A fun-filled day of education and enjoyment of the arts & sciences
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025, 8:30am – 6:00pm
Lake Villa Township Community Center
37850 N. IL. Route 59
Lake Villa, IL 60046
Less than a quarter-mile south of IL Rt 132
maps.google.com pointer
Navigation app users: Type in the actual address rather than looking for it by name or you may be misdirected.
Brewing/vintning classes will be at the adjacent Church of the Holy Family, 25291 W Lehman Blvd, Lake Villa, IL 60046.
Both sites are mobility-accessible (ramps, paved parking, elementary-school-type restrooms).
Please be aware that day-camp space is very limited this year, especially in the morning (due to the gym being unavailable). However, we will get the populace space opened up as quickly as possible.
Registration (includes lunch)
| Adult (16+) | $25 | Adult with Member Discount | $15 |
| Youth (6-15) | $8 | 5 and under | $0 |
| Family (2 adult members + 2 or more youth) | $46 | Merchant (1 8×8 space w/table & 2 chairs) | $15 |
Alcohol is permitted ONLY in the brewing/vintning classes – the rest of the site is BONE DRY. IDs will be checked at the Gate for B&V activities and wristbands for persons age 21+ will ONLY be issued there.
NO SMOKING IS PERMITTED AT EITHER SITE.
Please note: Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to ensure the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events. By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge and accept the potential risks. You agree to take any additional steps to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as you believe to be necessary.
THE SCA PROHIBITS HARASSMENT AND BULLYING OF ALL INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS.
Participants engaging in this behavior are subject to appropriate sanctions. If you are subjected to harassment, bullying, or retaliation, or if you become aware of anyone being harassed or bullied, contact a seneschal, President of the SCA, or your Kingdom’s Board Ombudsman.
NO SMOKING IS PERMITTED AT EITHER SITE. THE MAIN CLASS/SALON BUILDING (COMMUNITY CENTER) IS BONE DRY. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Staff
Event Stewards: The Honorable Metylda of Ravenslake (she/her) Co-Steward email and the Honorable Margrett Norwoode of Bristol (she/her) Co-Steward email / 847-525-1997 evenings
Class/Salon Coordinator: Mistress Maggie of Cnoc Cait (she/her) Class & Salon email / 815-403-1965 evenings
Lunch: the Honorable Seathan MacDhabhidh (he/him) Lunch email / 847-321-5600
Longshoreman: Master Alexander de Seton (he/him) Facilities & Equipment email / 815-403-1964 before 9pm
Merchants: the Honorable Seathan MacDhabhidh (he/him) Merchant Liaison email / 847-321-5600
Royalty Liaison: HE Baroness Umm Iskandar Mihri (she/her) Royalty Liaison email
Gate: the Noble Eilaswintha Buchwald (she/her) Gate email
Youth Activities: Lady Susanna Merrybegot (she/her) Youth Activities email
Webster: Dame Marie la Fauconniere (she/her) Webster email
Lunch:
Your choice of lunch is included in your site fee. Ingredient lists and sandwich options may be updated closer to the event date and will be posted in the serving area. Disposable plates will be provided – feast gear is not needed, except for your drinking vessel.
If you have any questions or allergy concerns please contact the Lunch Steward Email
Lunch 1: Choice of soup with bread or crackers, choice of side and dessert.
Lunch 2: Sandwich and chips, choice of side and dessert.
Lunch 3: Small soup, 1/2 sandwich, choice of side and dessert.
Soups: (updated as of 9 November)
–Vegetable soup: Olive oil, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, parsnip, tomatoes, potatoes, parsley, salt, pepper, green beans, corn, peas, sweet potato, zucchini, mushroom powder, vegetable broth.
–Chicken soup: Swanson chicken broth, chicken-flavor “Better than Bouillon”, celery, carrots, green beans, onion, parsley, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, chicken.
–Ham & Bean soup: Virginia ham, Great Northern beans, cabbage, carrots, shallots, potatoes, bay leaf, sage, garlic.
Sandwich options: Ham, turkey, cheese (cheddar, Swiss, provolone), peanut butter, sunflower butter, jam, chocolate spread (sugar, cocoa, palm oil, vanillin)
Sides and Desserts: Assorted chips, carrots, apples, cookies
Beverages: water, lemonade
Lodging:
No motel blocks have been arranged for the event. Several motels in varying price ranges are available in Gurnee (I-94 at Grand Avenue/Rt 132), approximately 30 minutes from the event site.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Royalty Retainers: Her Majesty Queen Kemma is planning to grace our event with Her presence. Please consider helping us welcome Her by signing up for a shift as a retainer. The signup link is Retain for HRM Kemma at Artisans’ Day
Mugs for Newcomers: It has become a well-loved custom in the MidRealm for Their Majesties to present a mug or goblet to each newcomer in Their Courts as a symbol of welcome. Not surprisingly, They go through a lot of them!
Dame Marie will be collecting donated mugs, tankards, beakers, and goblets to restock Their Majesties’ supply. Items should be clean and in good condition, plausibly Period-looking, in wood, ceramic, glass, metal, or leather (no plastic, please!), without text, logos, branding, or other modern decoration. (If in doubt, consider whether you would be willing to be seen in your best garb at a feast, using the item yourself.)
There will be a collection point at the event, or contact Dame Marie at Newcomers’ Mugs if you have any questions.
General Schedule:
| Site Opens to Populace | 8:30 AM |
| Classes and Salons Begin | 9:30 AM |
| Quiet Room Available | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Lunch | Noon to 1:30 PM |
| Bardic Circle & “Bard of the Midlands” Competition | 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Classes End | 4:30 PM |
| Court | at Her Majesty’s convenience |
| Site Closes | 6:00 PM |
Classes (updated as of 9 November)
| CLASS NAME | TIME | LOCATION | INSTRUCTOR | CLASS DESCRIPTION | CLASS SIZE LIMIT | MATERIALS COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bead Fibula | 9:30AM – 10:30AM | Classroom 2 (New Wing) | Dame Nicholaa Halden (she/her) | Very early pins for securing clothing and for decoration. Beginner hands-on class with discussion on general use and applications. Wire and various beads will be available. Students will be able to make one or more pins using hand tools, wire (can be sharp), and beads. | Limit 10. Youth age 8 or older welcome with adult supervision. | optional donation for materials |
| Women Pirates | 9:30AM – 10:30AM | Classroom 4 (New Wing) | the Noble Susanna Merrybegot (she/her) | Piracy – it’s not just for Jack Sparrow anymore. We will discuss women who chose to take up the profession of piracy. What did it take to be a woman pirate in an occupation dominated by men? What were their motivations? What happened to them? Come and learn about these bold women through their stories and we’ll try to separate fact from fiction. Let’s dish out the dirt on these dastardly damsels! | no limit | no cost |
| Spanish Fencing Masters: An Overview | 9:30AM – 10:30AM | Classroom 6 (Gym Wing) | The Honorable Filidh Siobhan an Einigh of Connacht (they/them) | In this class we will discuss 6 Diestros behind classical Spanish fencing, La Verdadera Destreza de la Espada (Destreza). Who they were, how they were situated within the culture, and what they each added to the Destreza model. This class will also provide an overview of Destreza terminology, and students will walk away with a bibliography/resource list that can point them to English translations of the Spanish texts for their own future study. No swords needed – just the mightier pen if you want to take notes! | 10 printed handouts available (QR code also available for digital version) | no cost |
| Voice Projection | 10:30AM – 11:30AM | Classroom 2 (New Wing) | Master Alexander de Seton (he/him) | It’s not just for heralds! How to safely reach the back of the room with your voice. Vocal projection and the use of the facility where you are speaking: Court, List Field, making announcements at an event, or speaking in a class. | no limit | no cost |
| Bardic Consultation | 10:30AM – 12:30PM | Classroom 4 (New Wing) | Magister Hilla Stormbringer (she/they) | Do you have a bardic piece you’re working on and need feedback? Are you wanting to write a piece but you’re not sure where to begin? Do you have questions about, or do you want to just talk about Bardic Stuff? Hilla Stormbringer will be available for bardic consultation. Everyone welcome! Sign up for a time or just walk up! | N/A | no cost |
| Renaissance Games of Chance | 10:30AM – 11:30AM | Classroom 6 (Gym Wing) | HE Baron AElfred of Chester (he/him) | Gambling games using cards and dice were very popular during the Renaissance. Cities through out Europe tried to ban any kind of gambling game. This class will introduce the participants to both popular card and dice games. (Be careful if you are caught playing you may be fined 200 lire and have the gates to your house burned). | 10 | no cost |
| Counted Cross-Stitch | 11:30AM – 12:30PM | Classroom 2 (New Wing) | Dame Nicholaa Halden (she/her) | Beginner hands-on class with discussion on general use and applications. Simple practice kits (not Period but good practice) and hoops will be available. Students are welcome to bring their own materials. Please bring a small scissors. | Limit 10. Youth age 8 or older welcome with adult supervision. | optional donation for materials |
| Early Period Pyrography | 11:30AM – 12:30PM | Classroom 6 (Gym Wing) | The Honorable Malina an Eich Gil (she/her) | Ever wondered if those pretty wood-burned pieces extended beyond your summer camps as a child? Love the smell of a good campfire? Want to make your kit look more period? Come learn about Pyro-engraving/Pyrography and how it has existed since early times. Students will get a chance to see some of the newest research into early period pyro-engraving from the Nazca Empire, learn about its uses throughout history and even get a primer on how to start pyrography. A small gift will be given to students to get you started on your journey. All ages welcome. | no limit | optional donation for materials |
| Bayeux Tapestry Stitch | 1:30PM – 2:30PM | Classroom 2 (New Wing) | The Honorable Grainne inghea Donnchadh | Learn laid work by doing this hands on class. We talk a bit about how the Bayeux tapestry was made and appropriate materials used. Please bring an embroidery hoop and scissors. I supply needles, fabric, and thread. | no limit | $1 |
| A Peek Over the Hedge | 2:30PM – 3:30PM | Classroom 2 (New Wing) | The Honorable Grainne inghea Donnchadh | A look at the kinds of gardens and common plants used in Medieval English gardens. | no limit | no cost |
| An Apple A Day | 3:00PM – 4:00PM | Church social hall | Master Oswyn Swann (he/him) | A brief lecture on cider and cider styles, followed by a tasting of various styles of cider. | Limit 12. MUST BE AGE 21 OR OLDER TO PARTICIPATE IN TASTING | |
| Target Archery Arrow Making 101 | 3:30PM – 4:30PM | Classroom 2 (New Wing) | The Honorable Forester Reimar Erikson (he/him) | Basic arrow making for SCA target archery. Will cover equipment and techniques. | 15 | no cost |
Salons (updated as of 4 November)
What’s a salon? In pre-Revolutionary France, intellectuals and artists (and those who aspired to be known as such) were hosted by the social and cultural elite at gatherings known as salons. People of ideas and ability used these gatherings to network, exchange knowledge, and read from, perform, or otherwise show off their latest creations.
Artisans’ Day will offer a variety of 3-hour-long themed salons: time and space to gather with others who share your interest, to work on your own projects and share your knowledge, research, and resources. These are not structured, nor are they workshops – there’s no defined outcome or goal, other than the camaraderie of shared time and space working with others who have a common interest.
| THEME | SESSION | LOCATION | HOST | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Harness Weaving Workshop | All Day (begins 9:30AM) | Multi-purpose Room | Maitresse Audette la Tricoteuse de Saint Denis (she/her) | Have you ever wondered how to dress your loom? Or what that means? In this workshop, we will focus on multi-harness horizontal looms, and get them warped and ready for weaving. Examples of the looms intended are LeClerc Voyager or Dorothy looms, Louet Erica or Jane looms, Structo Artcraft looms, Mountain Looms and Ashford table looms. This workshop is not intended for rigid heddle looms or tape/inkle/card looms. This will be a hands on workshop with participants bringing their looms and working on them through the day. Attendees may come and go as needed during the workshop, but the more time spent in the workshop, the more we can get accomplished on your set up. Folks interested in learning about multi-harness weaving are welcome to drop in and observe, but the primary focus will be getting the looms on site set up for weaving. The instructor plans to bring some cones of yarn for attendee use, along with a warping reel, a warping board, and some additional tools to assist with the warping process. Any questions folks have prior to the workshop can be directed to Audette, at Weaving Workshop questions |
| Tactics in the Battle of Hastings | 9:30AM – 12 Noon and 1:30PM – 4:00PM | Classroom 1 (New Wing) | Lord Stephen Westbourg of Flanders (he/him) | Two sessions, morning and afternoon. Limit 8 active participants and a few spectators in each session. The first portion (approximately 45 minutes) of each session will be a discussion, based on research, of the unit tactics used in the 1066 CE Battle of Hastings. The remainder of each session will offer an opportunity to try fighting the battle itself using provided tabletop miniatures. |
| Instrumental Music | 1:30PM – 4:30PM | Classroom 4 (New Wing) | Master Robyyan Torr d’Elandris (he/him) | Bring an instrument, any instrument, and we’ll see what kind of music we can make. Or bring a question about an instrument, and we’ll see if we have answers. Or a discussion topic on instrumental music or composers. Let’s hang out and do music things together! |
| Have a Fit: Personal Measurements for Early Period Garb | 1:30PM – 4:30PM | Classroom 6 (Gym Wing) | Dame Marie la Fauconniere (she/her) | Planning on new garb? Clothes that fit correctly are more comfortable, waste less fabric, and look better on you, too. Sign up for a measurements session and walk away with all of your key measurements from head to toe, on one easy sheet! Taking measurements will be easier and more accurate if your current garb is somewhat close fitting, but we’ll work with what you have on – NO disrobing required. Each session should take no more than 30 minutes; the last session will begin at 4:00PM. |
| Calligraphy and Illumination | 1:30PM – 4:30PM | Gym Space 1 | HE Baroness Hillary of Langforde (she/her) | |
| Bardic Circle | 1:30PM – 4:30PM | Gym Space 2 | The Honorable Filidh Siobhan an Einigh of Connacht (they/them) | Beginning with the Bard of the Midlands competition, then continuing as a general-participation bardic circle |
| Fiber Arts | 1:30PM – 4:30PM | Gym Space 3 | (pending) | |
| Metalworking and Viking Age Jewelry | 1:30PM – 4:30PM | Gym Space 4 | The Honorable Captain Hjalmr Njalsson (he/him) | Hands-on exploration in cold metal – techniques include shaping and stamping |
| A Gentle Teatime | 3:00PM – 4:30PM | Multi-Purpose Room (Round Table area) | HE Baron Akiyama Kazuhiko (he/him) and HE Baron Akiyama Hiroaki (he/him) | The Barons of Carraig Ban will host a gentle teatime, with Baron Kazuhiko knowledgeably rambling about tea history, horticulture, optimum brewing, and more! Smallfolk allowed with supervision (hot liquids involved). Limit 20 participants. Optional donation appreciated. |
Also Occurring
Bard of the Midlands (hosted by Lady Piero Patroclus)
To be held during the afternoon Bardic Circle: the theme is “I’m going on an adventure!” Bring a piece all about an exciting adventure. Your piece can be your own, a Period piece, or one you have permission to perform. It can be spoken, sung, or instrumental. Please keep your performance under 5-7 minutes. The winner will be the newest Bard of the Midlands!
As Bard of the Midlands it will be your duty to return next year to present the next Bard of the Midlands competition and create a piece celebrating the Midlands if able. Most importantly, it will be your duty to promote, support, and champion the Bardic Arts in the Midlands to the best of your abilities.
Newer bards are wholly welcome to compete as well as bards not of the Midlands, as long as they are willing/able to promote the bardic arts in the Midlands. Contact Bard of the Midlands AS 60 with questions.
| ACTIVITY | TIME | HOST OR CONTACT | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Activities | 10:30AM – 12 Noon and 1:30PM – 4:00PM | the Noble Susanna Merrybegot (she/her) | Classroom 7 (Gym Wing) |
| Quiet Room | 9:30AM – 4:30PM | A room in which to catch your breath and reset. Not hosted; please be respectful of other gentles also in need of quiet time in the space. | Classroom 3 (New Wing) |
| Heraldic Consultation Table | TBA | HE Baron Damian Nihthauk (he/him) | Merchant Hall or Populace Area |
Youth Activities
Please remember that youth under 12 years of age are expected to be accompanied by their parent or guardian when participating in classes or activities.
Combat
There are no combat activities planned for the day. However, if weather permits and you bring your own marshal, there is plenty of space on the lawns for pickup fighting.
Merchants (updated as of 9 November)
A few spaces are available at $15 for an 8’x8′ space with 1 table and 2 chairs. Please contact the Merchant Coordinator listed above to reserve a space. Weather permitting, merchants may also set up outdoors at no additional charge.
Merchants planning to attend:
- Cloak and Dagger (Gail Sanders): cloaks, blades, and miscellaneous fine gifts
- Unicorn Bard Press (Lady Tali Essen): stickers, car decals, Pride pendants and pins, SCA award medallions and pins
- WoolWeed (THL Metylda of Ravenslake and Lord Kveldulf Skallgrimsson): handspun yarn, handwoven items, drop spindles, and other fiber-related merchandise