideline but you don't have to stick with it 100%. If you use a name that exists in pop culture or media and you're a performer, I would suggest, however, that you avoid obvious exact repeats. In talking to a few friends about promo and findability issues with performers and the internet.. Unless you are a Jack Sparrow impersonator (even then you should do other characters that they can find you by as well) there is no need for it. You run the risk of getting sued (boy are we all happy Disney can't be bothered) or you have another problem. You get lost in the mass of the original. So I guess I'm also advising that you consider what you are doing with the alias. And check the stats on that Alias. If you're just 'fooling around' then cool but if you are after a particular result.. Make sure you think it through. Look at stats. Look at other performers who have made it work and others who have not. How long have they been in this industry and as what? Example: I've been in this from the age of 8 and for a while I specialised in media research, have a three page acting resume plus a tech one, and rely on my gigs and projects for my primary income - high risk here so I do the research and redo it when the attention drops. I am constantly remodeling promos (recently going as far as handing that job to a younger person going through promo related schooling) and I settle on a popular change until it proves otherwise.... Your name and image is such a part of that. Has your inspirations done this? Do they have the support you'd like to share? Do you want to make sure you don't want to conflict with those you want to connect with? Do you want to be considered an equal not competition? Believe it or not the name is the first thing they will know, see and build an image. So careful who and what inspires you. Remember... Changing names after being recognised is tough. Now if you're RPGing.. Ignore the previous advice. Go on.. Go nuts!! TA DA! Later.

Friend just pointed out that this was here. I see it's tomorrow but he thinks I should still reply. I started entertaining all ages back in the late 80s and there are some basics that always are cheap and over well. I don't have a chance here to read the other repliies but I can whip off a few you may not have yet that you can pull out in a pinch in the AM or later if all goes 'south' so to speak. I'm sure dress up, foam swords, and such have been mentioned but also a ton of dollar stores will have left over temporary tattoos and such from Hallowe'en. That can always blow time as they sort their tattoos and apply to them to each other. Easy to apply makes them kid worthy to apply. Quick make up games is Bilge Rats. I know it used to be linked from Talk Like A Pirate's Offical page but it is a map that you print out then you tape onto pennies the playing pieces. We do a 'maze' type map with pennies (and stickers) and we have a map that is like.. Well.. Sort of snakes and ladders. And we roll dice and make the kids do silly things when they land on certain squares AND it is an easy thing to quickly make up if you get lost or stuck. Marco Polo on land is just as much fun as it is in the pool. Rules can be found on Wikipedia. Tug of war. Knot typing. Making them honourary crew if they complete tasks. Trivia Bogg and Salty do a version of Drunken Sailor as well. Chumbucket and Slappy did a kid's friendly book. I know they have some 'instructional videos' (the three arrs - how to talk like) on you tube. If you get stuck, get those videos up and play it for the kids and get them to follow along. Making their own hats is fun. Construction board and folding it in the style they want. Making their own swords out of cardboard. Making their own flags. Stencils from the dollar store works well for this. Let them be free with their imagination. There's plenty of ideas but as I didn't get to this until now any other ideas would require time. I hope others have been able to help. Gotta dash. Have fun.

Must say.. Absolutely beautiful.

I kept meaning to post this but I lost where the thread was/is.. Oh! Here it is..... The three primary promo videos are up and new BCRF videos with the Jade Dragon crew are going up one by one. Feel free to check us out. http://www.youtube.com/user/bcrenfest#grid/user/847A7DD62492EE1A Thank you.

Hence the BC Renfest and the Jade Dragon Crew. Good on yah! If you set up a webpage or anything do let us all know. I've made so many friends across North America, when the new webpage is released for us I want to do a killer links page. P.S. Like the uniquness of the group name and icon/logo.

Can't wait.. Can't wait... Oh goody goody... Looks like I'll be able to sort out all three secret Santa / gift exchanges this week and be done with it giving me time to do all the other seasonal things I enjoy. An incredible Yule... Here I come!!!! Thanks for this opportunity Duchess. I didn't think this would work over internet / through the mail. This is wild!!

Thank you for that link. That's $10 cheaper then what I've been paying. Nice... I've put hats on the stretch before. I have a form of my own head. I steam the hat over my steamer (or an iron set on steam) and then pull it gently over the form. Works fine but remember... You can't put it back.

With us we use clear drawers instead of bins. But make sure you get drawers that pull completely out so stuff doesn't hide. We also have these carry cases that are like those clear plastic cases with dividers but each little section is a separate cup... Tough to describe but they are brilliant! You can close the lid and carry it around, nothing falls out and the cups each come out so you can pour small parts out of them without tipping the whole thing. When we do prop building panels we always stress ventilation. Never work in an enclosed area where fumes and dust can do you in. The shop we work in here in BC and the one we had back in Toronto both had tables and equipment on locakable wheeled platforms so that if something needed to be moved around it could. Comes in handy. Screws and screws drivers - flathead... If you are looking for the Victorian feel it may be noted that flathead screws were the screws of the time. We order from a distributor in order to keep costs down and make sure we get the perfect dome brass screws for the look. Ratchets and Ratchet sets.. We use those a lot. Ummmmm...... Bolts, nuts, rivets.. Really depends on what you are doing and making.... That's what comes to my mind in my half awake state. Later.

Sounds fab! Ill send the Pm before I hit the hay.

Done a few times. Let us know how it went.

I tried to post this earlier but it hick-upped on me so I walked away after coping the effort and voila! It's all back and working so.... I'm gonna paste this baby!! Why thank you. There are always a few but if you plunge into pirate mode they disappear in your brain... After all... Brethren and such... You become industrious in time. Don't let the confidence fool you. Most folks take some time to settle into it and find their niche. What would you do at an event? Dress like a pirate and stay drunk for 10 days. There's a whole rang of pirate enthusiasts. Some more PC then others. Just hang out for a few days and get the flow and then, if you get the chance, go back and go a step further. Do get ahold of the folks who run the Ontario Fest. They are close enough to you and would happily talk to you about such things. My clothing goes into a Jeep brand suitcase. My hat first (with underwear and such showed into it) and the rest gets packed around. I use my boots to transport a bottle or two of port, wine or something that can't be gotten at my destination for the host or organiser or friends. It also leave space to bring something back. I then pack my gun(s) and sword(s) in a guitar case that is just under the maximum size for the airline I am traveling on. I carry in my wallet a photo of the whole thing and slide another picture in the tag on the guitar case, behind my ID and put a note on the ID that it is there, if they want to know. I also put the unlockable by security locks on the thing so they don't feel as if I am hiding anything and voila! no biggie. If the handlers do steal I have the picture that matches the photo in the tag. Driving over the border... Same packing, just make sure any thing that can be seen as a weapon is packed in the car out of reach. Never had problems there either. Hot? Yup! Silk and Linen are the best fabrics to survive the heat. Our outfits are silk and that's why we can swing a sword in a performance and not die. I am rethinking the leather, though and am considering a 'Summer' outfit for Charity and Cobbs. I know.. So particular. ;-) Silks (real not fake) are pricey but breath well and are anti bacterial so you can get away with not having to wash in between days. The shirt, that is.. But if you don't care to be PC then just go ahead.. You wouldn't be the first pirate to wear through a shirt during one event. I don't camp if I don't have 2 spare days for set up and teardown as I feel that setting up and tearing down is just going to take away my fun and work times, so I don't have to worry about any of that. If I want to hang at someone else's camp I will... Then just stumble off. I've always stayed in a hotel/motel/B&B as close as I can to the event location. Problem with PIP is that books up fast. I have friends in Florida but the travel cost and time away is killer to be able to obligate in enough time and the hotels/motels sell out fast. My friends, in this case, are not next door so it is quite the drive each day, thus I have not made it yet. BUT in your case, many times folks book a hotel room or a motel/B&B spot with the plans of finding someone to share with. Best to do is, once you decide your really gonna go, is post and see who bites. Post on here, post on other boards (even send an email to PIP and ask them if they know of boards or see if they have one). Be honest. Be wiling to send them at least half of the money that is your portion as a show of good faith. You'd be surprised. I also try to check on the locals who will be at the event and see if anyone is willing to be your driver. Offer some gas money and ask this after you have found your bunk location. You want to try to team with someone close to where you are staying. Usually, as you make friends during the day and find your 'lot', they will invite you to hang around. The trick though is the ride... When are they leaving? But then again... You get them invited to hang out of go to a party they normally would not get to, they may just say 'YES' with no hesitation. Don't know until you poke. So the first year you may not get to say yes to it all but it will give you a feel to decide if it is worth coming back to. Yeah.. We would... My outfit is designed for me to do what I do (swing a sword) and the character was created for a 1500s storyline. Only over the last year are we adding to the outfits to suit the 1700s. You wear what makes you happy and you stay legal. Not necessarily PC but legal. There are plenty of examples. Hit FaceBook and take a peek around... Hell.. Hit my FaceBook (ID carrhunger) and look through my friends list. Let the world around you inspire you and find what you like. There are no shortages of commercial patterns too. If you have a friend that sews you could get an outfit made that packs down tight and fits you and makes YOU happy within a budget. It may cost you a bottle of wine or rum, or if they like a night of drinking beer in a good pub (no shortage of those in Montreal).. Hell.. Find he schools that teach costuming and ask them if they want a challenge for their finals. You may get a free labour outfit out of the deal and be featured in some bright eyed kid's portfolio. Sometimes It's a shot in the dark for the first one. I hate it too but I do it... Some I'm hoping to save up to go again and some... Lesson learned... Can't answer half of that as I have not been yet but the second.. As long as possible is good. I wish I could have been in New Orleans longer but now I know what to expect next time. Maybe something closer would suit you for this year. Patience presumed and patience given. Later, Christina AKA Captain Charity Ann Rackham