Re-enactor or Entertainer

[blackjohn]

Thanks for taking my previous unscientific poll. Here's yet another. I won't even bother defining each. Though I have my own definitions, I'm curious as to how each of you see these terms, and if you even see distinctions between them.

[Captain Jim]

Tough one, but I think that living historian includes/requires elements of all of the other choices. Separating one from the other in a clear-cut fashion is, in my not-so-humble opinion, quite impossible.

[blackjohn]

True. To me living historian implies a broader range of knowledge about the period than any of the others.

[Captain Jim]

Hey, I'm pretty sure I clicked Living Historian, but it seems to have registered as re-enactor...Did you run Florida voting in 2000?

[blackjohn]

If I had, someone else would be in charge of the current mess...

Next election, a pirate should run for President!

(feel free to discuss that under another thread)

[Pirate Petee]

Pirate Petee for Pres.

[Monterey Jack]

I chose educator for due to my being an instructor at maritime swordplay; but in everything else it would be a crossover entertainer/ re enactor.

[The Doctor]

Depending upon the outcome of the next Presidential election; I fully intend, upon a negative outcome, to hoist the black flack, secede from the Union, and declare my property the Sovereign Territory of New Libertania.

Seriously, though.... I suppose you'd call me an educator/entertainer. I have engaged in swordplay to "educate" a braggart, and I admit to cheating in said engagement. I am a pyrate, after all!

[Durty Mick Moon]

Aye..."El Presidente Pyrate Petee".....thar is a sort o' ring to it....whoever can quit a habit like smokin' cigarettes has provin' hisself more n' any o' the scoundrels that be in charge there now....ye've got me vote....

[Durty Mick Moon]

Avast...I almost forgot...I'm too dumb to be any o' those things 'cept "entertainer".....

[Blackbead]

For almost twenty years I've been a Civil War reenactor. Many's the time I've sat and read for hours trying to get my impression as authentic and historically accurate as possible. I got tired of that. So, for me, my time in slops and flintlocks is mainly for fun with a smattering of historical authenticity because I just can't do it any other way. I slid into piracy as a gimmick for my sideline business (I work for Uncle Sam but I also sell handmade, beaded jewelry on the side). I started out going to shows dressed as a pirate and the gimmick was that I was a seadog who is selling off his plunder (a la Jean Lafitte outside of New Orleans, Blackbeard on the Carolina Coast or one of the Victual Brothers in Rostock.) As such, I play the part and "talk like a pirate" to attract business. What I'm discovering, however, is that I'm getting this piratical bent in me blood and I think, before it's all over, that I'll wind up becoming more of a reenactor/living historian. For now, it's for fun and profit . . . kind of like the real thing, no?? . . . and I see myself as an entertainer. But I can feel the wind in me hair and the pull of the tide, and before long, I'll consider me self that and more!

Blackbead

[The Doctor]

Aye, mate. Here's a sure formula. Go to the east coast of Florida. Hit St. Augustine, New Smyrna, and Titusville. Check out the museums there. Stand on the ramparts of St. Augustine fort, the jetties of New Smyrna, and the shore of Titusville. Feel the wind in your hair, and breathe deep the salt air. Drink it deep, and feel it creep into your bones. Welcome it, embrace it, and accept it. Then, with that new fire in your blood, walk back through one of those exhibits of Spanish gold. Feel your blood race, your heart quicken, and your eyes burn.

Gold.

You want it.

You need it.

And then you'll realize...

You're a pyrate, and the world had best watch out for ye!

My realization came at age 10. And I've never looked back, because it's served me well. May it do so for you. :)

[Blackbead]

My friend,

I have been to St. Augustine and have been lucky enough to stand in the fort on St. Kitts. I believe that ELP said it best: "Gold drives a man . . . to DREAM!"

But being a pirate these days . . . is it the gold? Is it the women? Is it the rum? Is it the freedom?

YES! All I know is that I love it and I want more of it. Is there more that can be said than that? Yes . . . but does the rest of it really mean anything?

Blackbead

[Pirate Petee]

My presidential pins.

Dah Dah Dah Dah

Dah Dah Dah Dah Dah Dah Dah Dah

[callenish gunner]

i'd vote for a pirate over another friggin politician any damn day .... you can trust a pirate

i'd have to say i'm half-n-half re-enactor and entertainer

[The Doctor]

Petee for Pres! Platform be damned, says I! Petee for Pres!!

[Sir Eric]

Entertainer here, pure and simple. We don't try to pretend that we're historicaly accurate (because we certainly aren't) and we don't attempt to educate. Our main goal is simply to make people laugh, dance and sing.

However... as other have said, there's an aspect of playing a pirate that becomes a drive to learn more about what it is your trying to portray, and bit by bit you start learning more, and as you learn you start to change your garb, your behavior, and in fact start diseminating what you've learned to others. I know far more about the "real" history of piracy now than I did a year ago, and it's found it's way into our performances, and I'm sure it will continue to do so.

Will we go all the way to re-enactors? Nah. That's just not what we're trying to accomplish. For us, being what the audience expects us to be (in appearance, mannerisim et al) is what makes the moolah. I have very high regard for re-enactors and living historians, as it takes a lot more work to attain that level of knowledge, garb etc. I'm always impressed by it. I do feel sometimes that us entertainers are a little looked down upon because of our less than accurate ways.

Wow... sorry. Didn't mean to write a book here. Um... entertainer. That's me.

[Rumba Rue]

Definately entertainer. I gave up the strict guideline costuming and such when I left S. Faire upteen years ago.

[BLACK JACK SHALAQ]

My presidential pins.

Dah Dah Dah Dah

Dah Dah Dah Dah Dah Dah Dah Dah

YA GOTS BLACK JACKS MARK LADDY!

[Tall Paul]

All of the above, (apart from, perhaps, the last one) none of these are mutually exclusive, and some of the best educators I have ever met have also been entertainers.

Why can't I highlight more than one dammit.

[Captain Jim]

Why can't I highlight more than one dammit.

Oh, so have you voted in Florida, too?

[JustPolly]

Well there wasn't a combo entertainer/re inactor choice so I j'st picked entertainer :) cuz as a re inactor I'm pretty amuzin

[William Brand]

Re-enactor.

Though, in truth, I am a combination of all. Of course you left off Scoundrel, Jester, Philosopher and Craftsman.

[Captain Annie Finlay]

I've never been much fer labels, mates, but if I had ta choose, I'd say I'm just dressin' up as a pirate for the sheer fun of it all (sure as hell beats petticoats 'n corsets <g>). Of course, I don't perform or anything like that, but if I did, it'd probably be more for entertainment than historical accuracy (not that there's anything wrong w/history...just too damn expensive.)

[Scupper]

I'd have to say all except the last. Been doing historyteaching, re enacting and entertaining for 22 years from Roman era to World War 2. But i've found me niche in piracy. HUZZAH MATES!

Scupper