South Florida Steampunk

South Florida and Steampunk are nearly a contraction in terms. The fine look of well tailored Victorian fashion and South Florida's laid back, anything goes, shorts and a T-shirt standard are worlds apart.

In this country, rigid high fashion has given way to sloppy comfort. High standards of social etiquette have crumbled to the level of the Simpson's. Our dress and manners may fallen to an all time low but what of our wondrous technology.

Not very long ago, our highest technological advances were wrapped in cathedral quality industrial art. Now we bling and bedazzel it. The materials used to create the tech miracles of that age were steel, brass, glass, wood, and leather. Today it's plastic, plastic, plastic and plastic. A few hundred years ago, technological necessities were built to last for centuries and  meant to be passed down through the generations. Now we cry if our cell phones are over two years old.

Enter Steampunk. A genre dedicated to asking the question - What if we kept all the good parts of the Victorian age and moved them forward along with our technology? The Florida Renaissance Festival took the bold step of adding a Time Travel and Steampunk event this past weekend. I took the bold step of asking a few of the participants what they thought about it.

Some of the hard core rennies seemed a little confused but when I mentioned it was Steampunk weekend they at least seemed to know the concept. Most liked the look and more than a few thought it should be a regular event. A couple mentioned they missed "bring your pet" weekend.

I asked several of the garbed participants how difficult and costly it was to create a little Steampunk fashion. The answer was the same every time. Not very expensive and not very time consuming. It was immediately obvious to me that time travelers have all the time in the world and a lot of inside trading info. I had one of them give me an item by item price check and I stopped her when I couldn't count that high any more. Bottom line, many of these folks put in a tremendous amount of effort for a two day event. I can only imagine if they had all spent serious time and money manufacturing their look. The sad fact is there are not many other Steampunk events in the area. There are parts of the country that take their Steampunking to extraordinary levels.  I know of at least one family who cut their vacation on the Titanic short and came directly to the faire. By so doing they not only saved themselves a cold swim, they also won the Steampunk Garb contest. Most of the rest of the folks I spoke with were a bit more local in time and space. I would really like to see Steampunk take off in South Florida but someone will need to invent a corset as cool and comfortable as a bikini first I would imagine.

The Time Collectors - Steampunk Garb competition winners.  

Click Here for my photos from the event.

 I would like to thank the South Florida Pirates for giving me some insight into the Steampunk genre. They will be returning as their normal pirate selves the final two weekends.  

Florida Renaissance Festival - 2013

It's no secret I am a huge fan of the Florida Renaissance Festival (Click Here) I've been attending for 15 years or so and have gotten to know the actors and fans. I love to take my friends and see their reactions. Especially the first timers.  For the ones I just can't quite get to attend, I usually hear the same excuse."It's not my thing". 

Steampunk Fairy - Robin

On my very first ever experience I brought my very young daughter. It seemed like harmless fun. By the end of the day I had been intimately involved in the Washing Well Wenches show, covered in bits of stage at the Mud Show, and had a tiny acrobat leap down from the Barely Balanced act and walk across the bleachers right at me like she was in 3D. The music was like nothing I had ever heard on the radio, cannons were firing, swordsmen and jousters were fighting, jokes were flying, and the food was delicious. My reaction to that first visit - mild shock. This was nothing like the safety and comfort of my living room!!! I vowed never to return.

Jacques Ze Whippeur

Celtic Mayhem

Then suddenly a wonderful thing occurred.  My daughter talked about our one day at the festival for three solid months and I realized it was the only thing we truly shared, just the two of us. My mundane and dare I say boring life took on a new excitement. I began bragging that I was chosen from a full house audience and elevated to the stage. I told anyone who would listen what a great time I had. From there began a fifteen year pursuit of adventure. Annual pilgrimages to the festival and vacation trips all across this country shared with my daughter. Just the two of us.

Splatter Time Players

Meanwhile, back at the faire, I was having a conversation with Lickity Splickity of the Splatter Time Players before his show. He confided with me he had the only act at the faire that required no talent. Then he proceeded to tell me about his recent franchise expansion of the act. When the show started he managed to fill the empty bleachers to capacity in a drizzly rain and practically had those seemingly every day people in the front rows begging to be splattered by mud. Ummmm Lickity - That's talent!

Washing Well Wenches

Erin Amasan Masala

That got me to thinking about common excuse number two. "I don't like to associate with people who can't hold a regular job". I decided this year to put that philosophy to the test.

There are of course the professional actors as well as a cast of characters around the festival grounds. I've gotten to know many of them over the years so I thought I would quiz them about their day jobs. The results  in  no particular order - pediatrician, teacher, preacher, ER nurse, property manager, paralegal, anthropologist, software writer, therapist, and my all time personal favorite - Scientist. That's just the few I asked and darned if most didn't have a better job than me. In addition, I found out some of those costumes can cost in the thousands of dollars and you can't just throw them in the wash and drape them over the exercise equipment in the bedroom like your regular clothes. You would truly never believe which of the character actors go with which of those day jobs. It should be made into a contest.

Mad Maggie

Some of the full time performers are expanding their reach to keep me entertained throughout the year with internet radio shows, pod casts and even book writing. My good friend Mad Maggie (AKA Melinda Rabin) has just finished her latest - "Dragons are Real". I would love to say I'm friends with a famous author so help me out and click here to buy her book. My only talent is to be the best fan I can be and I'm proud to say I landed the first pre-order, signed copy.

My favorite hobby is photography and each year I hone my skills capturing the feel and wonder of this magical place. I got a pretty good start opening weekend. Click Here to enjoy my photos. I'll be adding more in the coming weeks. I'm really looking forward to fill my lenses during the newly added Time Travelers Steampunk weekend

There are 5 more weekends in Deerfield and then the show packs up and moves to Miami. Be sure and download the Florida Ren Fest smart phone ap. Your day will be better enjoyed if you plan which shows to see ahead of time. There are too many to see all of them in one visit.

Live performance is a dying art along with live audience participation. I have never brought anyone with me who didn't enjoy the event. The men, women, children, and creatures who perform at these shows likely work harder than you ever will. You just need show up and enjoy. If you still think this type of entertainment is not for you, I urge you to give your TV a rest,  leave your excuses and comfort zone at home, and take the plunge. Who knows what magic you may find. 

Winter Sun - Florida Renaissance Festival

One of my favorite times of the year is coming soon. The Florida Renaissance Festival runs weekends from February 9th to March 17th in Deerfield and March 30th to April 14th in Miami. I've enjoyed this particular festival for many years but something wonderful happened when I started posting about it in my blog the last couple of years. I started getting to know the faire folk - performers, characters, fans and fellow photographers. Many of which I have followed to their away from the faire jobs during the year both online and in person. It has been an amazing journey. 

One of the questions I get a lot is if I make any money writing this blog and posting my photos. The answer is NO - it actually cost me money. I travel to many events during the year which usually include tickets, food, tips, and parking. Many I don't write about. They sort of frown on taking a camera into plays and art galleries for some reason. So why do it? I find it very difficult to try new things. I'm sure many people can relate. Writing this blog drives me to step out of my comfort zone, try new things, meet new people, and most importantly, live life beyond my living room. Then every once in a while someone reaches out and lets me know how much they appreciate my efforts in special ways like including a few of my photos in their  music video. 

I urge everyone to give live entertainment a try this year. If you are not sure where to start - watch the video then come out and meet these amazing people.  

Jousting Returns to Camelot Days - Hollywood

Stormy Knights Jousting

I have been a huge Renaissance festival fan since first taking my daughter to the local fair well over a decade ago. Her favorite act that day - The jousting. My favorite part of that day - The look of amazement on her little face as two horses came thundering at each other and lances crashed against opposing knights.

Jousting had taken a long hiatus from the Camelot Days fair in Hollywood and so had I in my quest to attend bigger shows in Florida and Georgia. Last year I was in a nostalgic mood and returned to the show that started it all for me. My bad luck to attend on a stormy afternoon turned out to be not so bad after all. I had a chance to take shelter and talk with Larry Rabin, a long time performer better known as the Hopeless Romantic. Until that day a year ago I was just a guy shooting pictures but suddenly I was interacting with the cast. Larry mentioned he was working on a new project. Little did I know he was planning to bring Jousting back to Hollywood with Stormy Knights Jousting.

Larry Rabin - back stage

Hard to believe this year has come full circle already. I have made dozens of friends since then. Writing this blog has been a key to introducing me to all sorts of events and entertainment I had no idea about a year ago. I've gotten to know several of the performers to the point they recognize me before I recognize them. Larry even invited me back stage during the second Joust so I could get better pictures. 

Attending the festivals is a great way to catch up with old friends like Kevin Siegelbaum. Kevin recently became an ordained minister and will perform your ceremony as "The Pirate Pastor". The festival is also a great way to make new friends such as Carolina VonFoxy. I've seen Carolina around the fair grounds for many years but never thought to walk up to her and say hi. Like all the performers at all the Ren Fests I've attended, she was very gracious and we had a wonderful conversation. I'm sure my daughter remembers her as she had me buy her a fox tail of her very own after seeing Carolina's collection.

Old Friend - Kevin Siegelbaum

New Friend - Carolina VonFoxy

  











Besides the jousting there is plenty of other fair favorites like dancing, music, comedy, and magic. Most of the performers know me by now so I don't get pulled up on stage any more although I was almost included in a dance number. Best I just stick to photography although dancing on stage would be the quickest way to launch my comedy career.

I'm sure you are wondering what the rest of this fair was all about so Click Here for the photos I took today. There is still one more day to enjoy Camelot Days then fairs in Deerfield and Miami if your are local or all across the country if you are not. 

Miami Renaissance Faire at Cauley Square

Casey Martin and Rob Williams
Kamikaze Fireflies

You would think that I would be Ren Fested out by now. I know I thought I was. I have a friend who missed all five weekends at the Deerfield Beach Ren Fest and wanted to go, so we packed the cameras and headed south. I've been to Cauley Square before and I remember it as not a big place, so I was expecting a tiny event and a quick day. Wrong! We got there at opening and closed the place. My friend got pulled up on stage during the second show we attended (and luckily loved it), stared into the eye of a hawk on her shoulder, and fired a Ballista at a live and moving knight. She also bought me a couple of hard ciders and a cup of mead which left my camera focusing a whole lot better then I was. So how did such a fantastic event occur in such a tiny place?

Magic and a chain saw.

Intricately winding paths cut through the heavy ficus forest and were covered in gravel. Stages were strewn randomly throughout. It really helped to pick up a map and show schedule at the gate. Turn after turn down the paths I slowly began to realize this was a really big show.


You do not want to miss Celtic Mayhem, Masala Dancers and the Joust. All Florida Faire favorites. The Kamakazi FireFlies came all the way from LA just for these two weekends so it hardly mattered how far I had to drive to come see them. There was plenty of shade for the audience which really sets this event apart. The performers - not so lucky. Those stages get pretty darn hot. Even hotter if Casey Martin blows a 20 foot fire ball across it.

Masala Dancer

I was there Sunday and witnessed one of the jousters sustain an injury during an unscripted dehorsing. No matter if they are riding horses, battling in full armor, eating fire, stilt walking, or blasting out a wild fiddle tune on a 110 degree stage - every act is live, dangerous, and exists for the sole purpose of your enjoyment. A whole lot more enjoyment than you will ever find on your TV or Xbox. I never get tired of saying these performers work for tips and a buck or two is a small price to pay for the value of the experience you will have.


The Miami faire is open just one more weekend so don't miss it. I did not have time to revisit the Cauley Square shops but my friend was very interested in going back again to thoroughly check them out.

Joust

This is a very quaint and historic piece of Miami's past and I am so glad the Florida Renaissance Festival will be bringing thousands of new visitors to what I hope is their new permanent home.  I spent a lot of time at the Ren Fest in Deerfield Beach this year and a lot of the visitors at the Miami show were new to me. It's great to see even more people enjoying the last of the Vaudevillian style performances in America, and hopefully maybe even their first trip of many to Cauley Square.

Impressions of the Florida Renaissance Festival

Mimi the Mermaid

Why am I writing about the Florida Renaissance Festival twice this year?  My last posting hit a half a thousand views, my Flickr photos are getting 500+ views a day, and I’ve attended four and a half times with one weekend yet to go. World shattering records for my blog and myself.  With this kind of interest, I thought I would take a deeper look.

When asked what my attraction is to this event, my quick and easy answer is the people. Not only the performers but the costumed characters, the vendors, and the fans. This year I made a real effort to do more than gawk and shoot photos. Now several performers know my name. I've met a couple of fellow photographers in person who’s work I’ve admired for years. I’ve hung out with some awesome performers and their over the top fans. I've learned to eat fire. I don’t really recommend that last one. Not that anyone besides me has fire eating on their top 100 list.

So what does this little faire have to offer? I attended four full days before I saw every act (so I thought) and each time was a truly unique experience. There is something for everyone who enjoys live entertainment.

Celtic Mayhem

The Harper & the Minstrel

Iron Hill Vagabonds

Music is everywhere. If you look hard enough and listen close enough you will find some of the most beautiful, hand made music on earth. The Glass Harp which is singing water bowls or a harpist by the water for those who like their music quiet. The juxtaposition of cannon fire in the background may upset the purists but there is no shortage of CDs for sale so you can take it with you and listen in the cocoon of your car on the way home.

 Somewhere in the middle are the loud and bawdy bands belting out anything from Irish drinking songs to comedy and pirate tunes.

Cast in Bronze

If you would rather feel your music more than hear it, stand in the front row at the Cast in Bronze performance and get your bones rattled and fillings loosened. This has to be the most unique musical instrument I've ever seen. All four tons of it. It takes quite an athlete to play this collection of church bells on a truck bed but he never misses a beat.

Masala Gypsy Dancer

Irish Step Dance

How about dance. Plenty of that. No matter how many times I visit, the Irish Step Dancers and Masala Gypsy Dancers dance their hearts out for the audience. I'm constantly amazed by the attendance these performers draw. They can't all be parents and relatives like when I watched my daughter's shows way back when. Every time I attend there are large and enthusiastic audiences. I think that speaks to the type of visitors the Ren Fest attracts as much as to the quality of the acts.













What would a Renaissance Festival be without the knights? These guys take quite a pounding every weekend for our entertainment. I don't care how scripted the show may appear. You fall off a galloping horse in full armour and it's going to hurt somewhere between limp and 911. I've been going to Renaissance festivals for 15 years and I've only seen one real injury but I'm sure these guys put their career and health on the line every time they suit up. The audience knows it too and the Field of Dreams is always the Field of Loudest Cheers.

Washer Woman

Commedia Del Sol

I Want My Mommy!

My favorite - the comedy. I don't really think there are enough opportunities to laugh in this life. TV just does not have the same effect on me as live comedy. I've seen the same acts plenty of times over the years so are they still funny? Oh Hell Yeah! This is a live show with a volatile audience and performers who might just change the act in mid stream if it suits them. Then there's the classic jokes I just can't get enough of and look forward to hearing time and time again. One thing every act has in common is audience participation. That means they grab someone from the audience and toss them on stage. Every once in a while someone goes crying for their Mommy. Ninety-nine percent of the time the uncanny skill of the performer to pick the perfect victim enhances the enjoyment of the audience and in the end makes a hero out of the chosen one. Something they will remember fondly for a long time and possibly re-live through the photos of their friends who were thanking their gods they were not picked. This year the Mud Show is back. A show where there is a good chance you will be sprayed with mud in the first twenty rows. This is the only show I sit in the back row with my long lens. Not so much to protect my camera as people fight for those front row seats. Now that's what I call audience participation.

Mud Show - Splattertime Players

Jana Lee and Adam Lowe

What's left? Acrobats, RenFairies, beautiful woman, games of skill, and turkey legs. You can't see everything all in one day, that's for sure. I was looking at some of my new friend's photos and found a couple of acts hiding in the woods that I missed. Good thing there is one last weekend.

At the end of the day, when the closing cannon blasts letting everyone know it's time to leave, there is no mad rush to play bumper cars on the way out. Five times with oodles of people leaving at once, the very first driver I came upon waived me onto the road. I, in turn, did the same all the way to the exit. Merging into traffic leaving a concert or ball game in Miami is more of a Gladiator sport. The folks who attend the Ren Fest this year have braved the elements, the cold, the wind, the rain, and blazing sun for a full day and still are polite enough to drive with courtesy. Like I said at the beginning, the best part of this event for me is the people.

RenFairies

Beauty 1

Beauty 2

Beauty 3 (on the inside)

Fire Eating? - Why the Hell Not?

South Florida Guy Eating Fire

If there is one thing that has always fascinated me it's the art of fire eating.  An art that is high risk, extremely dangerous, and in no way something to learn at home from YouTube videos. Doing it right will likely burn you. Doing it wrong will surely require medical intervention. The secret art of fire eating is usually passed down from one artist to another. A literal passing of the torch.

This year I chose to purchase a season pass to the Florida Renaissance Festival.  There are several performers who eat fire - some only feet away from my camera. I've seen some dozen or so exhibitions in the four weekends I've attended the festival. After a little soul searching, I decided I wanted to take the leap and follow my dreams. Now where to find a qualified teacher.

Eating Fire

It is my good fortune that my close personal friend Jana Colgin just so happens to be touring this year at FLaRF. A ten year fire eating veteran, she graciously offered to give me the beginners lesson and I immediately accepted.

I'm sure you have some questions.

Am I crazy? - Just a little.

Is the fire hot? - Hot as fire - the cold stuff has not yet been invented.

Did it hurt? - I stuck burning hot fire on a stick in my mouth so yeah, pretty much.

Will I do it again? - What, are you kidding? I'm shopping for a kit right now.

 I am hooked. I don't know if I will ever be at a performing level but after several hours of intense training, I managed to transfer a flame to my tongue then light another torch with the flame coming out of my mouth. That is certainly a show stopper at any family gathering. Huge thanks to all the performers that inspired me and a gigantic heap of appreciation to Jana who enabled me.

Florida Renaissance Festival 2012 - Deerfield

Jana Lee

Adam Lowe

Anyone who knows me knows I am a big fan of the Florida Renaissance Festival. To prove it, I bought a season ticket for the 20th Anniversary event.

Albannach

Every year I ask my friends if they are going to the Ren Fest. A common response, "It's not my thing". Well if your thing is sitting on your couch with the TV remote stuck in your hand, flipping through your 500 channels and finding nothing to watch - you may be right. If your thing is to enjoy amazing, exciting, innovative, live performances or laugh until your face hurts -the Ren Fest might be a good fit. You may want to check it out.

I personally have dragged many of my family and friends to the fair over the years and no one has ever said they didn't like it. Usually it's more "I had no idea how great this was" and then I see them there year after year.

BrooN

So what can you expect. For one thing, all the performers are extremely professional and yet will take all the time in the world to talk to you after the show. No matter how many times you see an act - it's different every time. This is live theater. The stunts are dangerous and the performers do get hurt sometimes. The shows for the most part are very kid friendly. The choices are endless. I have yet to see every act in a given season.

MooNie

 All you need to do is provide $20.00 to get in, throw a buck or two into a hat after each performance if you are so inclined, laugh and clap. Not as easy as sitting on the couch but seriously not that tough. Where else can you watch a performance then decide if you want to pay for it. Just keep in mind, these performers make their living this way. I do and I'm pretty generous about tipping.

Oh - and sometimes, you may be asked to participate in a show. I've been up twice and it was a blast both times. Acts are constantly changing from year to year and this year I am happy to report BrooN and MooNie are back.

MooNie and BrooN

The BrooN show is fast paced monologue with fire eating and extreme juggling thrown in for good measure.

The first time I saw MooNie a few years ago I was astounded that a performer of his caliber was doing a Ren Fest.

MooNie and BrooN team up for the final show of the night and it's a little different. In my opinion not for the young ones but how you raise your kids is your business. Unlike the regular shows, this one is unscripted improv. Unique to my fair experiences and more high energy than any stage show I've seen. I saw both finale shows this weekend and I can tell you they were completely different and hilarious. I'm going again next weekend for more!!

I have a lot more photos on my Flickr site so click over and take a look.

Beer Goddess

Washing Well Wench