The Adequate Blog

As a part-time pro, I need to get out to perform at faires, perform, and then get back in time for my “day job”. For me, that means flying a lot. Fortunately, Southwest Airlines and I have an understanding - I pack everything I can into two bags and keep them under 50 lbs each, and they don’t charge me extra.

The challenge inherent in this situation is that I have to keep my show, costume, and assorted infrastructure to under 100 lbs total including luggage.

I’ve discussed the need for infrastructure before - a backstage area, a place to keep my stuff, and a way to contain that stuff in the somewhat uncontrolled environment of the Renaissance Faire. I’ve been working with using fabric drapes, poles, ropes and the like. Then, my better half and the sanest part of the organization, my wife, pointed something out to me while I was looking for tent poles at REI, a major outdoor adventure store an co-op.

There is a “Cabana” style tent designed for backpacking… something I can easily put a chair into, stretch out in to take a nap, and of course unload all my gear into to make a “backstage” area. The tent is a half-dome style, with about 52″ overhead clearance, so I can’t stand up in it but it’ll make for a safe place to change and so on.

The best part - this bad boy breaks down to a bundle a little taller than a roll of paper towels, and weighs less than five pounds. For someone who has to count every ounce when packing, this is great. And, with a little additional rip-stop nylon and muslin I can create a custom rain fly / “cover” and decorate it with my logo.

This tent isn’t cheap - It ran me a little over $100, but the lesson learned is to not be afraid to go out into the “real”, “modern” world to find your infrastructure. And, especially if space is an issue, take a tip from the hard-core outdoor adventurers and look for the stuff that packs down, but plays big.

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