On the way to Scarborough Faire

Greetings faithful readers, fans and friends! Here's hoping that life is bringing you much joy!

Well, Arizona is at an end for 2008 and Scarborough opens in but a few days. The Arizona run was truly great this season. SO much fun! SO many folks came and laughed and chatted and laughed again. We had near perfect weather (some chilly and some gusty days) and near perfect attendance. I think we broke records, if not, we at least came close. We met some new people and made some new friends.

We got to know the new (young) whip-master Adam Crack (not his real name thank God!). We even got involved with him at the festival's in-house talent show. Don Juan, I, Adam and Ricki and Jef (Tortugas) performed a "whip ballet" on a Saturday night - complete with pinks Tu-tus and blond wigs while Frank (Cast in Bronze) performed a disturbing version of the Blue Danube Waltz on the carollon! It went over swimmingly and should be posted on You Tube sometime in the near future. I'll let you know the details when I find them out.

Yes, all-in-all Arizona was a lot of fun. I love being neighbors with Hey Nunnie Nunnie!, Fool Hearty, Clan Tinker, the jousters and more. I cherish our early morning coffee clutches - so much laughter, so many fine ideas shared. SO much love expressed - it's truly a gift.

And now I'm "on the road again". Travelling from my home near Kingman to Waxahachie. Alas alack my truck broke down in Tucumcari! (poop!). The dealership here says they will have it fixed today (Wednesday) and I should be on the road again later this afternoon. We'll see. At least I have time to work on the Blog! I had lunch at a terrific local place called "Dell's". If you drive through Tucumcari (off of US 40) - I'd recommend it. Good food, nice folks, lovely atmosphere! A few friends (Hey Nunnie Nunnie) are behind me and have offered their help. Hopefully I won't need it. If I'm not at Scarborough Saturday, you'll all know why. Actually - as my Mom used to say "Come Hell or high water I'll be there!"

An update on the Tucumcari stop-over. My truck was fixed. And is being fixed again. Luckily I was only ten miles out of town when the problem reared its head again. Seems like I need a fuel pump. Ah well. Tucumcari Tonight!

Oh, I do want to put in my two cents about the upcoming presidential elections. It's interesting to me that we at Renaissance Festivals represent a time of Monarchy. You know, Democracy is really a much better idea. So, this coming November, please exercise a "right" that millions of people on this planet wished they had, and that is the right to vote. Please VOTE!

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"

Sterling's Season ends...Pennsylvania begins

Greetings good friends.

I am sitting in a lovely house in Mt. Gretna, PA getting ready for the big plunge into the world of "post" for "I Sense Danger" - our latest flick.

First of all I'd like to take a moment to thank all of you who came to visit The Sterling festival this year. It was, all-in-all, a lovely, if bittersweet season. As many of you know, the fate of the festival is still up in the air, so we know little, at this time, of the future. I do recall, though, this was a season of lovely weather and of a community pulling together. Christmas in July was a big hit this year, as was "Formal Bocci" - two lovely traditions that Sterling has managed to keep alive in these cynical times. I must give a big Kudo to Frank Cardillo who organized a lovely reading for the Christmas ceremony. And Kudos to Matthew Purcell for his fine service at "Formal Bocci".

The actual weekends of Sterling have already become a blur, which is the nature of the beast in this world....as we leave a place it is like leaving Lothlorien of The Lord of the Rings...a shadow falls and the colors change. I remember Gordy's (Scratch's) final "Auld Lang Syne" poem, and the final Saturday's speech by Michael Reilly (Cardinal Talini) and the last Sunday's speech by Gary Izzo himself, our "Steward of Warwick". Frankly I haven't been as moved by a final speech since Bodge! I hope someone got it on tape (audibly) and will share it on You Tube!

Our first weekend at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival in Mt. Hope started with a brutally hot and humid Saturday...the festival closed about a half-hour early due to encroaching and approaching lightning and thunderstorms. Sunday was a much nicer day, and this weekend protends to be a beauty. We'll be at the End Game Stage four times daily starting at noon - come see us!

R.E.S.C.U Rally! The Sterling community hosted its first RESCU rally at the Tea Emporium on east First in Oswego, NY this past Summer. A great success! And a charity we should all promote.

Blind Dog Stuff:

We finally have seen a near to perfect pic-loc of the new Don Juan and Miguel® Adventure: "I Sense Danger". It is lovely, humorous and fun! I can't wait to see the sound, fx, and score finished. We're looking at a January deadline.

Our new DVD "An Inside Look" should be out in the next couple of weeks - This is a really cool back stage look into the creation of The Don Juan and Miguel® Show. We are in the final stages of authoring the DVD and getting the artwork together. Keep your eyes peeled on our websites for further updates and ordering information.

Sarah Marie Mullen's new CD "Harper's Bizarre" will be available this coming weekend at the Bristol Renaissance Festival from Sarah herself! This is a great new CD - experimental and lovely with bunches of original tunes! I love it! It'll be available on our website in a week or so.

The new docu-comedy from Hey Nunnie Nunnie!: "Pull My Finger" is going gangbusters! We've had oodles of positive feedback. This is a great glimpse into the people that inhabit "Mother Redempta" and "Sister Philomena Claire". They will be at the Maryland festival for the next few weekends. If you're in the area, check 'em out.

Well, that's all for now. I, again, will try to update this more often - but I make no promises. It's so hard to write while life is happening!

Be well, my friends. Have days of Spirit and Laughter, Contemplation, Joy and good works.

Doug

Almost Sterling Time

Hey friends, fans and folks - happy greetings to you all!

It is a mere few days before the opening of the Sterling Renaissance Festival and boy, are we busy readying ourselves for a fantastic and fun season! Esmeralda will be with us!

We've been getting the archery and maze together, as well as my (Doug's) work with Sterling's professional acting troup - the BTM (Bless The Mark Players). If you've never heard I have been the assitant artistic director here for years - I love working with these creative and talented actors and with my good friend Gary Izzo (buy his books). This year my tasks have been focusing on coordinating the Final Pub Sing (an event I love), directing and assisting in writing the new Washer Show (with two fabulous and lovely washer wenches) and putting an eye to the Mud Shows. The guys are doing a show they've done in the past, I'm just there to give a hand if needed. It's been fun - even though a bit briefer of a rehearsal period this year.

We are also excited about getting Hey Nunnie Nunnies' new (and first) DVD together. It is a "docu-comedy" called "Pull My Finger!" It features their show, an extended interview with the actual persons who have created Mother Redempta and Sister Philomena, a cute short piece called "Hey Thumbie Thumbie" (which comes from the mind of Dana McCain - Philomena), a slide show and a sneak preview of our upcoming film which I believe we are calling The Adventures of Don Juan and Miguel: "I Sense Danger"! The sneak preview is the new song "Chastity Bell" The DVD will be available by the third weekend of the Sterling Festival directly from our favourite nuns!

Don Juan and I are also preparing our own documentary "A Weekend with Don Juan and Miguel" - hopefully It'll be available for you by the fifth weekend here. Our good friend Dr. Jules - who filmed "Adventures" for us was the cameraman for both the Nuns' project and ours. He has a wonderful eye - I think you are all going to enjoy these.

On a personal note: Those of you who contact me through AOL, please just use the Don Juan and Miguel website - not even the Blind Dog Website - I'm having difficulties with them. They have accused me of fraud. If I can get the account back, fine. I'll probably cancel it anyway, but I may keep it - I've been using AOL since it's inception (just about) but this past action on their part may be too much for me to handle. I'll let you know.

Well, gotta run. I'll be in touch again after opening.


Live Well, Do Good!

Tu Amigo,

"Miguel"