Passing The Torch

It's the time of year again for the local Renaissance Faire, now subtly re-branded as the Renaissance Festival. (Why?) We took Madeleine out, more about which tomorrow.

The first act we encountered was this fellow who calls himself Crazy Boy Coy. Sure, everyone has seen fire eaters/breathers but I still haven't a clue how it's done. Obviously there is a technique but can you imagine trying it for the first time?            

Firesign Theatre

Is anybody out there old and wacky enough to remember Firesign Theatre, the brilliant, surrealist comedy group from the 60s and 70s? That's what this image from the Ren Faire made me think of. Their deeply-layered, complex audio recordings rearranged my synapses and changed my life. Really. I will never forget the first time I heard them, on a cassette riding around Passaic, New Jersey, with my sister's boyfriend. (That was weird enough.) If you want to know what I'm babbling about listen to this. Two productions, the second of which starts at 28:12.

But I digress. The association carried me away. These are better fire eater pictures than the ones I got at the Shakespeare In The Park green show. Great light, more dramatic. I forgot that I had a polarizing filter on my telephoto lens. Probably wouldn't have put it on if I thought about it but I'm glad it was there.           

Fire Eater

Josh Routh, one of the entertainers in yesterday's post, showing some of his many talents. I suppose (I hope) someone has to teach you to do this. It's hard to imagine what it's like the first time you try it yourself. Not much room for error.

I had a heck of a time getting that guy with the point-n-shoot in the first picture out of the frame. It occurred to me to form a group, the National Association of People Who Walk Into My Photos, or NATWIMP, invite them all on a free cruise, get them on a ship and leave them there until they find a friendly port in Paraguay.