Ye Olde May Fest

Today's blog is "sponsored" by the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet, who wrote the promo for this event far more eloquently than I could.

So I'm bringing it here to you today (with slight modifications) for your reading today and (hopefully) attending pleasure this weekend.

As a happy attendee and vendor at the last two "Shakespeare & Art In The Park" events, Rebekah and I were invited to take part in the planning committee this year.

Yes, we participated among our jobs, all the illnesses this year, and while working on WriteOn Joliet's radio play this year of this greatly expanded event. And we were honored to help!

We are very excited for this weekend and not just because we were a small part of making it happen, and will be overseeing TWO tents (BryonySeries and WriteOn Joliet) in the "Merry Merchant Row."

We are excited because it looks amazing, and we can wait for the magic and fun to unfold.

Perhaps we will see you there!

And now, for the details...

ADMISSION

FREE to Fest and Shows!

Here ye, here ye! Let it be known far and wide "Ye Olde May Fest" beckons thee for revelry, feasting and discovery to fill even an ol' Bard with glee. (Rumor has it his "Merry Wives of Windsor" will be in town for the special occasion!)

All ages, peasants and nobles shall rub elbows at this grand event where mirth awaits at every turn. Best of all, entry to the pageantry shall not cost you even a pence.

Come clad in Renaissance attire, as we gather for the royal parade each day. Who, amidst our noble throng, shall be hailed as the fairest? Whose valor and virtue shall earn the knighthood's accolade? Come forth, fair citizens!

Come one, come all to experience the magic of the (new) "Ye Olde May Fest!"

Event sponsored by STRANGE & UNUSUAL GALLERY (downtown Joliet)

SATURDAY, MAY 18

11 a.m.  Fest opens!

Maypole, Merry Merchant Row, Kids' Crafting Kingdom, Stockade, Community Mural, Scavenger Hunt, Air Brush Tattoo Artist, D&D game guru, Royal Throne Photo Op, Food & Spirits.

11 a.m. Alchemist (pavilion)

11:30 a.m. Maypole Dancing (by fountain)

Noon Flutist Sir Joey (pavilion)

Noon MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (bandshell, hill seating)

2:30 p.m. Maypole Dancing

3 p.m. Royal Parade & Coronation of Guests (pavilion)

SPECIAL ANNONCEMENT: JOLIET'S 1st POET LAUREATE!

3:30 p.m.  Flutist Sir Joey (pavilion)

5 p.m. Flutist Sir Joey (pavilion)

6 p.m. Royal Parade & Coronation of Guests (pavilion)

7 p.m.  MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (bandshell, hill seating)

10 p.m. Fest bids all a good night!

SUNDAY. MAY 19

11:00a Fest opens!

Archery (courtesy of Bow Doc), Ax Throwing, Green Screen Wizardry, Maypole, Merry Merchant Row, Kids' Crafting Kingdom, Stockade, Community Mural, Scavenger Hunt, Air Brush Tattoo Artist, D&D game guru, Royal Throne Photo Op, Food & Spirits.

11 a.m. Eric of Campbell & his cigar box guitar (pavilion)

11 a.m. Green Screen Wizardry by Joliet Public Library (lobby)

11:30 a.m. El Mago Magical Wizard (pavilion)

Noon: Royal Parade & Coronation of Guests (pavilion) followed by

Maypole Dancing (by fountain)

12:30 p.m. Medievalist Xander Sobecki & His Suit of Armor (pavilion)

1 p.m. El Mago Magical Wizard

1:30 p.m. Eric of Campbell on his cigar box guitar (pavilion)

2 p.m. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (bandshell, hill seating)

3 p.m. Medievalist Xander Sobecki & His Suit of Armor (pavilion)

4:30 p.m. Eric of Campbell (R. Metz) on his cigar box guitar (pavilion)

5 p.m. Fest bids farewell 'til next year!

ABOUT

"Shakespeare & Art In The Park" from previous years has gone through a renaissance the whole family will enjoy! So, what's new? More activities for more ages! We've broaden the appeal to even non-Shakespeare fans . . .yet.

The outdoor grounds will take on the look of an outdoor medieval fair featuring a large Maypole, parade of royalty, kids' make-n-take crafting kingdom, stockade (next to the kids' area, of course!) alchemist, archery, ax throwing, magician, Medievalist and his suit of armor, green screen magic with a castle and dragon, community mural project (add your touch!), live music, merchants, food and refreshments.

The featured live Shakespearian play will still hold court, of course!

Moved to the large bandshell stage, patrons may enjoy lawn seating on the lush hill. Hence, the ol' "Shakespeare & Art In The Park" has been newly knighted "Ye Olde May Fest" in 2024.

MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

May 18 (Saturday) 3 and 7 p.m.

May 19 (Sunday) 2 p.m.

Bring blankets and chairs for hill seating by the bandshell for one of Shakespeare's favorite comedies! Falstaff decides to fix his financial woe by seducing the wives of two wealthy merchants. The wives find he sent them identical letters and take revenge by playing tricks on Falstaff when he comes calling.

FREE PARKING

South of the Jefferson Street bridge (immediate right before crossing) and off the Cass Street bridge (immediate left after crossing).

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The play will be moved indoors to the theatre.

CONTACT

bipark@joliet.gov

815-724-3761

INFORMATION

bicentennialpark.org

Off-site and in the Background

So this is a photo from last year's "Shakespeare and Art in the Park" at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

That's because it's been an intense week with Ron's passing and no one remembered to take one. They also forgot to bring the tent and got sunburned on Sunday.

But the photo doesn't really matter. It's the fact that three of my adult kids - and Jasmine - picked up my slack.

BryonySeries had two tables among the other artists this year, and I didn't work not even one of the four days of this annual event.

I did make a brief appearance on Saturday night, but only because I was working for The Herald-News this past weekend and was covering the event.

We marketed the event less than I had planned, and we sold less than I had hoped (six books to four customers who were really excited to have them, I'm told).

But that doesn't really matter either.

What matters is that I have some really awesome people in my life who picked up my slack so I could meet all my deadlines at work, my commitment to the event at Bicentennial Park, and (most importantly), be present for my family at the time they most needed me.

I'm very thankful.

No Sue's Diner This Week

Good morning!

Between working straight through until Tuesday and spending the rest of my time at hospice, well, most of my social media will "pause" for a few days.

That said, yes, I am fine, although the next few days will be challenging for my family, so please send up good thoughts/prayers, etc. as Ron (my stepchildren's father and my children's stepfather) transitions from life to eternal life.

In the meantime, you can enjoy last week's recipe.

I will most likely be at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre's Shakespeare and Art in the Park, at least some of the time, since The Herald-News asked me to cover it.

Also, we attended last year and we (Timothy, Rebekah, Daniel and I) really enjoyed it and were looking forward to it.

The show was fantastic and the park atmosphere gorgeous and relaxing. We've had a lot of "life stuff" tossed our way lately and need the time to just bask.

And I hope all of you make time to bask today, too, whether or not you are experiencing challenges in your own life.

BryonySeries at Coriolanus - Shakespeare & Art in the Park

If you live, or will be visiting, the Will County area next weekend, come out to Bicentennial Park to check out BryonySeries books and enjoy a live, outdoor performance of Shakespeare's tragedy "Coriolanus," complete with full stage combat.

The show starts at 7 p.m. May 18, May 19, and May 20, and 2 p.m. May 21 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet.

The "Art in the Park" portion of the event begins one hour before showtime. BryonySeries books, along with WriteOn Joliet anthologies, will also be available for sale during intermission and for a short time after each performance.

Admission to all events is free.

For more information, visit bryonyseries.com and bicentennialpark.org.

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Art in the Park, Part Two: Kindness and Art

This is a proud mom moment.

A few weeks ago, BryonySeries was part of "Shakespeare and Art in the Park" at the Billie Limahcer Bicentennial Park and Theatre.

On artist, by the name (I believe) of Elvin stopped by the table and wanted to buy three Bertrand the Mouse books for a relative with autism.

We were running a special during the event. For every fifteen dollars spent, a customer would also receive a gift card to the Book and Bean Cafe and a one dollar in Bryony Bucks.

But when Rebekah ran his debit card, the artist had insufficient funds. He insisted otherwise, so Rebekah ran it again. Unfortunately, the card would not go through.

So he sadly put the books down and returned to his table.

Later, Timothy came by the table and asked if I wanted to take a quick walk outside. He asked how sales were going, and I told him what happened. He exclaimed, "That isn't right!" and hurried back to the BryonySeries table.

He then bought all nine Bertrand the Mouse books - which also came with three gift cards and three Bryony Bucks. And then he gave them to Elvin.

Shortly afterwards, Elvin brought two pieces of art to our table. I protested - he didn't need to reciprocate; the Bertrand books were gifts.

Elvin got all choked up and said, "You're making me cry."

So we accepted the art. Aren't the pieces gorgeous?

You should know that my house is filled with art and artifcats that are gifts from others.

But Timothy will wind up with a house filled with art from local artists he personally supported.

Read this story of how Timothy supported and encouraged a teen artist.

And if you're out and about the Joliet area tomorrow night (June 10), stop by the BryonySeries table at New Orleans North and say, "Hi."

We will be there.

Art in the Park, Part One: Dictionary Pens

"What's your favorite color?" Deanna Opsahl asked Rebekah and me during last week's "Shakespeare and Art in the Park" event at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre in Joliet.

Deanna is the long-time office assistant at the park and one of the nicest people will you ever meet.

"Geen," Rebekah said without hesitation.

"Blue," I replied.

Soom, Deanna had returned with the pens you see below.

The "pen" parts are just regular old pens.

The "feather" parts are from an old dictionary that beloned to Deanna's mother.

Deanna made more of these at the event. I don't know if she was selling them or giving them away.

But what a lovely idea!

BryonySeries and "Shakespeare and Art in the Park”

If you come out to "Shakespeare and Art in the Park” on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre in Joliet, be sure to stop by the BryonySeries table and check out our books and a special offer.

Every person who buys one (or more) of these combinations will receive a $5 gift card to the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet, which is inside the Joliet Public Library, Black Road branch. 

Gift cards are not limited to one per customer. But for each additional gift card, you must still purchase one of these four combinations.

1) One "regular" young adult or adult BryonySeries book (choices include any book in the "drop of blood" trilogy, Lycanthropic Summer, The Phoenix, Ruthless by Ed Calkins Steward of Tara or any of the Before the Blood books) or Nine Months of Kindness.

2) Any two books in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series.

3) Any three books in the Bertrand the Mouse series.

4) All three of our BryonySeries cookbooks.

To check out our books, visit https://www.bryonyseries.com/