Last-minute reminder: you are once again invited to join the Canton of Appleholm (aka Whyt Whey) for our casual weekend renaissance dance gathering: Taci e Balla!

On Sunday, February 26, at 3 PM, we’ll gather at Bridge For Dance, 2726 Broadway, on the 3rd floor, in studio 2. (This is between 104th and 105th Streets, on the east side of the avenue, upstairs from the McDonalds, just a minute’s walk from the #1 train at 103rd Street.) Please be aware of the accessibility limitation: this site lacks an elevator and there are three flights of stairs.

This week we’ll practice and expand our repertoire of 15th-16th century bransles (pronounced “brawls”). These are easy dances to learn; newcomers and first-timers are welcome!

We have the dance studio rented for just one hour, so arrive a few minutes early and be ready to dance!

All are welcome to join us. No fee. No membership or previous experience required. Modern attire; come as you are. Feel free to RSVP or just show up.

After the dancing, anyone who wishes to socialize is invited to walk uptown with us to Hex & Co, a board-game cafe with snacks, coffee, and beer. Cover charge of $10 includes open choice from their huge library of tabletop games. For those who wish to skip the dancing and meet us directly at Hex & Co, we expect to arrive at 2911 Broadway, between 113th and 114th Streets, at around 4:30.

Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to ensure the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events. By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge and accept the potential risks. You agree to take any additional steps to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as you believe to be necessary.

It’s time to Taci e Balla — shut up and dance!

The Canton of Whyt Whey invites you to join us in rehearsing our steps as we anticipate the spring ball season.

On Sunday, February 19, at 3 PM, we will gather at a local dance studio, Bridge For Dance, 2726 Broadway, between 104th and 105th Streets, in studio 2 on the 3rd floor. (This is the east side of Broadway, upstairs from the McDonalds, just a minute’s walk from the #1 train at 103rd Street.)

We have the dance studio rented for just one hour, so arrive a few minutes early and be ready to dance!

As with traditional country dances of 15th C England, we begin with bransles: double, single, Cassandre & Pinagay. If you can step to your left and to your right, and sometimes do a little kick in the air, you are ready to rumba! Er, I mean bransle! (Pronounced brawl, and can indeed become quite lively.)

There are nearby cafes to which we can repair after dancing, should we wish to socialize before parting.

Accessibility note: this site is NOT accessible. There are 3 flights of 13, 10 & 18 steps to the studio. The banister is sturdy, if you are able to haul yourself.

All are welcome to join us. No Society membership or previous experience required. Modern attire. Feel free to RSVP or just show up.

Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to ensure the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events. By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge and accept the potential risks. You agree to take any additional steps to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as you believe to be necessary.

The Canton of Whyt Whey and the Crown Province of Ostgardr invite you to join us for a casual weekend outing to one of our many world-class museums.

On Saturday, March 5, at 1 PM, we’ll visit the Bard Graduate Center Gallery (18 W 86th St.) to view their “Staging the Table” exhibit of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century European household manuals describing the proper way to serve and conduct a formal meal, accompanied by examples of table linens and servingware.

Admission is $15. The museum advises booking tickets in advance to ensure availability. (Student, senior, and disability discounts available.)

The venue requires masking and proof of up-to-date Covid vaccination along with matching photo ID. The site is wheelchair-accessible and ADA-compliant.

The visit is expected to take around an hour or so. Some folks may choose to go to lunch in the neighborhood afterwards.

All are welcome to join us. No Society membership or previous experience required. Modern attire. Feel free to RSVP or just show up.

Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to ensure the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events. By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge and accept the potential risks. You agree to take any additional steps to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as you believe to be necessary.

The Canton of Whyt Whey (or Appleholm-in-waiting) invites you to join us for a casual weekend outing to one of our many world-class museums.

On Saturday, February 18, at 2 PM, we’ll visit the Morgan Library & Museum (Madison at 36th St) to view their “She Who Wrote” exhibit of artifacts focusing on the lives of women in Mesopotamia during the Bronze Age. The centerpoint of the exhibit is a collection of cuneiform texts by the princess, priestess, and poet Enheduanna, the earliest individually-named author in world history.

Admission is $22, but the museum advises advance booking through their website, which costs $25. (Student, senior, and disability discounts available.) Masking is strongly encouraged. The site is wheelchair-accessible and ADA-compliant.

The visit is expected to take around one to two hours. Some folks may choose to go to lunch in the neighborhood afterwards.

All are welcome to join us. No Society membership or previous experience required. Modern attire. Feel free to RSVP or just show up.

Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to ensure the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events. By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge and accept the potential risks. You agree to take any additional steps to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as you believe to be necessary.

The Canton of Whyt Whey invites you to join us for a casual weekend outing to one of our many world-class museums.

On Sunday, January 22, at 1 PM, we’ll visit the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (14 E 84th St) to view their “Ritual and Memory” exhibit of artifacts from southeast Europe including Hungary and the Balkans during the Copper, Bronze, and Iron Ages, approximately 8,000–2,500 years ago.

Admission is free. The venue requires proof of Covid vaccination. Masking is encouraged but not required. The site is wheelchair-accessible and ADA-compliant.

The visit is expected to take around one to two hours. Some folks may choose to go to lunch in the neighborhood afterwards.

All are welcome to join us. No Society membership or previous experience required. Modern attire. Feel free to RSVP or just show up.

Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to ensure the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events. By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge and accept the potential risks. You agree to take any additional steps to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as you believe to be necessary.

The Whyt Whey apple pressing workshop yielded over five gallons of cider!

And gentlemen in Brooklyn now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That pressed with us on Crispin apples’ day.

— Þorfinnr Hróðgeirsson

Thanks to Þorfinnr for the use of his press and his advice on proper fermentation. Photographs by Þorfinnr, Alienor, and Mathghamhain.