Many of you may have heard about the wizard rock scene at Camelot Treasures in Cary, NC. Having been at the center of that, let me see if I can re-live some of those memories for you…

We opened Camelot in September of 2006. Kirsten and I had talked for many years about running a store that catered to medieval fantasy fans and other nerds. We sold toys and puppets, home décor, music CDs, pottery, jewelry, clothing, costumes, accessories, garden décor, and pretty much anything we could find that focused on dragons, faeries, pirates, wizards, and such. We even found suppliers for various Harry Potter themed merch such as wands, robes, and house ties. As musicians ourselves we got into the habit of hosting little functions in the stores – themed birthday parties, concerts, etc.

In 2007 we were looking to capitalize more on the Harry Potter franchise. We were both fans and that bit of business had been doing quite well for us. We had just doubled our square footage and were looking to host more Potter-themed events to bring more people to the store.

That’s when I discovered wizard rock.

I had been looking for filks of popular tunes, and was able to find a little bit of stuff. But then I found these artists who were completely unconnected to the Filk scene – The Whomping Willows, Draco & the Malfoys, Harry & the Potters, etc.  I was like – I HAVE TO MEET THESE PEOPLE.

As it turns out HaTP were playing at our local library in a couple weeks. We went to the show and handed out some flyers for our store – but I also purchased a bunch of CDs from Paul & Joe to sell at our store. After that I started contacting other artists about ordering their music to stock in our store.  And soon we formed the Blibbering Humdingers and starting putting out our own music.

The first wrock-event to happen at Camelot was a song-circle. We put it out there that we were having one and a bunch of people showed up: Hawthorn & Holly from the Charlotte area came up, and Nancy of the Half-Kneazels  (who was still in high-school at the time) came with her mom.   Friendships were formed that night. It was beautiful nerding out with people who were just as infatuated with Potter as we had become.

Later that year we hosted a small Yule Ball with dancing to some wrock tunes, a few numbers performed by us, some games, and other activities. It was the summer of 2008 when lots of acts started touring and we were all riding high after the release of Deathly Hallows that stuff really started heating up for us. By then we had built a pretty good scene of dedicated fans who were hungry for more live music. I believe we hosted Lauren Fairweather (Moaning Myrtles) and the Butterbeer Experience. The Whomping Willows & Justin Fitch-Fletchley came through several times as well as Fred Lives!, the Purebloods, and that unmentionable werewolf guy. The penultimate show we hosted at the store itself was probably our Yule Ball in January of 2009 with performances by us, Hawthorn & Holly and Gred & Forge.  I’m certain others have performed at the store, but my memory is getting foggy.

 

But alas, all great things come to a close. By February of 2009 we had fallen on financial hardship and couldn’t sustain the store any longer. Our final show there was with Tonks & the Aurors. Steph of course did a great set, but we all knew it was the last show happening in our space, so it was bittersweet for many of us. Hanging around our kitchen table that evening with Steph was actually kinda weird. Between her being tired from travels and us being exhausted from the store we were pretty lousy company. 🙁 The following weekend we had one last wizard-rock sleepover at the store, singing for each other and eating pizza on the hard cement floor of our performance space.

We continued to host shows in our living room and our backyard for many years – with Swish & Flick, the House of Black, and one of the only appearances of The Firewhiskey Experience singing our hit single “Repo Goblins Took my Broom.” We also went on working with local libraries and a local Irish Pub for a few shows. But the house tours eventually slowed down as the fans have grown up. And there simply isn’t the same love for series after Jo Rowling’s recent diatribes against transgender-inclusive feminism.  Playing shows at conventions and around the Filk scene is fun, but it’s not the same energy. It’s not the same kind of shared bond. I think we all know we’ll never have those days back, but I will cherish those memories the rest of my life. Y’all helped a bunch of us feel like wrockstars for a few brief shining moments. You taught me so much about upping my game and being a better musician and performer. Thank you.

Through my experience as a host, promoter, and performer I formed friendships with people that are still important to me. I always knew Camelot Treasures was just a stepping stone to something else. I didn’t know it would be friendship. The weapon really is love. I almost feel silly saying that. But it’s still true.

Keep each other safe. Keep faith.

 

PS – In the old Camelot Treasures spot there is now a dentist office. I think Hermione Granger would feel at home there too.