More music! More dance! More FIRE! But mostly talking!
In order to fully utlize our weekends to prepare for the 2021 Minnesota Renaissance Festival, we're putting the Podcast on hiatus until after the Festival season. Our Patreon is still active and we will be posting behind-the-scenes rehearsal videos there! Join us if you'd like to see what we're up to! Otherwise, we'll be back in October. Thank you for your support throughout this past year - we hope we helped keep you entertained!
We have a quick chat about what it was like to be back on the road! Katy, Adam, Bret, and Jo spent two weekends performing at the Renaissance Festival of Nebraska. Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Producer: Theresa Meis Featured song: Folk Dance Featured photo: Kevin Buy our merch! Become a Patreon Subscriber!
This week we raised a glass with Jim and Lazlo, the beloved Feast Masters of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Jim Cunningham Lazlo Producer: Theresa Meis, Riverside Productions, LLC Featured Song: Merishka from the album Fire Dance Featured Photo by Michael Jamieson Buy our merch! Become a Patreon subscriber!
Several of our members have spent time working the Front Gate at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. These are their stories. Dun Dun! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Chris Meis Raederle Sterling Alan Gramont Featured Song: Two Guitars Buy Our Merch Become a Patreon Subscriber
Whis theek we talk to the lenaissance regend, Zilch, the Torysteller! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Terry Foy Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Folks Dance, from the Fandazzi Live CD Featured Photo by Dan Lauer Photography Buy Our Merch Become a Patreon Subscriber
This week we get to hear from our producer! The person whose admonition of, "Stop complaining about it and do something!" spurred the creation of Fandazzi! Check out Theresa's other podcast - MinnCentral Currents Featured song: Shadows Into Light from the album Fire Dance, available on Amazon, Spotify, and iTune Featured photo by Amore Fotography & Events Buy our merch! Join our Patreon!
How the heck did we all end up at the Renaissance Festival in the first place? This week we talk about our rookie years! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Chris Meis Raederle Sterling Theresa Meis Alan Gramont Producer: Theresa Meis Featured song: Asturius from the Fandazzi Live album Featured Photo: Baby Raederle (with sister Rachel, who are both real babies in this photo) Buy our merch! Become a Patreon subscriber!
Hello lovely listeners! Our incredible hosts needed a week off. So, we decided to give you a treat in their absence! This is the audio from a live 2019 Minnesota Renaissance Festival video recording of the Ring Piece, whose working title is "Splinters." The video has been released for our Patreon subscribers at patreon.com/fandazzifire We'll be back next week with more amazing content! Your friendly producer, Theresa
We have a great chat this week with founding member Raederle Sterling as we try to discover if there's anything about her we don't already know after 20+ years (spoiler: there is!) Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Raederle Sterling Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Caravan, from Fandazzi Dancing With Flame available on iTunes and Spotify Featured photo by Amore Fotography and Events Buy Our Merch! Become a Patreon Subscriber!
This episode is a bit shorter - we have a conversation about what summer *might* look like moving forward as more Fandazzi get vaccinated, as the CDC releases more recommendation for safe outdoor gatherings, and as we daydream about finally rehearsing together again! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Hungry Hungry Gypsies Featured Photo: Fandazzi stopping for Ice Cream on the way to the Renaissance Festival of Nebraska, May 2019 Buy our merch! Become a Patreon Subscriber!
This week is a delightful train-wreck as we get several cast members together to discuss which songs are their favorites! Come for the chaos, stay for the T-Rex! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Raederle Sterling Theresa Meis Alan Gramont Kristen Weeks Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Trouble Featured Photo: Bad Photoshop that will make sense once you listen to the episode. Buy our Merch! Become a Patreon Subscriber!
We are thrilled this week to be joined by Jef aka D'Angelo of the Tortuga Twins! Join us for a rollicking adventure through the Tortuga's Origin Story, what Jef has learned through his years as an improv performer, and how we can once again artfully bring Disney into a conversation (we know you love it!). Tortuga Twins Website, Merch, & Schedule Facebook Pages: Tortuga Twins Tortuga Twin Fan Page D'Angelo Tortuga Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Jef Hall Producer: Theresa Meis Featured song: Folk Dance from the Fandazzi Live CD Featured Photo: D'Angelo Tortuga dressed as Jef Hall Buy Our Merch Become a Patreon
We're talking to our fantastic fiddler, Kristen! This was simply a delightful episode to record, and very much on-par with what our normal Fandazzi Family conversations sound like. Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Kristen Weeks Producer: Theresa Meis Buy Our Merch Become a Patreon Subscriber
This week we talk to our dear friend Salsa Sterling; former Fandazzi and current sideshow artist Kazimir the Hungry! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Salsa Sterling Producer: Theresa Meis Featured song: Epic, from Fandazzi Live, 2019 Featured photo by Craig Madsen Photography Buy Our Merch Become a Patreon Subscriber
The whole gang is here to talk about which showtimes are our favorite! And a dozen other unrelated things! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Chris Meis Theresa Meis Raederle Sterling Bret Pasek Alan Gramont Kristen Weeks Jo DePatto Featured song: Folk Dance from Dancing With Flame, available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify Featured photo: Crowd at the UBER Show, 2019 Buy our Merch Become a Patreon Subscriber
Our fantastic guest from last week, Nan Miller, recounts what a day in the life of the Court Revelers is like! Make sure to check out their Facebook page! And their music is available for purchase on Amazon. Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Nan Miller Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Caravan from Dancing With Flame, available on Spotify, Amazon, and iTunes. Featured Photo: The Court Revelers, by Nicholas J. Narog Become a Patreon Subscriber Buy our Merch
This week we're joined by Nan Miller, better known to the Renaissance Festival Audience as Nankins, or Dame Nankins Beecham, the leader of the Court Revelers (Huzzah!). Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Nan Miller Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Two Guitars Become a Patreon Subscriber Buy Merch
This week Katy & Adam talk to Bret about how Fandazzi Choreographs our pieces. Also covered: pranks, hot tub parties, and Adam's historical musical discovery. Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Bret Pasek Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Shadow Dancers from the Fandazzi Live CD Become a Patreon subscriber Buy Merch
Get to know the Man behind the Yuri Nation! We talk with Fandazzi guitarist and member with the most loyal fans, Alan Gramont. Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Alan Gramont Producer: Theresa Meis Featured song: Gypsy Queen (written by Alan!) from the Fandazzi Live CD Featured photo by Amore Fotography & Events Become a Patreon Subscriber! Buy Merch!
The man behind the crown - John Behr has been brining King Henry and other incarnations of royalty to life in the lanes of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival for decades and decades and... Well, a long time. We're thrilled to have him join us this week to tell us all about his rise to the throne. Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: John Behr Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Sheets & Daggres from Dancing With Flame, available on Spotify, Amazon, and iTunes Featured photo by Amore Fotography & Events Become a Patreon Subscriber Buy our merch!
We take a look back at the positive moments we had in 202... well, you know. And then we look forward to 2021, and what our goals are as individuals and as Fandazzi! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Alan Gramont Christophe Meis Theresa Meis Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Asturias from Fandazzi Live Featured photo: Fandazzi at the hotel in Wisconsin Dells, A Gathering of Rogues and Ruffians, 2019. Become a Patreon Subscriber Buy Merch!
With the Holiday Season in full swing, we decided to talk a bit about our own holiday traditions. Of course we start with food, then go on to answer the question: just how much of a Grinch IS Adam? Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Raederle Sterling Theresa Meis Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Caravan, from the Fandazzi Live album Featured photo: Meis Christmas Tree Become a Patreon Subscriber Buy Merch
We're doing a performer profile this week, highlighting who Katy is - outside of Fandazzi! Come for the pizza comfort food, stay for the Disney obsession! We're going to be doing more of these profiles of our performers as time goes on, so if you have any questions you'd like asked, drop them in the comments! Host: Adam Solko Guest: Katy Solko Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Fire Dance from the Fandazzi Live CD Buy Merch Become a Patreon Subscribrer
This week we continue with the discussion about parenting at Renaissance Festival and the value of having a support circle of moms we can turn to for help with parenting. Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Theresa Meis Raederle Sterling Kristen Weeks Producer: Theresa Meis Featured song: Folk Dance, available on the album Dancing With Flame on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify Featured photo by Nicholas J. Narog Photography Buy Merch, Join Patreon
This week the Fandazzi moms talk all about what it has been like bringing up children at the Renaissance Festival. From pregnancy to parenting as a community, we cover it all. In fact, we covered so much, this will be a two-part episode! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Theresa Meis Raederle Sterling Kristen Weeks Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Asturias, from the Fandazzi Live album Featured Photo by Amore Fotography & Events Become a Patreon Subscriber Buy Merch!
This week talk to our favorite Fire Phoenix, Soledad! You might know her as one of our long-time merch stand managers, recognize her by her cross-bow camera (she is the amazing Amore Fotography & Events), or know her from a dozen other Fandom-centric events across the Twin Cities! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Soledad Kern Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Song: Caravan, from the album Dancing with Flame available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify. Get merch! www.fandazzifire.com Become a Patreon: www.patreon.com/fandazzifire
Ennui: a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement. This week we tackle a hard topic - how the lack of performances and safe means to get together has affected our mental health. We hope that hearing our conversation will help you feel less alone if you've also been struggling during this time. This conversation moves from being heavy to laughter and back again, so if you're not in a good place to listen, save it and come back later. National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255 More from Brett & Jo (2 on Point): https://www.facebook.com/2onpoint/ Jo's belly dance: https://www.facebook.com/candlelorabellydancer Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Chris Meis Theresa Meis Bret Pasek Kristen Weeks Jo DePatto
We get into all of the construction that goes on with our show - staging, set pieces, and props! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Chris Meis, official Fandazzi Builder Theresa Meis Producer: Theresa Meis Featured song: Gypsy Queen, from the Fandazzi Live album Featured photo Buy merch! www.Fandazzi.com Join Patreon! www.patreon.com/fandazzifire
Happy Halloween Week! This week we share some of our personal ghostly encounters at home and at Fest. We are also so excited to have special guest Jim Cunningham, host of the Phantom Feast, on to share with us some of the spooky tales from over his years of guiding ghost tours at the grounds of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Hosts: Katy & Adam Solko Special Guest: Jim Cunningham Guests: Chris Meis Theresa Meis Alan Gramont Kristen Sammartano Weeks Sound Effects from Epidemic Sound Featured Music: Forget Me Romi from the album Dancing with Flame, available on iTunes, Amazon Music and Spotify Featured Photo by Alan Gramont
This week we're talking about one of our favorite festivals to visit outside of our home fair - the Gathering of Rogues & Ruffians, held in the Dells region of Southern Wisconsin! The festival is hosted by Shakespeare on the Edge, a small non-profit youth group based out of Green County WI. The main goal at Shakespeare on the Edge is to help kids break out of their shell, help them find friends, and give them a voice which they can use how they would like to use it. They have set up a Go Fund Me to help Shakespeare on the Edge remain open and present Rogues & Ruffians in 2021 Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Alan Gramont Raederle Sterling Chris Meis Theresa Meis Kristen Sammartano Weeks Featured song: Fire Dance, from the Dancing with Flame album available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify Featured photo by Amore Fotography & Events
Our very first big break into performing at Halloween came in 2008 when we were hired by the House of Shadows Haunted House in Sparta, WI. This haunted house is put on by the Boys & Girls Club of Sparta, WI, and is staged at what used to be a home for abandoned and neglected children. It was a very memorable event, as Katy & Adam chose this central location between their two families to host their wedding! It was also one of the more oppressively spooky sites we've ever performed at! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Christopher Meis Theresa Meis Producer: Theresa Meis Featured song: Shadow Dancers from the album Dancing with Flame, available for purchase on Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify Featured photo by Bruce Solko Support us on Patreon Buy merch! www.fandazzifire.com
This week we roll into discussing our current look, down to boots and accessories! We'd like to recognize these amazing vendors at Festival without whom our looks would not be complete: Stronghold Leather, Boar's Head Leather, Catskills Boots, Son of Sandlar, Excalibur Leather, The Blonde Swan Hosts: Katy & Adam Solko Guests: Raederle Sterling Theresa Meis Producer: Theresa Meis Featured music: Caravan, from the album Dancing with Flame, available via iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify Photo by: Amore Fotography & Events Podcasts by our friend Kazimir the Hungry/Salsa Sterling: Curtains Unfurled & Apropos of Nothing (Adult Content Warning) Support us on Patreon Buy merch! www.fandazzifire.com
This topic inspired such a great conversation, we've split it across two episodes! This week's segment covers the early days of Fandazzi costuming and how our foundational look changed over time. Next week we'll talk more in-depth about how we got the look our current fans know and love. Hosts: Katy & Adam Solko Guests: Raderle Sterling Theresa Meis Producer: Theresa Meis Featured photo: Fabric on its way to becoming vests Featured song: Sheets and Daggers from the album Dancing with Flame available on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Podcasts by our friend Kazimir the Hungry/Salsa Sterling: Curtains Unfurled & Apropos of Nothing (Adult Content Warning) Support us on Patreon Buy merch! www.fandazzifire.com
Fandazzi has been a family since day one! Listen as we recount how the Fandazzi family originated, how each member has been assigned a role within the family unit, and how being a large, extended family in the real sense influences how we interact on the stage. We also dive down several rabbit holes of family history and cultural roots. Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fandazzifire Buy Awesome Merch: www.fandazzifire.com/ Get in on the discussion: www.facebook.com/fandazzifire Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Raederle Stering Christopher Meis Theresa Meis Producer: Theresa Meis Featured song: Asturias from the Fandazzi Live CD
The Musicians of Fandazzi come together in this episode to talk about where they find inspiration, how they collaborate, and demonstrate an almost Borg-like mind when it comes to answering questions! Podcasting isn't free! Help keep this show going by supporting us through Patreon or buying Fandazzi Merch! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Raederle Sterling Alan Gramont Kristen Sammartano-Weeks Producer: Theresa Meis Featured Songs: Lonesome Boatman from the Dancing With Flame album - Available on iTunes and Amazon; "Splinters" - the working title of a song yet-to-be recorded in studio, captured during a life performance in 2019.
For over 25 years, Mark Lazarchic has gotten older, and grumpier. These are his stories. Seriously, though - from his character of Fitz the Toad, to his lingering presence through Vilification Tennis' Festival tenure, to his slightly fancier persona hosting the Smoker / Bawdy Beer Show / ??, Mark has contributed to the more irreverant side of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Don't worry - this episode is still safe to listen to with all of our fans, regardless of age level! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guest: Mark Lazarchic Producer: Theresa Meis Photo by Amore Fotography and Events Blue Sun Soda Shop - second location opening soon in Richfield!
This week we have another legacy episode, where we talk with the current Entertainment Director of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Fud Williams. We cover the past - how the Festival was when he started - and look to the future of Entertainment and performer mentorship at the Festival! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Fud Williams Chris & Theresa Meis Ending Song: Trouble Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fandazzifire Merch Store: fandazzifire.com/new-products
We continue to celebrate you, our fans! In this episode we talk about some of our favorite fan interactions, as well as... well... we meander a bit. But all good thing! Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Chris & Theresa Meis Raederle Sterling Alan Gramont Kristen Sammartano Weeks
The 50th Anniversary of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival has been put on hold. Likewise, our 17th season performing there as Fandazzi will have to wait a bit. All of us our heart-broken. We love what we do, and it simply isn't the same without being there with you, our fans - old and new. Since we cannot be together tomorrow on what was supposed to be opening day this year, we decided to bring opening day to you! Through interviews with every member of Fandazzi, we've created an audio walk-through of what opening day is like for us - the planning, the back stage moments, the feelings that drive us through the day, the small details you've always wondered about! We've also included 21 of our songs to really evoke the feel of our show. This is our gift to you. We can't wait to see you again! Feature photo: Morning light coming through the mist while we prepare the stage Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fandazzifire
Most importantly - WE FOUND ROMY! This week we're thrilled to be joined by Bret and Jo as we discuss the highlights of our time on the road to festivals across the country! Shout out to some Festivals we have visited throughout the years: Renaissance Festival of Nebraska, Papillion, NE Iowa Renaissance Festival, Amana, IA A Gathering of Rogues and Ruffians at Baraboo, WI Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Theresa Meis Bret Pasek & Jo DePatto End music: Sheets & Daggers, Fandazzi Live, 2019 Episode Image by: Amore Fotography & Events
Brian Murphy, best known to audiences as Shakespeare at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, has gone ahead down the lanes and turned a corner around which we cannot see. Our hearts ache for want of his voice. We recorded this podcast in the hopes that we could get it to his family in time for him to hear it, so please forgive us if it's a bit rough. We know Brian will, for we know that regardless, he'll still hear it. We want to send our deepest love and condolences to his family – by blood and by love. Brian Murphy, our quiet legend: Thank you. Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Chris & Theresa Meis Special Guests: John Behr, King Henry, Minnesota Renaissance Festival Rich Shepardson, Troll & Director of the Riddle Booth, Minnesota Renaissance Festival Final Audio: Final Day Closing Gate, 2014, Minnesota Renaissance Festival – Brian's final time appearing as Shakespeare. Producer: Theresa Meis
Warning: You may want to have a snack handy! In this episode we talk all about food - what we eat, when we eat it, what foods we love... It honestly will probably be a topic we revisit down the line! These are some of the food booths at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival that receive a shout-out in this episode: Royal Chocolate (run by The Danger Committee) Pierogi Castle (near Treetop Stage) The Lazy Dragon Crepes (near the Stocks) The Gator Place (near Queen's Pub) If you know the real name of the place that sells shrimp and gator, let us know!
This week we discuss the many factors that go into creating a set list - AND, we get to name something new! Music featured in this episode: Argentina, from Dancing with Flame, available in the Apple Music Store Shadow Dancers, from the Fandazzi Live CD Links: A Gathering of Rogues and Ruffians
What's it like to manage a performance troupe? This week Adam and Katy talk to the founders, Chris and Theresa Meis, about what it was like getting Fandazzi off the ground, what the transition was like between the two management teams, and how Fandazzi has grown under Katy and Adam's ownership. Hosts: Adam and Katy Solko Guests: Chris and Theresa Meis Music: Gypsy Queen by Fandazzi, from the album Dancing With Flame, available on the iTunes store.
In this, our inaugural episode, we talk to all four founding members as well as our more recent hires to discuss the origins of Fandazzi, how each person came to be involved, and what their roles currently are within the group. Hosts: Adam & Katy Solko Guests: Chris & Theresa Meis, Raederle Sterling, Alan Gramont, and Kristen Sammataro Weeks.
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