This bawdy bard cut her teeth as a master of ceremonies in taverns hither, thither and yon! She hath bemused many a barroom with scandalous songs and unabashed brazen banter. Catch a bit of her naughtiness at The Three Stags Pub on Sherwood’s first weekend.     

Bianca Bianco and Lorenzo Fiore perform as the musical duo Bianco Fiore, bringing you traditional Medieval and Renaissance melodies, as well as original melodies in the medieval style. These two buon musicistas play on classical guitar, whistle, drum, and other period instruments, interweaving hauntingly beautiful songs and sprightly merry tunes that will have you dancing the steps of a Volta. Find them in the lanes and at Maid Marian’s Chapel throughout the day.

Once upon a time… a Celtic duo known as Brobdingnagian Bards performed coast-to-coast; and in a given could be found performing at Lord of the Rings Oscar Parties, Celtic festivals, or Sci-Fi Conventions. But, first and foremost, they were an absolute favorite at Renaissance Faires where they played in rain, shine, wind rain and cold, always with high-energy and “rye” Irish wit to make every show a memorable experience.  Marc and Andrew shall play for you at Sherwood Forest Faire on our third and fourth weekends. 

The CRAIC Show is an intense and wildly entertaining act made up of four international travelers who, in 1191, banded together on an ancient battlefield. Their unique merging of music from faraway lands brings a sound unlike any other. Watching the group switch and interchange instruments throughout the show is a sight to see; songs are often started on pipes and ended with the entire group on percussions.

Irishman Daniel O'Ryan leads this group with roguish vocals, rhythmic mandolin, and intense bagpipes, paired up with the enchanting Rina Von Adams playing harmonizing violin. The energy and enthusiasm of Cockney mate, Dylan Copperpot, on percussions is anchored with strong vocals and the heavy bass drum of the Nordic beauty, Tonya Den Norse. 

Ever-evolving and constantly blending styles, The CRAIC Show always brings a fresh, high energy blend of World Medieval Music. Come hear them for yourself on Sherwood’s final 3 weekends this year at the Lionheart Tavern.

Gil Faire and Mab Middlin perform as the musical duo Faire to Middlin; two lively, world-traveled minstrels who accompany themselves with classical guitar, Irish whistle, and mandolin. They bring you a mix of the traditional and original with rollicking toe-tappers, lyrical ballads, and mournful laments. Join in the fun with this delightful, creative, and often zany couple of musicians in love. Sing, dance, and laugh along with them at the Grove Stage and other venues around the village on the first 4 weekends in March. 

Gunnar Sølberg plays upbeat traditional music to warm the heart. Give an ear to the haunting sounds of his old world mandolin. His Scandinavian and European musical lore will return your soul to a bygone era. Find Gunnar at the Horseman Stage and other small venues around the faire every weekend but Mar 30 and 31.

Carl Asch, leader of renfaire musical favorites Empty Hats and Tip the Velvet, embodies Giacomo the Jester at Sherwood. When he is not throwing knives at his juggling partner, Paolo Gabanzo, or performing solo at the Greenwoode Theatre, he can be found strolling the lanes with his lute, singing and playing at special events, like weddings and Robin’s Feast. This witty, smooth-talking lyrical genius will brighten up your day with a song or three if you catch him before he starts fooling around with sharp objects again… 

The Jackdaws, who played at Sherwood the last two seasons are planning to drop in this weekend for some special appearances.   Friday night they will be playing at the Sherwood Shire Clan Camp, and recording a live album there, too.  So come lend your voice to this to-be legendary Jackdaws Recording. They will also play a set at the Elven Hill Stage each faire day this weekend, and they will join Giacomo the Jester for a revival of Tip the Velvet later in the day, also at Elven Hill.  The Jackdaws deliver original and traditional Irish jams to delighted audiences across the land. This travelling trio will excite your inner Irishman and have you coming back for more driving melodies and relentless, aggressive lyrics. More Irish than a drunken row, and a darned site messier! 

James Mahler is a masterful fiddle player and creator. He has been performing for crowds at festivals and other events for the past eight years, and has branched out to play many different styles aside from fiddling. He began learning classical music at the age of four and after several years of instruction from well-known masters, he combined his classical and fiddling skills into a style which very few can imitate. With his vast array of skills and inspirations, James creates magical soundscapes that will leave you with nothing but positive vibes. Find this fiddler at various stages during the month of March! With his vast array of skills, James Mahler has something for everyone and when you listen to him play, you are sure feel the urge to start dancing… go with that feeling… Find this fine fiddler at the Elven Hill stage and other venues on Sherwood’s 5th, 6th and 7th weekends.

Klaus Weiland, once an up-and-coming star of the German folk-rock scene who “disappeared” to India at the height of his stardom, has turned up in medieval Nottingham at Sherwood Forest Faire. Most of his fans from the days of yore still wonder where he may be, but you will be lucky enough to find his lovely voice and lilting guitar here in this very forest! Klaus holds court daily at his family shoe shop, Medieval Moccasins, not far from the Joust Arena.   

Beware Lords and Ladies of the “Most Dangerous Guitar Player” of the renaissance circuit. He seems nice enough, but there is something piratical beneath his Gypsy Smile. Stop and enjoy this wandering minstrel’s distinctive and dynamic approach to the acoustic guitar. See this hot-shot guitarist at The Three Stags Pub and other spots around the map. 

Marc Gunn, the “Celtfather”, brings his autoharp to the Horseman Stage and the Lionheart Pub and other venues for two consecutive weekends, including our Spring Break weekend that includes Friday March 22. Come sit and have a listen to Marc’s colourful wisdom about all things Celtic, comic, and CAT. This handsome Irish gentleman shall fill thy head with niceties and nonsense as he plays for you from his one-of-a-kind Celtic songbook. Some original, some traditional, and some that are somewhere in between. His first set of the day shall be his silliest specialty: Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. Marc also reunites with Andrew McKee each day he’s in Robin Hood’s forest for a rare and sought-after set of the Brobdingnagian Bards! 

Master "Bones" Jangle is a Shantyman by trade, but the position of ship’s surgeon was the only one available, so he accepted, and took on his new duties with incredible enthusiasm… and though the ship’s crew seemed to dwindle, both in limbs and in numbers, the ship’s cook was suddenly able to feed them all handsomely ever since Bones was commissioned as loblolly. After some months at sea, what was left of the HANDS on the ship finally realized something was AFOOT. They knew if they wanted to MUSCLE on as sailors any longer, they would have to STOMACH the EERIE prospect of living as cannibals. Although the surgeon and the crew BUTTED HEADS when Bones claimed to be captain, he was able to persuade them to keep some SKIN in the game; nor did it cost him an ARM and a LEG. EYEING the Barbary Coast, Bones managed to FLESH out an idea to teach the remaining crew to play music so that they might MEET locals with a NOSE for the finer things in life – and later would have them for dinner in the ship’s galley. Despite the band’s popularity they have to keep moving in order to maintain a following. Now Master “Bones” Jangle and the Voodoo Island Cannibals have arrived in England to play music for all of you at the Elven Hill Stage on Sherwood’s first three weekends. Come lend an EAR… if you’ve got the GUTS! 

With a HEAVE and a HO and WAY HAUL AWAY, let us welcome back the Rambling Sailors, who have been long away from our faire Sherwood far too long. Climb aboard with a musical couple who have serenaded the Renaissance circuit on many a voyage. This salty pair of sea-farers call you to join them at the Grove Stage, the Elven Hill Stage, and charting courses elsewhere for our first five weekends. On the first five weekends of the faure, lady Susan’s siren voice and Cap’n Gregg’s guitar and squeeze box will take you on a musical journey worth scribing in your log! Ahoy!

This Irish rover is a merry man indeed, but not one that Robin Hood can keep tabs on. Scott Boswell the Minstrel is too freewheeling even for the Prince of Thieves. When he’s not rocking the Three Stags Pub, Scott will be roaming the lanes of Sherwood, playing very quick sets of one or two songs each. His goal is to make music under every tree in the forest every day he is in Sherwood. So when you see him, catch him while you can! Scott will also join Master “Bones” Jangle and the Voodoo Island Cannibals for Sherwood’s first three weekends. 

Dressed in kilts and suggestive smirks, Tartanic gives its audiences a barrage of sound from not one but TWO Highland Bagpipes, 2 percussionists, 2 smokin' dancers, 8 drums, 6 drones, 18 notes, fast fingers, high comedy, flying bagpipes, taste-defying stunts, and scorching hot music played at over 120 beats per minute with driving speed and high-volume—all brought to you by 4 men without pants and 2 talented lasses! With hearts open wide and mugs raised high, Sherwood Forest Faire welcomes Tartanic BACK to the Elven Hill Stage for the last 3 weekends of faire. 

Vince Conaway, a musician and composer, can be found performing a wide variety of music on hammered dulcimer throughout the continent and in Europe, with music ranging through Celtic, medieval, renaissance, and baroque repertoires. An interactive performer, Vince believes that the audience should not be separated from the show, but instead be part of it; and he brings a bit of culture and historical perspective to every performance. “Go ahead and ask him a geeky question. Odds are he’ll keep playing while he talks.” – Medieval Cookery. Find this talented soloist at the Three Stags Pub, The Grove Stage, and all along the lanes of Sherwood Forest every day of the faire.