Norwescon 2010 Recreation Groups

The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
www.SCA.org G.Robin Smith – Marketing Coordinator for the SCA, Inc. marketing@sca.org
The SCA is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. Our "Known World" consists of 19 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members residing in countries around the world. Participants, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which may feature tournaments, arts exhibits, classes, workshops, dancing, feasts, and more. Our "royalty" hold courts at which they recognize and honor members for their contributions to the group. The SCA started in 1966, when a few friends who were history buffs and science fiction/fantasy fans hosted a big outdoor party in Berkeley, California. The invitation stated that a Tournament would be held on the first of May, summoning "all knights to defend in single combat the title of 'fairest' for their ladies."
The Interactive History Company
www.InteractiveHistory.net A professional company of educational enthusiasts demonstrating History from the Ancient Mediterranean, to Medieval, to English Renaissance, to American Colonial and Civil Wars. This is not a fan group. It’s professional education in costume. Begun in 1981 as A Knight’s Tour.

Dagorhir was founded in 1977 by a bunch of college friends who shared an enthusiasm for Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and medieval history. Combining elements of both history and fantasy it has fast-paced full-contact combat simulation with elements of live action role-playing. Their national event Ragnorok, held in Ohio began in 1986 and now draws a large crowd from all over the U.S, although not as large a gathering as Pennsic is for the SCA. The local branch is located in Bremerton and called Talinor.
http://www.dagorhir.com/dagorhir/dagorhir.htm
http://www.talinor.org/

The Realm of Chivalry (ROC)
Website is currently only partially functional and they are in the process of installing a new regent due to the untimely passing of their current king. Washington State is the Kingdom of Treloria. The first monarchs were in 1994, so this is a younger group than the SCA or Dagohir.
http://www.therealmofchivalry.org/index.html

Glamfolk
The Glamfolk are a Puget Sound-based society of reenactors dedicated to the study and recreation of life during the Viking Age (circa 700-1066 A.D.). They support and encourage the study and re-creation of Viking Age life or that of the many other cultures that the Scandinavian people encountered during that time though public displays and demonstrations of authentic crafts, skills, and encampments. They are usually seen at Poulsbo at Viking Fest, the SCA event Autumn War in Randle, the medieval demo June Faire in Port Gamble, as well as many other events found on their web calendar. They are a solid set of resources for this culture and time frame.
http://glamfolk.com/

House Ravenstead
Another local group of reenactors, the Ravenstead household is dedicated to studying the arts and sciences of the Norse culture during the “Viking Era” (700-1066 AD) and re-enacting the lifestyle of that era in their encampments. They are predominantly a Norse household: including Danes, Swedes, Rus, and Byzantine Norse, while some of the members have Anglo/Saxon, Irish, and Welsh persona.
The goals of the household are to further the study of Viking Era life, to support household members as they develop their Norse persona and gather their camp items, and to create a period atmosphere at the Ravenstead encampments at SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) events. New household members have a one-year probationary period. During this period, the member must work toward acquiring period garb and equipment appropriate to a Norse encampment of the Viking era (700 - 1066 AD). New members will be assisted by the household toward this goal, but the primary responsibility is with the member. Household members must not have any other SCA household affiliations or other oaths or fealties to SCA (official or unofficial) organizations, fealty to the Crown excepted. The household members will assist in the setup, tear down, clean up, and other camp tasks (cooking, etc.) of Ravenstead encampments. Members will attend one household meeting/workparty a month, events/weather/schedule permitting. Members are expected to maintain a period camp approximately equal to the rest of the household. Support household involvement at An Tir Norse Learning Days (August) or one of the two public demonstrations (May and October). Donate one prize per year ($20 minimum value) to support household-sponsored events. http://ravenstead.org/

Fort Nisqually Foundation
Tacoma-based living history for the Fur Trade era) here in Washington State, based on Fort Nisqually (1833 – 1869) at Point Defiance Park and operated as a Living History Museum by the Metro Parks Tacoma. Their library is open to the public on Thursdays and they have a wide variety of classes and events year round. The Fort Nisqually Foundation began in 1994 and has beensupporting the pursuit of all available sources of funding to support the restoration, preservation, historical interpretation and education programs of Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, a restored Hudson's Bay Company trading post and headquarters of the Puget Sound Agricultural Company.
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=825

Somewhere in Time (Seattle, WA & Portland, OR)
Sponsors historic costumed social events which reflect the most enjoyable aspects of past eras, beginning their ‘season’ with an opulent holiday ball. Events may include a potluck meal or tea, contests and games, period music, dancing, entertainment, or trips to historic sites. They are fun for families, couples or singles and may be in or out of doors, depending upon the season. They have a sewing circle and newsletter for members, with many events having lower costs for members.
http://situseattle.com/



Beyond Reality Costumers Guild, part of the International Costumers Guild
Not a historical re-enactment group per se, but many of the members are historical re-enactors for a variety of eras. Sewing nights are hosted in many locations of the Puget Sound including the East Side, Kent, and Tacoma, WA. BeyondCon in February is a small con run by the BRCG featuring only costuming related panels and workshops.
http://brcg.org/

The Fantasy Alternative (TFA)
Located in the Puget Sound region since 1981 and begun by Dameon Willich, TFA has challenged the young of heart to play in the great outdoors with their motto “Education through Entertainment.” They strive to educate through their LARPs, community outreach, demos at schools & libraries, parades and theatrical performances with their sub-divisions The Seattle Knights and Pirates of Puget Sound. The basic age requirement is 18 and up, with special membership for ages 16 if accompanied by a parental or legal guardian member.
http://www.thefantasyalternative.com/index.htm

Civil War Reenactors are a very large sub-set of historical reenactors. The Washington Civil War Association has a listing of links to many of the local groups interested in this period of history on their website, as well as national organizations. These could include Confederacy or Union groups, Muzzle-loaders, Black powder, or simply United States Victorian era history. The basic kits are more comprehensive and specific in requirements than those for the SCA.
http://www.wcwa.net/links/history.htm

Powwows
The Native American people's way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships and make new ones while renewing thought of the old ways and preserving a rich heritage. Knowing the different types of dance styles makes watching powwows fun and there are always a couple of songs where all of the audience is invited to join in the dance.. The men and boys have Fancy Dancing, Grass Dancing and Traditional Dancing. The women and girls have Fancy Shawl Dancing, Jingle Dancing, and Traditional Dancing. From jingles to feathers, buckskin to bustles, outfits have different looks to match different types of dance.Powwows.com is a good source of knowledge about the different styles of dancing and customs, the etiquette an observer should follow, and when the powwows will occur nationwide. SeaFair Indian Days in July and Chief Seattle Days in August are two of the more publicly advertised ones in our area, although the Puyallup and Muckleshoot tribes, among others, host many more.
www.powwows.com

Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain
Interested in wooden ship sailing and days of yore? Try volunteering with Washington’s own Tall Ships! The Lady Washington is Washington State’s Official Ship, accompanied by the Hawaiian Chieftain accompanies her on her voyages and goodwill missions to ports in Washington, Oregon, California, and British Columbia. Ships and crews provide educational, vocational, recreational, and ambassadorial activities and experiences that promote and preserve the maritime history of Grays Harbor, the Pacific Northwest, and our nation while serving the needs of the community. Many of the crew volunteer positions do not require previous maritime experience and you can try “two weeks before the mast” or even work towards full-time employment as a crew member!
http://www.ladywashington.org/

SteamPunk – Seattle SteamRats and Tacoma Tassles
An informal, convivial association of like-minded individuals, with an appreciation of the Steampunk aesthetic, philosophy, and/or lifestyle, working as a resource and aid to those residing in the Puget Sound area. Many members are involved in running SteamCon, begun in 2009 and attended by Steampunk afficiandos worldwide. Diana Vick is a primary contact for both SteamRats and SteamCon.
http://seattlesteamrats.com/

SF Northwest
A website geared towards collecting information about fannish groups, organizations and activities for fandom in the Pacific Northwest.
http://www.sfnorthwest.org/clubs.html


Histrenact - The Historical Reenactment Web Site – UK based Search engine and directory of the global historical reenactment community containing links to reenactment societies, trader details and other information for the global reenactment community, broken out into sections.
Roman Pre-Roman 400ADEarly civilisations including the Roman Empire
Darkage 400-1066ADSaxon and Dark Age civilisations
Viking 800-1150ADThe Viking civilisation
Mediaeval 1066-1599ADEarly and Late mediaeval civilisations
English Civil WarEnglish Civil War
High English 1600-1800ADTwo hundred years of civilisation
Victorian 1800-1900ADOne hundred years of civilisation
20th Century 1900-2000Twentieth century civilisation and the Great Wars
http://www.histrenact.co.uk/index.php

Jonnalyhn Wolfcat
G.Robin Smith