If you’re looking for parties at Dragon Con, the High Fantasy Track has several great ones on offer each year. 2023 had three party/concert events on offer. Friday night’s “An Evening in Bree” is a staple—one of ( if not “the”) oldest organized parties at Dragon Con, “Hobbit Drinking Songs” is always a highlight, and this year saw the return of the High Fantasy dance party: “Dance Magic Dance”.
“An Evening in Bree” is always a hobbity good time, sponsored by our good friends at TheOneRing.net. This year we were again treated to toe-tapping music by two great musical acts, the Brobdingnagian Bards and Beth Patterson. There was quite a lot of spirited dancing to the music as well. The costume contest once again drew some fantastic cosplay. Somehow, I managed to get zero photos of the costumes (apologies, dear readers). The Elf Choir was fantastic as always, and seemed very big this year, which is also fantastic.
“Hobbit Drinking Songs” is always one of my favorite parts of Dragon Con. The Brobdingnagian Bards always put on a terrific show, part concert, part sing-along, with a bit of dancing mixed in. The Bards again did a splendid job, and I had a grand time singing along to the perennial favorite songs. I do have to mention that the audience was uncharacteristically badly behaved, making both seeing and hearing the performers difficult, even from my front row seat. I hope the con can do better by the Bards next year with a better time slot and a better arrangement in the room.
I was really excited to see the return of the High Fantasy dance party this year. “Dance Magic Dance” was an 80s plus fantasy themed dance party, with the capable Deej (Rebecca Perry) of TheOneRing.net at the helm, umm, music controls. There were a fair number of party-goers in cosplay, from assorted corners of fantasy fandom. I put together a mash-up for the occasion: Galadriel and Jareth, resulting in “Galadreth the Gobin Queen”. I had a lot of fun with this cosplay!
I hope that we will continue to see a High Fantasy dance party, because it was SO much fun! I knew an embarrassing number of the songs (OK, like all of them), and had a wonderful time singing along and dancing. Galadreth enjoyed herself immensely.
