Feast / Famine?

Wasn't sure if Mother Nature was going to let us out of the End of the Rainbow Valley on Sunday. We had pre-purchased tickets with another couple to attend the Sparta Madrigal Feaste. The weather forecast was not good to say the least with a predicted 2-5 inches of snow. Little powderings continued throughout the day and by early afternoon extreme cold plagued the area but there still wasn't much accumulation.  That was a good sign. Sometimes when you live in the boonies, you just can't leave home anytime you want...

So why the big need to go an hour away and listen to high schoolers in a holiday program that aren't even our grandchildren?



Well a former student, Justin, now a graduate student in Sound Design at University of North Carolina School of the Arts, helped co-direct his high school alma mater's Madrigal program. I had heard about this event and the dates never worked out. This year I was determined to make the jaunt and see the event for myself. Justin has been involved with this yearly production for 10 years and his former music teacher has been directing for 20+ years.  

Both are also participants in the program. That's them seated in the back row.
The set design was incredible for a high school production as a commons area and gym were magically transformed according to Justin's design. 

Beautiful billowing fabrics draped the ceilings, walls and tables illuminated by strands and strands of white lights and icicle lighting with twinkling white candles of all sizes bedecking the tables. Simply magical!

The play's 'setting' was performed in the commons and then each table of participants had to perform a feat at the Queen's request. Lucky us missed out on the Chicken Dance but we got the sword limbo.

Who knew I would have to shimmy on my back on the floor to gain entrance to a serious maze where a jester tended to mislead rather than lead. We really had to work for our dinner... 



The evening treated us to Renaissance seasonal music by talented woodwinds, trumpets,brass and recorder ensembles in addition to the madrigal performance, dramatic rhyme and story of a     Princess needing to be married off with some audience participation.

Bride to Be Princess in the middle...

 The Princess' 6 foot stature might have been a deterrent. Just saying, those shoes were probably a size 13, no kidding. Thank goodness for happy endings. 

Wassail with the traditional Christmas toast to the Lord of the House and King Henry VIII Boar's Head representing plowing and the hunt with a garland and apple in its mouth, symbolizing 'plenty.' 


The hearty banquet  catered by none other than Justin's Mom, included rolls, green salad, green beans, beef au jus a top mashed potatoes served hot by paisanos to the 100 some odd cast and audience. YUM.

It was a very full evening not quite the 6-8 hours of the Feastes of the ole days but a good 4 hours. My heart was full seeing a student fulfulling his dreams. It's obvious he loves what he's doing. What teacher could hope for more?