When worlds collide

Renaissance ArtsFaire welcomes all time travelers

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Over the last few years, the Doña Ana Arts Council has worked diligently to reimagine their 53-year-old Renaissance ArtsFaire as something less, well, dated.

What started out, as all do, with a medieval sensibility that brought back a prosperous period of artistic rejuvenation has slowly morphed into a time traveler’s catch-all of times, places and cultures. The result is a literal cornucopia of possibilities for creators of every assortment.

Billed as the largest juried art show in southern New Mexico, attracting over 150 artists, vendors and food booths, the atmosphere is still festive and the offerings are still diverse. You’ll still find original, handcrafted items, including jewelry, pottery and ceramics, photographs, leather goods, paintings and drawings, sculpture, toys, textiles and wood. These days, however, fantasy and science fiction are every bit as common as historical recreations.

Present still are the wide range of musical performances and acts on the Main Stage, the Royal Courts, the Middle Eastern Village, the Children’s Realm, on the Jousting Field and around the lake. You’ll still find performances by The Order of Epona, Frosty Locks, Empire Pipes and Drums, Karuna and the New World Drummers and Dancers, the Queen’s Court, the Crimson Bear Court and the Society for Creative Anachronism. These days the offerings also include Mermaid Jade, the Cycling Unicorn, Odd Lab, Ballet Folklorico Corazon and one-man-band Daniel Eady.

What’s really different, however, is the audience. In its ongoing crusade to raise attendance, the Arts Council has raised the stakes, by making costumes of every variety not just welcome, but admissible. Good news for the cosplayers among us.

“If you show up in a costume, no matter what you’re wearing, it should work,” said Doña Ana Arts Council Executive Director Karrie Porter. “There’s this funny thing that seems to be happening at Ren Faires all across the country, where people show up wearing Star Trek uniforms or dressed like H.G. Wells’ time traveller, with a steampunk look. Some people invest a lot of time, effort and money into these costumes, so we’re saying anybody who dresses up in a costume can get in for the reduced amount of seven dollars.”

Though Porter is new to the arts council, having taken over the reins in late August, she has dived right in with gusto. “I attended last year as a citizen,” she said. “I had no idea that the position at the arts council was going to open up, or that I was going to apply for it, so I just enjoyed it as an attendee. It was a lot of fun, and now I’m running it.”

The new council leader wants everybody to know that despite the change in leadership, she’s done her homework and is 100 percent dedicated to making this year’s ArtsFaire an event to remember.

“What I discovered is, a lot of other towns have begun to copy our Ren Faire,” she said. “They’re popping up all over the country, but what we accomplish in one weekend rivals anything other folks do in the more permanent Ren Faire locations over six weeks. That’s exciting, and I truly believe opening it up to all kinds of costumes will make it even better. Our attendees have become part of the spectacle, they’re just so fascinating to watch!”

You’ll also be happy to know that one big missing component will be back this year. “Last year, everybody missed the turkey legs,” Porter said. “This year we have two or three vendors who are covering turkey legs. Food is a big deal, especially faire food, so this year we want people to know we’ve upped our game.”

The Doña Ana Arts Council’s 53rd Annual Renaissance ArtsFaire returns to Young Park, 850 S. Walnut St., Las Cruces, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3. Tickets day-of-event are $10 for adults; military/seniors/costumed are $7; students between 12 and 18 are $5; children under 12 are free. Info: DAArts.org/Renaissance-Artsfaire/.

Renaissance ArtsFaire, Las Cruces

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