Open Saturdays and Sundays and Memorial Day, April 13th through June 2nd, 2013.

Special Hotel Rates for Festival Guests!

Workshops and Classes

An Innovative Educational Adventure

These interactive workshops are offered each Student Day:

	WEAPONS OF WAR Knowledge of the many weapons of war was a vital skill in the 16th Century! Before each joust, Sir Mauldron and his fellow knights will demonstrate the uses of a shield, battleaxe, broadsword, mace, and the most deadly of all - the lance!
	CONVERSATION WITH LEONARDO DA VINCI Signore Da Vinci - inventor, architect, sculptor, painter, mathematician - a true Renaissance man! He will lead the class on the proportioning of the human body using his classic sketch "The Vitruvian Man". Did you know that your pinky finger is the exact length of your nose? Learn this and much more! Leonardo will also discuss two of his most famous paintings: "The Last Supper" and "La Giaconda" - the "Mona Lisa". He will explain the different painting methods used in each and the symbolism in his masterpieces!
	THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII His Most Royal Majesty, King Henry VIII himself, will take you through the history of each of his marriages, explaining why each marriage ended the way it did...!

	INTERVIEW WITH THE KING AND QUEEN Their Most Royal Majesties King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn, along with the rest of the Royal Court, will take questions from students on what a typical day might be like for royalty and nobility during the Renaissance!*
	LANGUAGE AND MANNERISMS OF THE 16TH CENTURY Follow along as two of our colorful villagers instruct thee in the fine art of language and mannerisms in the 16th Century! Students will learn the proper way to greet one another, how to bow and curtsey, how to escort a lady properly, and why you never, EVER hold hands palm-to-palm!
	RENAISSANCE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Demonstrations and instructions on the music and history of many Renaissance instruments including the harp, pennywhistle, tin whistle, recorder, and squeezebox.
	SUPERSTITIONS OF THE 16TH CENTURY How do you ward off the evil eye? How do you keep fairies out of the barn? What makes the milk go sour? These superstitions may sound silly to us in this day and age, but they were very real to the people of the Renaissance! This interactive class discusses some of the more common superstitions and the steps to take to protect yourself from harm!
	FOOD & SPICES OF THE RENAISSANCE No refrigerator? No grocery store? How and where did the people of the 16th century get a bit to eat? And what did they eat? The Hounourable Lord Mayor will educate you on the difference between the food of a pauper and the meal of a king? (And why you would NEVER be seen using a fork in the English court!)
	SHAKESPEARE'S GREATEST HITS Monologues from some of Shakespeare's most well known and loved plays are brought to life before your eyes! Your students will "die" to be a part of this interactive presentation, sampling the poetry and prose of the Great Bard!
	OTTOMAN & GYPSY FOLKTALES Immerse yourselves in the art of story telling. Students will be mesmerized by captivating tales told by Aydin Budala the Ottoman Turk and Gypsy Violet. Their clever narratives are painted with a colorful tapestry of words that make their stories come alive!
	A WEAVER'S TALES OF TRAVEL & INTRIGUE Maeve Woolton O’Byrne, a quiet woman of distinguished courage and ability, admired for her brave deeds and noble qualities, weaves for the listener tales of travel and intrigue. Her story is one of contrast. Is she a peasant or heroine, a liar or honorable, a home body or traveler? Whatever she is her story is steeped in historical accuracy with details of her journeys which may or may not be true.