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The clang of steel and rowdy sea shanties rang out at the Flora Public Library on the evening of Wednesday, June 29. Not in some “Books come alive” allegorical sense either, there was real sword fighting and plenty of youngsters from around the area came out to see it.
The sword fighting was brought to the Library as part of the summer reading program “A Midsummer Knight’s Read,” presented by the renaissance-themed stunt show known as “Swords and Roses.”
The two performers were Swords and Roses owner Maria Romine, going by the stage name of Kathryn “Kitty” Blackheart, and Ryan Ferris Hanson, known to the crowd as Captain Bonney Black.
Starting up with a sword fight to get the audience going, after a brief duel ended in flourishing bows, the performers introduced themselves.
The evening’s event was not all fighting and stunts though, and audience participation was a big part of the show.
The performers called for volunteer princesses (girls) and a knight (boy) and showed them what it was like to dress in the renaissance.
While the knight’s outfit was not too complicated, those worn by princesses were complex enough (and heavy enough) that they needed to split them between two girls.
Like many good shows though, this one ended with a fight. After several minutes more of swordplay, the two performers performed a song and polled the audience as to who should in and who would “die.”
Unfortunately for Blackheart, the youngsters present chose the Captain to win. Of course, she’ll duel again another day.
The Library has plenty more going on for their summer reading program. The next planned event will be music and fun with Babaloo at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12.
Then, Curious George will be appearing for the Scholastic Book Fair Family Event on July 14 at 6:30 p.m. Finally, Elsenpeter Marionettes will perform “Sleeping Beauty,” on July 26 at 2:30 p.m.
It’s still not too late to register for the summer reading program and all of the events at the Library are free to the public. For more information on the reading program visit the library’s website. For more information on Swords and Roses, visit their site.
The clang of steel and rowdy sea shanties rang out at the Flora Public Library on the evening of Wednesday, June 29. Not in some “Books come alive” allegorical sense either, there was real sword fighting and plenty of youngsters from around the area came out to see it.
The sword fighting was brought to the Library as part of the summer reading program “A Midsummer Knight’s Read,” presented by the renaissance-themed stunt show known as “Swords and Roses.”
The two performers were Swords and Roses owner Maria Romine, going by the stage name of Kathryn “Kitty” Blackheart, and Ryan Ferris Hanson, known to the crowd as Captain Bonney Black.
Starting up with a sword fight to get the audience going, after a brief duel ended in flourishing bows, the performers introduced themselves.
The evening’s event was not all fighting and stunts though, and audience participation was a big part of the show.
The performers called for volunteer princesses (girls) and a knight (boy) and showed them what it was like to dress in the renaissance.
While the knight’s outfit was not too complicated, those worn by princesses were complex enough (and heavy enough) that they needed to split them between two girls.
Like many good shows though, this one ended with a fight. After several minutes more of swordplay, the two performers performed a song and polled the audience as to who should in and who would “die.”
Unfortunately for Blackheart, the youngsters present chose the Captain to win. Of course, she’ll duel again another day.
The Library has plenty more going on for their summer reading program. The next planned event will be music and fun with Babaloo at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12.
Then, Curious George will be appearing for the Scholastic Book Fair Family Event on July 14 at 6:30 p.m. Finally, Elsenpeter Marionettes will perform “Sleeping Beauty,” on July 26 at 2:30 p.m.
It’s still not too late to register for the summer reading program and all of the events at the Library are free to the public. For more information on the reading program visit the library’s website. For more information on Swords and Roses, visit their site.
