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Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire 2023

Arts and Entertainment

June 24, 2023

From: Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire

During the medieval times, vendors brought their wares, along with their families, in wooden carts the base of the city’s walls for Festival Days. They set up a temporary shelter where their families slept, ate and played. Guildsmen worked at their crafts whenever business was light, and everyone sold hard, shouting their wares at passersby. Festival days were a joyous gathering of people, a bustling social event, full of color, music, laughter, and endless commotion.

The festival known as the Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire, follows this tradition and has been a long-standing festival of fun, excitement, and great memories for over 40 years. People continue to gather from around the world to Cedar City, Utah to be a part of these festivities every Summer.

We invite you to come and be a part of our wonderful world! Come take a look at our magnificent Renaissance history and lifestyle that surrounds these festive traditions.

Entertainment

Manis O'Tool & His Imperial Tibetan Yak Show

“Manis O’Toole is a true ‘Renaissance man’. He’s a comedian, strolling minstrel, and an accomplished yak trainer – he’s also a bit of a dimwitted thief, so hang on to your purse.

You’ll see him on stage performing the ‘Manis O’Toole and his Imperial Tibetan yak show’. Please note that on the very rare occasion that his yak (Clark) goes missing right before the big show, Manus will be forced to improvise – fortunately he’s got hilarious stories a bit of audience participation and maybe even some fire that he can pull out of his sleeve in a pinch… Enjoy the show – but again, keep an eye on your stuff.”

Desert Nomads

Desert Nomad is a belly dance collective based in St. George Utah, with members spread throughout Southern Utah & the surrounding desert area. Their mission is to promote & support empowerment, self-love & unity through the art of dance.

Today, Desert Nomads presents it’s members Krystalia, Joia, Annie, Krishna, Stephanie and Marcia Ishalimar & Daughters of Ishtar for your enjoyment.

Joshua the Ventriloquist

Returning for the second year – Joshua the Ventriloquist and his pint sized puppet partners produce a pageant of pirates, puppets and puns.

Oftentimes making in magic, mischief and mayhem. Audience members may end up drafted into the service of this comedy crew and find themselves being made the dummy.

This show is recommended for the young and the old alike. Come and enjoy the show…Hazzah!!!

The Mad Harpist

“The MAD HARPIST” Aaron Stokes will be joining us again! You will see him on stage and throughout the village, specializing in fusing Celtic, Eastern European and Middle Eastern folk music with modern flavors.

Harpist Aaron Stokes is best known for his magical, energetic and sometimes haunting songs that cause the listener to be swept away from time and space as we know it and land in places never before imagined.

In short, if your a fan of legendary songwriters such as Loreena Mckennitt, Andreas Vollenweider, Lindsey Stirling and others like them, Aaron Stokes is a must see! You can also pick up some of his CD’s to enjoy his music through the year.

Hasana Tribal Fusion Belly Dance

We are “Hasana” (which means “beautiful” in Arabic), We dance a tribal fusion style dance. We pride ourselves in modesty and self-moral. We aim to build ourselves and those around us through dedication and purpose.

All classes that we provide are free and available to all. We welcome everyone with open arms and hearts. There is no judgement here, we each are individuals striving to evolve to our full potential each moment of everyday, dance is not only helping us achieve that goal but to also strengthen our bodies, minds and spirits.

Hasana started out many years ago with our instructor Tabitha Reid. Tabitha began dancing in St. George Utah but later moved to Tonopah Nevada where belly dancing never existed. Tabitha then took the initiative to create her own troupe starting with her daughters and later inviting their friends. Today we consist of over 50 dancers. Our youngest dancers are three year olds and our oldest are well into their grandma years.

We dance multiple days a week and before every practice, a dancer leads our class in our daily class affirmation. Following the affirmation we often share what the affirmation means to us. “I am beautiful just as I am”.

Ra Kumba Belly Dancing Troupe

Ra Kumba Belly Dancing Troupe is a long time standing with the Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire in Cedar City.

They offer classes in all types of Belly Dance including ATS Belly Dance, Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, Hip Hop, Bollywood Dancing, and Drumming. Ra Kumba Studios is located in Cedar City Utah. For more information go to www.RaKumbaStudios.com. Come and watch their shows twice daily throughout the Faire.

Delbert Cummins

Delbert Cummens Presents Louie & Friends

Always a favorite at the Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire, Delbert Cummens and his Birds “Louie” Cockatoo and other birds of parrot family. Come here what they have to talk about and watch as they share some tricks!

Gypsy Majick

Gypsy Magik returning again for another great show…Eric has performed all over the west, mystifying, conjuring laughter, and amazement for over 30 years! He can perform close-up miracles, and is comfortable performing surrounded with his parlor style magic, and can command the stage with his grand illusions.

He is a past President of the Salt Lake Ring of “The International Brotherhood of Magicians”, having served in this capacity for two years during the late ‘90’s. He won the Grand Prize trophy at the 2011 SLC IBM magic competition and that same year the people’s choice award at the Cache Valley Conjurors competition in Logan. He won an award for best “Ghost” Effect at the Maniac Manor Haunted House in the early ‘90’s.

He is married to his lovely wife Natalie who is an incredible Face painter and Special Effects Make-up artist, and rearing 6 children together. He is a Magician, an Illusionist, and a Comedy Stage Hypnotist.

Vinny the Bard

Vincenzo (aka Rod Hansen) is a bard straight out of the Middle Ages. He will sing, play guitar, and juggle in the timeless tradition of medieval entertainers. He is influenced heavily by Shakespeare, Tolkien, and Celtic traditions, incorporating various historical elements into his own interpretations of the arts.

He often can be found performing at Evermore Park and within the Society for Creative Anachronism. He also enjoys writing, photography, traditional archery, and armored combat. Vivat!

Dates: July 12 - 15, 2023

Hours:

Wednesday - Friday: 11:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 8:00pm

Location: Main Street Park, 200 North Main Street, Cedar City, UT 84721

Click Here for more information.