From David Volz
The trumpets sound, the flags fly, and the call to revelry begins anew in South Florida!
The 34th Annual Florida Renaissance Festival will come to Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach from February 7th to March 29. People all ages can step beyond the gates and into a world of knights, nobles, and nonstop fun across eight themed weekends.
The time period is 1587 and the location is the village of Kimmendale as the Royal Court of King Robert Rivera returns for its grand annual festival. This year’s celebration carries special meaning: all gather to witness the handfasting of Prince Aaron of Veridian and Princess Katla Svartulff of Stalgaard. But even as the joyful ceremony approaches, shadows creep in…
Produced by Bobby Rodriguez Productions, the nationally acclaimed event invites families to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and tastes of the 16th century. “Whether feasting on turkey legs, cheering for jousting knights, shopping artisan crafts, or mingling with mystical characters – visitors can expect a whimsical escape where history and fantasy collide—and every weekend tells a new story,” said Rodriguez.
These are some of the new performance groups and shows.
The Crimson Pirates: Skeleton Crew – This quartet of swashbuckling songsters will regale you with Celtic traditionals, haunting ballads, and hilarious comic tunes, with a repertoire that spans ancient English folksongs to the Muppets! Join this animated crew of singer-musicians as they harmonize and play over a dozen instruments, weaving their songs, stories and jokes into an exciting tapestry of maritime music and comedy!
Ari the Bard – He is a tiefling storyteller with a collection of curious magical and mysterious items in his “shop,” Ari’s Absurd Arcanum. Most items on the shelves were collected back in Ari’s adventuring days for the unusual or hilariously tragic stories associated with them, and aren’t actually for sale! And for the fellow bards out there: he’s also a perfect person to ask for monster dating advice!
Celtic Magic – Daniel GreenWolf is an award-winning magician, writer, creator, & slightly mad Irishman. Combining Celtic storytelling, a quick Irish wit, daredevil feats, and mind-boggling illusion, this show gets the entire audience involved, and will have them walk away saying “Ooh… Aah… YES!”
Shakespeare Approves! – Join your friendly, neighborhood Shakespeare as he brings his multi-award-winning, one-person, audience-interactive, improv comedy Shakespeare show to you for its 20th anniversary season. He’s taking you on adventures full of merriment, sword fights, mistaken identities, star-crossed lovers, flying implements of doom, musical numbers of questionable suitability, being pursued by a bear, and … death by fluffy kittens!
The Washing Well Wenches – Swing by the wash pit and visit the Washing Well Wenches, where the women rule and the men drool. They’re known for more than their stunning good looks. These girls are also “I peed my pants!” funny. *Thankfully, they will wash them for you after the show.
SAMKOMA – This dynamic musical performance group is inspired by powerful Norse sounds, warrior drums, guitar, chanting, and other instruments – channeling spirituality and emotion through their original compositions. Incorporating influences from Taiko drums to Norse culture, SAMKOMA celebrates the unity of diversity in collaborations with various performers and cultures. Thrilling, immersive, and unforgettable the live shows are a true gathering of spirit and sound.
The Hanlon-Lees Action Theater – They first crossed lances in 1979 and since then have dazzled millions at dozens of Renaissance Festivals throughout the U.S.! For almost half a century they have provided joy and excitement with their 14th century style show. Colorfully costumed steeds and noble knights in shining armor brandishing authentic weapons keep the spectacle ablaze on horseback and on foot with the action and romance of the period.
Edged Feather Experiences – Owned and operated by a master class falconer and wildlife educator, Crystal “Cryss” Stacey. Crystal has been working with and training birds of prey for over a decade. During that time, she has performed over 1000+ educational programs in 9 states across the country. The birds are all trained to fly completely untethered, and are prepared to exhibit their unique natural behaviors and vastly different personalities! (All 8 Weekends!)
The Pub Crawl of Legend – Hosted by the Gaunt Family, Kimmendale’s proprietors of all things delicious and drinkable, this tour through the festival features our most popular pubs and drinking establishments. With stories, jokes and toasts along the way, as well as a new and tasty adult beverage at each destination, the Gaunt family definitely takes you on a Pub Crawl you won’t want to refuse.
The Promenade – Nestled in the heart of the shire of Kimmendale, visitors to the festival can meet all manner of the townsfolk from our Village Clerk who can assign them a brand new 16th-Century profession to our Publick Wyrks and be ready to fix whatever you have broken. Upon the Village Stage audiences can join in the “Foole’s School” taught by the infamous Pester the Jester, enjoy William Shakespeare’s Pyramus and Thisbe, or learn the “subtl-teas” of being a Lady with the one-and-only Lady Ettie. With ongoing shows and activities throughout the day, the Promenade is not to be missed!
