[MR] Bright Hills Baronial Birthday/ A Day in Al-Andalus

[julianacardoso at comcast.net]

Bright Hills Baronial Birthday/A Day in Al-Andalus
February 14, 2004

As the winter snows come and cabin fever begins to set in, fear not.  Their Excellencies, Baron Barre, and Baroness Cordelia will be leaving the cold and damp behind to travel to the fair lands of al-Andalus.  They invite one and all to join them on this adventure.

The site is the Milton A Reckord Armory, 37 N. Main Street, Bel Air, MD 21014 and will be open from 10 am to 10 pm.
The site will be VERY discreetly wet—No original containers.
No pets please.

Take a class on Mid-Eastern Dance and later display your skills in the team dance competition (each team must contain at least 1 member of the opposite sex).
Other competitions include a chess tourney (3 age groups: 12 and under; 13-17; and adult); Archery from “horseback” and of course and Arts and Science competition and display highlighting needlework, jewelry, and poetry of al-Andalus (this includes Christian/Spanish and Jewish).  Documentation is required on the needlepoint and jewelry.  Or spend time relaxing at the gaming table or visiting the merchant’s quarter.  Other classes offered will be on costuming (Andalusian and Mid-Eastern) and the history of al-Andalus.

Children’s activities will include making a beaded necklace, decorating a “shield” and other age appropriate crafts.  Children will also be invited to participate in a dramatic rendering of a song/poem.

Martial Activities will take place provided the weather and ground conditions permit outdoor activities (to include heavy, rapier, archery and thrown weapons).  The marshal for each activity will make the final decision.

The feast will be prepared by the renowned Bright Hills Cook’s Guild and will feature selections from A 13th Century Andalusian Cookbook (anonymous) as well as other period dishes.  In keeping with the Andalusian theme, the presentation of the dishes will not be in the standard remove format. They will be served singularly and in “mini” removes.  Please contact the head cook, Lord Seamus at lordseamus69 at yahoo.com with any dietary concerns.  Please note:  many of the dishes may contain ground nuts.

On board fees:  Adults (before Feb 1st) $12.00; After Feb 1st $14.00
	            Children (6-12):  $7.00

Off board fees:  Adults:  $7.00
	             Children (6-12):  $4.00    under 6, are a guest of the Barony
Adults without membership cards should expect to pay an additional $3.00 
Checks should be made payable to:  Barony of Bright Hills/ SCA, Inc.

Merchants are most welcome and should contact Reyne Telarius (Robyn Becker) at reyne_telarius at hotmail.com for additional information and table space.

Garb Tips:  For those wishing to dress appropriate for al-Andalus, but know little of the clothing, a general rule to follow is that clothing should be modest (early period is great) or if you prefer later period garb, add a modest chemise under it.  Tunics should be mid-thigh in length or longer.  Tunic style dresses are easy and also very appropriate.

For additional information and reservations, please contact the autocrat, Lady Juliana Cardoso (Ruth Borealo) 248 Green Fern Way, Baltimore, MD 21227.  Phone: 410-242-7206 (before 10 pm).  Email:  JulianaCardoso at comcast.net

Directions:  Take I-95 to exit 77b, MD-24 toward Bel Air (about 17 miles north of Baltimore);  After about 5.5 miles, turn RIGHT onto US 1 Bus Rte/Baltimore Pike; After ½ mile make a left onto MD-924/ Main St.  Travel approx. ¼ mile and it is on the right side (looks like a big white castle).  Parking is at the school board just before the armory (around back) or at the school on the other side (entrance on Lee St).