Yo Ho, Me Hearties! 4th Annual Tennessee Pirate Fest is on the Horizon!

Special Street Character Audition 8/31

Vendor Applications due 9/1

Planning for the fourth annual Tennessee Pirate Fest is underway.  This costumed family-fun event will come to life for two weekends in mid-October at the Tennessee Medieval Faire site in Harriman--just 30 miles west of Turkey Creek in Knoxville.  All are invited to escape to the fictional Caribbean town of Port Royale in the Tortugas, circa 1685.

“The Governor of Port Royale is celebrating his birthday, and all are invited--including pirates!  Get ready to Get Yer Pirate On! and join in hours of fun,” said Barrie Paulson, VP-Manager.

Back by popular demand will be the Patron Costume Contest, where prizes will be awarded based on audience applause.  Also returning will be the Pirate Gong Show, where patrons will be invited to share their talents to join a pirate crew.  There will also be a Pirate School where landlubbers will learn to walk, talk, and sing like a pirate.

Continuous professional pirate entertainment will include interactive comedy shows, live pirate music, costumed British and pirate street characters, Combat Croquet, beach games, photo ops, pirate displays, and original crafts.  Food and hot and cold beverages, including beer, will be available for purchase.

 
To round out the street character cast, a special audition will be held on Saturday, August 31, from 1-2pm ET, at 125 Barrie Lane, Kingston, TN.  Please call 865-466-1902 or email DarkhorseLLC@comcast.net to sign up.  

Auditions will include singing, speaking in a pirate or British accent, and participating in improvisational games. Costumes and theatrical experience are helpful but not required to audition.  While ages 18+ are preferred, talented mature teens will be considered if they have reliable transportation or are accompanied by a participating adult.  If accepted, new cast members will be invited to stay for the regular weekly rehearsal from 2-5pm.  Professional acts can audition online by sending show details with a video link to the email above.

Festival organizers are seeking quality craft and food vendors.  Vendor information, application, and guidelines are available on the website www.TNPirateFest.com under the vendor tab.  The application deadline is September 1.  There is no application fee, but all work is juried to ensure quality and fit.  Payment of $30/day for crafts and $70/day for food for ~12’x12’ selling space would be due after approval and by September 14.

The fourth annual Tennessee Pirate Fest will take place Saturdays and Sundays, October 12-13 and 19-20, from 11am-6pm ET--rain or shine.  Ticket prices will be $16 for ages 13+, $8 for ages 5 to 12; and entry will be free for ages 4 and under.  Field parking will be free, and tickets will be available for purchase at the gate with cash or credit.  A small convenience fee will be added for the use of credit.  

Discounted motel rooms will be available for Pirate Fest fans at Baymont by Wyndham in Harriman by calling 865-882-5340.  

The festival will be held at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN.  

For more information, please visit www.TNPirateFest.com and sign up for updates.  Like and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Tennesseepiratefest/.

   
Get Yer Pirate On!

Could The TAMS Rock The Princess For A Third Time - YES!

Friday night was the third time The TAMS have performed on the Princess Theatre's stage.  First in July of 1913, then again in May of 2014.  It had been five years since last evening's concert, but the Princess audience hadn't forgotten them.  The kept the beat, sang the lyrics, and cheered as Lil Redd (Albert Cottle) ran the isles urging them on to a higher plain of love and understanding through his music!

The name Tams came from the group's wearing "Tam O’Shanter hats" on stage.  The tams all gleamed under the stage lights, but were unable to hold back the sweat of their brows!  They work hard, and for a photographer, that makes it hard to freeze the action; they are always moving!

There is a legacy being carried on from the original group, and it can continue through the sons and grandsons of the group.  Two youngsters joined them on stage and thrilled the audience with their moves, and the thought that the music will continue in the future.  I just hope there will be people who will be moved by the music of The TAMS after those of my age group are gone.  It's great music that makes one feel Young, feel Foolish, and feel Happy!  It's certainly music this old "60s Kind Of Man" grew up on!

The bottom line here folks, is that the Princess is providing a great lineup of live music and theatre for your enjoyment.  Get up, get out, and get entertained!

KISS (Dressed To Kill USA) Sends The Princess Audience Back To 1973!

No, Gene Simmons and the gang were not at the Princess Theatre Saturday night, but you would be fooled if you stepped into the venue Saturday night!  Dress To Kill USA performed a flawless tribute to one of the greatest bands of time - KISS!  

The people loved it...arms in the air shouting the words to all their favorites and grasping for guitar picks thrown into the air!  What a time!  The only thing that would have made it better would have been pyrotechnics!  Of course, the insurance would not allow that at the Princess, but it was awesome anyway!

Straight out of Harlan, KY, were Christian Fugate-StarChild, Mike Collins-Demon, Brandon Collins-Spaceman, and Casey Miracle-The Cat!  Yes, Mike and Brandon are related; father and son.

The street filled up in anticipation of the performance, and none were disappointed in what was to come.

Most of us take a concert for granted; not knowing the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.  First there is load in, the sound check, and, in this case, makeup!

Outside in the August heat, Brandon, Casey, and Mike work to assemble the big Kiss light board.  Passersby, had little idea that these guys would soon transform into KISS!

Finally back inside and in the AC of the Princess, the team gets busy with sound check.  The Roane State sound ladies were up to the task of a big rock concert sound.  Using state-of-the-art equipment, like an iPad, they tuned each member's "stage monitor" to just the right levels.

Then the lighting is programed in and tested, prior to the dressed performers taking the stage.

Now it's time for makeup...they have to look the part if they are to become KISS!  I was privileged to be allowed inside the dressing rooms for the application of the KISS look!  How cool!

Finally, the time comes and the lights go down, the eyrie music starts, and anticipation rises.  The smoke seeps from the snake's nostrils, and the audience tries to see through the red darkness...is it time?

YES!  It's time...here comes KISS, or is it Dressed To Kill USA?  It's hard to tell...check it out!

Bottom line, it was a great concert, a great tribute, and the music was spot on!  Luckily for me, there was plenty of light on stage, so my photographs are a touch better than normal.  You can see them up close, in detail, and almost feel the good time we all had Saturday night.

Thank you Dressed To Kill USA - PLEASE COME BACK SOON!

Now, here are a few more...

And, two more for dessert...a couple of "good ole boys"  with the band!

THE END!