Istanpitta just finished their 3rd weekend at Texas Renaissance Festival. We have been experiencing excellent Wx and good crowds at the fair. The 2nd weekend was supported by Joachim Zwick on vielle who is local to the Houston area. This is Joachim's first year with Istanpitta at TRF and did an excellent job. The 3rd weekend was supported by Michelle Levy on Vielle who has done quite a number of gigs with Istanpitta and she will be with us for 3 weekends. 4th weekend will be performed by Annette Bauer on recorder, Abby on Lavta and vocals and Michelle Levy on Vielle. The director, Al Cofrin will be missing that weekend as he supports a Shuttle launch in the mission control centre for STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. Of course there many favourites back on the stages of TRF. I have to admit I do miss the Flying Fish Sailors out at TRF. They were such a stable diet of fun music at this faire for so many years. Sigh! And of course we have Wyndnwyre back performing on the Dove Meadow stage which is a large sound stage at TRF. For some reason, TRF has been going in the direction of amplified stages for their musical acts which is not exactly the best way to "Maintain the Illusion" in my opinion but I guess the dollar sign makes all original concepts and ideal goals take a back seat. Loud sells CDs. At the same time I can understand the concept of amping soft instruments to balance them up to your loudest instrument. Istanpitta did something similar for a little while when we were using a vielle that was really really quite but lately we have been using vielles that are a little louder and do not require any extra push for our acoustic festival shows. I am going to try to stay a purest with regard to acoustical un-amped sound for as long as I can. I realize it won't sell CD's but I still like the idea of bringing to a pre-16th c. festival a taste of what music was actually performed during this time period. Its the educational side of me. Maybe because I think it is important that our patrons know the difference between what is really the authentic stuff that properly fits a renaissance/medieval festival and modern music that your regular everyday fair goer tends to have a better identifying with. Early music, sadly does not fall in that category.

E-Muziki came out with their new CD which is killer. An excellent selection of tunes with some innovative approaches to some traditional favourites.

Wyndnwyre also being on the Dove Meadow stage also went amplified as the trend being started with E-Muziki. Each using their own system. The logistics involved are extensive and I am glad we have not gone down that road yet, but The new sound system for Wyndnwyre did do the trick and after a couple of weeks has finally narrowed down to a well balance sound.

A. Cofrin/director