Georgia Renaissance Festival 2017

In my experience, every mention of "Renaissance Festival" is followed by three statements: (1) "Yum! Giant turkey legs!", (2) "They're jousting, right?", and (3) "Are you dressing up?"

The Georgia Renaissance Festival has all of that and so much more! And you can get in on the fun every weekend now through June 4, 2017.

Georgia Renaissance Festival 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

There is indeed jousting, as well as masterful feats of horse riding skills, and there are sword fights! All for the King and Queen of the tournament, and we common folk. This is the one time it's super fun to be common folk!

However, if you'd like to be seated under cover during the tournament, I recommend purchasing your VIP tickets as soon as you arrive. By time we went over to watch the tournament we were relegated to watching from a hillside. Don't' get me wrong. There are no bad seats, but the earlier you go, the closer you will be to the action! 

Georgia Renaissance Festival 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

My dear friend Nikki—my partner in the "By the Numbers" series—gave me four tickets to the RenFest that she and her husband had won at a local Trivia Night. I took my dear friends Patti (that's her above with a cosplaying festival-goer) and her husband Eric, and our new friend Cody. Such a fun crew to hang with!

While at this festival, we made photos with the RenFest Queen; participated in an archery competition when Eric kicked our collective butts; feasted on giant smoked turkey legs; sampled a few beers; and got kissed by a pirate. Well, Patti did the latter.  

Georgia Renaissance Festival 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

There are lots of shows at the RenFest, but none make your sides hurt from laughing like the Washing Well Wenches! I want to assume that these two have been working together for years...their banter flows so naturally. That's where "natural" stops. 

The next thing you know, you have a guy running up the hill, into festival foot traffic, yelling something absurd at the top of his lungs. And another guy running up the same hill wearing underwear on the outside of his pants, also yelling absurdities. It was hilarious! Do not miss this show!!! Seriously. Do...not...miss...this...show!

Georgia Renaissance Festival 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

There are so many incredible performances, you may find yourself in the same situation as me...unable to pick a favorite! Then I think, why can't I have several? I can!!! So can you!

The Gypsy Geoff Fire Circus is AWESOME! We saw his show immediately following one of the jousting tournaments. 

And, something interesting happened.

The part of his routine when he invites kids to the stage to be part of the show started as typically as one would expect. In this case there were six kids on stage, super excited and a little bit nervous, listening intently to Geoff's instruction on how to balance a spinning plate on a long, skinny stick. We've all seen this, right?

Then, the kids go "off script"!

Without being instructed to, the first kid—who Geoff had passed a spinning plate to stick-to-stick—turns and passes it to the kid next to him—while Geoff was off getting another plate for the next kid. Geoff was going to give them each their own spinning plate, but the kids opted for a more challenging feat...to pass the same spinning plate to each kid on stage!

There were a couple of spills (we'll call them practice runs), but these kids were determined to make magic! They passed the same spinning plate from kid to kid to kid, all the way down to the smallest of them...in a single spectacle! They did it!!!

I think the above is my favorite photo from the day...that's Gypsy Geoff!

Georgia Renaissance Festival 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

You absolutely must see The Ded Bob Sho! What he's missing in flesh, he makes up for in banter that is oftentimes brilliant humor, oftentimes over-the-heads of some. If you're a worldly person or keep up with current affairs, you're going to appreciate your time with Ded Bob. Pay attention.


The stage is massive—and in keeping with the festival's theme, of course—and there is audience participation, as there is in many of the festival's awesome shows and performances. With that said, Ded Bob is special...don't miss him! 

Georgia Renaissance Festival 2017 | Travis and Cody

Yes, yes I was busting a vein getting into that giant turkey leg...but, doesn't everyone?

All four of us had one. Well, most of one. We later saw one festival-goer who was carrying around—with great pride I assume—a turkey leg bone that had been rendered devoid of meat. It looked like it could have been plucked from Deb Bob himself, the bone was so clean!

There is lots more to eat and drink, too...a LOT more! They have snacks and meals, beer and wine and margaritas, and they have a wide range of make-your-mouth-water desserts! And it's all available throughout the festival grounds. If you leave hungry or thirsty, it's your own fault! Just sayin'. 

Georgia Renaissance Festival 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I'd only been to one other Renaissance Festival, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Let me tell you...you can expect a festival done right! Did the festival designers engage archaeologists or sociologists who are experts in the Renaissance era? Probably not, but what they have done is perfect FUN! 

You will not find yourself sitting in a boring lecture learning European 1300-1500s history (I love history and read/watch it all the time!). You will discover a "rebirth" of what it means to relinquish being uptight, how to discard the drudgery of hectic work weeks, and how to shed the stench of stress. When you arrive, do yourself the great favor of relaxing into the fun. Go, have a great fun time!

Georgia Renaissance Festival 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

There are LOTS of animals at the festival, too! There's a falconry demonstration, the beautiful horses from the jousting tournament, camel rides, hawks, eagles, owls, and these two pirating lizards, to name just a few.

Georgia Renaissance Festival 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I highly recommend a thorough review of the Georgia Renaissance Festival website, just so you know how much is going on so that you don't miss something that you really want to see. Like me, you may want to visit multiple times so that you can do absolutely everything! 

The festival is every Saturday and Sunday through June 4, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Call me a festival geek, but I highly recommend planning a FULL day at the Georgia Renaissance Festival...there's so much to see and do, you're going to need a full day to see and do everything! Go, have fun!

[more RenFest photos]

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017

On a Friday evening not too long ago, the great cosplay talent of Dragon Con was invited to join the chivalrous talent of Medieval Times, at their Atlanta Castle. The evening was filled with festivity, joviality, a knighting ceremony, a King's Feast, a noble display of falconry, a glorious tournament...and a cosplay contest!

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Xavier (photo above) won the grownup cosplay competition, and took home quite the treasure chest of awesome winnings. Congratulations, Xavier of Ebony Warrior Studios! 

I don't know most of the characters from the contest, but if you are one of the one's I post (here or in the Facebook album), or you know someone I post here, please feel free to message me your name and website or professional Facebook page and I'll be happy to tag you!                  

A young lady dressed head-to-toe in a Tardis dress won the children's cosplay competition. Congratulations, Riley!

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Ta ylor

I'm not sure who this is, but he's a regular at Dragon Con, and quite the talented cosplayer!

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I love a good mashup! And this one is quite clever...The Purple Power Ranger mashed up with Prince! We were among royalty at Medieval Times, so it's only befitting that the Purple Ranger is a Prince! Gotta love clever!

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I recently game a friend the gift of a Knife Skills class at Cook's Warehouse...this is how he came back! Just kidding, of course. I love the spikes coming from out of the shoulder pads and of course the shield! Is that a shield? Who is this? 

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

This is how I feel every Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times....it's so much fun!!! Who is she, I wonder...

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I don't know this character or person, but I do know that a LOT of work went into this awesome costume...and that I wouldn't want to be on his bad side.

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I can't be sure, but it looks like this Victorian diver has the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. 

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

This cast from Peter Pan was amazing! It is a feat in and of itself to get a group to select a theme to cosplay, let alone pull it off as well as this band of merry cosplayers did!

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Ariel from The Little Mermaid, the first of the Disney classics I ever saw on the big screen, was awesome! She was very much in-character the whole time she was on stage...and what a great smile!

Dragon Con Night at Medieval Times 2017 | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

These youngsters (above) were totally awesome! They cosplayed the Knights and Villain from the tournament and they looked like they were having the best time! Well done!

In case you were wondering about the tournament that had taken place in the arena, immediately prior to the cosplay contest, it was on the Friday night immediately prior to Super Bowl Sunday, so you can imagine how excited everyone was when the Black & White Knight (who wears elements of red on his surcoat), won the tournament, surely a gesture wishing that the Atlanta Falcons would win only two days later.

I love this annual event because it mashes up two of my favorite things, Dragon Con and Medieval Times. Thank you to both organizations for bringing us fans so much fun throughout the year!

Walker Stalker Con 2016

I had a great time at this year's Walker Stalker Con at the Georgia World Congress Center, my second time at this particular convention! It is The Walking Dead heavy, but there's so much more!

Walker Stalker Con 2016

My friend Nikki is so much fun and such a great sport! She posed here at the Walker Stalker Action Figure photo-op. I plasticized her to make it look a little more authentic, but you can see that no plastic is going to stop Zombie Nikki!

Yes, that's a Doctor Who beer ad t-shirt...several other conventioneers commented on it and shared their Doctor Who fanaticism. We were in good company! 

Walker Stalker Con 2016 | Stan the Zombie & Travis

I got to see Stan the Zombie again this year, although my first photo with him was at a Zombie Night at an Atlanta Braves game! I've been following Stan the Zombie's adventures on social media and invite you to, too! Stan the Human is totally awesome, as well. 

Walker Stalker Con 2016

There are tons of experiences and photo-ops throughout the Con, including several zombie vehicles, some of them displayed in a diorama-style setting, some of them with zombies!

Walker Stalker Con 2016

I don't know who this guy is, but I've seen him at a number of conventions...he's always having a blast! If I find out and he has a public social channel, I'll come back and share it here. Again, Nikki was a total trooper!

Walker Stalker Con 2016 | Cruella de Vil

There was a Cosplay Contest the day we went. It's a three-day convention, but our schedules would only allow us to go that Saturday...lucky for us, we got to see the contest!

Cruella de Vil—who was wearing bloody dalmatian fuzzy bedroom slippers—was a total riot! We talked with her for a few minutes at the end of the day and she shared that the Cruella cosplay was her daughter's idea, and that she had had great fun doing it. Shhhh...don't tell the ASPCA, please.

Walker Stalker Con 2016 | Cosplay Contest

The most adorable team cosplayers was this group of The Walking Dead miniatures. There's a superstar or two in this group...they barely gave the mic back for the rest of the contest! Totally adorable!

Walker Stalker Con 2016 | Cosplay Contest

Most of the costumes in the contest were themed on The Walking Dead, segmented into "Walkers", "Stalkers" and "Other". As with most committed cosplayers, the costumes at this Con were brilliant! 

Walker Stalker Con 2016 | Cosplay Contest

There were a LOT of costumes fashioned after a new villain on The Walking Dead, Negan and his freakin' scary sidekick Lucille. The cosplayers served up some incredibly creative renditions of the duo. 

Walker Stalker Con 2016 | Cosplay Contest

There were so many Negan & Lucille cosplayers, in fact, including one of the judges—VAMPTRESS LeeAnna Vamp—that they were all called to the stage for a group photo! I'd share with you who the winners of the contest were, but that'd create a spoiler situation, and I know better than to do that!

Walker Stalker Con 2016 | With Freddy Kreuger

Oh, the precarious situations we find ourselves in during a convention...most of them fun, some of them more adrenaline-rising than others. Freddy Kreuger was awesome! Nikki and I both made photos with him, but hers turned out the best. Of course. 

I didn't notice until I was editing photos that Freddy was wearing a necklace featuring the head of Pennywise the Dancing Clown...creepy! 

In addition to the tiny little bits that I've shared here, Walker Stalker Con also features panels, loads of vendors (I got a book from author J.H. Glaze!), you can have your fortune told and you can get a tattoo—from a working tattoo artist! There are plenty of food and drink vendors, too—we had Jim'N Nick's Bar-B-Q for lunch! 

There were parties, too, including a Halloween party hosted by Tom Payne! AND Atalanta Movie Tours was doing special tours that departed from the convention site! Got to see my AMT friends Carrie and Cindy!

Practically any and every actor who has been on The Walking Dead was there doing panels, autographs and high-end photo sessions, including Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus! I finished my Walker Stalker Con experience this year by meeting and getting an autograph from Ross Marquand, who is Aaron on The Walking Dead. Super, super nice person!

If you haven't been to Walker Stalker Con before, keep an eye on their website for when tickets go on sale for next year's event. See you then!

Hanging With Captain America & Touring Film Sites

I recently had the awesome opportunity to go on a one-time, invite-only Atlanta Movie Tours film sites tour tailored to Captain America: Civil War, a very special event held just before the DVD release of the blockbuster movie. 

Captain America: Civil War Tour | Atlanta Movie Tours

I'd already seen the movie, so that made this an even more exciting experience...AND we got to hang with "Captain America" for a while! 

Captain America: Civil War Tour | Atlanta Movie Tours

Our first stop was immediately outside the doors of the offices of Atlanta Movie Tours, located in the ever-growing Castleberry Hill neighborhood. "The Gulch" was the film site for the "market scene" in Lagos, among the first scenes in the movie.

On Atlanta Movie Tours tours you get to see clips of the movies that feature the sites you're about to see and/or explore, which not only refreshes the memory, it shows the magic of movie-making. Some of the transformations, like the Gulch-to-Nigerian-market, are truly magnificent!

The Gulch also was used for multiple scenes in cable television's most popular show ever, The Walking Dead. Atlanta Movie Tours offers several Big Zombie tours, too!

Captain America: Civil War Tour | Atlanta Movie Tours

As we were approaching our next filming site, it was mere seconds after the first person spotted him that everyone on the bus had their eyes on Captain America himself! I didn't catch the young man's name, but this cosplayer is fantastic! Atlanta Movie Tours did a great job finding the best to be a part of this experience.

What an awesome surprise! We all had the opportunity to make photos with Captain America, and we made the traditional Atlanta Movie Tours group photo...on this tour with Captain America! FUN!

Captain America: Civil War Tour | Atlanta Movie Tours

The film site pictured above is the Atlanta Civic Center, which served as the Center for Infectious Diseases in Lagos in the movie. Again, another magnificent transformation. I've driven by the Atlanta Civic Center hundreds of times over the years, yet when I saw the movie I did not make the connection...that's movie magic!

Captain America: Civil War Tour | Atlanta Movie Tours

For this tour we had three tour guides: Clyde Cauthen, Kent Wagner, and Joshua Seymour (pictured above, thumbs-up!). Each was knowledgeable, engaging and totally fun! I've been on a LOT of Atlanta Movie Tours tours and have consistently had remarkable tour guides. Thanks, guys, for making this such a fun experience! 

Captain America: Civil War Tour | Atlanta Movie Tours

The funeral scene in the movie takes place in London, but was filmed at Peachtree Christian Church on Peachtree Street. The scene was the funeral of Margaret "Peggy" Carter. 

One thing that I've learned about Atlanta from going on so many Atlanta Movie Tours tours, no matter where you are in Atlanta, you're close to, or actually in, a site that was used in a movie! In fact, Peachtree Christian Church on Peachtree Street is directly across the street from The Temple, which was used for a scene in Driving Miss Daisy. 

Captain America: Civil War Tour | Atlanta Movie Tours

We were treated to a special tour of the church by Executive Minister Dan Johnson, who was at the church during the filming and saw many of the celebrities. Mr. Johnson shared with us some history of the church and then quite a bit about filming day at the church. It sounded like it was great fun!    

The church, founded in 1925 and the sanctuary dedicated in 1928, is stunningly beautiful. It has one of the most remarkable collections of stained glass that I've ever seen. There are too many windows to get into here, but I'll share that some of the collections pictorially tell the stories of the Old Testament, life of Christ and parables that Christ told. If you ever have a the opportunity to tour the church, do take advantage of it! 

Nearly 9,000 couples have been married at Peachtree Christian Church.

Captain America: Civil War Tour | Atlanta Movie Tours

Sharon Carter, Peggy Carter's niece, spoke from this spot in the church during the funeral scene.

Another of the fun aspects on Atlanta Movie Tours tours is the trivia and giveaway! This fun little activity separates the truly enthusiastic fans from the folks who are along for the ride...everyone is on a wholly unique Atlanta experience. The tour guides make the trivia fun for everyone. And on this particular tour, EVERYONE got a movie poster, a movie button AND a digital copy of the movie!

Captain America: Civil War Tour | Atlanta Movie Tours

I had no idea what the filming sites were for Captain America: Civil War, other than The Gulch. And I certainly had no idea where we were going when we headed to Hapeville, near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Delta Flight Museum.

Immediately recognizable for its huge-letter name on the building, it turns out that the relatively new Porsche Experience Center, Atlanta was the Avengers Headquarters, a Tony Stark mansion, in the movie! And what a magnificent building it is! The plane flying overhead was total serendipity. We didn't go inside the building, but the Porsche Experience is definitely on my list!

Atlanta Movie Tours tours are typically about three hours and there's usually a break during the tour. On this one we stopped at Drip, a coffee shop in Historic Hapeville, near the Hapeville Depot Museum and next door to Academy Theatre. The staff at Drip were awesome and it was a delightful respite. I want to go back.

Captain America: Civil War Tour | Atlanta Movie Tours

Who knew that Pym Technologies Headquarters was right down the street from the Olympic Flame Tower and Turner Field?! The former Georgia Archives Building, reportedly sinking because of reverberations from nearby highway traffic, was the site of another important scene in the movie. Have you seen the movie? 

Atlanta Movie Tours partnered with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment to create this truly special event, one I was grateful to experience! When the DVD was released on September 13 I went out and purchased a copy and, yes, I've watched it at least three times since! Don't judge...it's just harmless enthusiasm and fandom.  

Keep an eye out for Atlanta Movie Tours' newest tour, slated for launch at the end of September...their new Hero Tour!

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

This past Saturday was the exclusive Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium, my second year to attend this awesome event! I've been to Georgia Aquarium many, many times over the years, but this is as unique as it gets!

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

This year's Aquarium event was co-hosted by Catherine Lee Jones, owner of GSTQ Fashions here in Atlanta, and Judge Reinhold, of Beverly Hills Cop and Fast Times at Ridgemont High fame! 

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

There were a lot of aquatic/sea/ocean-themed costumes, and many of other genres...all of them brilliant and fun!

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

One of the highlights of the evening was the costume contest, and these are seriously awesome, mostly hand-made costumes! My friends think I'm joking when I say a Dragon Con costume is a 6-12 month project...obviously, I'm not joking. 

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

Kudos to all the cosplayers who commit time, determined work and hard-earned money to bring great joy to Dragon Con conventioneers, as well as to those who venture downtown for a street-side glimpse at the fun we're having.

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

And great admiration to those who wear heavy, not-heat-resistant costumes! 

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

Guests also enjoyed the new Sea Lion Experience and the newly renovated 4D Funbelievable Theatre! I highly recommend both.

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

I got to hang out a little with my friend David, aka Superman, and we got to visit with my friend Carrie, co-founder/owner of Atlanta Movie Tours. Atlanta Movie Tours was offering "Hero Tours" during the convention...doesn't that sound fun?! 

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

Steel-toed shoes? No, no. He's the "Man of Steel". And we all know that Elmo and Cookie Monster wouldn't hurt a flea. let alone a superhero.

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's...it's one of Georgia Aquarium's Manta Rays! They swim near the top of their habitat along with Whale Sharks, the largest fish on the planet! I was gifted the awesome experience of "Swim with Gentle Giants" a couple of years ago...wholly unique and exciting! 

Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium 2016

This was my second time attending Dragon Con Night at Georgia Aquarium and again it was great fun. I enjoy Georgia Aquarium throughout the year and encourage visitors, and locals, to visit when you come to Atlanta. You can find a few more photos from the evening on the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook page.

Keep an eye out for at least a couple more posts about Dragon Con 2016...