Meetings, Guilds and Workshops

Meetings

Newcomer's meetings
Newcomers meetings provide information on local activities, how the SCA functions and what you can do to participate in the fun. To get more information and meeting dates, contact  Lady Ciarnat of Firethorn at 281-693-6441 or send email to dragonlaw1 AT nww.net.

Populace meeting
The first Monday of each month from 7-9 pm, at at Hope (formerly St. Michael's) Episcopal Church, 1613 W 43rd St, in Oak Forest. This site is next door to Oaks Presbyterian, the long time site for Sunday’s European Dance Practice. Park in the row of spaces on Cheshire at the corner of 43rd, by the small white buildings just down from Oaks - go past the nearest building to get to the meeting.

If the first Monday of a month is a public holiday, Populace will be held the second Monday. Garb is optional. For more information contact the Stargate seneschal, Lady Vasilisa, at lisa AT  flyinglions.com.

Business meeting
Stargate's Business Meeting is normally held on the third Monday of the month, at their Excellencies' house. The meeting is open to the populace, but their Excellencies request that anyone who would like to attend contact them in advance if possible.

Stargate/Loch Fighter practice (Chivalric and Rapier)
is held every Tuesday night from 7-9ish pm at the University of Houston (main campus). This is a combined chivalric and rapier practice held in conjunction with the Barony of Loch Soilleir. Garb is encouraged.

Directions: From I-45S south of I-59, exit and turn west onto Cullen, through two lights, turn left at UH Entrance 13, which is across the street from the stadium. Turn left into the parking lot, and look for us in the field next to the parking lot. It is a controlled-access faculty/staff parking lot, but is open after about 6 pm.

NOTE: Parking lot is open to attendees at 7:00 pm; campus officers patrol the lot until that time.

Most practices focus on individual instruction and tournament (one-on-one) style combat, but the first Tuesday of each month is devoted to practicing melee skills and small unit tactics.

For more information contact the Stargate Knight Marshal, Lord Kristrodr Bjarnarson (Jim Flynn), at (832) 615-3212.

Stargate Sunday Fighter Practice (Chivalric and Rapier) is held at Memorial Park from 3-5 pm. The location - where N Picnic Lane and S Picnic Lane meet Memorial Drive - has main road access, parking and restrooms. Type in “sca fighter practice” at Google Maps to get custom directions.

Equestrian practice
The Equestrian Guild is open to all who are interested in learning about the SCA's Equestrian games and competitions, the making of garb and gear for riding in events. You do not need to have your own horse, as we have some that we are willing to share.

We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, and any Saturday morning that we are not at an event, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. Contact Lady Annalies Pferdehirt at 281-858-1449 or 832-647-8122 for directions and to make arrangements to attend.

Guilds

Bardic Guild
The Stargate Bardic Guild meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the home of Lady Mea Passavanti, from 7-9:30 pm. No experience in Bardic arts is necessary. The purpose of the guild is to learn and have fun. Experienced bards will be encouraged to teach pieces, and all are welcome to bring suggestions for pieces to learn.

If you are interested in joining the guild, please email the guild principal, HL Alden Drake at alden_drake AT sbcglobal.net. For directions, contact Lady Mea at Ldy_passavanti AT ev1.net or 713-299-6046. Everyone from the Greater Houston Area is invited to attend.

European Dance (NW)
Practice is held the 1st and 3d Sundays of the month in the 2nd floor Community Room at the Central Market, 3815 Westheimer Rd (at Wesleyan Ave, inside Loop 610), from 5:30 to 8 pm. For more information contact Lord Antonello del Bello at (281) 850-2443 or antonello.sca AT sbcglobal.net. Please, no calls after 10 pm. Garb is not required, but is recommended as this is a public location. Food is available for purchase on-site and may be taken into the classroom; you may not bring in food from outside, per Central Market's policy, but individual drinks are okay.

European Dance (SW) On hiatus until further notice
Every Thursday night at 7:00 pm at Madame Perronnelle's house. Contact Perronnelle at perronnelle AT earthlink.net for more information and directions. Garb is optional.

Madrigal and Polyphonic Singing
Practice is held every fourth Sunday at Oaks Presbyterian Church, 1576 Chantilly Ln at 4:00 p.m. No experience necessary -- sight reading helpful but not required. For more information contact Master Ihon Vinson MacFergus at (713) 896-0026 or jhirling AT houston.rr.com. Please, no calls after 10 pm. You can also check out the Stargate-Madrigal Yahoo group.

Scribes Guild
Come learn the ancient and beautiful arts of calligraphy and illumination. The Stargate Scribes Guild is for learning the scribal arts, as well as to provide a service to the Barony and the Kingdom by creating award scrolls. The Guild meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 7pm till 9:30pm at  Hope (formerly St. Michael's) Episcopal Church, 1613 W 43rd St, in Oak Forest (same as Populace) in the freestanding building near the sanctuary. For further information, please contact Hillary Greenslade, by phone: 281-855-9447 or email: hillaryrg AT yahoo DOT com. 

Siege Guild
The Stargate Siege Guild is a new guild in Stargate and is for those interested in the art and science of tossing objects. If you are interested in siege weapons and their use in the SCA, contact Lord Miguel (Mike Meyers) at desweds AT gmail.com if you have any questions.

Weaving
The Stargate Weaving Guild meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Lancaster Community Center, located at 19831 Stoney Haven Dr., Cypress, TX  77433, from 7:00 to 9:00. We actually work on an assortment of things, from weaving, sewing, crocheting, knitting, creweling, embroidery, needlepoint, beading jewelry and clothing, and many other activities. If anyone is interested, they are most welcome to come. Contact Lady Annalies for more information.

UFO Guild  Nothing to do with flying objects, unless you count frustrated tosses across the room - it's the new Un-Finished Objects Guild, hosted by Mistress Neassa the Obstreperous at her home on the last Monday of the month. Bring those unfinished projects that have been lurking in your closets and drawers, and enjoy the company of your fellow procrastinators while you work! Offerings of the snack/drink variety are most welcome, but not required.

Workshops

Heraldic name and device consultation
Heraldic Consultation Nights are by appointment only.  Please contact Herr Dietrich Strobelbart by e-mail or phone for directions.

Chivalric armoring
Tools and armor-making advice available at Vaclav's house on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, from 8-11 pm. Please call ahead for directions and to be sure we haven't cancelled. Contact Vaclav Namatko (Random) at (713) 686-9883.