Des Moines Renaissance Faire Entertainment
Last Updated: Friday, September 16, 2011 6:49 AM
See some of the best local and regional acts, as well as some of the best entertainment from events such as the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Minnesota Renaissance Festival and Bristol Renaissance Faire. (Wanting to join us?)
Entertainment Schedule
Updated for 2011! Be sure to explore the new "magical lights and sound" narrated Dungeon Tour!
Here is a sneak preview of some of the entertainment/demonstrations planned for this year's expanded Des Moines Renaissance Faire. (Acts: Submit your description and weblink to the webmaster and he will update these pages.)
- Schedules for 2011 will usually be posted a few days before the event. You can watch the work-in-progress schedules be built over the coming weeks: (Sept 3-4-5) (Sep 10-11) (Sep 17-18)
- Entertainment Handout - Download a PDF copy of the entertainment schedule handout: Weekend 1 (PDF, 3.1MB), Weekend 2 (PDF, 2.8MB), Weekend 2 (PDF, 2.8MB).
- See also: Cast of Characters
| Act / Character / Demo (initial list - check back as it expands!) |
Shows per day. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4-5 | 10-11 | 17-18 | |
| Barnacle & Scuttlebutt - The two privateers take you on a sailing trip you will not forget. Is it game show is it buccaneer bash? It's both! Take a seat and rip it up with these two Minnesota comedians. | 4 | ||
| Barony of Coeur d'Ennui - Des Moines' veteran living history re-enactment group brings to life the camp culture and folkways of Medieval Europeans. They also bring us one of the most raw siege battle demonstrations seen anywhere. | 3 | ||
| Bawdy Buccaneers - Finally, the third weekend brings on the pirates and buccaneers with this comedy singing duo who flash the steel, leer the lust and bring back the burlesque. | 4 | ||
| Blue Guard Jail Show - street theater | on-going | on-going | on-going |
| Added 7/10: Boffer Challenge Ring - Council Bluffs' own re-enactment troupe, Riverheim, bring their trained knights and soft "boffer" weapons to the challenge ring, where many a young warrior can step from the crowd and participate in training or in earning the right to purchase their own boffer sword. | on-going | on-going | on-going |
| Brotherhood of Steel - In a more serious tone these Highland knights and nobles demonstrate the skills of hand combat, especially with the live steel swordplay. Watch, listen and learn what it takes to handle one of the lethal weapons of lore. | 3 | ||
| New for 2011: Captain Digitall - roving guitarist. | on-going | on-going | on-going |
| Caravan de Re'ves - street theater. |
on-going | on-going | on-going |
| New for 2011: Crazy Boy Coy - Kansas City's outrageous fringe performer will spell-bind you with his physical prowess and highly difficult skills using props, fire and his own body. Burning man comes to Des Moines. | 4 | ||
| New for 2011: Crazy Celts in Kilts - One can't tell if it's improv or scripted because the audience is drawn so much into the act, but these naughty Scots know where the funny bone lies and how to find the laughter. | 4 | ||
| Danza Mystique - Belly dancing in both the tribal and exotique fashion with drums, live steel and even a snake. Our Des Moines gals are back to bring more life to the sights and sounds of the festival bazaar. | 3 | ||
| Des Moines Fencing Club - Grab a fencing foil, put on protective gear and enter the ring whilst being coached by these experienced swords people. The challenge is to pop the balloon on your competitor's helm. Touche' | on-going | on-going | on-going |
| Dragon Stories with William & Blackjack - Elementary teacher Dave Daugherty's "Dragon Stories" and sing-alongs are the mainstay of the children's stage. He and puppet Blackjack and Captain Julie ensure that your child's experience will be positively memorable. | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Added 8/6: New for 2011: Dublin Double - Irish/Celtic pub band, visiting us from Texas! | 4 | ||
| Firemoon - faerie mime street theater |
on-going | on-going | on-going |
| New for 2011: Flying Eagles Acrobalance - Des Moines' own cirque d'soleil or might we say Canivale d'Lune with this troupe of gymnasts and tumblers. Make way as they make light of the air and maze with the skills of dancing bodies. | 4 | ||
| Forking Queen - Street theater in a unique and original persona, who beckons children to her bivouac tent for a "knighting", a lesson and a charter diploma of the encounter. |
on-going | on-going | |
| Forking Queen of Pirates - she goes to the dark | on-going | ||
| Friendly Fire - At this street theater, you can find people juggling and fire breathing! Avast, a new pirate comedy show comes to port with these swabbies who not only know the right jokes, but also know how to play with fire and black powder. Burning Man, here we come.... | 4 | ||
| Glastonbury Revelers - One of the region's most experienced and well-trained vocal groups, who specialize in Madrigal song, might also draw out a smile with a theatrical skit or two. | 3 | ||
| New for 2011: Gotfried the Lutist - lute & hurdy-gurdy minstrel | on-going | ||
| Greywolf Blacksmith - history of metal working |
on-going | on-going | on-going |
| Guardians of the Black Forest - Medieval knights in training bring their skills and duel challenges to the Coliseum Arena, where swords will flay and bodies will tumble to illustrate the demands of the early knights of Germany. |
4 | ||
| Habeas Corpus - English country dancing | Sun: 4 | ||
| Have Court Will Travel - With thousands of dollars in near-real costumes and hundreds of hours of training our royal entourage brings the pageantry to the pageant. Meet the queen, and the king for that matter, and learn much about the grace and manners of European nobility. |
5 | 5 | 5 |
| Added 8/21: Helping Hands Mercenary Guild | on-going | on-going | on-going |
| New for 2011: Jeff McLane's Comedy Hamlet - Only Chicago's top Shakespearian, Jeff McLane, can make you laugh at "Hamlet" as he streamlines the classic play into a robust and hilarious exercise in live theater. A not-to-be-missed hi-light of the festival. |
3 | ||
| Joust Evolution - The Midwest's premier equestrian jousting troupe featuring thrills, spills and real hits. A great mix of risky stunts and professional comedy make this the "must see" show of the festival. |
3 | 3 | 3 |
| Kids with Fire - One of the most popular and fun comedy fire juggling acts on the Midwest circuit. Come cheer on the lads as they easily cheer you on for a half-hour of laughs. | 4 | 4 | |
| King Oberon's Faerie Court - dancing with the faeries |
3 | 3 | 3 |
| Lord Drake's Mystic Magic - His "Mystic Magic Illusions" show appeals to all age groups as he delights in the world of the hidden and the slight of hand. Get the kids in the front row, so they don't miss a move. |
3 | Sun: 3 (none on Sat: he's getting married!) | 3 |
| McCrakken Brothers - The riotous McCrakken Brothers get in your face and challenge you to a round of the mini-putt. You won't be able to get in a clean shot, if you listen to their ribald revelry and insults. After all, they be Scotsmen. | on-going | ||
| MARS (Medieval & Renaissance Society) - Nebraska's most comprehensive and well-studied living history village exhibits almost a dozen distinct folkway and old-world skills from several countries. A true living history museum with personnel who take their knowledge and skills quite seriously. | on-going | ||
| Master Martin the Trumpeter - herald trumpeting | on-going | ||
| Nuptial Ceremony - Renaissance wedding (Humke-Weekley -- they got engaged at this festival See the video!) | Sat: 3pm | ||
| Orckes & Trolles - With three CDs to their credit and being voted "Favorite Act' for their rousing shows in the tavern, this music and song trio know every song that will bring you to stomping your feet and singing along. |
5 | Added 8/6: 5 | |
| Piper Douglas - Highland bagpipes | on-going | ||
| Added 8/23: Piper McClarey- bagpipes from the Highlands | Sat only | ||
| New for 2011: Pirates of the Black Flag - bug repellant street theater | on-going | ||
| Return of the Musketeers - From the Minnesota Renaissance Festival come an ensemble of experienced village characters who liven up the stage with the pomp, pompousness and some circumstances that make French comedy so much fun. |
4 | ||
| Scottish Country Dance of Central Iowa - jigs & jam | Sat: 4 | ||
| Shattock Schoole of Defense - comedy theater & swordplay | 4 | ||
| Songstress Susan Teller - silly songs & ballads | 4 | ||
| Sons of the Mist - Scottish knights who aren't a feared to fight with broad sword or to use broad comedy to get a laugh. Clad in kilts they bring a smile to many a lass and a sneer from many a lad. | 4 | ||
| Stitched in Steel - living history demonstrations | on-going | on-going | on-going |
| Syren Stefanie d'Flute - strolling minstrel | on-going | on-going | on-going |
| New for 2011: Traveling Knights of Evengard - comedy improv | 4 | on-going | |
| Twins de fous merde - comedy theater | 3 | ||
| Warwick - This Iowa re-enactment camp troupe invites the public to experience the later year's of Renaissance martial regalia. Fencing demonstrations and the exhibiting of many weapons is their specialty. | ongoing | ||
| Added 7/20: New for 2011: Wild Wenches Mud Spa - It's more than this description can depict, trust us. These two attractive and sassy lasses make hay, then mud, then fun. Front row seats available. | 3 | 3 | |
| Number of "staged" acts and hours of entertainment per day (30 minute time slot, and not counting "in the lanes" performances.). | 13+ (24+ est.) | 17+ (32+ hours est.) | 12+ (23+ hours) |
Demonstrating Merchants
- Ace of Blades - knife throwing
- Dorlemagne's Shop (south row) tile-making.
- Iowa Henna (Guild Hall) body art application
- Lady Lana's (Children's Realm) pewter medallion making
- Scots Dragon (Main Street) great kilt wrapping
- Summerset Wine (South Street Villa) grape-stomping
- Queen Victoria's Secret (south row) grommeting & corset designing
- The Potter's House (North Street shops) kick-wheel pottery making
- The Queen's Maille (Guild Hall) chain mail jewelry making
- Chain Maiden (Gypsy Wagon) crafting maille links
- Funny Face Designs (Children's Realm) face & body art
- Lords of Leather (Guild Hall Street) leather crafting
- Dire Atrium (Canterbury Plaza) fine art painting
- SCA Barony (Living History Camp) Medieval folk ways
- Royal Court (Nobles Square) dance, weaponry & manners
- Des Moines Fencing Club (Coliseum Arena) competitive foil fencing
- Guardians of the Black Forest (Coliseum Arena) Medieval combat techniques
- Stitched in Steel (Living History Camp) chain maille & leather armor making
- Greywolf Blacksmith (Living History Camp) open fire metal workings
- Riverheim (Viking Yard) youth combat training
- Boar's Head Leather (Main Street) leather crafting
- Warwick (Living History Camp) European military field camping
- Brotherhood of Steel (Coliseum Arena) swordsmanship
- Habeas Corpus (Feasting Hall) English Country Dance
- Scottish Country Dance Society (Coliseum Arena) Highland dance
- Medieval and Renaissance Society (Castle Lawn) full village multiple folkways
- Danza Mystique (Feasting Hall) belly dancing techniques
- Have Court Will Travel (royal court) - Renaissance fashions
- Have Court Will Travel (royal court) - Renaissance weapons talk
- Have Court Will Travel (royal court) - Renaissance dancing
- Added 8/29: Uncle Stinky's Man Soap (encampment) soap making, black smithing & knife making
Living History
- Barony of Coeur d'Ennui - (first weekend) SCA living history encampment & siege battles
- Greywolf Blacksmith - (all three weekends) history of metal working
- MARS (Medieval & Renaissance Society) - (third weekend) living history village & folkways
- Stitched in Steel - (all three weekends) living history demonstrations
- Warwick - (second weekend) living history encampment
Other (check schedule for weekends)
- Scots Dragon - kilt wrapping 1:00
- Summerset Wine - grape stomping 3:00
- Hy-stryker Contest - 3:30
- Archery Tournament - 4:00
- Ace of Blades knife toss tournament - 4:00
- Kids Costume Contest, Wassail Feasting Hall - 5:15
Activities, Games, Demos
As we finalize the show guide schedule, this section will give you an idea of some of the things that will be going on from weekend to weekend (including demonstrations, living history, games, events, etc.). Bear with us as we sort through all of this! It is turning in to a large year of "stuff"!
- All three weekends will include a new expanded archery range with a daily
cash prize shooting tournament, open to the public. - Added 8/6: Prince & Princess Stables pony rides (all three weekends)
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