====== Step Spritely ======

=====History=====
Ealdormere's Premier [[activities:arts_sciences:dance]] event

===== Description =====
Step Spritely is a day of renaissance dance and music classes followed by a Renaissance Feast and Ball organized and hosted by the Ealdormere [[groups:guilds_and_orders:Dance Scuola]] under the sponsorship of a local Canton or Barony. 

It is as part of an inter kingdom circuit of dance events that range from the Atlantic coast in Rhode Island to the banks of the Mississippi River, just this side of St Louis.  

===== Location =====
From 2009 to 2013, Steps was held in [[branches:canton:Vest Yorvik]], mundanely Mississauga, Ontario.  It has also been hosted by Canton [[branches:canton:der Welfengau]], the Barony of [[branches:barony:Ramshaven]] and others.

=====Date=====
Often the second or third weekend in February.

===== Garb =====
During the day, classes are held in mundanes and out of Persona to provide a clear break from "learning ABOUT historical dance" and "Recreating Renaissance activities".  

When people change into Garb for the evening, they are invited to take a moment to think about their personae.  Whether this is just a name or a fully researched 'possible character', everyone is encouraged to step back in time and enter what has been called "The Dream".  Steps is an opportunity to discuss things from one's persona's point of view, to avoid modern topics of discussion and to actively enjoy history 'as it should have been'.

===== Court =====
Traditionally, court at Step Spritely is modeled after those of the late renaissance.  Instead of the formal sit down activity at most SCA events, the Reigning Nobles (Royal or Baronial) open their court immediately as they enter the hall.  This is usually once the classes are over and everyone is in Garb.  This court remains open throughout the Evening Revel and only closes when Rulers take their leave.  Items of Court Business occur at anytime, at the pleasure of the Crown or Coronets.

For context, imagine the following scenario:
<blockquote>His Majesty asks a young lady to dance.  At the end of the dance, rather than walking her back to her chair, he summons His Seneschal and Herald and proceeds to award her Arms.  Regardless of the fact this was planned all along, receiving an award in this manner will make a very fond memory for her as well as all those at the ball. </blockquote>
<blockquote> Should His Majesty not wish to overshadow the lady with His Dance Prowess, he could make prior engagements for her partner to 'introduce her to the Court', at which point He can make the Award as described above.</blockquote>

===== Food and Drink=====
  * The event always includes drinks such as lemon water, tea, coffee and sekanjabin at no charge.
  * Since the dancing goes until early the next morning, all recent Steps have included a healthy snack around 11:PM.  
  * Step Spritely's focus is Dance.  More often than not, there is no Feast and participants either go out for dinner or order food in.  
  * If the site has an awesome kitchen and if the sponsoring group is enthusiastic about cooking, a Feast can be integrated into the event.  The best received feasts have been single course (aka remove), nutritious meals, redacted from period sources and timed to last no more than an hour from start to the final cleanup. 

=====Event Website=====
  * [[http://steps.gyges.org|Step Spritely]]

/* PLEASE DO NOT EDIT BELOW THIS POINT - TAGS FOR AUTO-GENERATED LISTS */
{{tag>activities:events:septentria}}