A bunch of historical re-enactors interested in the right period and willing to pay to attend such an event, good food (doesn't have to be period recipes, just hearty, tasty stuff suitable for eating out of wooden bowls with a spoon and a knife), a selection of lively entertainments (this year, in addition to The Homespun Ceilidh Band (http://www.homespunceilidh.com), there were a singing group (Capriccio Catch Club) and belly-dancers -- past acts have included fire eaters, a bunch of Royal Navy folks coming in to arrest one of the pirates, staged fights...), a steady supply of drink (alcohol optional, but nice if the crowd you attract can handle it), and enough lively folks to get the pirate schtick rolling. A hall that helps the atmosphere is a bonus. (This event is held at Adelphi Mill (http://www.pgparks.com/places/rental/adelphi.html), and with the overhead fluourescent lights turned off and lots of candles lit, it'll pass for a period tavern inside.)
The person who runs Pirate Feast re-enacts a handful of different periods, and has a lot of friends and a reputation for putting on a good event, so it sells out early each year (I probably couldn't get in if I weren't performing). The period is a little late for most SCAdians (http://www.sca.org), but close enough to attract a lot of crossover (and many of them, plus nearly all Renaissance Faire folks, already have clothing that'll work).
It's a curious "in between" sort of event -- it's not run by one of the usual historical re-enactment groups, so it's in the "commercial event" category, but its audience is drawn almost entirely from re-enactors, so it has a completely different feel from most "put on a theme event for the public" things. The schtick isn't as scripted as other "for the public" feasts, and doesn't feel dumbed-down to make it easy for folks not used to it to follow. In fact, other than specific events (arrest, fight, maybe someone leading a recitation of the "pirate alphabet"), there's no script at all -- interaction isn't led or pushed; it just flows naturally. You have folks laughing it up in persona next to people catching up on mundane topics with old friends, much like at an SCA or Markland feast. The important detail that makes that work is that the attendees aren't expecting to be entertained by the hosts; they're expecting to be provided with good food, atmosphere (which includes the performers), and the company of other folks with which to entertain themselves.
(no subject)
We definitely need one of those around here... what does it entail besides music?
(no subject)
The person who runs Pirate Feast re-enacts a handful of different periods, and has a lot of friends and a reputation for putting on a good event, so it sells out early each year (I probably couldn't get in if I weren't performing). The period is a little late for most SCAdians (http://www.sca.org), but close enough to attract a lot of crossover (and many of them, plus nearly all Renaissance Faire folks, already have clothing that'll work).
It's a curious "in between" sort of event -- it's not run by one of the usual historical re-enactment groups, so it's in the "commercial event" category, but its audience is drawn almost entirely from re-enactors, so it has a completely different feel from most "put on a theme event for the public" things. The schtick isn't as scripted as other "for the public" feasts, and doesn't feel dumbed-down to make it easy for folks not used to it to follow. In fact, other than specific events (arrest, fight, maybe someone leading a recitation of the "pirate alphabet"), there's no script at all -- interaction isn't led or pushed; it just flows naturally. You have folks laughing it up in persona next to people catching up on mundane topics with old friends, much like at an SCA or Markland feast. The important detail that makes that work is that the attendees aren't expecting to be entertained by the hosts; they're expecting to be provided with good food, atmosphere (which includes the performers), and the company of other folks with which to entertain themselves.
Re: