Season's Endings!!!

Howdy y'all! I hope you've all had a terrific "Dias Del Pavos Muertos"! I'm writing you all from the cold and rainy Nuevo Chile, Toon Town - TRF. That's right folks, after a hiatus of 14 years I've finally had the opportunity to visit and view the infamous Texas Renaissance Festival.


But first a wrap up on North Carolina.

We had an awesome time in Carolina this season - perfect weather and great crowds greeted us each and every weekend! Thanks to all of you for spreading the word, sharing your joy, and for all of your support! I must admit that I had a lovely birthday this season - thank you all very much! (LOVE the Miguel Bear!!) Thanks for all your fun (and tasty) gifts. Know that the good spirits were shared by all! It's so good to have such good friends! A little info on the inside - on my actual birthday old friend Franko the Hypnotist rented a limo and a small party of us partied in and around Charlotte - drinking wine, listening to good music and laughing until our voices hurt! SO much fun!

The London Broil did a show in Charlotte on the final Friday night of festival run. Franko, the Nuns, and I attended (along with many, many other people) and the boys were great! So funny, so at home on a traditional stage. I freely admit that I laughed so hard that I thought I would embarrass myself - fortunately my guffaws were joined by many others! Great job Broil Boys!!!

Things are happening in the "I Sense Danger" world. I know we are taking more time on this one but believe me - your patience will be rewarded. This movie is going to top the rest!

Texas Renaissance -

Some of you may not know, but Don Juan and I used to perform at TRF. I think we were here for ten years or so. Director/Manager Jeff Baldwin was kind enough to give me a pass to this, experimental final weekend of TRF. Thanks Jeff! (I remember performing with Jeff when he was part of the street cast!). I showed up on "Black" Friday to see the show on its first post-Thanksgiving weekend ever. The weather was fitting for a "holiday" weekend - cold and cloudy. In fact it was really cold! I had fun walking through the lanes (down my own memory lane) and was delighted to see the improvements and growth of this place. I was able to see shows I've not seen in years. I'm usually working, so I don't feel comfortable taking time to watch shows. Ded Bod (the original), Iris and Rose, Christoph the Insulter, The Other Brothers (when we shared a stage with them at Scarby, they were known as "Throw Up" - I think the name change is good), Arsene, the Gypsy Guerilla Band, Cantiga and Owain, and more. The festival was packed - over 28,000 souls walked through the gates on this cold and cloudy Friday. Frankly, the crowds were almost overwhelming. It feels so weird to be amongst all these folks and not have the right to "play" with them. It was more tiring than actually performing! Thank goodness that good beer helps with such stress.

SATURDAY - rain and cold all day. I didn't even make it onto the site. I am enjoying visiting my good friends in Toon Town and Nuevo Chile!

SUNDAY - although this day has dawned as cold and as wet as Saturday IO felt I had to go on site. If nothing else, to witness the wedding of good friend Michael Schaeffer (Tree Man, Marquish). How wonderful. The wedding was slipped into an existing scenario. I don[t think many of the cast knew the service was real! Congratulations Michael!

So, that's about it for now. My problems with getting into the blog are through so may actually get more info more often - I hope so!

Remember that the full catalogue of Blind Dog Products make great holiday gifts!

And, again, thank you for all your laughter, smiles, and support.

Laugh out loud!

"Miguel"

Two Weekends of Sterling

Greetings all.

I hope this "blog" finds you all well and delightful.

I've been truly enjoying the Sterling Renaissance Festival. We've been here for 20 (twenty!) years now and it is very much like coming home. The crowds for the first weekend were good. I think the festival on the first Sunday ended with one of the best Final Pub Sings in a very long time; from the very beginning witht the "Beggars" leading the opening song, to Hey Nunnie Nunnie's rendition of "Chastity Bell", to everyone joining in on verses for "Drunken Sailor" (from the fans verses that were, thankfully, not salacious), to the delight of the Sheriff's leading of a song and being kissed by his many "illegitimate children" (I think around 25 fans and performers gave him a kiss on the cheek), to everyone, perfomers and audience alike joining in on "Auld Lang Syne" - twas a true delight. You know, I do love this event at Sterling. It is unlike any other in the country. (that I know of) In this Pub Sing the line between the "actors" and "audience" really blurs; it feels more like sharing "Christmas" carols to me, than pub songs. More raucuous in a way, but the same sense of memory and sharing. Sorta an homage to the time we spend together and and homage to Summer herself. It's cool.

I wanted to take a moment to address some concerns some fans have been having about Sterling, and perhaps answer a few queries. No, the festival has not yet been sold. (as of this posting) and yes, there are potential buyers looking at it. Last year was a great blow, financially, to the festival; what with all the rain and rising gas prices, etc, we just didn't get the numbers we needed. We hope to make it up this year. Literally EVERYONE involved with the Festival is pitching in (taking a cut in pay, etc.) to help insure that Sterling will remain a strong and viable festival. It is, in many ways, the gem of Renaissance Festivals. The atmosphere, the food, the high quality of NON-IMPORTED crafts, and the stellar performance program still make this festival one of the best in the nation. (And a hell of a lot of fun!) We (I) invite you to help be a true Patron of The Arts and come out and support us. If you've not been in years, come back home to us, if you've never been - this is an experience you should have. This coming weekend's theme is Romance, should be fun! PLEASE COME.

Hey Nunnie Nunnie's "docu-comedy" "Pull My Finger" will finally be out this weekend. It's a blast. Go to the Wildwood Stage at the festival and see them and get a DVD of your own. This new DVD is a delight!

The Don Juan and Miguel® documentary - "An Inside Look" - is in the works. Last night Don Juan (Jose) and I went to Dr. Jule's and worked on editing the (revealing) interview section. I think it is fun, funny, and informative. We show glimpses of our upcoming film and, plus, there will be a VIP Pass on the DVD allowing you access to backstage and some of our performance "secrets". I think you'll all enjoy it. Should be available in about six weeks.

Other deadlines.....The Lost Princess gets distribution July 24th. Check out your local independent movie rental stores - this is really the "Director's Cut" - Duncan Pace (the director and editor) re-edited it and Jim Hancock has cleaned up the sound quite a bit. Please let us know what you think.

Our New Movie: "The Adventures of Don Juan and Miguel; I Sense Danger" is still in post. We hope to have a picture lock by the end of the month. This means Jim Hancock (www.jimusic.com) and I will be able to start working on the sound and foley, we can also begin to create the score and Louie Skaradek can create his wonderful digital magic in his CG world. Lot's of folk have been asking about the release date. We are not dragging our heels on this, we just want "Danger" to be better than anything we've done up to this point. Dr. Jules did some amazing cinematography, and Duncan has never directed better - even the script is superior (I think) to our earlier productions, so please be patient with us. We are looking at a mid-January release.

Lastly. I love the summers up here in Oswego. The weather, the rich green of the trees, the beautiful lake, the stunning sunsets and Oswego itself. Thank you.