Renaissance Faire & Medieval Cabaret
Next Cabaret:
Want to know more? Below you'll learn what a Ren Faire is, how we are interpreting it, what to wear, who our vendors and performers are, and why we think you won't want to miss this incredible festival of magic.
what is a Ren Faire?
A Renaissance faire (or "Ren Faire") is an immersive festival that simulates a historical or fantasy-themed village, usually from 16th-century England or Europe. Ordinarily it is hosted outdoors, but we cannot wait for summer to host ours! So we're doing an indoor/outdoor (weather dependent) festival at the International Palace of Joy.
At Ren Faires, attendees typically come dressed to theme and experience costumed actors, themed food, jousting, and artisan market vendors featuring handmade goods.
what to wear
We encourage attendees at all of our events to get creative and explore fun theme-specific wardrobe.
For Ren Faires, folks typically dress in Renaissance era clothing - which is actually pretty vast, considering the Renaissance period is typically considered to be between the 14th and 17th centuries. Additionally, fantasy wear (like dressing as fairies and mushrooms and the like) are very common! We hope you let your imagination take the reins, and cannot wait to see what you wear!
A note on attendee costumes: we will not turn you away if you do not dress to theme, but we highly encourage that you do! The immersive element of Ren Faires is amplified by the creative costuming of attendees.
Need some inspiration for your costume? This article is a good place to start, and there are many places to seek inspiration like here or here.
Meet Our Vendors
Hast thou desires, and need of new adventures? We have curated an epic variety of artisans and magic makers for our day faire and night market.
Francesca Conforti she/her
Amanita Haus Collections
Offerings include small-batch herbal teas and botanical blends, cotton and eco-printed botanical silk wares made using real leaves and flowers, and handcrafted ceramic pieces such as cups, vessels, and other whimsical pottery. The textiles are created through a natural botanical printing process, making each piece unique.
Fox C Shanty he/him in drag, they/them
Tarot Readings, in Pirate Drag!
Fox C Shanty is an intuitive tarot reader with 6 years of experience under his many piratey belts. He offers PWYC single card readings, $20 classic three card readings, and $25 fully intuitive readings of 4+ cards, in as general or specific a direction as you wish. Each reading takes between 3-10 minutes on average, depending on the number of cards/depth. A playful but earnest character, Fox has experience with soothsaying at events both for children and ages 19+.
Rory Jade Grey they/them
Grey Jade Herbals
Grey Jade Herbals is an herbalist-run tea shoppe and perfumery that connects you to nature, history and magick. With their premium teas, witchy perfumes and drink-enhancing tinctures, they offer natural creations that are sure to replenish your spell slots.
1. Tea blended with traditional herbs.
2. Natural roll-on perfumes.
3. Tinctures and elixirs.
4. Herbal bath salts.
5. Smokeable herb blends.
Janice Pinto she/her
Janz Crystals
Janice Pinto has been a creative artist working with ethically sourced crystals for the past 6 years. She creates original one-of-a-kind crystal jewelry with purposeful intention. She also brings to life custom gemstones creations based on clients’ vision. Janice has also been designing and creating paper greeting cards for over 30 years.
Jo Emryn they/them
Hand Drawn Portraits
Drawing is an act of preservation, memorializing a specific place and time. In their day-to-day life, Jo creates miniatures that offer long-lasting architectural education, but drawing is a way to capture something more fleeting: a specific event, a moment, a costume. Each drawing is a memory removed from an overly digitized landscape- a keepsake to return to that cannot be replicated. Jo is looking forward to recording your joy and beautiful costuming at Poetry Brothel's Ren Faire!
Danielle Guerard she/her
Resin Spirits
Resin Spirits is your one stop shop for everything whimsical, botanical, and gothic! Handmade in Canada, find unique one-of-a-kind mushrooms, bottles, vases, votive holders and more made with real dried flowers preserved in resin. Add a lighted base to illuminate your piece, or simply enjoy the beautiful colours in the piece itself! Our pieces are functional and beautiful with custom designs available.
Dean Qureshi he/him
Shock Raw Stones
Large sized raw and polished crystal necklaces, pushing the boundaries of gem energy! Shock Raw Stones brings a mystical and engaging presence with raw crystals, spiritually aligned pieces, music, and clothing chosen to connect with unique energies and styles of our community. We offer more than products, we share an experience that invites you to explore beauty, meaning, and self-expression in one space.
Teddy Kendall she/her
Teddy's treats
Teddy is a creator of tasty treats to quench your sweet tooth - whether with a filled chocolate to stimulate your senses, or a moist cake/cookie to ease your stress - Teddy’s treats are sure to make you feel your best!
Luisa Dutra she/her
Enchantments by Luiza
Creative magical being that loves curating magical items for magical humans. Crystal crowns, mermaid crowns, fairy crowns, magical crystal wands, wrap skirts, and robes, witchy handbags and crystal suncatchers.
Jacob Johnson he/him
Jacob the craftsman
Jacob customizes all things throwing axes: custom hewn handles, hand engraving artwork into axe heads, or custom fitted sheaths with painted artwork. Jacob is a leatherworking instructor who is excited to discuss leatherworking projects with attendees of the Medieval Cabaret and Night Market and to invite those who would like to learn how to create their own leather projects from scratch to his 5 hour workshop "Fundamentals of Leatherworking." Jacob has donated a voucher to attend one of his workshops as part of the Ren Faire prize basket being raffled off at the end of the Cabaret!
Check out his Workshop here.
David Ito he/him
HEMa instructor
Discover the art of historical swordsmanship at Toronto Historical Combatants, Toronto's hub for Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). We bring history to life with authentic techniques derived from historic documents, taught in a fun, safe, and welcoming environment. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced fencer, our expert instructors are dedicated to enhancing your skills in this enriching martial art and sport. Stop by David’s table at our Ren Faire and learn more about how to step into a world where history and swordplay converge, for an experience that's as educational as it is exhilarating.
Birdie she/her
With love, Birdie
You may know Birdie from past Cabarets, as she can usually be found welcoming guests as they enter, taking their tickets, and providing them with tasty treats. But here at Ren Faire? Birdie will be offering a stellar selection of her handmade, sometimes boozy but always delicious, chocolate truffles. Each truffle is designed to be bitten in half as you enjoy, as the creamy centre and its exterior have different colours and flavours, so that it is both a treat for the eye and the tastebuds!
Kristen Campbell she/her
Killjoyxcrafts
I'm Kris, and I make slutty knick-knacks for weirdos. I've finally stopped caring about what I'm "supposed to do" and started living life for me, and I encourage you to let your freak flag fly.
Samantha Cole she/her
Studio Samaphim
Samantha Cole is a multidisciplinary artist who blends myth and magic through hand-knitted tapestries. Inspired by folklore, fantasy, and the natural world, her work features creatures like unicorns, sphinxes, insects, and dragons. Marrying traditional colorwork techniques with a background in illustration and tattooing, she creates pieces that feel like artifacts from another realm.
The Wild One he/him
Typewriter Poet
The Wild One is an ancient tree spirit, who travels through time and space via the roots systems in the earth. He invites you to travel to a realm where your self and spirit are intertwined, to share with him a piece of your mind, and to receive. Through him, and this magical futuristic device called a "typewriter," will be born an etching of ancient memory for thou to take with thee.
Ren Faire Performers
During the Day Faire from 3pm onwards, guests of the market will also be treated to a variety of excellent performances, capping the day off with a live performance of Baroque Music by Soprano Emily Jean Klassen, accompanied on theorbo by Doctor Ben Stein.
Throughout
Host, Poet and Musician
Madame Titania
she/her
Oh Titania, Queen of the Faeries of the Summer Court! She is supported by magic from across the veil, from other realms and times in her mission in this life: to create spaces that celebrate the power of play and the court of poetry. You can expect to see her in the opening ceremonies for the Ren Faire, and throughout the day... Some poetry? Music? Maybe even in a sword fight or two. Who knows? Queens are full of surprises.
6PM
Swords Performer
Master Witherbloom
they/them
"With precision, smoothness, and audacity comes the fullest impression of lethal force, expressed in exquisite and effortless grace."
Witherbloom is passionate about fully expressing the flourished efficiency of medieval European swordsmanship; how the artistry of practical lethality can look fabulous as a consequence, without it being the primary goal. Formally trained in various arts-of-arms from Central European fighting traditions through the late 14th to early 16th centuries and versed in the teachings of the medieval Italian master, Fiore dei Liberi, they are also practised in the ways as written by Johannes Liechtenauer, Giovanni Dall’Agocchie, and Achille Marozzo; additionally, being read in the works of George Silver.
6PM
Swords Performer
Raziel of the Celestial Realm
he/him
Every great angel took part in the war, but only the skillful survived it. Raziel still walks the earth and sky, because of his celestial celerity with a blade. After all, weaponry is another field for the Flame of Knowledge to cultivate within his domain. It is as a fellow Seraph once said: "You do not truly know someone until you fight them." Raziel has come to know many beings across the ages; from paleolithic wrestling matches, old growth forest raids and dark age battlefields, to the solar peacekeeping missions of the far future. Now it's time to dance steel with a few of the Fey, as he should very much like to get to know them better.
7:15PM
Baroque Soprano
Emily Jean Klassen
she/her
Praised for her expressive singing and powerful stage presence, Canadian soprano Emily Klassen is earning accolades at home and abroad. Her intelligent interpretation of 17th & 18th Century music has led to solo engagements with many Baroque ensembles.
Emily gained international attention for her performance on the critically acclaimed NBC series Hannibal where she performed an excerpt from Handel's "Piangerò la sorte mia."
Currently, she is working on an art film incorporating music and dance generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Women and Madness.
Learn more about Emily at her website
Listen and subscribe to her YouTube channel
7:15PM
Theorbo Musician
Ben Stein
he/him
Doctor Benjamin Stein is a singer, composer, music director, writer and multi-instrumentalist based in Toronto. Benjamin has played or sung for ensembles such as Tafelmusik Baroque Chamber Choir, Rezonance Baroque Ensemble, Unsettled Scores, Opera Atelier, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Elora Festival Singers, Toronto Masque Theatre and Soundstreams Canada. He has written for the Toronto Star and Wholenote Magazine, and has recently completed a Ph.D at York University in historical and contemporary approaches to improvisation training in music education. Benjamin holds the positions of Music Director at Whitby’s Westminster United Church, and Choral Adjudicator for the Canada’s Wonderland Festival of Music.
Medieval Cabaret Performers
Medieval Cabaret Performers
Host, Poet and Musician
Madame Titania
In the evening show, after the day's Ren Faire, Madame Titania will transport us further back in time, and invites you into her festival tent: the tent of the Wise Woman. Wise Women - also known as witches - were healers and herbalists. With her poetry, song, and lineup of incredible artists, our Faerie Queen and Brothel Madame invites you to time travel and immerse yourself in an unforgettable evening of wit, whimsy, wonder, and witchery.
she/her
Poet
Lyran the lethal lyricist
Lyran crawled from the Goblin Realm's cool green mud, but found herself too soft for her orcish sisters and too hard to belong anywhere else. Pursuing pacifism, this orcish bard now wanders the Fae Wilds and Realm Space, sharing the warmth and wild passion of her Goblin nature. Sometimes frightening, often funny, she enchants audiences with strange, poetic sounds.
she/her
Poet
Raziel of the Celestial Realm
The Archangel of Mysteries wanders through time and space, travelling the paths between earth and heaven. Raziel seeks to seed wisdom across the realms to all the beings he can reach with words. A potent force of divine nature who stands firmly on the side of education. He intends to activate the latent abilities of his listeners, through the layered resonant imagery of his spellcraft.
he/him
Drag King Burlesque
Devery Bess
Devery Bess is a producer, digital media artist, thespian, and drag artist. Their performance art has been showcased internationally, in Pride celebrations across North America, international Pride conferences such as Fierte and InterPride, corporate events, and countless drag and burlesque shows across Canada. Their work has also been showcased at Arts Commons (Canada), the Austin International Drag Festival, Expo Diversidad (Chile), and Germany’s Online Drag Contest, where they were awarded Best Cinematography. Working with multiple drag collectives in their fifteen years of performance, once a member and producer with North America's largest and longest-running drag king troupe, Fake Mustache. They had an exhibition Dragging Out Mediacrity was showcased at Stride Gallery, which questions white supremacist, cis-heteronormative notions of exceptionalism through a celebration of mediocrity. <ost recently co-Produced a Fringe show, Frat haus:evicted. Is the founding member of Queer nerd Collective and PMAC. Devery is passionate about melding the dynamic movement of live performance(Theater, Dance, Clown) with the aesthetics of visual arts while investigating what it means to be connected and within community. Their practice challenges traditional, elitist structures while creating art that is accessible and engaging to people who are often excluded from such spaces. They are known as Devery Bess and they just want to be mediocre.
they/them
Poet
Alatar the language alchemist
One of the Wizards who wandered east of Middle-Earth and then was never heard from (or written of) again, Alatar focuses on changing reality through language – its words and the hypnotic effect of its recitation, continually redefining himself and the world around him: a rose may grow into an ocean, dough – a monster, and people may become magical deities. Alatar believes in illustrating the effect of words on reality and in presenting this as the true magic of our modern age.
he/him
Swords Performer
Master Witherbloom
Witherbloom is passionate about fully expressing the flourished efficiency of medieval European swordsmanship; how the artistry of practical lethality can look fabulous as a consequence, without it being the primary goal. They believe it isn't much of a “Martial Art” without “Art.” Movements and body mechanics that are used to maim can just as easily look good to perform, and can be done in a controlled manner; just as any traditional dance can be equally deadly in the right context.
Their performance aims to reconstruct historical European fencing traditions as faithfully and authentically as possible, through what’s left behind via primary-source texts that come in the form of surviving treatises, fighting manuals, or manuscripts. It is due to these traditions not having a clear throughline to any of their living masters (as a “living lineage”) that Witherbloom does not deem themself a true “Master.” Though, those under them may see it as such, and often, the title sticks.
they/them
Live Original Music
Morgara
Morgara is an emerging Toronto artist whose work bridges the mystical and the modern. Drawing from alternative folk, dream pop, and neo-medieval sound worlds, she shapes songs that feel both ancient and electric, woven with poetic storytelling, depth, and a haunting sense of wonder. Her voice, warm and ethereal, carries the intimacy of emotional truth.
A multi-disciplinary musician with roots in musical theatre, jazz, classical, and the iconic sounds of the 70s and 90s, Morgara brings a rare melodic intelligence to her writing. Her compositions are cinematic, built from piano, strings, guitar, and shimmering vocal layers. At the core of her artistry is a devotion to narrative: meditations on love, desire, magic, grief, and the longing that binds them.
she/her
Crew & Support
None of this is possible without these magical beings.
music production and composition for Titania
Asher Ettinger
he/him
Asher Ettinger is a formally trained pianist, composer, arranger, and producer - as well as a self-taught painter - based in Toronto. He works closely with Madame Titania in co-writing and co-creating musical works for each of Poetry Brothel Toronto's shows, and she has been overheard saying that, were it not for Asher, she may have stopped trying to sing all together. To hear more of Asher's work, or see images of over 100 unique and colourful paintings created by him, visit his website here.
Event Coordinator, Creative and Logistics Consultant
shay
she/her
A lifelong dreamer and whimsical witch, Shay, is always crafting ways to bridge worlds and bring the outliers and wayfinders together. She is an artist who wears many hats and explores different paths.
Her journey of deep healing and self-discovery has led her to explore her own neurodiversity, and in the process of unmasking, the pursuit of joy, helped her rediscovered the importance of whimsy in her life.
Set Builder and Scenic Design Assistance
Jo
they/them
In their day-to-day life, Jo creates miniatures that offer long-lasting architectural education. Bringing their technical skills, experience of attending and working Ren Faires in other places, their deep knowledge of the Medieval era, and their vast skill set Jo has been an incredible asset to the team. From sewing garlands to building fairy doors, Jo has advised and assisted in the creation of the immersive set for the Ren Faire and Medieval Cabaret.
Fight Choreographer and
Alec M
they/them
Witherbloom is passionate about fully expressing the flourished efficiency of medieval European swordsmanship; how the artistry of practical lethality can look fabulous as a consequence, without it being the primary goal. Formally trained in various arts-of-arms from Central European fighting traditions through the late 14th to early 16th centuries and versed in the teachings of the medieval Italian master, Fiore dei Liberi, they are also practised in the ways as written by Johannes Liechtenauer, Giovanni Dall’Agocchie, and Achille Marozzo; additionally, being read in the works of George Silver.
Witherbloom has been working diligently to impart their knowledge and martial repertoire to the Poetry Brothel crew, training them in early 15th century longsword traditions. Some will be ready in time to perform for you, and some... Well, we will see. Their performance aims to reconstruct historical European fencing traditions as faithfully, authentically, and safely as possible.
Front of House
Birdie
she/her
Birdie has been volunteering her time and her delicious chocolates to manage PBTO's Front of House since June of 2024! If you have been to any previous PBTO Cabarets, you have met her at the door. PBTO cannot thank her enough for choosing to return to spend yet another magical evening with us, and to give each of our guests a warm welcome.
Sound Technician and Production Support
Dar the Druid
he/him
Dar the Druid is not a Poet. He is a channeler of Poets. From the Poet's lips and heart the words, the sounds, the soul of the Poet funnels through his extended ears, to be caressed... tweaked ... refined. Sometimes made bold and strong, sometimes soft and sinuous, the essence of the Poet flows through the Druid, to be cast out to the enraptured listeners who glide on every word. Druid, Poet channeler.
Producer, Production/Set Design, Graphic Design, all around crazy person
Brendee Green
she/her
Brendee and Titania share one vessel... Yes. They both inhabit one body, and use the same brain. It gets busy in there. She didn't even want to be credited on this list, but she felt it was important to use this space to note that there are so many people who support her (and Titania) in getting these shows together. There are so many incredible beings who have donated time, funds, materials, and emotional support, and some of them would rather not be named... so, on behalf of Brendee, Titania, and the Poetry Brothel Toronto: we thank you. You know who you are.