MRFfriends and content are copyright to Robert W. Schug
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MRFfriends and content are copyright to Robert W. Schug |
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Loretta Simonet,
Musician ~ Haymarket Minstrels
We (Loretta Simonet and Curtis Teague)
started performing at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in 1987. We are
wandering minstrels, and can be seen at stages such as Folkstone, Troubadour,
and Mac's Pub, among other spots! We are full-time professional musicians.
When we're not at the Festival, where we perform under the name Haymarket
Minstrels, we're traveling the Midwest and across the U.S., performing
as the folk duo "Curtis & Loretta." We were named "Best
Acoustic Performers of the Twin Cities" by City Pages in 2002. We
offer tight vocal harmonies, and several stringed instruments, including
Celtic harp, mandolin, and mandocello. (Plus guitar, banjo, ukulele, and
harmonica when we're out on the folk circuit!) |
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Frost Simula,
Musician ~ The Dregs O'Raian Frost first performed with "The Warblers," a madrigal group
founded in 1992. Since 2006, has performed with Irish hooligans "The
Dregs" at Mac's Pub. Frost is a menace to sobriety and hates his
pants. |
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John Sjogren, Musician ~ Bedlam 1982 started festival with a contract (small though it was). captainjohnny@comcast.net |
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Jim Slater, Court Revelers | ||
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Steve Smart, Playtron As a Pirate I am Caduceus Jack, Knight I am Sir Steven I started going in 2004 with some friends, the following year took my
wife and bought some garb, this past year got the whole family involved
and went a few times. I am on Renaissancefestival.com in which we have
a group out there everyday of fest. We frequent Mac's Pub and Queens Pub.
My favorite part of fest: Villification Tennis!! |
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Billy Smith, Street Puck, Goatboy, Mudman, Crazy wop, Hans peter menion, etc.. Hey all! I belive my first year was 91' Over the years i had tryed to
play as many characters as possible,daily. Man i miss the fest! I played
in limerick, had stints with the musketeers, and played many street characters.
I also enjoyed working the front gate with Todd and all the others!! I
hope to be back in 06'. PS: If you have any good pic's or just want to
chat E-mail me. Miss u all!...BILLY. |
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Jessica Smithson, Former Festie I started going to Fest when my best friend, Chris, started working there.
He was Florenz of the Fops. In 1992, I started working at the House of
Ink, Bruce Loeschen's shop. Then, when he left, I moved next door to Shroeder
Pottery! I have also sung with the Court Revellers, been a weapons runner/chess
piece in the Human Chess Match, and was one of the Essex Wives, along
with Dayna Wolter and Pam Ellison. While. I eventually served for 15 years
before leaving. darkenevil@comcast.net
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Kim Sobbe, Musician ~ Laughing
Hearts Pub Band |
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Tim Sobolewski, Street Timothy I've been out at the MRF in one form or another since 1992. Currently I'm under an Entertainment contract. I keep an eye on the Troubadour Stage and Music Booth and can be found there before first and after last cannon. Otherwise, I am on the street, somewhere between Mac's Pub, the Mead Booth, and the Troubadour… And after hours at the BLT. I love being a part Fest, whether I'm making someone smile or do a double take, or I'm trying to inconspicuously snap some pictures with a huge camera. It gets better every year. I love the people and the music and the weirdness, especially the weirdness. Some of my photographs can be seen on CDs by The Dregs, My Lady's Cutlass, and O'Brennan with more pics on my web site. When I'm not at Fest, preparing for Fest, or doing other Fest related
stuff, or shooing pictures, I work in the aviation weather business and
have been known to misplace entire states on a Saturday afternoon. |
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Marc Soderberg,
Royal Guard |
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Howard Sonksen,
Mayor's Entourage Sir Howard Andre The Character: Sir Howard Andre; Born into significant family of Clan
Andresen in Scotland; lost entire family at Battle of Culloden and aftermath;
fostered at young age to father's sister/husband near Aix-en-Province,
France; known for smile and gregarious nature; Scot/French (sometimes
wears kilts; sometimes speaks French); working a plan to regain family
lands and castle in Scotland; "and he sings, too!" The "Other
Life": I've been coming to and loving the Minnesota Renaissance Festival
for a number of years, bringing my family when the children were young.
A few years ago I began to attend in costume and character along with
my adult sons, wearing kilts (Clan Andresen) or cavalier attire. The Festival
has become so much a part of me and I of it, that many (not just patrons)
assumed I "work" here! Distance (2-1/2 hours away) attempted
to keep me a patron, until I finally decided life is far too short to
not be completely involved with this magical place and wonderful people
that I love. Encouragement and assistance from a few fantastic persons
eventually led to my seeking acceptance into the Mayor's Entourage. I
am absolutely delighted to have ended the 2004 Season enjoying a taste
of the next season! Thank ye, all ye Spirits and Guides that nudged things
along!! In the "supporting-a-family-and-home" portion of my
life, I taught ! high school English/speech/theatre for many years, also
directing theatre and contest speech. The final years of my teaching career
involved working with high school special needs students having severe
behavior disorders (administration expectation: produce miracles). "Long
ago and far away" I worked in professional summer stock, studied
thatre with an international director/producer, directed a play reading
aboard a ship, sang Broadway show tunes with a Dutch orchestra, and did
community theatre (director/actor/singer). Since 1994 I have been a singer/soloist
with a 40+ voice choir that is part of the Concert Series for two colleges,
performs at various engagements, and has produced several CD's. I also
play saxophone in a concert band. In my spare time (whatever that is!),
I do various "esoteric" things--past life readings, aura readings,
color stone energy balancing, healing touch, and mediumship. I love life
and sharing it with others! |
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John Sopkowiak II, Musician I joined "All Pun & Games" in 1994 and I've hawked for
most of the games out there. Most of the time I was at the Archery booth
both as a grunt and a manager. Both were fun, however teaching the young
& old , smart & stupid how too shoot safely did take it's toll.
So to change things up in 2004 I started to play in a band called 'The
Drunken Uglies'. Then the following year we tried out for Entertainment,
which was awesome. Everyone out there was so open to us, it was great.
Thanks everyone. Until next time, John a.k.a. "Deuce" |
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| Stephen Spaise,
Percussionist, Stage Act ~ Cigany,
Caravan isfahani 2012 brings it up to 24 years at MRF: Founding member of the ever-notorious Cigany and itinerant drummer-at-large. Many years on the Gypsy Stage, with the Mid-East Mirage/Silk Road Pavilion shows, and in the Feast of Fantasy. Every year on the Bear/Bare Stage and the Drum Jam. I have joined Caravan for the 2012 season. It's great to be back on the Gypsy Stage. And for all of you Big Drum Sound fans... Yes, CD #2 is finally coming out! I'd like to thank my wonderful extended festival family for everything.
I couldn't and wouldn't do it without you. isfahani@gmail.com |
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Linda Sparling, Street Celestina, La Reina de España I started Fest in '81. It's the only thing, besides breathing, that I've done continuously since my college graduation. There was a blip in '94, but let's not go there again. Celestina started as the "momma" of the Gypsy encampment, back in the days when the backs of the vardos faced the sunset. She was based on elements of the title character of Fernando de Rojas' Renaissance play, La Celestina. She really was a pleasant old hag who conjured to benefit herself and her friends. She was ever on a quest to buy children (honest gypsy, she, never stole anything). Linda finally grew too old to play old and created the new character Queue (Skotsl was a wee bit of a mistart). Queue is a member of the Matchmakers Guild, sometimes known as the Q Continuum. Sue me. Along the way Celestina, then hapless Queue, were pulled into the sport Celestina helped create - peasant vilification. Celestina and her partner Minstrel Cramp were the grand champions, because NO ONE is more insulting than the old hag. Street character is my main vocation, but I've been a production staff member for far too long in the positions of stage manager, area manager, and assistant entertainment director. Give me the streets. |
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Micheal Keith Spaulding, Street Connor Bennet, Pirate This is my first year as street, I worked last year at the Florentine
Ice booth in the 800s. I have always loved the festival, since a wee boy.
See you on grounds!! |
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| Heather Spielman, Jousting Track Gwennie, Loyal Prankster of the Sandlot Kids 1997 - auditions with a poem about becoming a whore; Gwennie is born,
a whore with an occupational hazard called a chastity belt. Gwennie joins
the Sandlot Kids at the jousting track. http://www.geocities.com/h_spielman |
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Andy Sponseler, Musician ~ Drunk and Disorderly |
| This page last updated Friday, February 24, 2012 | Page |
