HEAR YE, HEAR YE! Eau Claire will be getting a taste of the past with a new Renaissance Fair-like event slated for Sept. 22-25 this fall. Each day will feature two happenings – flower crown making, themed improv performances, dinners and more – hosted at Forage in downtown Eau Claire.

If you’re a fan of flowing gowns and flower crowns, of clanking swords and hearty meats and ale, of rhythmic sonnets and King’s Court entertainment, you’re in luck! Thanks to the collaboration of local businesses Kaleidoscope Soul and Forage, a “Renaissance Revival” is coming to Eau Claire, Sept. 22-25.

Because other Renaissance events in the Eau Claire area (Chippewa Valley Renaissance Faire, Ren in the Glen, The Newbourne Renaissance Festival) no longer exist, Allison Fine of Kaleidoscope Soul and Lori Borg of Forage put their heads together to create the line-up for a four-day celebration of all things Renaissance.

They bring the whimsy of a Renaissance fair — costumes at all events are encouraged, flute and harp music as background for events — along with traditional opportunities for community gathering: food, drink and entertainment.

Fine, the founder of Kaleidoscope Soul, is not new to creating unique events for the Eau Claire area, as she has sponsored an array of workshops including the Women’s Empowerment Retreat, the local Adult Show and Tell series, to Death Café and Fear Table meetups.

As someone who moved to Eau Claire sight unseen in 2021, Fine “decided to create events that were diversified and developed a sense of community.” Those events serve as a way to connect with other locals and to provide the community with varied options – including those she would want to attend.

The Renaissance Revival fits this mindset exactly: a community happening offering local experts, local goods, local food and drink – plus, local performers.

The final day of the four-day Renaissance Revival, Friday, Sept. 25, will include The Merchants Market. (Photo from a previous local Renaissance event)

Each day of the Renaissance Revival will include two happenings, held at Forage (403 S. Barstow St.) – the downtown Eau Claire event space owned and operated by Borg. Those will include family-friendly daytime happenings, such as flower crown making, a yoga class, a round table discussion and a merchants market.

These afternoon events will then be followed by more adult-centered, celebratory evening events, beginning with a Bard’s Night Open Mic on Tuesday, Sept. 22. On Wednesday, the curated Fest of Fools will be held; on Thursday, a playful Renaissance-themed performance by Oh Claire Improv on Thursday; and on Friday, The Revelry: A Royal Court Evening featuring a drag show performance. 

On the latter, Fine cheekily noted “the performers are already Queens, so for them to close the Renaissance Revival with a Royal Court Event makes perfect sense.”

Renaissance Revival events

Tuesday, Sept. 22

• Flower Crown Workshop from 1-3pm • $55/person
• Bard's Night from 6:30-8:30pm at Forage • $10/person

Wednesday, Sept. 23

• The Royal Reset from 12-12:45pm at Forage • $15/person
• Feast of Fools at 6pm at Forage • $85/person

Thursday, Sept. 24

• The Renaissance Round Table at Forage • Free
• King's Court from 7:30-9pm at Forage • $20/person

Friday, Sept. 25

• The Merchant's Market from 10am-1pm at Forage • Free
• The Revelry: A Royal Court Evening from 7:30-9pm at Forage • $25/person in advance or $30/person at the door

The Renaissance Revival is sure to be fun-filled, creative, educational and entertaining. Select one event or attend them all – separately ticketed; the full schedule are available online at  www.kaleidoscope-soul.com – but you’ll certainly want to be a part of what the creators hope will be a community favorite and an annual event.

View the full details of each event for the Renaissance Revival – held from Sept. 22-25 at Forage (403 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire) – and purchase tickets online at www.forageeauclaire.com.