No MidwinterFair for me this year. It just does not appeal to me anymore. All those fantasy/gothic markets seem much alike to me and I have the feeling I've seen them all. In fact, it came as a surprise that MWF was this weekend because I didn't plan to go there and so did not look up dates or whatever.

Still there was some fantasy and magic in my weekend. On Saturday Omnia played in Ermelo, my birthplace. Matthijs and I went there. I just couldn't miss this chance of a close-by concert. My dad lives in Ermelo, so there was no tiresome train-ing and worrying about the last train home and such.

The audience was rather diverse. There were some people from the gothic/larp/fantasy scene but a lot of older people, that just went to a cultural evening, as well. Some were old enough to be my grandparents. In a Christian village like Ermelo I didn't expect the hall to be filled even half, but it was nearly full.

They started at 20:15 with a censored version of the Wylde Hunt Intro (no lusty spears and penetrating deers) and went on till about 23.00. They played mostly new songs. Well, new to me anyway. Some from the CD 'Alive!', which I obtained at this years Elf Fantasy Fair. And some from the CD's before that one: Live Religion and Paganfolk. Afterwards I bought those two CD's and Matthijs spent his money on the full package of all CD's. We also got a bumper sticker (it reads: Kill main fight slay die!) a small pin (button) and a patch that will probably end up on my summer coat.
I also think I recognised some breathing techniques Luka applied when singing that Tom recently explained to our sopranos.

After the concert Omnia came into the foyer to talk to the remaining visitors and sign some CD's of course. I didn't go for autographs but told Matthijs that I'd like to know how Steve's skirt-like thing was put together (the garment he wears over his trousers). So when I didn't have the courage to go ask by myself, Matthijs dragged me there and then I had to ask.
Steve took of his belt and the skirt-thingy (mainly a waistband with 4 hanging rectangles of fabric) to show how it was put together. He also warned me of walking stairs with such a garment, because tripping was a serious risk. ;-) I was mainly interested in the shape of the 'rectangles' (they are wider on the bottom, and connected to each other at the top with laces) but he also told that his belt was made of couch leather (yay, they use couch leather as well!) and some 'tuigleer' with rivets. Some of the dangling cords with metal ornaments are inspired by Inuit clothing.

Thus ended a happy evening with great music and lot's of humor.
Steve: Why do I have to do all the talking? You say something!
Luka: <says something>
Steve: It speaks!
Luka: <does an imitation of Neanderthal/monkey>