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For the Adventurous
Flight of the Raptor and the Royal Falconer once more takes to the skies of Bristol. Master Falconer, Ray Pena, returns this year to thrill and delight audiences by bringing to life the ancient art and sport of falconry.

For the Family
The Wash Well Wenches take up residence in Bristol to earn a living by cleaning laundry or by marrying a wealthy man.

THE TORTUGA TWINS

The Tortuga Twins are funny, fast, wacky and they’re coming to Bristol! It is time for madcap tale telling and high-energy entertainment featuring the internationally known (Canada and the USÑthat counts right?) Tortuga Twins ... all three of them!

THE DEAD CREW OF ODDWOOD

The Dread Crew of Oddwood is a seven member celtic pirate rock band from San Diego. Forming in fall of 2008, this adventurous and outrageously energetic group of brigands has already taken renaissance fair circuits, pub communities, private parties, conventions, and various music venues by storm throughout California and Arizona, prior to kicking off their first national tour. They have a slew of valiant, terrifying, and amusing songs and joined the select lineup of musicians included on the popular New Orleans music preservation CD series, Lafitte's Return.

Featuring Captain Wolfbeard O'Brady on accordion and tin whistle, Quartermaster Nathaniel Grizzlejaw on anglo concertina, First Mate Riven Rahl on toy piano, Carpenter Ruba Jouba on mandolin, Boatswain Finwe Theodore on guitar and flute, Navigator Smithy Crow on double bass, and Gun Master Castle on drums and percussion, Oddwood is steadfast gaining popularity in the pirate music genre with their epic seafaring sound and extensive vocal harmonization. Their debut album, Reign the Helm, features not only distinctive original work, but their critically-acclaimed covers from the spectrum of traditional Irish music to video game soundtracks as well.

MAROONED
Marooned - August 7th - One Day Only! Stealing the stages of Dan the Bard, these a cappella pirates are making a special stopover to help kick off the invasion. Come hear why, the “pirates from the desert” are still going strong after 15 years.

DRUNK & SAILOR
Drunk & Sailor - August 7th & 8th Ð One Weekend Only! Phillip is usually the drunk, and Capt Amos is usually the sailor. Sometimes they're both drunk, and sometimes they're both sailors. Every once in a great while they are both drunk and both sailors. The musical stylings of this comedic pirate duo are fast becoming a favorite. Come join them at the Pig & Whistle to hear for yourself!

CAPTAIN JAMES ALDAY AND THE CREW OF THE TRINITY GILBERT
Captain James Alday and the Crew of the Trinity Gilbert - Daily Ð Throughout the Shire. The sworn enemies of Robin Hood, this band of pirates seek to take Bristol for their own, or to destroy the village in their attempt!

THREE BLUEBEARD
Thee Bluebeard - Dail - Throughout the Shire. A pirate come ashore for some quiet time away from the sea, this merry pirate is easily identified by his blue beard and gentle wit.

ABSINTHE MINDED PROFESSORS
Absinthe Minded Professors - ONE DAY ONLY - August 15th. The Absinthe Minded Professors combine science fiction storytelling and classical music in a bizarre fusion that evokes a gritty future past that never was, popularly known as “Steampunk.” Drawing on historical seeds Joshua Safford creates strange fantasy that is colored by Mich RegierÕs textured strings warping the classics. Stop by the Bristol Renaissance Faire in time for the patron “Steampunk Invasion.”

AXEL THE SOT

Axel the Sot - Rated R. As heard on DOCTOR DEMENTO! Ahoy Matey! Climb on board with the “Original Drunken Sailor” for a Comedy Show filled with Naughty Songs, Memorable Toasts, Bawdy Jokes & Outrageous Limericks. A 25 year veteran of the Festival circuit, your day at the Bristol Renaissance Festival just isn’t complete without setting sail and sharing a laugh with this Seasoned and (very) Salty Sailor!

SUITCASE SHAKESPEARE
Suitcase Shakespeare - bringing new audiences to Shakespeare through their inspired and avant garde reduced Shakespeare. Unlike other troupes in the nation, “Suitcase Shakes” does not seek to mock Shakespeare’s work, but instead to make it more approachable to new generations of fans. For this year? What would the Year of Romance be without Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo & Juliet? Join Suitcase Shakespeare for their masked performance of the Bard’s great classic, in 30 minutes. Truly entertaining for the entire family.

BROON
Broon - Returning to Bristol to finish out our season is BROON! Comedy, stunts and antics that have become a fan favorite at the show. Also not to be missed is the 6pm MooNie and BROON show where virtually anything can happen, and normally does.

KENNY KLEIN
Kenny Klein - What better way to celebrate a successful guest weekend at Bristol last year, than by expanding to three weekends this year? Author, musician, and all around lover of the Muses, Kenny Klein returns. One of the nation’s top gypsy violinists, Kenny Klein’s shows are filled with mirth, mischief and mysticism.

THOMAS WOOD - PYROJUGGLER
Thomas Wood - Pyrojuggler - Juggler, fire-eater, comedian, adventurer Thomas Wood has it all. In a show that is witty, and engaging for the entire family, the Pyrojuggler delivers enough jokes and flames to fill his stage ten times over. With a show that is often, quite literally, a storm of fire, you mustnÕt miss this new Bristol favorite.

DR. KABOOM

Dr. Kaboom! - Returning to Bristol, the happiest mad-scientist that one will ever meet! Dr. Kaboom’s hands on science lessons are fun for the entire family. Returning from his tour of Ireland, Dr.Kaboom comes home to Bristol to help us finish out our season.

When we first heard of David Epley’s idea for a science comedy show, we loved it so much that Bristol was one of the first festivals to book it! Doktor Kaboom has quickly become a fan favorite, and not just for us. He keeps coming back home to Bristol, but has been filling the rest of his year with performances at theatres all over the country, and is starting to spread his reach world-wide. This past June, he was invited to compete, and was a finalist, in the Street Performance World Championships, held every year in Dublin, Ireland. Just yesterday he received a request to bring his show to Brazil next April. Unfortunately, he had to turn Brazil down, as he’s already booked for that time... at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.! That’s right, our very own Doktor Kaboom is booked at the nation’s Performing Arts Center for the first 10 days of April, 2011. So come on out, join us in congratulating him on his continued success, and see our very own preview of a Kennedy Center Performance! Lookout, SCIENCE is coming!
Kennedy Center Appearance
www.doktorkaboom.com/schedule.php

For Children
Punch and Judy return to the Kid’s Kingdom stage with new, family friendly, stories of Mr. Punch.

 

KIDDIE QUEST

Kiddie Quest (new for 2010!) - Specifically for our players aged 6-10, join Argyle the Troll as he hunts for his armor to defeat the newest dragon in Bristol and share the dragon’s treasure with all who help him! This 30 minute quest begins at the RenQuest Camp twice daily and costs $5 per child to play. Size is limited - so sign up early! Parents must accompany children while on the quest.

CUTLASS COOKING

Cutlass Cooking returns to Kid’s Kingdom with their latest show, Party Parley. The hapless sailors are going to need all the help they can get if they are to be able to prepare the party for her majesty.

WOLGEMUT

Wolgemut appearing Weekends 2, 3 and 4 (July 17-August 1).