I have been to the Greenwood Grove pagan talent show a number of times in the 10 years it has been produced. This year, the venue was a bit different, because the talent show was combined with the Yule celebration as a benefit for Crossroads Learning Center.
I have to say, I found things both more fun and more complicated. For one, the number of children contained in such a small space made it a bit difficult to maneuver. Also, a number of the performers that signed up for the talent show just plain didn't show, and though there was a potluck, in my opinion adequate food was not provided.
Apparently, we don't have enough community events for people to understand how potlucks work. When you attend an open community event that bills a potluck, in my opinion you should arrive with a dish that feeds from five to eight - not one dish per couple, not a few doughnuts! I don't mean to complain, but I have been involved in some community events that had some bitchin' potlucks!
In my years of pagan talent shows, I have seen good acts, bad acts and everything in between. On a positive note, most of the acts in this show were good, and some were excellent. There was a pagan Saturday Night Live-type news parody act that was really extraordinary! The parodist had everyone practically rolling on the floor. There were also a number of belly dancers; they are always fun. Karin, who has a lovely voice, performed a capella, and an accommodating member of the audience sang an cute impromptu song.
The show didn't take advantage of all the available talent. I asked Prudence Priest, later over dinner, why she didn't sing; she said no one asked her. She was one of the best known singers there and knows more pagan songs by heart than any person I know. I also was surprised to see Dana Corby present but not performing.
Santa Lucia made an appearance at the Fest, giving the children toothbrushes and small toys and the adults the gift of light. She was radiant in her crown of candles. The gift Santa Lucia always brings me is the Yule spirit, and visiting with old friends is festive. The vendors had some great gift items, and I, of course, spent more than my share of cash. I also donated a goodly sum for my grove.
I saw some people that I have not seen for a good long time, and that was a mixed bag, but all in all, I had fun.
I thought it might have been a little shaky on the organization, I wasn't very clear on what was supposed to happen, or when. But it's difficult to put on an event such as this one, and if you don't do it often it makes it all the more difficult to pull off. All in all I think Cyndie did a pretty good job, and could probably use more help.
I went away feeling nostalgic for previous pagan fellowship and wishing there were more large events because I do miss interacting with the larger community, whether it agrees it's a community or not.
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