What to expect at the 7th annual spectacle of fun and excitement:

The rising young star of London's theatre scene, Will Shakespeare, faces a scourge like no other: a paralyzing bout of writer's block. While the great Elizabethan age of entertainment unfolds around him. Will is without inspiration on material. What Will needs is a muse--and in an extraordinary town whilst on progress with Her Most Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, he finds himself surrounded by numerous quirky characters who draw him into an amazing, dramatic adventure of action and love. Their stories make their way into his plays and into our hearts. This year's theme for the Golden Gate Renaissance Faire is Shakespeare's Muse. August 29 and 30, 2009, Speedway Meadow will be transformed to a delightful Elizabethan town filled with myriad characters and vignettes resembling those of Shakespeare's plays we so dearly love. In addition, over 900 costumed entertainers and over 100 shopkeepers and artisans will add to the ambience of the Faire.

The sixth annual Golden Gate Renaissance Faire in San Francisco, held August 1st & 2nd is the ultimate Renaissance bash, a lively Dionysian party, where the guests enjoy turkey legs, exotic food, and drink as they banter with the myriad performers filling the streets. The event sports one-of-a-kind shows, music, and comedy. Just a sampling of the talent includes:

• Myth and Magic, a two men comedy and magic show
• Fowl Tales, a one man, three parrot and one dog extravaganza performance that charms and entertains the whole family.
• Trey Cromwell, Professional Showoff, a one man danger show that combines combining variety arts like juggling, contortion and escape artistry into a seamless whole.
• The Merry Praynksters, a country dancing group, will whirl and wind among the patrons with their period dancing while Danse Macabre will progress through the streets enthralled in their dance with death their hunting music and attire leaving patrons in awe.

The Weekend's highlight will be the Knights of Avalon, a nationally acclaimed full contact jousting troupe. Combining the elements of spontaneity, action, and humor, the Knights of Avalon will present a show that will keep the audience enthralled and coming back for more. Their armour is real, the lances a real and the hits will will be real as well! The onlookers will be astounded by the action of the hard-hitting lance-splitting jousting and the humorous interplay. Hundreds of pounds of man, horse and metal will collide and do battle right before your eyes.

Come cheer swordsmen fighting for the prize: Throughout the day on Saturday a rapier tournament will be held by St. Michael's Salle d'Armes, then on Sunday they will offer lectures and lessons on the use of the sword.