giazz_40

3 Maples Renaissance Corporation
44 Tucker Road
Kingston, NH 03834
http://www.nhrenfaire.com
giazz@comcast.net

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
By: Gia Volterra de Saulnier
Marketing Coordinator

Renaissance Faire raises money for a good cause


2/1/12 – Kingston, NH - 
For two weekends in the middle of May 2012, the beautiful Three Maples Farm in Kingston, NH will be transported back to a magical time from the past.
On May 12th – May 13th and again on May 19th – May 20th from 10 to 5 PM each day. The New Hampshire Renaissance Faire will be held at 9 Thorne Road, Kingston, NH. 
Come join us and enjoy the sights and sounds.  Bring your family to enjoy the experience of meeting knights that battle it out or have tea with the Queen.
A portion of the proceeds raised by this wonderful event will be donated to charity.  So, not only will you have a great time, you will also be contributing to fantastic charities.
Tickets for this event are: $12.00 for adults and $8.00 for kids from ages 5 -12.  Kids age 4 and under will be free.
For more information, please see the website at http://www.nhrenfaire.com

This is a cross posted blog that I wrote regarding the Farewell to Winslowshire -
Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet Again

All good things must come to an end….even little Winslowshire Festival. Yes…it is true.

Winslow farm has decided that they are going in a different direction.

We would like to thank ALL of our performers, merchants and of course our hard working cast and crew that made this Festival 10 Classic Renaissance Faires across America : http://www.thedailymeal.com/10-classic-renaissance-faires-across-america (yeah, I am still not believing that either!).

We’d like to personally thank Nourish Lexington, http://www.nourishlexington.com who not only became the one and only Vegetarian food vendor that was fabulous but also was like finding a diamond – plus we now became friends.

We would like to thank ALL of you who came to the festival, whether it was our very first year (yeah, it was small) to the very last year (2011 season). We would like to thank ALL of the people who have supported us (behind the scenes) like GoBostonCom http://www.gobostoncom.com and others.

We thank all of YOU who have become our friends and family – we were lucky to see some friends from the past (who I never thought I would see again) and meet some new ones every year.

We have other festivals/faires in the works, so other things are coming our way. I like to think that Winslowshire was my springboard into this new career for both of us. Without that, we would not have had this many opportunities that have come our way now.

So, Merry Meet, merry part and Merry Meet Again – Fare thee well, Winslowshire, you will always remain sweet in our eyes.

As some of you know, my family (hubby, Charlie and myself) went to Disney World this last week and I've learned quite a few things and thought I would share them with you (along with blogging about it on my other blog as well, http://www.giazzworld.blogspot.com) .

These things that I've learned are probably not new to you (or who ever is actually reading my posts here) but maybe gentle reminders of what we all know deep inside as performers, writers, and well, just artists.

Now, mind you, I am not being paid by Disney World to write this and this is my own opinion - so you can read it and you can either agree with me, or not, that's up to you.

1) Your dreams really can come true:  I mean if Disney can dream up a mouse (Mickey) cartoon and then create a World of entertainment for families and younger generation to engage in the Magic - then you can dream up something.  According to a quote I read while I was there, was "If you get a great idea, dog it.  Dog it until it's done right.  Then when you think it's done, dog it again." - Walt Disney. 
2) When you are performing, you have to fine tune it to make sure that people/customers/patrons believe you.  When I saw those characters (yes, I saw Goofy too) they are them, they are called them, they are not called by their first or last names they are the characters, even the other staff/cast members are known to call them by their character names and not their real names.  If they do that, then they lose the magic of it all.  But also on this note, some other performers (The Flight of Wonder) showed class, entertainment and education.  I think that is also important to note that you have to educate your audience especially if you have under age adults that want to learn things.
3) "Keep moving forward" - Walt Disney - yes, this is very true, because even if whatever you are dreaming of or thinking of doesn't work or is not going to be the "show" then you have to fix it, fine tune it or just create something else all together.  You just have to not worry about if what you did was a "failure" - you just have to shrug your shoulders and just keep moving forward.
4) Even if you aren't so brave, you must act brave in front of your 7 year old child.  I am afraid of heights.  I am afraid of flying.  Charlie (my 7 year old) was saying to me, just be brave mummy, you can do it, and squeezed my hand.   I was then less afraid and even did some crazy rides like 'Soarin' - yeah...you are simulated in flight and NOT in a plane - but outside flying over oceans, canyons, mountains, rivers, etc...oh and with smells included.  I even did Mission Space - yeah...with turns no less...I did NOT do well on that...note to self, I will never be an astronaut.
5) You have to learn to be patient.  There are lines every where there, and you just have to wait your turn until you actually get to go on the ride...yes, they do have fast passes there too, but you still need to wait...sometimes it was worth getting the fast pass, and other times, it was just worth it to wait in line.
6) Always be thankful of the moment.  What I mean by this, is that you have to thank the people around you and often because if you don't then, you never know where you will be.  Disney is a huge team.  From the people who collect the trash to the people who are the entertainers.  They all know the songs, they all smile, they all acknolweldge you or your kids with a great big smile, and everyone is so happy because of it.  Yes, there will be some complaints, but really, all in all, you are going to have a great time, because that's what Disney is all about.  Of course, the complaints were about how the Monorail stopped for about an hour or so and got stuck, but from what I learned is it was because there was a thunderstorm and lightning stopped the tracks...so really nothing Disney can do about that...
7) Always know your limits - yeah, I pulled my back a few weeks ago at work, but I know what I can and can not do.  I made sure that some of the rides that I didn't want to do, I said to hubby and Charlie, that I was going to sit them out - and I am SO glad I did.
8) Animal Kingdom is just amazing to me...all those wild animals just grazing while looking at all the humans going by, just incredible site to see.
9) Talking Crush - wow, that was just very cool, and Charlie got to ask him a question, and yes, he did answer it...pretty dang cool for a program that's animated
10) Food there is just amazing (minus one place that we didn't love, but it was still good) - and if you go, you should get the Deluxe plan, because you get the most for your buck.

Don't forget that Winslowshire Festival for the Animals is this coming weekend - June 25th and 26th from 11 am to 5 pm!  We were also featured today in The Sun Chronicle in Attleboro, MA http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2011/06/23/go/9780952.txt - oh and that's my son's picture from when he was 3!  (He's 7 now).
Lots of food, fun and entertainment for all ages!
Hope to see you there!
I will be *offline* as of tomorrow! ;D

http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/family/articles/2011/06/05/new_england_weekend_fun_guide/
Woot!  I am super stoked!!! Please feel free to share!  Huzzah!!!

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

PRESS RELEASE

 

Contact: Phinn Volt Enterprises

Name: Gia Volterra de Saulnier

E mail: abbadiamarefestival@Gmail.com

 

 

 

Bringing back the Renaissance Festival to Hammond Castle

Abbadia Mare Renaissance Festival

 

By: Gia Volterra de Saulnier

 

Gloucester, MA –If you have never seen a Medieval Castle up close, you don’t need to go far to visit one if you live in the area of Massachusetts.  You can just go and visit The Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester, MA.  Plus if you love History and Festivals, this will be an extraordinary opportunity to do so.

 

PhinnVolt Enterprise’s Director Richard Saulnier and his wife Gia are thrilled about helping promote such a historic landmark, “We are just so delighted that Hammond Castle has given us this incredible opportunity.” Gia Saulnier stated.  “With the achievement of Winslowshire, the Castle seems to be the natural next step for us to take.”  Her husband Richard agrees “While we were creating this new festival, we were flooded with the buzz from the Community, along with vendors and performers who are really excited about coming back to Hammond Castle.”

 

There are over 20 vendors coming to this event, including: Silvermane http://www.silvermane.com/acatalog/index2.html , Mei Mei’s of Lexington http://www.meimeioflexington.com/index.html , The Stone Lady http://thestonelady.net/ and much more. There are also 12 performers confirmed which includes: The Neville Companye http://www.rainasmind.com/neville/index.shtml  doing hand to hand combat in shining armor, Misfits of Avalon http://www.misfitsofavalon.com/ , The Harper and the Minstrel http://www.theharperandtheminstrel.com/ are a few mentioned. There will also be fabulous food from Nourish Lexington, http://www.nourishlexington.com/, along with scrumptious brownies from Cucina Dolce and Kettle corn from The Kettle Master.

 

The two day event will be from July 23rd and 24^th of 2011 from 11 am to 5 pm each day.  Admission is $12.00 for adults and $7.00 for kids ages 5 – 13 and kids under 4 will be free.  Parking will be located at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester for a fee of $15 will be charged per car to park and that a free shuttle bus will be taking visitors to the Faire at the castle.  People may not park at the castle or on Hesperus Avenue as they will be ticketed and towed, and that the Museum and PhinnVolt Enterprises are not responsible to pay their fines and towing fees.

For more information about the event, please go to the website at http://www.abbadiamarefestival.com

*Warning this is another way for me to promote!*

Arr!  Well, if I was a Pirate, I'd not be tellin' ya where me hide out would be eh?  How would that make me a good pirate givin' it away...

However, I not be a Pirate, but know of plenty that be dressed up as Pirates that are coming to our little Festivals in MA for great causes!

Winslowshire Festival for the Animals will have the Black Rose II Privateers, The Pillage Idiots, Bawdy Buccaneers, and other Pirate-y types there!  It's also a great family friendly event that is also a benefit for Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary (http://www.winslowfarm.com) at 37 Eddy Street, Norton, MA on June 25th and 26th of 2011!  For more information, you can visit our website at http://www.winslowshire.com

Abbadia Mare Festival will have The Pillage Idiots and other Pirate-y types there too!  This is another family friendly event that benefits the amazingly beautiful Hammond Castle (http://www.hammondcastle.org) at 80 Hesperus Ave, Gloucester, MA on July 23rd and 24th of 2011!  For more information, you can visit our website at http://www.abbadiamarefestival.com

Imagine holding as many rocks in your hand as you can. Each rock symbolizes a major step, choice, or milestone in your life. With your mind's eye, imagine walking down a path, holding each individual rock, acknowledging the choice or milestone it represents in your life, and then tossing it lovingly back to nature. Do this for each rock.

Write whatever comes to mind.

*This is a writing prompt from Write Well University http://www.writewellu.com  - I'd also like to dedicate this piece to my friend Terry Milton "The Stone Lady"*

Ah the stony path, I love going down this path, makes me realize where I've already come from and where I'm going.  Or at least in my head anyways. 
I start of with a really large rock.  Not one you can really hold in one hand, but large enough for two hands.  It's really heavy.  Dense.  Dark.  I put it down to start my journey, and try not to look back at it.  This big, heavy, dense, dark rock signifies my past.  My father not being the nicest of people to me growing up.  Dysfunctional with not so much fun in that word. 
But, here I am grown up as I pass that rock and move forward.  Ah lighter rocks now and a sparkly shiny one - looks like crystal, oh but it's not.  It is most likely plastic or something that still reflects this part of my life.  A phony con man comes in my path - I don't want to believe that it's not a fake...not plastic.  Oh but I learn my lesson and how (the hard way).
Huh, I find a piece of amethyst - pretty and purple.  Just my style or so I think.  This rock was too good to be true, or so I think.  I finally figure out what real love is (or so I think) and it is good, for a while, but then distracting little bits and pieces come my way, and it shatters while I strike it out of my hands.
Oh look, here are some pebbles.  Oh no, another few dark little ones, and some really big brown ones now.  I think this is the wrong path for me, I try to go down this path, but then realize that it isn't the right way.
Here comes the big shiny red rock - oh how fun this is!  I think this will be my new "family", my friends.  However, I realize that it's not really red and shiny, but red and covered with booze and some drugs.  Maybe this isn't the right path for me after all.  
Ah, a quiet time for me as I keep walking down this path and find a quartz rock, you know one of those rocks that are covered up, but then when you break it up, you find a beautiful gem inside it?  Ah there it is, my heart after all.  I learn to figure out what real love is, and then learn to love myself (isn't that a part of growing up?).
Now I come to my new path, my new road.  My dark amethyst.  Not as shiny as before, but simple, and loving.
My own little blue rock comes from this amethyst (not really possible, but in my mind sure), with shiny blue eyes and a large smile.  My son.  He inspires me to stay on this path, of motherhood and of how sure I am in my new life.

http://www.artizenmagazine.com

So darned proud of myself for pushing myself to do this!  Artizen Magazine has published my article all about Hammond Castle and this is the link http://www.artizenmagazine.com/artizen2-4 - see pages starting on page 14.

There is also some bits that I used to interview my pal Andrew Volpe (http://www.AndyVolpe.com) who is coming to both Winslowshire AND Abbadia Mare Festival.

Please do check them out!  Pass them on!

Huzzah!!!!