Al Olson on the American Renaissance Festival's Past, Present, and Future

In this fun episode sponsored by the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Alex sits down with author Al Olson to unpack the fascinating world of Renaissance festivals. From its origins as a pop culture punchline to its evolution into a beloved form of mainstream entertainment, Olson takes us behind the scenes of these unique spectacles. The pair delve into the festival's irresistible charm, from elaborate cosplay to mouth-watering turkey legs. Olson opens up about the trials and triumphs of penning his book "The History of the American Renaissance Festival, Where Have All The Hippies Gone?" and even shares poignant stories of fans whose lives have been touched by his work—like a family attending in memory of a lost loved one. Tune in for a deep dive that transcends mere nostalgia, exploring the enduring impact of Renaissance festivals on both attendees and performers. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that serves up both history and a slice of modern-day magic. “An engaging insider’s look at the history and value of Renaissance festivals… a delightful and visually impressive book…The book’s inviting prose is accompanied by a treasure trove of full-color photographs.” --Kirkus Reviews ---> TICKET GIVEAWAY: Kansas City-area listeners, be sure to listen to win free tickets to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival! ---> CLICK HERE TO ENTER. (Link not working? the address is Alex (at) alexgpr.com. ) Buy an autographed copy and learn more about Al Olson at his website: SingingExecutioners.com Buy the book. on Amazon here. Learn more about author Jeff Berney here and listen to his first appearance on the show here. Next week, we'll cruise over to the deadly halls of academe with author Peter Maeck. +++ "All the Fits That's News": Alex's Substack (Free) Alex Greenwood on Medium: https://a-greenwood.medium.com/ (Subscription) Follow him on X/Twitter:  ⁠@A_Greenwood⁠ Follow him on Threads: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@alexginkc⁠⁠ Catch Alex's New True Crime Show: GOING TO KILLING CITY. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your pods! Listen in to CHICA AND THE MAN. Enjoyed the episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! For show notes and more, visit the show website at MGOPod.com. This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2023, all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission. We are an Amazon Associates seller, and some of our links may earn us a commission. "Canon in D for Two Renaissance Harps" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/