Contact: Michelle Hornback, Festival Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Telephone: (760) 373-3530                                                                                        

Fax: (760) 373-2370

Email: parksandrec@ccis.com

TURNING BACK THE HISTORICAL TIME CLOCK

California City Renaissance Festival will celebrate its 9^th year with King Henry VIII and Queen Katherine of Aragon

California City, CA March 24, 2012 - The California City Arts Commission and the California City Parks and Recreation Department, with assistance from the Kern County Board of Trade and the California City EDC, will present the ninth annual California City Renaissance Festival, taking patrons back in time to 16^th century England.  This year, the court will be made up equally from members of the Guilde of Sainte Marie and the House of Tudor, and they will be portraying the Court of Henry VIII and his consort Queen Katherine of Aragon, circa the year 1513!

Fast becoming one of the most anticipated outdoor events in the greater Antelope Valley, the Renaissance Festival will be held this year on October 15^th and 16^th at California City’s Central Park. Fine performances ranging from stunt juggling to belly dancers, hearty food and drink, and original and unique merchandise can be found in abundance. 

“We’ve decided to turn back the clock a little, to show the public a different aspect of Renaissance history,” says John Bloom, the Entertainment Coordinator for the event, “ With the popularity of such shows as The Tudors and The Borgias, we wanted to show a different and yet more realistic point of view.” This year the theme centers on the aftermath of one of England’s most famous battles: The Battle of Flodden Field.

“Henry was overseas with most of England’s finest soldiers, and he left Katherine in charge of the country. James IV (of Scotland) tried to use this to his advantage, but with disastrous results. James was also married to Margaret Tudor, Henry’s elder sister. Can you imagine a family feud that actually resulted in an in-laws death?” asks Bloom. Mr. Bloom (of Sainte Marie) will portray the robust Henry VIII, accompanied by his faithful wife and savior Queen Katherine (portrayed by Carrie Pereira of House of Tudor). Amy Masters (also of House of Tudor) will portray Henry’s implacable sister, Queen Margaret of Scots.

Roughly 2,000-3,000 people attend this yearly event.  Cost of admission is only $3.00, with $1.00 off the admission if you bring a canned food item (to be donated to the local food bank).  Gates will open at 11:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 PM on Saturday and 5:00 PM on Sunday.  Tickets to the Royal Reception are available pre-sale for only $15.00 per person; the reception will run Saturday evening from 6:30PM until 9:00PM.  For more information, please contact Michelle Hornback at (760) 373-3530 or via email at parksandrec@ccis.com.  Further information and directions can also be found on the event website: www.calcityrenfair.org.

The Guilde of Sainte Marie, based in Lake Elsinore, CA, is a not-for-profit historical reenactment society dedicated to the portrayal of noble class life in the 16th Century during the height of the Renaissance Period, with membership concentrated in Southern California.  The Guilde offers classes in renaissance dance, costuming, life style and song, and performs at about 12 different shows per year.  For more information, please visit www.guildeofsaintemarie.org.

 The House of Tudor, based in the Central Valley of California, is another not-for-profit reenactment troupe specializing in the portrayal of a noble household – specifically that of the Howard Family (that of the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk).  House of Tudor is also known to provide a peasant or pirate troupe when needed for any given event, and are known for their civic activities as well as performing at various shows throughout the year.  For more information please contact their guilde mistress, Amy Masters at amywooten@yahoo.com.

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