.: News & Updates from the Fantasy World made real! :.

ALEP II ~ There & Back Again, a Tolkien themed convention. Sept. 28th - Oct. 2nd, 2011 Shaker Village, Kentucky

Happenings in the Village...

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Join the Cirle of Fire!

Be collecting any good ghost or spooky stories you might hear and share them with us at this event on Friday evening. See more here.

 

 

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New products in the Trading Post!

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Actor Needed!

We are one memeber short of a full fellowship (lol)! We need someone to play the part of Sam so the quest may begin!

Step into the Parlor and read the ALEP Actors Guild for Plays and skits that need roles to be filled.

*UPDATE! The role of Sam has been filled!*

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Interview from ALEP II ~ There & Back Again!

BEHOLD! The actual interview with Mister Baggins, Jef Marray, Marc Gunn, David Gianino and Grey Wizard from the Middle-Earth Network.

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ALEP II interview to be broadcast on My Middle-Earth Network!

Middle-earth Network Radio had the pleasure of visiting with 5 of the people behind the scenes of ALEP 2 and you can hear that interview this Wednesday, June 8th at 7 PM CST, as well as on Friday the 10th at 5AM CST and 5 PM CST, and on Saturday the 11th at 9AM and 9PM CST

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Actors Needed!

Step into the Parlor and read the ALEP Actors Guild for Plays and skits that need roles to be filled.

Dwarves role filled!

 

 

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.: Archery Competition :.

We here on the staff would like to remind everyone who is considering participating in the archery tournament to start practicing as spring unfolds. There are not many chances these days to put your skills to the test – much less in the Shire! One never knows, there may marauding orcs or invading wargs to contend with.

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Storytelling In The Shire

Storytelling was an important craft, and many a tale was preserved and passed down from generation to generation in this way. What better way to spend the days under a tree, by the brook, in the tavern or meeting halls than to hear a good tale spun, and we have one of the best – Oxymore Took, and no mistake! Storyteller Daniel Smith will entertain us with his tales from the west and other places throughout the event, but be sure to look for him in the evenings, and under the party tree in particular. What a nice thing to look forward to: listening to a tale told by a halfling in The Shire under the party tree. That is a very rare thing to find these days indeed!

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Halfing dwelling at ALEP in winning photo from WETA Contest!

A certain dwelling of a certain Mister Baggins some of you may be familiar with was featured in a winning photo from a contest sponsored by WETA! It's good to know those folks know quality when they see it! Read more about it here:

http://www.wetanz.com/emailnewsletter/9Dec10.html

Click on the pic for more contest pictures...

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Help 'Frodo' Mel Fiver defeat ALS

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Shire Scattagories played during picnic under the Party Tree

Our games master brought along his new game he developed for ALEP II: Shire Scattagories! The group that test-played it included folk who knew little of Tolkien’s world and seasoned lore-masters on the subject. All were able to enjoy it greatly, and we played for well over an hour. If you are interested in playing as well, look here.

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Paths that are seldom followed

After much exploring the lands about the village, a final route has been chosen for the epic ALEP II Hike into the Wilderness. Now, some of you may have followed Mister Baggins last time on a path that followed the river, but this time Mister Baggins will be sailing down the river (very odd for a halfling) and the hike will instead go to the forests near the village and into a secret valley (said to be inhabited by trolls) lead by that mysterious ranger you saw ‘striding’ about last ALEP.

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Whatever is Salsify?

Is it plant or is it animal? Why have I not heard of it before? Where can I get it? Many of you may have even had sampled this delicious dish at the last ALEP and not even realized it. I can remember years ago when as a child I could not identify it and turned my nose up at it, but that was before I tried it! Seemingly unique to Shaker Village, Salsify Casserole is a rare and wonderful culinary gift many discover that we will be serving again.. Read more about it here.

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Star Gazing with Elves, Halfings, Rangers and Wizards

Is there any really better way to end an evening with the company of elves than to go out and gaze at the heavens at night in the shire? Such will be the case on Thursday evening when after we take leave of the hall of the Elf Lord you are invited to the simple pleasure of enjoying the peaceful tranquility of the dazzling night sky as be only be appreciated in its full grandeur from the starfield (or lookout point, as men & rangers call it).

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Worthy of Song

So it was that in the olde (with an ‘e’) days there was no Internet. Alas, there were no cell phones either and most information was passed along (at times, even correctly and with embellishes) by word of mouth. News from distant lands was gladly accepted and eagerly listened to and the traveling bards were often the messengers of this information, and we will have one of the best – Marc Gunn returns, indeed from distant lands with all manner of new tales and song. Find him performing in the Dancing Pony by day or entertaining the Lord of the Elves or the King of the Horse Lords in their great halls (or even halfings under the party tree) in the evenings.

 

How on earth we managed to not do a group photo at the first ALEP, none can say. However, such will not the case this time around. The time of the shoot will be Saturday in the afternoon after everyone has gathered in the Halfling Village. A professional photographer will take the photo itself so we will not have to stand while 150 cameras take pictures.

Sign up for the Elf Choir! A great host of Elves will gather on Thursday evening and ther will be much singing! Join as a great host of elves raise their voices and fill the woods and valleys with the merry and beautiful sounds of music - instructed by our own Bonnie Half-Elven & Kate. More details to follow.

Hike the Village Lands with skilled guides who can take you on paths that are not seldom trodden. See beautiful forest glades where elves once dwelled. See waterfalls by forgotten ruins where men in ancient times once lived. Walk a winding river valley and go on a quest for troll treasure!

To Arms! To Arms! Volunteers needed! Many have said they wished to offer their services to make ALEP II ~ TABA happen, and after the last events experience, we’ll take it! Though our staff is working very hard, we are few in numbers and there are many positions that need filled. Read more about it here.

It came as no surprise that there was a great deal of dancing the last time we all gathered under the party tree, but many requested we start classes to learn group dancing. So it is that we have heeded your wishes and classes shall be arranged and taught by members of our own party, no less. So be prepared to ‘shake the hair on your feet’ as they say in the shire and make merry come the evening of the next ‘expected party.’