BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Brevard Renaissance Fair is heading back into the area for another year of magic.
The fair is returning to its new home at 3190 New York Avenue in Melbourne on weekends from Jan. 18 through Feb. 23.
“With over 100 stage shows daily, varieties of foods and treats, and numerous artisan merchants with handcrafted wares, the Brevard Renaissance Fair invites guests to immerse themselves in a unique experience of History and Fantasy,” event organizers wrote.
Each weekend will bring a different theme, adding a new flair to the fair:
Jan. 19-20 - Fantasy Weekend
Jan. 25-26 - Viking Weekend
Feb. 1-2 - Pirate Weekend
Feb. 8-9 - Celtic Weekend
Feb. 15-16 - Beerfest Weekend
Feb. 22-23 - Carnivale Weekend
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This year, there will be six events on Saturday nights after the gates close, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18: Time Traveler’s Ball
When the Brevard Renaissance Fair gates close, the real timey-wimey fun begins! Join us for the Time Traveler’s Ball – an epic after-hours party with a dazzling light show, music, and dancing.
Dress to impress and strut your stuff in our costume contests (prizes await!). Indulge in specialty themed cocktails, exclusive fantasy snacks, and join in the games.
Oh, and for the littlest adventurers? There’s a bounce house to keep them entertained!
Don’t miss the party where past, present, and future collide. Let’s make some history (or rewrite it)
Jan. 25: House of Hamill
House of Hamill owes its existence – almost entirely – to a series of cancelled flights.
Rose Baldino and Brian Buchanan first found themselves onstage together at the 2014 Folk Alliance International conference in Kansas City.
Rose’s band Burning Bridget Cleary was scheduled to perform, but inclement weather prevented two of her bandmates from flying. Desperate to salvage the showcase, Rose approached Brian, who she knew fronted Canadian celtic rock band Enter the Haggis. She thrust a guitar into Brian’s hands, pulled him onstage, and the two just clicked.
Four years and hundreds of shows later, the duo was booked to play a closing slot at a Colorado festival, so they hired a bass player and drummer to fill out their sound. By the oddest of coincidences, their hired bandmates’ flights were canceled the day of the show. A frantic Facebook post introduced Brian and Rose to local musician Caroline Browning, who joined them on bass for the weekend. Once again, the chemistry was undeniable, and House of Hamill became a trio.
Today, Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill is a fixture on festival stages across the US, and have shared their music and stories on the country’s premier folk stages. Their version of “Pound a Week Rise” rose to #1 on the US Folk DJ charts, and the video for their all-violin cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” amassed over 16 million views on Facebook, where it was shared over 400,000 times. Their latest release, “Folk Hero,” captures perfectly the frenetic energy and eclecticism of their always engaging live show. A lively collection of original instrumentals, reimagined folk ballads, and new songs that showcase the trio’s versatility, “Folk Hero” is the third House of Hamill album to be funded entirely by their fans.
Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very first note.
Feb. 1: Socks in the Frying Pan
Socks in the Frying Pan, a multi-award-winning trio from Ennis, County Clare, Ireland—the mecca of Irish traditional music—was formed in 2014. Forged together by a fire of pure joy and passion for their art, the band comprises Aodan Coyne on guitar and lead vocals, Shane Hayes on accordion, and younger brother Fiachra Hayes on fiddle.
Their ‘Socks Sound’ combines virtuosic musicianship with a burning passion for the music and tradition, pitch-perfect harmonies, and a big splash of quick wit and banter. Their electrifying performances and on-stage charm have established them as the kingpins on the Irish Traditional Music scene today.
They have toured extensively, capturing hearts in 46 US states, dozens of countries, and every continent, showcasing at renowned festivals such as the Walnut Valley Festival in Kansas, Electric Picnic in Ireland, Tønder Festival in Denmark, and the world-famous New Orleans Jazz Festival.
To date, Socks in the Frying Pan have released three studio albums, each adding to their list of accolades including ‘Best New Band‘, ‘Best Live Band‘, ‘Album of the Year‘, and ‘Best Live Performance of the Year‘. Their latest release, Raw & Ríl, recorded live at Glór Theatre, was immediately awarded ‘Best Live Album‘.
Feb. 8: Screaming Orphans
Screaming Orphans are a chart-topping all-sister Celtic folk and pop band from Donegal. They are known worldwide for their award-winning sound combining original pop songs with a unique take on traditional Irish music. From an early age, the Diver sisters entertained international audiences around Ireland accompanying their mother, legendary céilí singer Kathleen Fitzgerald.
The band has always defied being pigeonholed, having masterfully developed their own unique fusion of folk and pop. The sisters’ trademark spine-tingling four-part harmony and mastery of their instruments combined with their highly energized performances take audiences of all ages on an exhilarating and emotional musical journey.
Screaming Orphans’ pitch perfect harmonies have led them to many collaborations on recordings and stage with artists such as Sinéad O’Connor, Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell, Baaba Maal, and Afro Celt Sound System. The band continues to tour and play extensively across America, Canada and Europe.
As of this year, the band has released 16 albums, encompassing both original pop and folk/Irish music, as well as one Christmas album. Their albums Taproom, Life in a Carnival, Sunshine and Moss, and Paper Daisies have topped Billboard, iTunes and World Music charts.
Feb. 15: Seven Nations
Equally at home in front of 40,000 cheering fans at an international festival, with the widely recognized, Grammy award winning, symphony orchestras, or with 300 fans in a small Midwest club, SEVEN NATIONS has created a truly hybrid sound and transient live show.
The depth and complexity of SEVEN NATIONS’ music is astounding, each listen reveals a deeper layer of intricacy that has been embraced by an ever growing audience.
“We are lucky,” says McLeod, lead singer/songwriter and founding member of the band, “because we come from two unique cultures. We love American pop and rock and roll, but we also love our Celtic roots. We want to touch everybody with our music,” he continues, “and so far, we have been very, very fortunate.”
Feb. 22: Cassie and Maggie
Nova Scotian sisters Cassie and Maggie have been lighting up the world with their unique blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic instrumentals and vocals. Appearing on stages across North America, the UK, and Europe the sisters have enchanted audiences far and wide with lively fiddle, piano and guitar arrangements, stunning sibling vocal harmonies in both English and Gaelic, all complemented by their intricate and percussive stepdancing style.
Daily tickets and other passes are available for purchase online. Click here to learn more and to check out some of the other acts.
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