Feeling Medieval?

Join hundreds of actors, artisans, musicians, jousters and magicians for the 2012 Oklahoma Renaissance Festival.

Cast in Bronze is a new act to the Oklahoma ­Renaissance Festival this year and will play the carillon, a four-ton medieval instrument.

It’s time once again for the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at the Castle of Muskogee! This year’s event will feature new shops for Renaissance wares, new Pirate Ship and wharf area, new “Cave Area” plus new food, drink and ­entertainment venues. The growing village of Castleton displays the rich cultural ­tapestry, the beauty and grandeur you would have found in Renaissance England, right here in Oklahoma! You’ll be transported back to the 16th ­century as both the castle and the village come alive with over 600 costumed stage and street performers, merchants and ­artisans providing entertainment fit for royalty.

New acts this year include Cast in Bronze playing the carillon, a rare, medieval instrument. Thirty-five years ago, 35 bronze bells were placed on a mobile ­carillon frame by a Dutch bell foundry and sent to America. For the first time in history, the rarely-seen European art of ­carillon playing could be brought to audiences. Eventually, this ­carillon was given new life by Frank DellaPenna, Master-Carillonneur graduate of the French Carillon School in Tourcoing, France.

The carillon is played by a silent and masked “spirit of the bells” that appears only to breathe life into the instrument for the performance. Cast in Bronze has been invited to ­perform for both Pope John Paul II and the U.S. Presidential Inauguration, and has ­performed at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center in Orlando. The music of Cast in Bronze has also been heard on radio, at mu­sic and Renaissance festivals, on ­television includ­ing a special Christmas Eve ­performance on the NBC “Today” Show, and at Alice Cooper’s 2004 “Christmas Pudding” ­benefit concert.

The carillon of Cast in Bronze consists of 35 bells with a total weight of four tons. It is the only musi­cal act of its kind in the world, and the only ­carillon in history solely ­supported by ­listeners. Cast in Bronze will ­perform five times daily in the Tournament Arena of the Festival.    

Also new – the Looking Glass Players with a “you’ll-have –to-see-it-to-believe-it” stage filled with fascinating puppet characters. The entire stage will amble through the castle grounds. Circa Paleo will perform ancient folk music from cultures around the world. Plus, you’ll find all your other favorite acts appearing on the 15 stages scattered throughout the Castle grounds.

There’s a new and expanded Pirate Ship Stage and wharf with a new pub for the thirsty. Near the harbor, you’ll find a new “Cave Area,” a cool grotto where you can get out of the sun, enjoy a little ­refreshment and listen to various entertainment including the Tulsa Pipe and Drum Corps.

In the Tournament Arena, you’ll see the Knights of Noble Cause clash with sword and pike as they joust. Watch as the Birds of Prey demonstrate the hunt just as it was during the time of kings and lords. Move to the Living Chess Match and cheer on your Red Griffin favorites. Stroll down twisting, tree-covered ­village lanes filled with quaint shops displaying rare, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted goods. Stop at one of the inns for a flagon of ale, or don the ­latest Renaissance fashions, found in the marketplace. Follow the aromas of the fire-roasted food, then let the kids play some of the games or watch the ­performers while you enjoy a huge smoked turkey leg.

“All of the exciting new and returning acts are a must see for annual attendees and those new to the festival. The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival is a highly anticipated event each year, ­perfect for the entire family,” says Matt Hiller, vice president of the Castle of Muskogee.

Fascinating fun and ­entertainment for all ages will be found at the expanded, better-than-ever Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, every ­weekend and Memorial Day, April 28 through May 28.

For more information, contact

Castle of Muskogee

www.okcastle.com