The Mitgaard SCA Events FAQ

Version 2.0

What's an Event? What does it involve on my part?

An Event is something like a Tourney or a Feast put on by some people in the SCA. The most common kind of an Event is one with fighting and competitions during the day, then court and a feast (and here in Carolingia, dancing!) in the evening. At a person's first Event, only two things are asked of him: to pay the site fee, and to wear something even vaguely medieval looking. Also, if you plan on eating, you must bring your own feast gear (table setting).

What do you do at an Event?

Even for someone brand new to the SCA, there is much fun to be had. Watch the fighters, or shop the merchants. Many times there are board games. The dancing will be taught, no partners or experience necessary. Frequently there will be loaner archery equipment at archery events. Some Events have classes to attend. Volunteer! (This is all run by volunteer effort.) Help out in the kitchen preparing the feast; give the Heralds a fresh throat to cry announcements; "run lists" for the list mistress; check people in to the event at the Gate.

If you study fighting, and become an authorized fighter, you can participate in tourneys. If you practice some form of period art or craftsmanship, you can submit it to an arts and sciences competition. If you are a real die-hard volunteer, you can wind up running something!

How much does it cost? And what does it include?

One can attend Events three ways: "on-board", "off-board", or "out-board". If one goes "on-board" that means one is paying for the feast. On-board costs on average $10 (exact price depending on the event). Sometimes it also includes a cold lunch. Off-board costs about $4, and usually includes no meal (maybe a cold lunch), but saves you a place at a table during the feast; you are expected to bring your own food, though sometimes off-board tables get bread and drink. Off-board is always at different tables then on-board, so if you go off-board and all your friends go on-board, you will not be able to sit with them. Out-board means, you will not have any place in the hall during the feast, and can be either a small fee (same as off-board) or free.

What ever one pays, the rest of the event is included: all the activities are part of the site fee. Merchants' wares, however reasonably priced, are patently not free. Occaisionally, there will be a class taught at an event that will have a materials fee, but that will be announced in advance. So basically, the price includes an entire day of activities.

Logistics of going to Events

Um, I'm not sure I can afford this.

Mitgaard occasionally gets subsidies from the Finance Board to help you pay for you first event. Let us know if you need help.

What about clothing?

We would be glad to teach you how to make your own garb, or lend you some of ours (in that order). We have sewing machines we would be glad to let you use, and we can teach you how to use them. We hold sewfests, where we can work on garb together and chat; we also go on expeditions to Chinatown to buy fabric more frugally than through a comerical chain.

What about a table setting for feasts? What do I need to bring?

We can loan you feast gear for your first few events, because it does tend to be very costly and hard to find. It is frequently the first real investment people make in the SCA, and accumlated one item at a time. One good place to check for cheap feast gear is the Salvation Army store just past Random Hall on Mass. Ave. You never know what you'll find there, and it may be appropriate.

The minimum feast gear one needs is a bowl, a knife, a spoon, and something to drink from (goblet, cup, second bowl etc.). The bowl will what you eat both soup and meat from, so the next thing you'd probably want is a plate. Other things you might want are: a napkin, a table cloth, a two or three tined fork, another bowl, a salt cellar, candles and matches, another plate. Bring a plastic bag to bring the dirty dishes home in without sullying the container you brought them in originally.

What about getting there and back?

Often, we will be organizing transportation in some fashion, whether getting car rides for Mitgaardi with other Carolingians, or getting details on the way there via public transportation. Usually, we will make an expedition of it by all meeting on the second floor of the student center, in the Lounge of Black Couches, and going from there.

Do I need a reservation?

Yes. Or rather, it is a good idea to have one if one is going on-board (because there is a good chance all the feast seats will be sold out) -- and if you're planning on going with Mitgaard, the person running the expedition will no doubt appreciate an RSVP.

How do I get the relevant info on each event?

We have a computer email list called (surprize!) mitgaard. If you subscribe to this list, you will get announcements. When an Event rolls around that looks good to us, we will announce it over the email list and tell everyone we know. Or you can send email to sca (sca@athena.mit.edu, outside of MIT) with your questions.