In Spring 2017, members of the Renaissance Studies program organized a Renaissance Banquet on campus. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members from the greater Chicago area gathered at International House to wear period costumes, feast on period food, and listen to live performances of Renaissance polyphonic music and presentations on the history of banquets and cooking in Renaissance society. More than 130 participants attended and feasted late into the night.
The organizers of this pilot event are now working to expand it into an annual Campus Renaissance Festival event, with festival food, craft displays, and performances by all the university Renaissance-related student performing groups. Contact organizers Daniele Macuglia (macuglia@uchicago.edu) or Ada Palmer (adapalmer@uchicago.edu) for more details.
Banquet Table
A table set for a Medici awaits diners
Il Capo
Daniele commands the room
Group Picture
Costumed Renaissance lovers gather for a photo
l’Amicizia
Onlookers admire Italian affection
Voices
Ada Palmer and her Madrigal group prepare to sing period pieces to kick off the banquet
Contemplation
Banqueters ponder the madrigal music
The Scholar
I should be studying for finals
Voices
Forgotten song resounds through the hall