Jib

I had heard that pirate often threw over the side items they could not readily use. Smugglers however may find certain items of value in the colonies and elect to save such trade goods.

I've read that the Triangular Trade brought wealth into the fledgling English Colonies. Luxury items however appeared to be limited and heavily taxed. Such items would encourage smuggling operations to appear. What types of things were considered luxury items or in great demand during the GAOP in the colonies?

Did he have ice cream?

I suppose a weekend long pirate festival is a lot less full of drama compared to a renaissance faire that can last over multiple weekends. Of course perhaps you can squeeze a lot of drama into a few intense days!

Curious as to why thy have wrapped the sash around the baldric and why often the small sword is worn so low. I'd think you'd trip over the scabbard wearing a blade so low.

spatterdashes = spats? Much like in the first image Greg posted?

So maybe this whole piracy thing is more about the relationships you form???

I think I de-railed my own thread...

You're actually the third person I've heard say basically the same thing about that event. Curious. (I have never been, so I have no idea whatsoever. My impression is that it has more of a Ren Faire than a reenactor crowd. Rennies can sometimes be a bit cliquey from my experience.) In my experience the Port Washington Pirate Festival is not a hard core reenactor event. 90% of the costumed Pirates are not period (either Buccaneer or GAOP). It is set in park off a marina and downtown region of Port Washington Wisconsin. They serve mini donuts and have a belly dance shows. Little is offered in the way of period vendors. The organizers are IMHO not on their "A" game. The last two years had no tall ships in attendance (although 2011 the ship had a break down). The event can have a weird feel about it, almost as if the festival doesn't know if it wants to be a street party, pirate circus or a cute small town flea market. That said I have a great time! A good number of Pyracy Pub members attend (Cheeky Actress, Mary Sterling, Merry Death and the amazing Bilge Monkey!). They do have some living history with the local militia who does black powder demos. In the past the crew of the Forsaken has attended and set up camp (alas never when I attended!). The area is fantastic for pirate photos if you can imagine a huge freshwater lake as the ocean. But it is the crowds that make it special! I am an entertainer. I'm only 10% historic. My forte is over the top dramatics and stage combat. The people who come to this free event love pirates! They want to be entertained and are easy to engage. The crowds want to play! Very few drunks and lots of families. Do I think that a pirate surgeon would be a welcome addition to the event? Without a doubt shipmate! Do I think you could get a crowd interested in real pirate history? YES! Would i play with a pirate surgeon or anyone else interested in a little street theater/ demo? Oh hell YES! I think living history has audience at this event that has not been fully tapped. If anyone wants to attend the Port Washington Pirate Festival in 2013 and meet a friendly face let me know! I can't promise good weather but I will promise not to wear my bucket boots! PS: This past year I did not see ONE Jack Sparrow replica over the age of 11.

Ransom I'm sorry you had a bad time at Port Washington Pirate Festival. I have attended that event off and on for a few years and had a great time (the weather can be a real challenge). Had I known you were attending at the same time I was I certainly would have extended the hand of friendship.

Funny Mister Bottles! I was just in Sturgeon Bay last weekend and took some pirate themed photos at Whitefish Dunes. Due to the rain we only managed about an hour on Friday and then went wine tasting.

Welcome back and best wishes to your heir and spouse!

Great topic and one from which I can learn.

Nicely put Mission! Excellent point!

also... Eye mentioned that sometimes a group of people or an event can put a bitter taste in one's mouth. Could you imagine a group or event that would wreck your love for playing piracy? Say the demise of a favored pirate event or change in management. Another idea would be a change in the group of people with whom you engage at various events.

If cash flow was not an issue (let's say it's a limitation) could you imagine a situation that could convince you to stop playing pirate?

Have you ever considered, after a particularly brutal event, just hanging up the tricorn, cutlass and the black flag? Stopped being a pirate for a hobby? It doesn't matter if you are a historical reenactment performer, pirate entertainer, or just really like pirates and enjoy dressing up and playing the part! Do you have a break point or level that could drive you away? What could make you so disappointed, saddened or angry enough to give up being a pirate? Have you come close to leaving the hobby? Ever taken time away? Or is it that important that you could never say farewell?

How about some Puritan names? Names like "God Willing", "Wisdom", and "Charity"? After the return of the monarch plenty of the once powerful Puritans fled to the colonies.

Mission you are mistaken! How Crispy, as a blind man, can find "women of generous chestage" is legendary and documented. Almost like echo location and bats! From the journal of Jacob Satire Mumble, 1701: "As I looked upon the Bristol docks I saw a blind man picking amid the rags and cast offs. This fellow was covered in sores and wore a crumbled black felt hat with dark spectacles of tortoise shell. When a well endowed fish wife happened by the blind man was off like a bee to the hive! His hands out stretched before him eager to explore the ripe pippins" from Penthouse forums May 1701

I seem to recall that Cannibal Crispy does an excellent impression of a blind man. Historically correct even!

and then again maybe not. http://www.keeptothecode.com/bboard/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=21330&sid=e07037073ee6a255c31bc362e449c721

I saw an article mentioning filming would start on the 5th installment of the POTC series this November.

Thanks Jas Hook! Good time to pick myself up a copy on Amazon!

Agreed! Sound track is not available to my knowledge but songs may be collected individually.