This weekend, organizers of the Arizona Renaissance Festival played their anachronistic, somewhat nerdier version of “American Idol” — auditioning a local cadre of wannabe wenches, knights, street performers and other costumed characters at the North Tempe Multi-Generational Center.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1155316042/bclid1155075693/bctid1344586860" class="content-link" target="687">VIDEO: Tribune’s Chris Page gives a sneak preview of acts you may or may not see.
What’s the appeal for these community actors?
“It’s a chance to escape from real life for a day,” says entertainment coordinator Jessica Willard.
The festival, running Feb. 9 through March 30 east of Apache Junction, is a popular statewide attraction celebrating medieval England, with jousting tournaments, cups of mead and eclectic entertainment. For more information, visit www.royalfaires.com.
