Showing posts with label costuming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label costuming. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Peeves, not pets
I've seen some disputed over some pretty silly things. Matters of taste, for example: early in my Army career, I saw a fight start over "This damnyankee put sugar on his grits!!!" Other things: Beans in chili, dry versus wet BBQ, PC versus Mac...
Reading Nancy's post reminded me, for some reason, of one that arose several years ago, while we were in Colorado Springs, I believe. At a meeting of the local muzzleloaders club someone objected to the use of the term "costume." "I don't wear a costume, I wear period attire."
Reading Nancy's post reminded me, for some reason, of one that arose several years ago, while we were in Colorado Springs, I believe. At a meeting of the local muzzleloaders club someone objected to the use of the term "costume." "I don't wear a costume, I wear period attire."
Ignoring for the moment the point that it is debatable just how period his attire was--Was there a sewing machine involved? Chemical dyes?--one of the definitions of "costume" is, in fact, "The particular mode or fashion of dress worn in a particular time or place." So we wear costume all the time...
(Perhaps I should point out here that Mrs. Drang, and her "sister" The Raven, and Stitch Witch, as well as many of their friends, belong to various associations of costumers. I got into muzzleloading through an interest in history as well as shooting, and potentially an extra hunting season; Mrs. Drang was basically indulging me, until she discovered the costuming potential.)
Anyway. That attitude is actually common in the world of Historical Reenactment/Living History: "Costume" is what actors wear, not to mention those people, "those people" being whatever group the speaker holds in disregard: Science Fiction fen, SCA , Highland Gamers, Ren Fairies, etc. And you hear the oddest locutions: "I was in garb..."
Well, I should hope so, as the alternative would be what our pagan friends call "skyclad", and (probably) arrested.
What? You thought "garb" meant something special? Like, perhaps, "The particular mode or fashion of dress worn in a particular time or place"? Perhaps you should say "period garb"?
Or maybe just "costume..."
(Perhaps I should point out here that Mrs. Drang, and her "sister" The Raven, and Stitch Witch, as well as many of their friends, belong to various associations of costumers. I got into muzzleloading through an interest in history as well as shooting, and potentially an extra hunting season; Mrs. Drang was basically indulging me, until she discovered the costuming potential.)
Anyway. That attitude is actually common in the world of Historical Reenactment/Living History: "Costume" is what actors wear, not to mention those people, "those people" being whatever group the speaker holds in disregard: Science Fiction fen, SCA , Highland Gamers, Ren Fairies, etc. And you hear the oddest locutions: "I was in garb..."
Well, I should hope so, as the alternative would be what our pagan friends call "skyclad", and (probably) arrested.
What? You thought "garb" meant something special? Like, perhaps, "The particular mode or fashion of dress worn in a particular time or place"? Perhaps you should say "period garb"?
Or maybe just "costume..."
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
How did I miss this historical fact?
Andrew Breitebart's Big Government pointed out yesterday that
*August 31st
Today*, in 1803, Lewis and Clark set off from Pittsburgh for their western expedition.That painting is inspirational, but the living history costume Nazi in me hates it, because, among other things, cocked hats ("tri-corns", as they were never known while they were la mode) were sooo Eighteenth Century by the time President Jefferson was considering sending his military aide off to Seattle for a half-caf latte...
*August 31st
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Down the Internet Rabbit Hole
So, I've got a lot of stuff to do, but I followed this link from Tam, and now I have a new (to me) blog to catch up on, Excels at Nothing. (Which I am willing to bet is her being over-humble, but never mind.)
I don't know her, but I'd be willing to bet that I know people who know people who know her--the Eighteenth Century Reenacting community isn't all that big, at least not here on the Left Coast.
And when she talks about actual costume making, I keep thinking "Haven't I heard this conversation before?"
Excuse me, I have to go read some more.
I don't know her, but I'd be willing to bet that I know people who know people who know her--the Eighteenth Century Reenacting community isn't all that big, at least not here on the Left Coast.
And when she talks about actual costume making, I keep thinking "Haven't I heard this conversation before?"
Excuse me, I have to go read some more.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tea Party Rock Star!
Front page of Sunday's New York Times features a profile of Seattle's own Kelli Carender, AKA Liberty Belle!
In which they give her credit for the first "Porkulous Protest", three days before Santelli called for "A new Tea Party", but still get her costume at last year's Tax Day Tea Party wrong--she was Alice in Wonderland, you dolts!
Not a great picture, but recognizable, I think. She's holding the giant economy (!) size tea cup she was presented with.
UPDATE: Heh. I scooped Glenn Reynolds.
UPDATE: Heh. I scooped Glenn Reynolds.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thoughts on the Winter Olympics' Opening Ceremonies
Pretty cool they opened with a Pow Wow style Grand Entry. Not a lot to distinguish Canadian Aboriginals/First Peoples and Native Americans; in fact, as Mrs. Drang and I were just discussing, many of the tribes and nations are found on both sides of the border, and the border itself is a minor annoyance on the Pow Wow circuit.
Although you don't often see Inuit bat Pow Wows in the States...
Or Grass Dancers* in the (faux) snow. (Grass dancers, yes. Faux snow, no.)
When the talking heads marveled at the fact that the dancers had been dancing for an hour or more, Mrs. Drang laughed and said "They're Pow Wow dancers, you fools! An hour's nothing!"
As usual, they get "totem poles" wrong...
I kinda like the fact that they do the entry of the athletes first, and then the entertainment: The athletes are the guests...
I also enjoy the show itself more than I did the one in Beijing; cultural, maybe. (Lorena McKennett...?)
Later: Did "Poetry Slam Boy" just "define Canada" for the world by saying "It ain't America"?!
Later still: Tape delay for the West Coast?!?!
Although you don't often see Inuit bat Pow Wows in the States...
Or Grass Dancers* in the (faux) snow. (Grass dancers, yes. Faux snow, no.)
When the talking heads marveled at the fact that the dancers had been dancing for an hour or more, Mrs. Drang laughed and said "They're Pow Wow dancers, you fools! An hour's nothing!"
As usual, they get "totem poles" wrong...
Diggin' them snazzy Azerbaijani britches--not! (The Czechs' were as, um, striking, if not as colorful, but I missed them at. the time.) And were the Finns wearing winter camouflage...?
I kinda like the fact that they do the entry of the athletes first, and then the entertainment: The athletes are the guests...
I also enjoy the show itself more than I did the one in Beijing; cultural, maybe. (Lorena McKennett...?)
Later: Did "Poetry Slam Boy" just "define Canada" for the world by saying "It ain't America"?!
Later still: Tape delay for the West Coast?!?!
***
The really snazzy dressed ones hopping around a lot. It was their job to trample down the grass in the new camp sight--and find the snakes...
Monday, July 28, 2008
"Ye Jacobites by name..."
Yesterday Mrs. Drang and I attended the Seattle Scottish Highland Games. I'm not Scottish, I just like the music. Yes, I'm one of those weirdos who actually enjoys bagpipe music. And the Scotch.
Having attended several Highlands Games and Festivals over the years and in several states, I've noticed a trend of more space and energy being devoted to non-Scots Celtic peoples, specifically, the Irish and the Welsh. (Nothing Cornish that I have seen, yet. Maybe this is the wrong part of the country, maybe in Michigan, where many "Cousin Jacks" were miners, you see pasty tents .) Mrs. Drang being Irish, she thinks this is a fine idea.
Anyway.
Ran into Mrs. Drang's sister and her family there, their Revolutionary War Living History group was participating, as was a Civil War Reenactment group.
What's the difference? Reenactors try for what you might call "practical accuracy", and, yes, reenact battles, and other significant historical events. They have to pass for accurate en masse, from across the room, as it were. Living Historians, sometimes called experimental anthropologists, strive for the strictest accuracy possible, and to live the life of people in the era they are interested in. (Not on a day-to-day basis, except in the most extreme cases.) Reenactors will cook over a campfire when in an encampments, living historians practice when no one else is watching. (I hasten to add that many members of reenactment groups could be considered living historians; it's a matter of preference and interest.)
Anyway. Mrs. Drang's sister, whom I will refer to henceforth as The Raven, is a costume maker. SCA, SF, Fantasy, you name it. Also Brides and (shudder) Bridezillas. So, yes, the Raven family are Living Historians. We would be, too, if we had the time and energy; it might have happened anyway, but Mrs. Drang and I introduced the Raven Family to XVIIIth Century reenactment/living history.
Anyway, Raven's husband (The Tiger) was busy with unit administrivia, so The Raven and Mrs. Drang and I went off in search of Beer. (The Scotch tasting being exorbitant @ $35.00 a head. Maybe if we'd known about it in advance and had been able to budget for it... Maybe next year.) The Raven had a Full Sail Pale Ale. Mrs. Drang had a Deschutes Brewery Inversion IPA, which I believe I've spoken of before, highly. And I had a "Black and Apple", equal portions of Deschutes Black Butte Porter and Spire Apple Cider. Magnificent!
While we sat in the shade and enjoyed our beverages, we talked, among other things, about the people who go to Highland Games and think it's a Renaissance Faire. "What's with the Disney Pyrates? And the Belly Dancers? And the Skinheads?" (We're probably not supposed to recognize them....) "And the people who think this is a Society for Creative Anachronism Tourney, and are walking around clanking like a boiler shoppe because of the fifty-'leven swords, knives, battle axes, etc?
"And did you see this year they have educational seminars on Scottish and Celtic History and Culture? Aren't they afraid of ruining someone's fantasy?" "I suppose the people running the thing have gotten sick of the Ren Faeries, too, and are Trying to Do Something About It."
Which led to us discussing Sharyn McCrumb's novel Highland Laddie Gone, which was, I believe, the third of the Elizabeth MacPherson novels. It takes place at a Highland Festival in Virginia, and has a hilarious scene in which the county sheriff, a Civil War reenactor, and Elizabeth MacPherson, representing the Chattan Confederacy at the Festival (complete with Cluny the Bobcat, which the Chattan Confederacy Motto says you are not supposed to touch unless you're wearing a glove) are discussing whether the murder can be resolved by next weekend when "those SCA weirdos have the park..."
And then The Wicked Tinkers started to perform so we finished our drinks and went to watch. Now, while you might not think a band billed as being Scottish Bagpipes and Drums could, or should, also feature a didgeridoo player, it fits. Quite well, in fact. Trust me. (Highland pipes and didgeridoos both drone, which might explain it.)
Other things seen:
Having attended several Highlands Games and Festivals over the years and in several states, I've noticed a trend of more space and energy being devoted to non-Scots Celtic peoples, specifically, the Irish and the Welsh. (Nothing Cornish that I have seen, yet. Maybe this is the wrong part of the country, maybe in Michigan, where many "Cousin Jacks" were miners, you see pasty tents .) Mrs. Drang being Irish, she thinks this is a fine idea.
Anyway.
Ran into Mrs. Drang's sister and her family there, their Revolutionary War Living History group was participating, as was a Civil War Reenactment group.
What's the difference? Reenactors try for what you might call "practical accuracy", and, yes, reenact battles, and other significant historical events. They have to pass for accurate en masse, from across the room, as it were. Living Historians, sometimes called experimental anthropologists, strive for the strictest accuracy possible, and to live the life of people in the era they are interested in. (Not on a day-to-day basis, except in the most extreme cases.) Reenactors will cook over a campfire when in an encampments, living historians practice when no one else is watching. (I hasten to add that many members of reenactment groups could be considered living historians; it's a matter of preference and interest.)
Anyway. Mrs. Drang's sister, whom I will refer to henceforth as The Raven, is a costume maker. SCA, SF, Fantasy, you name it. Also Brides and (shudder) Bridezillas. So, yes, the Raven family are Living Historians. We would be, too, if we had the time and energy; it might have happened anyway, but Mrs. Drang and I introduced the Raven Family to XVIIIth Century reenactment/living history.
Anyway, Raven's husband (The Tiger) was busy with unit administrivia, so The Raven and Mrs. Drang and I went off in search of Beer. (The Scotch tasting being exorbitant @ $35.00 a head. Maybe if we'd known about it in advance and had been able to budget for it... Maybe next year.) The Raven had a Full Sail Pale Ale. Mrs. Drang had a Deschutes Brewery Inversion IPA, which I believe I've spoken of before, highly. And I had a "Black and Apple", equal portions of Deschutes Black Butte Porter and Spire Apple Cider. Magnificent!
While we sat in the shade and enjoyed our beverages, we talked, among other things, about the people who go to Highland Games and think it's a Renaissance Faire. "What's with the Disney Pyrates? And the Belly Dancers? And the Skinheads?" (We're probably not supposed to recognize them....) "And the people who think this is a Society for Creative Anachronism Tourney, and are walking around clanking like a boiler shoppe because of the fifty-'leven swords, knives, battle axes, etc?
"And did you see this year they have educational seminars on Scottish and Celtic History and Culture? Aren't they afraid of ruining someone's fantasy?" "I suppose the people running the thing have gotten sick of the Ren Faeries, too, and are Trying to Do Something About It."
Which led to us discussing Sharyn McCrumb's novel Highland Laddie Gone, which was, I believe, the third of the Elizabeth MacPherson novels. It takes place at a Highland Festival in Virginia, and has a hilarious scene in which the county sheriff, a Civil War reenactor, and Elizabeth MacPherson, representing the Chattan Confederacy at the Festival (complete with Cluny the Bobcat, which the Chattan Confederacy Motto says you are not supposed to touch unless you're wearing a glove) are discussing whether the murder can be resolved by next weekend when "those SCA weirdos have the park..."
And then The Wicked Tinkers started to perform so we finished our drinks and went to watch. Now, while you might not think a band billed as being Scottish Bagpipes and Drums could, or should, also feature a didgeridoo player, it fits. Quite well, in fact. Trust me. (Highland pipes and didgeridoos both drone, which might explain it.)
Other things seen:
- Three or four co-workers. "I had no idea!"
- Nessie. (Think Scottish version of a Chinese New Years' Dragon.)
- The Scottish Farm had wee shaggy Highland Cattle, but no Clydedales, and the closest thing to a sheep we saw was the wool The Raven was spinning when we spotted her.
- The MacDonalds right behind the Campbells in the Parade. "Only in America!" Question: Were the MacDonalds peeved at the Campbells' having precedence, or glad to have the Campbells' backs so handy...?
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