Renaissance Faire sponsored by Shakespeare on the Edge

Hear ye, hear ye!

Let it be known throughout the land that all goode people from the Monroevian realm to the far reaches of the kingdom are invited to the Second Annual Gathering of Rogues and Ruffians Renaissance Faire from noon until 10 p.m. on September 19 at The Piazza.

The Renaissance Faire, sponsored by the nonprofit group Shakespeare on the Edge, offers an afternoon of food, fun and revelry for the whole family, followed by a candlelit performance of William Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, by the Eclectic Rogues youth acting troupe beneath the stars on the Piazza’s enchanting outdoor stage. Showtime begins at 7:00 p.m.

Roaming the Faire grounds throughout the day will be more than 50 entertainers, pirates, insulters, fairies, jugglers, musicians, minstrels and storytellers, and a host of artisans and vendors will display their wares. Food will also be available, and the Faire will be held rain or shine.

Family friendly entertainment includes:

* Midwest Knife and Axe Throwers (teaching even the youngest lads and lasses to throw knives and axes at targets)
* UW-Madison Belly Dancers (performances, as well as classes for children)
* Chicago’s The Suitcase Shakespeare Company (performing Much Ado About Nothing in under an hour)
* The Guild of St. Michael Military (A Bristol group that spends their summers as Bristol Renaissance Military)
* Archery lessons for all ages
* The Complete Fool Juggler and Supplies

A silent auction of items donated by area businesses will be held from noon until 5:30 p.m. The auction is the primary fundraiser for Shakespeare on the Edge, which is also funded by grants from the Wisconsin Arts Board and United Way of Green County. With the dual focus of building self-empowerment and communication skills through acting, Shakespeare on the Edge sponsors the Eclectic Rogues Core Company, the Shakespeare Project for kids ages 8-18 and, beginning this fall, the Adult Shakespeare Project.

Admission to the Renaissance Faire is $1, with a $5 maximum per family. The Piazza is located at W5549 Center Road, 3.6 miles north of Monroe on Highway 69. For more information contact 608-325-5268 or search Shakespeare on the Edge at GreenCountySpotlight.com