Bardic in
the Barn 2026
May 2nd, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
35 Lane Rd, Dunnville, ON N1A 2W1
Event Information
The Barony of Ben Dunfirth is excited to present Bardic in the Barn—a new Bardic Arts-centric event in Ealdormere for bards of all skill levels and vocations.
Bardic in the Barn gives the bards of Ealdormere centre-stage to learn, teach, and perform. Two streams of classes will take place at this all-day event:
- Intro/Foundational Classes for Beginner or Aspiring Bards
- Advanced Classes for Established Bards
Intermittent breaks for lunch and dinner will take place, where bards are encouraged to take part in an open performance.
The evening will close out with a bardic circle for all attendees to help keep the fire warm with a song or story of their own.
Attending with Children
SCA events are open to people of all ages, but parents of children will need to sign a waiver at the Event Gate for their children.
However if you are bringing a child for whom you are not the parent, or legal guardian, you will need to bring:
- A complete signed minor waiver (PDF) or signed blue card
- A complete signed minor medical waiver (PDF) (2 copies)
Please see Ealdormere’s Attending with Children page for more details.
New to the SCA?
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions section on our Who We Are page for more information on what to expect.
Entry Fees
Adult
- $20 for non-members
Youth (under 18)
- Free for non-members
Adult
- $20 for non-members
Youth (under 18)
- Free for non-members
*Cheques must be made out to “SCA – Ben Dunfirth”
Schedule & Classes
More information to be added as classes are provided.
10:00 AM – Site opens
10:30 AM – Classes start
TBD – Warm-Up / Group Activities by Emer
TBD – Newcomer’s Corner: Intro to Bardic Culture
12:30 PM – Lunch break & open performance
1:00 PM – Classes resume
5:30 PM – Dinner break & open performance
7:00 PM – Bardic circle kick-off
10:00 PM – Site closes
Register to teach a class
Looking to teach a class or hold an activity? Click below to view the registration form.
General Site Details
Important: This event is held on private property, graciously provided by Pochesnyy Voyevoda Oleksandr Kirk and Countess Anne von Talstadt. We ask all attendees to please respect the site boundaries do not wander beyond the designated event areas.
The event is taking place in a barn
The Event Stewards would like to stress to all attendees that the event is true to its namesake and will, in fact, be in a barn.
- The barn is not a climate-controlled environment. Please pack according to standard weather protocols for early May. We recommend warm clothes, hats, scarves, and blanks.
- There are animals, namely horses. If you have allergy concerns around horses or hay, please plan accordingly.
- The floor is standard barn-issued concrete and is not of pristene cleanliness. Please bring your chairs and not your finest silks.
- There is no running water. Water will be provided on-site but please bring your own drinking vessels.
- There are no flush toilets. There will be a regular and accessible port-a-johns available for all attendees.
Parking
Parking will be available across the road and along the roadside of the event site. Please be aware that the event site is an approximately 300 metre walk away from the main parking location.
Accessible parking closer to the building may be available. Please contact the Event Stewards if you require accessibility accommodations.
Meals & Refreshments
Lunch
Please bring your own lunch.
Tea and Coffee
Tea, coffee, and hot water with be provided complimentary by the event staff.
Water
Water will be available on-site; please bring your own drinking vessels.
Feast / Evening Meal
A simple lentil stew will be provided complimentary by the event staff. Please bring your own feast gear.
Feast is BYOB (Bring Your Own Bread).
Ingredient list and allergen warnings will be provided at a later date.
FAQ
What is Bardic?
Bardic Arts in the SCA is generally recognized as recited poetry, prose, or song (either a cappella or with instrument) and those who partake in Bardic Arts typically call themselves Bards, unless they’re particularly modest about their craft.
Those who practice the Bardic Arts may be observers, keepers, performers, and creators of stories and songs about the history and people of the SCA, or they may create works about historical events in period, or fiction within a period setting.
What’s a Bardic Circle?
Simply, a bardic circle is a gathering of folks who would like to sit around a campfire (or just in a nice circle, if no campfire is available), to entertain each other with stories and songs. Bardic circle attendees are not required to participate and are welcome to simply enjoy the performances and the company of their friends.
Bardic Circle Etiquette
The following is provided as tips and general etiquette for those who might like to participate in a bardic circle.
- Don’t fall in the fire.
- Bards should perform one piece, then allow the next person in the circle their turn to perform.
- Read the room. Try to stick with the mood of the circle.
- More info tbd