Do Renaissance Folk Fit in at Celtic Festivals?
Back in March, we were attending the North Texas Irish Festival. We had a booth and were enjoying the companionship of friends and fans while we sold CDs decked out in Scottish attire. We played some music, and it attracted the attention of lass. She stopped to listen and then talk. She seemed exhuberant about the festival and slightly tipsy. Soon a couple of Ren lasses approached in Renaissance Festival attire. After they left, the lady made some snide comments. “What are they doing here? This isn’t a Renaissance Festival.” She began to explain that in the North East, you’d never see Ren Faire garb at an Irish Festival. She said the two are totally unrelated, and this is the 21st century. It’s inappropriate. Well, I don’t typically think on my toes and this time was no different, so I nodded and smiled. I’ve talked to a number of Austin Celtic folks who seem to have a similar aversion. One lass has commented more than once that she enjoys the Renaissance music, but it’s totally unrela
