By Michael Hodock
For two weekends (March 29-30 and April 5-6), embark on an epic journey as the Fourth Annual New Mexico Renaissance Celtic Festival (NMRCF) transforms the Wildlife West Nature Park (87 North Frontage Rd.) in Edgewood into a land where knights in shining armor fight for honor and elegant enchantresses hypnotize rejoicing crowds with music. Queens, kings, jesters, and wanderers of all types are invited to pack the park starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 29. Bring your whole brood, revel in the pageantry, grub down on feudal fare — and maybe down a few flagons of your favorite beverage — and celebrate medieval grandeur and Celtic culture to the sounds of blaring bagpipes.
The “Celtic Weekend” (March 29 and 30) will have tons of food, frosty pints and spellbinding tunes from twin sirens Camille and Kennerly Kitt, better known by their medieval moniker, The Harp Twins. They’re promoting their brand new album Ice Storm, which dropped March 22 and features Dromil and Dromal, The Volfgang Twins, on drums. The Volfgang twins will also be bringing the thunder — and the biceps — to the festival in Edgewood, playing their double Viking/Tribal-style “blood drums” during several performances throughout the weekend. With two sets of twin performers, crowds may feel like they are experiencing double vision, but the Harp twins are used to it. Anyone who has seen them on social media knows their sense of humor is a big part of what makes them so much fun.
“As identical twins, we have been accidentally fooling people our entire lives. So we don’t purposely switch places. People are confused enough as it is,” they said. “Our shows are interactive and comedic, so it’s fun for us to watch the audience loosen up when they realize that our shows aren’t like stereotypical harp concerts!”
Although The Harp Twins have an undeniable aura of wholesomeness about them, don’t mistake their gentleness for weakness. What sets them apart from many performers who specialize in traditional Celtic-influenced music is their versatility in the art of hard rock and heavy metal — and no, that doesn’t refer to masonry and blacksmithing. Give their four Harp Attack albums a listen and you’ll hear songs such as Scorpions’ “Send Me an Angel,” Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” and even some Iron Maiden covers of “Fear of the Dark” and “Powerslave.” It’s metal like you’ve never heard it before, but don’t worry, the shows are family-friendly and all the twins say the kiddos should not miss out on these one-of-a-kind shows.
“We don’t specifically have Renaissance-period roles. We’re just ourselves for our Renaissance festival performances,” the Harp Twins said. “Harp is an ancient instrument that existed in the Renaissance era. However, we play electric harps, so we guess we’re just a futuristic version of Renaissance harp music. We have played some Renaissance-era music, which is fun!”
The Volfgang twins will be bringing the thunder — and the biceps — to the festival in Edgewood, playing their Viking-style “blood drums” during the second half of each of the Harp Twins performances. They say that although they will be performing songs like the Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black” and Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” they are most proud of their original compositions because that is “where the artists’ identity really shows, and the gift of their creation is performed for you.” They say it’s amazing to hear fans express the healing quality the Volfgang Twins’ music has had on them.
“Whether it be filled with powerful energy and fire or a deep thought of appreciation for the ancestral blood that flows in all of our veins, we aim to bring music to the world that people can be carried with because we all have been through dark times in our lives where music helps more than words can express,” they said. “This is really the best part about the whole realm of our creation: the good it brings others.”
The Harp Twins say they’ve been touring with the Volfgang Twins for the last three years, and a collaboration album has been their top request from live audience members. The foursome will join forces and cast their spell on crowds during the Celtic Weekend with Nordic-inspired original songs and songs from the new Ice Storm record. The quadruple threat will perform at the Barn Stage at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29 and 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, March 30. They will all be signing autographs and hanging out with fans, which they say is a favorite part of their job.
“At the meet and greet, you can expect us to be there until every fan is happy and satisfied because we all remember going to shows as kids and how special and inspiring it was to meet our idols, and we want to do the same for the next generation,” the Volfgang Twins said.
Also, during Celtic Weekend, Celtica Nova, featuring the ever-alluring Dame of Drones on bagpipes, will hit the NMRCF Amphitheater Stage with performances that blend traditional instruments with electric guitar and bass. A shocking fact: The Dame of Drones was struck by lightning on the way to one of her shows last year. Some might say she manifested it with her mystic charm.
NMRCF’s “Medieval Weekend” (April 5 and 6) features performances by pagan folk band Daridel from Northern Italy and Scott Jeffers and his band Traveler. Both bands will lead crowds on three musical journeys taking place throughout the day. What Medieval Weekend would be complete without knights on horseback fighting for the Queen’s honor? Northern Colorado’s Order of Epona will bring athleticism and excitement to the party with full-contact Jousting and Fighter Tournament Sets at the NMRCF Arena during two special shows each day.
The NMRCF will be loaded with vendors peddling their wares and satiating brutish appetites with fun foods such as Meat Pies, turkey legs and Scotch eggs, just to name a few. If during your adventures you work up a taste for an adult beverage or two, you can down exotic potions from distant lands such as Little Toad Creek Brewery or Dark Stranger Meadery, or if you’d prefer potent potables that hit a bit closer to home, Taos Mesa and Quarter Celtic breweries will be on-site as well.
If you fancy yourself a bit of a weapons expert or just want to sharpen your pitching skills, there are perfect booths for that. Hit the Throwing Booth and toss some stars and knives or the Archery booths where the best sharpshooters in the realm can test their accuracy with a bow and arrow. If you’d rather train with a less lethal projectile, or if school’s just got your nerves on edge, try the Tomato Toss, where you can get out your aggressions by hurling raw veggies at UNM college students.
As always, romance fills the air at NMRCF, and attendees have at least two opportunities to witness a royal union this year. Erik “the Brown” Vigil and Miss Paula Ross will exchange vows during a traditional Scottish wedding ceremony at 3 p.m. on March 29 and at 10:30 a.m. on April 5, Alex and Jacky will say “I do” in the Queen’s court. While there is no special invitation required to attend the weddings, both celebrations will have private receptions immediately afterward.
If you’re new to the festival, NMRC has designed a special Live Action Role Playing Quest to help you find your way around the park and familiarize yourself with the merchants, venues and entertainers scattered throughout Edgewood’s medieval realm. At Time Traveler Alley, LARPers can grab a Festival Quest, search for clues, rack up points and earn the title of “Royal Knight.” If your warriors are too young to embark on the LARP journey alone, there are other paths to greatness. Mary Queen of Scots will perform free Kids Knighting Ceremonies for a limited time beginning at 2 p.m. each day or you can hang out with El Duque De Albuquerque in NMRC’s Medieval Kingdom. If you’re more of an entertainer than a fighter, get inspired by the Shamsir Fire Sword and Belly Dance show or enjoy sidesplitting funny business from Jim MacKenzie, Comedian with Mad Skills.
“To many people, electric harps and tribal drums would seem like an odd combination, but once they hear it, they love it and it really works,” the Harp Twins said. “We can promise that new audience members will have never seen or heard anything like our show.”
There are more activities than you can shake a sword at this year. For a schedule of events or a list of festival vendors, check the NMRC website at nmrenceltfest.com.
Discounted tickets, special packages and add-ons are still available here.
NM Renaissance Celtic Festival
March 29 – 30, April 5 – 6
Wildlife West Nature Park
87 North Frontage Rd.
$30 adults, $20 seniors/military/veterans, kids 17 and under free
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