12th Night Arts & Science Activities

See our Youth Activities Page As well!

Classes ~ 10am - 3:30pm

We are FULL. Thank you to everyone for volunteering!
(Please contact Jahanara if you have questions!)

This schedule is preliminary. If you have a class and need it rescheduled please contact me. Grayed out areas are reserved for Classes that as yet have no title.

Class Descriptions

10 A.M
Silk Painting I & II
Instructor: Lady Helena Sybilla
Introduction to Silk Painting - Learn the techniques of basic silk painting that can be used for pennants and other heraldic display. Make a small project to take home! This is a 2-part class - you should plan to come to both parts to complete your project.
Limit: 12 hands-on, unlimited watchers welcome.

Fee: $5 (includes handout and silk to take home, resist & paints to be used in class)

Brocade Tablet Weaving
Instructor: THL Dillon ap Dillon
A brief overview of a viking period brocade pattern weave. Covered; a brief overview of sources, supplies, and a technique that can create some viking bling for that special garbs final touch.

SCA Legal Archery Equipment (2hrs)
Instructor: Forester Padraig McCraigne
This class will cover the basics of SCA Archery including Combat Archery.

Dairy Products 101
Instructor: THLady Lucia Greenstone
How to make acid cheese, yoghurt, buttermilk, and keffir.

11 A.M.
How to Retain Members
Instructor: Baronessa Giovanna Adimari
There has been a lot of fantastic work on how to recruit new members into the SCA, but not as much work on how to keep up membership numbers. The importance of recruitment should not be understated, but it should also be equally important to try to find ways to keep our current members by analyzing why we lose participants, and to reevaluate our regional and local goals in order to keep our groups fresh and exciting for people that have been involved for 1 month, 1 years or decades! This class will explore the need for retention strategies within the SCA at every level of the organization. Topics to be discussed will include motivation, encouragement, recognition as well as the re-evaluation of event themes and lay-outs.

Viking Age Clothing: The Archeological Evidence
Instructor: THL Sunnifa Gunnarsdottir
A brief survey of the major finds of Viking Age clothing, with an emphasis on interpreting the finds to make reasonably accurate reproductions. 45-page handouts available for $5.

Identifying Saints in Medieval Artwork: Agatha to Zeno
Instructor: Lady Cecilia Della Rosa

Visual Tour of the Midrealm - Pentamere
Instructor: Lady Simcha bat Yonah
Details the local SCA groups in the area and defines them by their armory.

"First Script: Insular Majuscule"
Instructor: Lord Thibaut Pomeroy de Machaut
For the beginner who wants to learn a medieval script, or a dabbler who would like some practice, we will go over the basics of this easy to start with script and put some ink down.

Bobbin Lace Class
Instructor: Lady Gwenllyen the Minstrel
This is a three part bobbin lace class that will be taught at a series of events in and near the Middle Kingdom. I can teach students at different levels, so at the same event different people may be taking either part 1, part 2 or part 3. My goal is for students to look at a pattern and be able to make the lace on their own. If I am at an event, I can teach the class, even if I am not on the official A&S schedule for that event.
Cost is $30 for all the materials for the series of classes (Materials include pillow, cover, 20 bobbins, pins, thread, bead, patterns, etc.).

Part 1: Learn the basic braid, cloth stitch and half stitch. Students will make a goldfish (2-3 hours)
Part 2: Make a bookmark which includes patterns from "The Neu Modelbuch." (2 hours)
Part 3: Begin a period pattern from "The Neu Modelbuch." (2 hours)

Website with Further Details

Tie It In A Cloth: Steamed and boiled puddings
Instructor: THLady Lucia Greenstone

12 P.M.

Block Printing
Instructor: Herrn (HL) Iohannes Weisswald, CCL
Using linoleum blocks, we'll discuss the basics of block printing, how to design for a simple block, and what materials you need to get going toward more period woodblock printing techniques.
Class is limited to 4 people, fee is $15 for supplies. must book spaces in advance by emailing me at incrosscircle@yahoo.com

"Little More Than a Name"
Instructor: Lord Thibaut Pomeroy de Machaut
You've committed to make an award scroll, you have an assignment, and now... where do you go from there? Come out and find out!

Evil Eye Amulets in Antiquity
Instructor: THL Keely the Tinker
History of Evil Eye amulets in antiquity with an emphasis on those made of glass. History and use by culture and time period will be discussed. Amulets of an adult nature will be included.
Class for adults only: Reason: Amulets of a phallic design will be discussed and photos and examples will be present. Teens will be welcome with parental permission.

Introduction to Brewing
Instructor: Godfrey

1 P.M.

Pentamere Regional Officers Meet & Greet
(Please visit our Meeting Schedule for further information)

Feast Gear & Cooking Gear for Viking Persona
Instructor: THL Sunnifa Gunnarsdottir
A survey of feast and cooking gear options from among the archeological finds of the Old Norse World. 43-page handouts available for $5.

Chasing and Repouse
Instructor: Gwenllian verch Rhydderch Annwyl
My Class is an intro to Chasing and Repouse, a metalworking technique. The class should run approx 1 hour, i have kits available for $5, and handouts for $1, with kits for approx 5-6 people

Basic Kumihimo
Instructor: Fujinama no Kaede-hime (Lady)

High Whorl Drop Spindling
Instructors: THL Catherine of Deva & THL Artimisia Lacebrayder
This will be a beginner level class - drop spindles and wool will be available for use (no charge) there will be a charge of about $5 if the person wants to keep the drop spindle.

Trade Routes of the Silk Road 
Instructor: Jahan Ara bint al-Yehya amat al-Hafeeza al-Sayyidaefendi (THL)
This class will explore trade routes during the 7th-11th centuries along the Silk Road, including Viking Trade Routes and a focus of Baghdad as a central trading hub.

Gross Stuff in the Middle Ages (1/2 hr class)
Instructors: Lady Eloise Mousebane, TH Lady Lucia Greenstone, TH Lady Michaela de La Chesnaye des Bois
Designed for middle schoolers, this half-hour class is interesting for all ages. Learn about bathroom habits and other personal hygiene matters, tortures and punishments, medicine, diseases, and even foods that are considered gross by our modern standards.

"Youth Combat 101"
Lord Nyilas Kazmer, Deputy Earl Marshal for Youth Combat.
This class is for parents and youths interested in getting started in Youth Combat, or already involved and seeking more information. The purpose and goals of the program will be discussed. Armor and weapon standards would be covered, some how-to make equipment, and where to get materials and gear. Finally, how parents can help with the program and how to become a marshal.

2 P.M.

Master Nigelus Wood Carving Demo/Class
Instructor: Master Nigellus le Haie
Carving a sign for Pennsic University. I would do that as a demo, allowing people to help out and get hands on carving experience.

Viking Age Tablet Weaving: The Archeological Evidence
Instructor: THL Sunnifa Gunnarsdottir
A brief survey of the major finds of tablet weaving from Norse and neighboring sites. 39-page handouts available for $5.

Finishing Braids
Instructor: Fujinami no Kaede-hime (Lady)

Henna 101 Class 
Instructor: THLady Anabel de Berchelai
An introduction to henna, a brief SCA history, and application technique. $1.00 for class handout and henna kit.

The Fencing Masters of The Princess Bride
Instructor: Warder Michael McKay
The class will discuss each of the fencing masters named in "The Princess Bride" as well as some of what we know today about the fencing styles of each of these masters.

Blackwork Embroidery Make-and-Take
Instructor: Lady Genoveva von Lübeck
Ever been curious about the stunningly detailed blackwork embroidery popular during the later periods? In this class you will learn the basic techniques of blackwork, including the Holbein (double running) stitch and backstitch, and tips on preparing your ground cloth, starting and stopping stitches, and using beeswax to strengthen and aid stitching. No embroidery experience necessary! Also covered will be a brief history and ideas on finding historically-based patterns. Participants will receive a "make-and-take" blackwork kit that includes everything you need to make a small needlebook with a blackworked embroidery cover (thread, needle, cloth, and instructional booklet). Please bring a pair of scissors and magnifying glasses if you have any difficulties seeing up close (I will have a couple of these on hand if necessary, too).
Class limit: 12 for hands-on and kits, but watchers are always welcome.

So You Want to be a Scribe? 
Instructor: Lady Helena Sybilla
Interested in being a scribe for the Midrealm but not sure where to start? Come for a basic introduction to what it takes to be a scribe and some of the useful tools and resources to have on hand.
Limit: none
Fee: none


Chronicler's Training Session
Instructor: Lord Richard vanUtrecht
(Please visit our Meeting Schedule for further information)

A&S Faires system Discussion
(Please visit our Meeting Schedule for further information)

3 P.M.

So You're Thinking of Making Tudor...
Instructors: Lady Eloise Mousebane and TH Lady Michaela de La Chesnaye des Bois
Join us on our summer adventure of making Tudor garb from the inside out. The purpose of this round-table discussion class is to help you avoid the mistakes we made and benefit from the tricks we learned while re-creating the outfits worn by Princess Elizabeth in her 1546 portrait by William Scrots and by Katherine Parr in her 1545 portrait by Master John. If you're thinking of making Tudor or even if you've already done so, this class is for you: its purpose is to make creating Tudor garb easier for us all!

History of Felt Making
Instructor: Halima bint al-Rabii' al-Sayyida (Lady)
Felt may have been the first textile ever made and anyone who had sheep had felt, whether they wanted it or not. Find out what kind of felt your persona may have had.

Scribal Round Table
Instructor: Herrn (HL) Iohannes Weisswald, CCL
Bring your curiosity if you are interested in Scribal Arts (Calligraphy, Illumination, Illustration, Miniature Painting.) I will help you find some answers, or find someone who might be able to help you. All levels of expertise are welcome to come learn, work, kibbitz, or help teach, this class also doubles as a combat scribing table if needed.

Chip Carving Class
Instructor: Master Nigellus le Haie
limit 6. Must be at least 16 years old. Very sharp knives. Must have your wives permission.

Elizabethan Thread-covered Buttons
Instructor: Duke Sir Alen Elegil
Thread-covered buttons (generally silk thread over a wooden form) were commonly used on Elizabethan doublets. This class will cover the easiest method for constructing these buttons, inexpensive sources for the silk and wood components, and a repeatable method for attaching them to the garment.

Kits for 6. Kit fee $2.00. Auditors welcome.

Feast Organization
Instructor: Godfrey

Pentamere Exchequer Meeting
(Please visit our Meeting Schedule for further information)