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Nordskogen Meetings

Baronial meetings take place most Wednesdays. The site opens around 6:30PM and the meeting starts at 7:00PM. The first meeting each month is a folk moot at which time we like to show off our latest period costume. (Don't worry: plenty of us don't dress up every time.) If you're wondering at which meeting to introduce yourself, a moot is a great choice. Business meetings are usually held the third week of each month. Prospective members are very welcome, but you might need an interpreter, which we are happy to provide.

The schedule sometimes changes, especially around the year-end holidays. The best way to stay informed is via the Baronial e-mail list and this web page. An attempt is also made to publish schedule changes in the Crystal Quill, the official Baronial newsletter. Find out more on the Crystal Quill page.

Our meeting site...

is the Oakeshott Institute, 1035 14th Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (map)

The Oakeshott Institute building is an old church that is being refurbished into a museum and teaching space. We're very excited about this partnership, as the mission of The Oakeshott Insitute is very complimentary to our own. There is limited off-street parking off the building's driveway, plus on-street parking.

Upcoming Baronial Meeting Topics

Every meeting includes announcements, opportunities to talk to friends new and old, show off and see the latest projects, and often swordfighting practice. Newcomer classes are also occassionally held during our regular meetings.

• First Wednesday: Announcements and Folk Moot. Garb especially welcome.
• Second Wednesday: Announcements and fellowship
• Third Wednesday: Announcements and business meeting
• Fourth and Fifth Wednesdays: Announcements and fellowship

Our Barony also encompasses three sub-groups (cantons). We encourage you to attend their meetings and activities, especially if you live close to them.

Tor Aerie is an SCA group centered at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus and includes both students and friends. For more information about the group and its meeting times, see the College of Tor Aerie web page.

Nordleigh is an SCA group centered in the south-eastern Twin Cities suburbs (generally Dakota County), including Northfield. For more information about the group and its meeting times, see the Canton of Nordleigh web page.

Blachemere is an SCA group centered around Cambridge, MN. The group meets every Thursday night. The first Thursday is always the business meeting; the following Thursdays are for A&S or whatever the populace decides. For more information about the group and its meeting times, see the Village of Blachemere web page.

Other Meetings and Gatherings

People in the Barony get together for many reasons. Our general, all-barony meetings are on Wednesday evenings, and other meet-ups (such as combat practices) are listed below or found on the baronial calendar (an interactive calendar that includes upcoming events in the area as well as weeky local meetups). New members interested in any topic are encouraged to talk to our Chatelaine (the officer in charge of greeting newcomers), whose contact information is on the Officers page.

The following list of people have volunteered to talk to others who are interested in learning more about their favored topics of study, whether an art or skill, performance area, martial arts, history or anything else. Feel free to contact any of them for more information including any rehearsals, meetings or get-togethers each may have. They are mostly a pretty nice group of people! Note: for your initial contact, please call between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM.

Combat Animals Clothing Crafts/A&S Fine Arts Performing Arts Research Other

A large part of our membership is interested in combat martial arts, either by being an active participant, an avid observer, or someone who helps on or off the list field.

Archery — Amalia [Koko] (612) 968-9451

Armoring — [Seeking a volunteer]

Armored (Heavy Weapons) Fighting — Zadok ben Solomon ibn Alfakhar [Michael Nunn-Weinberg] (651) 442-1000

Rapier Combat (Fencing) — Don Niccolo Falconetto [Ernesto Maldonado] (651) 698-3690

Thrown Weapons — [Seeking a volunteer]

Youth Activities — [Seeking a volunteer]

In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, animals played a larger role in the lives of most people.

Equestrian Activities — Lady Checheyigen Oyugen [Mary Kirk] (612) 578-3701

Wearing period appropriate clothing (commonly called "garb") is the most noticable aspect of the SCA. Participation at weekend events involves wearing garb that attempts to emulate what people wore in the Middle Ages or Renaissance. We make much of it ourselves, although several merchants can be found with an internet search.

Sewing — Mistress Cassandra of the Western Green [Sandy Westergren] (763) 754-6725 (leave a message)

Shoes — [Seeking a volunteer]

Nearly everyone in the SCA has tried his or her hand at making a useful thing. Some things we never try again, but some people try until they attain levels of mastership that rival the finest surviving museum pieces. Feel free to dabble or dive into your passion.

Blacksmithing — Master Danr Ketilsmiðr [Dan Kretchmar] (763) 434-1840

Coin Making — [Seeking a volunteer]

Knitting — Maestra Giovanna Battista di Firenze [Elizabeth Pearson] (651) 501-1747

She is happy to discuss knitting and point you to many resources.

Pavilion and Canvas Tent Making — Maestra Giovanna Battista di Firenze [Elizabeth Pearson] (651) 501-1747

Spinning and Dyeing — [Seeking a volunteer]

Feltmaking — Sayyeda Samia al-Kaslaania [Julia May] (651) 793-8684

Weaving (cloth and general weaving) — Meistari Katriona ni Chonarain [Katherine Kretchmar] (763) 434-1840

Weaving (tablet or card weaving) — Lord Oswald Frank [Chris Schumann] (651) 793-8684

He's available at most weekly meetings to talk about tablet weaving and will sometimes have a current project along. Call in advance of a meeting so he can bring weaving and equipment to show.

Woodworking — Master Danr Ketilsmiðr [Dan Kretchmar] (763) 434-1840

Painting, carving, and sculpture inspires each of us. Extant examples of these arts are heavily relied upon for researching our hobbies. Producing these arts is also practiced in the SCA.

Calligraphy and Illumination — Viscountess Anne Geoffreys of Warwick [Nancy Cuno-Schmitz] (952) 831-5451

Anne offers a place for those interested in Calligraphy and Illumination to get together, work on projects, exchange experience, and some resources to get ideas. Every second and fourth Tuesday of the Month. Doors open at 7:00PM and close at 10:00PM.
Anne's Home:
8332 Goodrich Road
Bloomington, MN 55437
(952)831-5451

A good song, a stirring story or a lively dance can turn a collection of history buffs into a re-creation of history.

Bardic Arts —[Seeking a volunteer]

Dancing — Master Etienne de Clermont [Steven Bush] (952) 929-0200

Juggling — [Seeking a volunteer]

Music — Mistress Rosanore of Redthorn [Susan Henry] (651) 699-0714

Theatre Troupe — pending changes

Scots Gaelic and Celtic Irish Studies — Master Cainnech Rúad mcGuairi [Kevin L. Myers] (651) 487-6901

Heraldry — [Seeking a volunteer]

Viking Studies — Meistari Katriona ni Chonarain [Katherine Kretchmar] (763) 434-1840

Book Club (Nonfiction) — on hiatus. Volunteer!