Amidst the lords and ladies of the royal court, a boar’s head is paraded around a dark, candle-lit room, dodging the beggars and town criers.

Iowa State’s annual Madrigal Dinner recreates the Renaissance with authentic music, pageantry and a feast fit for a king.

“I want [people] to be entertained and transported into another time and place, away from the day’s activities,” says James Rodde, director of choral activities and co-producer of the event.

Now in its 40th year, this dinner was one of the first in the area and has continued not only because of tradition, but also because of the quality and variety of the entertainment, Rodde says.

The Iowa State Singers — dressed in full regalia — are featured, as well as The Music Men and the ISU Orchesis II Dancers. A roaming jester will entertain the audience for the evening.

Musica Antiqua, an ensemble featuring authentic instruments, will perform as well, playing such instruments as the bladder pipe, hammered dulcimers and krummhorns.

F.C. Parrish, a member of the board of directors for the event, says a highlight of the night is a play put on by members of the choir where people are pulled out of the audience to help with the performance.

“I got taken prisoner once,” Parrish says, chuckling. “They were going to ship me into the outer-most parts of the world.”

To help dinner guests feel transported into the Renaissance, the cast of characters at the dinner recreate the time period.

Elizabeth Dahlstrom, senior in nutritional science and president of the Iowa State Singers, says choir members are always in character, walking around the room talking in Old English and improvising skits.

“It’s fun because it’s different and you get to pretend you’re in a different time,” Dahlstrom says.

What: Madrigal Dinner

Where: Great Hall, Memorial Union

When: 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Cost: $30 regular admission, $28 for ISU students