Hello magical friends, and welcome to episode 116 of WZRD Radio! I’m your hostwitch Bess and as we move into spring, I hope you’re all thinking hard about your Summer! Of! Fun! plans. Hosting a movie night? Creating the perfect cosplay? Starting a Harry Potter book club? Just don’t forget to let us know with the BBEFJ hashtag.
While you work on your projects, here’s our first block of music. First up is The Butterbeer Experience and “At the Ministry.”
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That was “At the Ministry” by The Butterbeer Experience [lyrics], “The Boggart Song” from Percy & the Prefects [lyrics], and NEWTs with “7th Favorite Weasley” [lyrics].
This month we’ve got another report from that roving magic maker our Special Correspondent in the Field! Take it away DQ.
Hello, magical friends. This is Special Correspondent in the Field DQ, with yet another Friends of Wrock profile for you. This month we’re highlighting My Funky Camelot. My Funky Camelot is owned and operated by Kirstin Vaughn, whom wizard rock fans may recognize as one of the incredibly dynamic musicians behind the Blibbering Humdingers. When asked how long she’s been creating, Kirstin says she’s been creating her whole life, but she’s been selling things that she creates for over 30 years. In the last few years she’s been making and selling a lot of book holsters. In fact, she’s been making and selling so many that a few years ago, she paid her 19-year-old son to help her make and fill orders. She says coming up with different designs for when people request something different has been a lot of fun. Who knew that there were seven different ways to make a book holster? This correspondent certainly didn’t, although it is fun to think as a Harry Potter fan that, once again, seven is the most powerfully magical number. If you are a convention traveler such as this correspondent, you may have seen My Funky Camelot at an event near you in recent history. One particularly fond memory for Kirstin is making and selling stuff in the Society for Creative Anachronism or SCA. They go to a 10,000 person event every year and set up in a canvas pavilion for two weeks, which is always a fun and interesting time. Kirstin also has some helpful tips for people who are just starting out. She says, “I suggest paying attention to the cost of your materials, the time it takes you to make the thing, and what other people are selling similar things for.” Finding price points is a tricky business. Also, making your table stand out with tablecloths and displays is good.
She also emphasizes utilizing vertical space. If you would love to get your hands on your very own book holster or any of the other products that Kirsten makes, you can find her online MyFunkyCamelot.com. If you’d like to meet her in person, she’ll be bringing some of her wares to a nerd convention called Convivial in Williamsburg, Virginia, February 28th through March 2nd. That’s all they have on the calendar right now, but keep your eyes open. You never know when someone’s going to point behind you and say, “oh look, a Blibbering Humdinger.” Thank you, My Funky Camelot, for being a Friend of Wrock. And now back to your hostwitch.
Thank you so much for that, DQ.
Now on with the music. First up is The Honeydukes Cellar Gang with “The Unexpected Christmas Carol.”
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You were just listening to ““The Unexpected Christmas Carol” from The Honeydukes Cellar Gang, Peeved with “The Ballad of Mr. Percy Weasley” [lyrics], and Bob Rozak with “Free Percy.”
If you’re looking to find some ways to connect with the fandom in April, here are some options:
First of all, don’t forget to submit to Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Jam! This month’s theme is “patronuses.” What gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling that drives away the dementors? Write, draw, and create—and don’t forget to use the hashtag #BBEFJ [link]
And while you’re thinking happy thoughts, how about submitting to the “Just Joy” compilation? [link]
If you’re looking for something to do April 1st that isn’t a practical joke, why not join Accio Friends for their virtual book club? They’ll be covering the first three chapters of Prisoner of Azkaban. [link]
If you’re in Markham, Ontario April 4-6, the Blibbering Humdingers are the musical guests of honor at Filk Ontario! [link]
April 4-5th is “Harry Potter Weekend” in Little Rock, AR, at least at Petit & Keet where there will be cocktails AND mocktails for wizards of all stripes. [link]
Fonthill, Ontario will be hosting Harry Potter Day on April 5th, with sorting macarons and feasting. [link]
April 11th will see a “Harry Potter House Cup Party” at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Wappingers Falls, NY. [link]
Smitty’s Cinema in Topsham, ME is having a “Harry Potter Day” on April 17th, including cocktails, trivia, and more. [link]
I’m not sure I missed anything last month—we were all recovering from April—but if I did, let me know!
You can message me during the next music break, starting with “Percy is a Prat” from Gred & Forge.
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That music break began with “Percy is a Prat” from Gred and Forge, followed by “Umbridge’s Pet” by Percy and the Prefects [lyrics], and finished with “Weatherby” by Dream Quaffle [lyrics].
And that’s the end of our episode! Thank you so much for spending time with me.
Until next time magical friends!
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