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houseofdonuts-blog · 6 months ago

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Cirque

Walking through the Mirage and into the Love theater stirred an array of emotions. It certainly feels like the end of an era, because it is. However, the numerous and diverse feelings it brought left me with an uncertainty.

Loves, friendships, the future, entertainment… It all mixed in together as I sat listening to the rich catalogue of music that defined an era and that could easily be the soundtrack to my life. What is the future of entertainment? The show felt dated. Not just because of the music…and that the acts rarely change (refresh every few years….eh). This type of show might be a dying breed. I could not help but think this as I watched cast members slow walk across the stage with an umbrella. Cirque was the entertainment leader in Las Vegas…was Now? Well, I just can’t say that confidently anymore.

The artistry of the acts remains majestic. While I disagree with many of the “creative” choices, the artists themselves are a wonder.

Of course, this production is driven by the music. The sometimes too literal interpretations of the music can distract from the music.

Oh, the music. Listening to The Beatles is always an experience. Paired with my relationship to Cirque…it was moving. When Strawberry Fields Forever came on, I was instantly met with nostalgia. Nostalgia, my companion in life. As a 10-year-old, I remember the feeling that I can now describe as nostalgia when I heard Strawberry Fields Forever…the provocation of something I could not define and to this day could not explain the why…

Watching the video a young Paul McCartney as the dancers meet on stage, it was another reminder of the passage of time. The constant – the ever – the always – the steady march of time. Do I want to mourn its passage or meet each march, each tick – each tock with passion and happiness.

On the surface, it is an easy choice. Easy breezy, lemon squeezy.

Are we all happily meeting each second though? We wish time away daily We beg for seconds to turn to minutes, and for those minutes to speed to their hourly deadlines.

The most precious thing and we spend so much of our time figuring out what to do with our time. Oh, Discordia…the Discordia of our own making.

It was an emotional evening. A good evening, though. A good time was had.

I should be thinking about the misery of nursing school. But I’m not. I’m thinking about my characters. Mostly, my main character who I admire. I admire and am starting to love. Yes, he is a part of me and yes there are parts of me that make up who he is…and because of that, I mourn his journey. I mourn the losses he will suffer. I cannot take that away; it’s been set by whatever it is that drives me to create. I fear for him. I hope he can rise to the challenges that will come.

Back to LOVE…it was a part of my life and like all things, it will come to a close. There are still lingering feelings that will keep me awake and other feelings that will naturally dissipate. Perhaps they will be forgotten or perhaps they will bite me in the heart the next time a specific Beatles song comes on.

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mudkissphotography · 8 months ago

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CIRQUE DU SOLEIL 'OVO' @ AO ARENA, MANCHESTER - MARCH 2024

I was honoured to be able to photograph another of Cirque du Soleil's productions, this time it was OVO (details of the show below). Performances like these are my all-time dream shoots. There were 4 photographers, shooting from the soundboard area, I was fortunate to be given a seat behind (so I was nice and comfy) and had a perfect centre view. I had two cameras and shot with a 24-70 and my favourite 70-200, I had taken my 600mm but it wasn't needed.

OVO is a visually stunning, theatrical show that takes the audience on a colourful, whimsical journey into the world of insects. Set in a bustling ecosystem filled with life, the show follows the arrival of a mysterious egg that sparks curiosity and excitement among the insect community.

As the insects explore this new discovery, they engage in a series of acrobatic feats, contortion, juggling, and other breathtaking performances. The show combines music, dance, and extraordinary acts to create a magical and enchanting experience. It is a journey which celebrates life, diversity, and the interconnectedness of all living beings.

All images can be found on the link below. You can read MK Bennetts review on Louder Than War here:

Use of these images in any form without permission is illegal. If you wish to use or license any images please contact [email protected]

#mudkissphotography #mudkissphotos #livephotography #theatreshow #aerial dance

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qnewsau · 11 months ago

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Pop the cork at Blanc De Blanc Encore!

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/pop-the-cork-at-blanc-de-blanc-encore/

Pop the cork at Blanc De Blanc Encore!

Step into the world of Blanc de Blanc Encore, a thrilling fusion of cabaret, circus, and burlesque in Sydney.

The party never stops in the delightfully decadent world of Blanc de Blanc Encore.

The crowd favourite cabaret, circus and burlesque show has taken Sydney by storm since it reopened a year ago at the newly refurbished venue The Grand Electric in Surry Hills. And due to overwhelming demand, Blanc de Blanc Encore will keep the party going until March 24 this year.

The creative team at Strut & Fret bring together an international cast of top-notch professionals to serve up Blanc de Blanc Encore‘s world-renowned blend of risque revelry and acrobatic artistry.

In the cast are numerous Cirque du Soleil alumni, including aerial duo Spencer Craig, from Canada, and Caitlin Marion Tomson-Moylan, from the USA.

They join Jess Mews and Melanie Hawkins from Australia, and others.

Spencer and Caitlin have performed together for seven years. In Blanc de Blanc Encore, the duo show off their incredible artistry on the aerial hoops.

“We’ve both done this since we were children. We have at least 40 to 50 years of combined experience between the two of us,” he said.

“Caitlin and I have been all over the world, working for a bunch of different companies in many different shows.”

High-level circus, clowny comedians, and lots of music

Right now, the talented performers’ main focus is Blanc de Blanc. Encore was an immediate sell-out hit when it premiered at the Sydney Opera House in 2019 and went on to win standing ovations Australia-wide.

The show’s current run at the Grand Electric has been extended for a fourth time, with shows in Sydney until March.

Spencer Craig, who was in the cast in 2019, describes Blanc de Blanc Encore as a French-themed cabaret with an “eclectic mix of high-level circus, clowny comedians, and lots of singing and dancing.”

“Australian audiences are perfect for a show like Blanc de Blanc,” he said.

“They’re usually a lot more down to have a good time, and I always say they’re down to clown.

“The Grand Electric is a pretty cute, intimate space. Before it was revived for this show, it was unused for a really long time.

“There’s honestly not many spaces like it in the city. It’s perfect for a show like Blanc de Blanc because it brings everybody in really nice and close, which means more fun for us.”

Don’t miss out on all the excitement, the electric atmosphere and lots of bubbles at Blanc de Blanc Encore.

See it until March 24, 2024 at The Grand Electric, Surry Hills. For tickets, visit blancshow.com

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

#sydney

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jedivoodoochile · 1 year ago

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Jeff Beck: ...Those things are outbursts, like exactly what I wanted to do to the teachers at school. It’s a bottled-up frustration that manifests itself in those outbursts, as well as a reflection of my life, and my reaction to the difficulties of it. Singers are like that when they start screaming, like Screaming Jay Hawkins [Jeff covers Hawkins’ “I Put a Spell on You” on his 2010 album, Emotion & Commotion]: One minute he’s singing perfectly normally, and then all of a sudden he bursts into rage. Love it.

I like an element of chaos in music. That feeling is the best thing ever, as long as you don’t have too much of it. It’s got to be in balance. I just saw the Cirque du Soleil, and it struck me as complete organized chaos. And then there was this simple movement in the middle of the show, which was a comedy, and I thought, what a great parallel between the way that I think and the way this circus is happening. It had a special meaning for me, aside from the spectacle of it all. When I came away from it, I thought, if I could turn that into music, it’s not far away from what my ultimate goal would be, which is to delight people with chaos and beauty at the same time.

Before Hendrix, Buddy Guy was the one guy that did these outrageous, almost comical, outbursts of fast notes, and then he’d tease you with a little melody, and he is just a joy to listen to. He pushed blues into another field all together.

JEFF BECK INTERVIEW: MARCH 2010 by ANDY ALEDORT

Jeff Beck pictured backstage, London 1974. (Photo by Ian Dickson/Redferns)

#jeff beck

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cyarskaren52 · 2 years ago

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AN EXPERT SHARES 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO GET MORE ORGANIZED — STARTING AT $10SKIP TO CONTENT

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Nick Cannon will star in new game show, 'Who's Having My Baby?'

The father of 12 shared the news to Instagram March 7.

March 7, 2023, 1:47 PM EST / Source: TODAY

By Kait Hanson

Nick Cannon, father of 12, announced March 7 he is expecting again. This time, it's a game show.

In a post shared to Instagram, Cannon, 42, revealed he would be starring in "Who's Having My Baby," hosted by comedian Kevin Hart. The show will premiere this spring on E!, but few details were released in the teaser.

"You're going to get some contestants that want to have your baby," Hart says in the short promo, suggesting the show will focus on women interested in procreating with Cannon.

The "Wild 'n Out" host teased fans on social media March 6 with a cryptic Instagram story featuring a baby bottle emoji.

"Expect some big news tomorrow," Cannon wrote alongside a curious eyes emoji and a baby bottle emoji that had fans speculating an announcement of baby No. 13.

Cannon is notoriously the father of 12 children, whom he shares with six women, including twins, Monroe and Moroccan, 11, with ex-wife Mariah Carey; Golden Sagon, 6, Powerful Queen, 2, and Rise Messiah, 5 months, with model and former Miss Arizona USA Brittany Bell; Onyx Ice Cole, 5 months, with LaNisha Cole; twins, Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, 1, and Beautiful Zeppelin Cannon, 3 months, with DJ Abby De La Rosa; Zen, who died due to brain cancer in December 2021, and Halo Marie, 2 months, with Alyssa Scott; and Legendary Love, 7 months, with model Bre Tiesi.

In 2021, Hart gifted Cannon a condom vending machine as part of their “prank wars” saga.

“Looks like somebody just sent me an early Valentine’s Day gift!! Vending Machine full of Magnums,” Cannon captioned a snap, posing beside the gift at the time.

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In February, Cannon opened up about parenting in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

When asked whether he was done having kids, he replied, "Yeah, yeah, yeah," before sharing that it's not up to him.

"God decides when we’re done, but I believe I definitely got my hands full and I’m so focused. I’m locked in. But when I’m 85, you never know. I might," he said.

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answertolifeis42 · 7 years ago

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youtube

Cirque Music March Day 27

El Pendulo from Varekai ( show version)

Varekai was the first cirque show I ever saw live and this act was so mesmerizing. It may not seem like much in the video but imagine yourself as an audience member watching one of the twins fly right over your head

as for the song it’s MUCH better in the show than on the cd, the cd kind of butchered the atmosphere of the song with some of the instrument choices

This whole act is one of my two favorite acts I saw live, the other being the anxiety inducing rola bola act from Kurios

#cirque music march

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ditavonteese · 3 years ago

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It won’t be long now before the #Glamonatrix show debuts in the UK!

The full schedule for the UK and Europe appears below.

The Frankfurt show has now been moved to June 8th. Unfortunately, the Köln shows must be canceled without rescheduling, as we can’t find available dates for the theatre that work within our tour.

2 March Edinburgh Playhouse

4 March London Palladium

5 March London Palladium

6 March London Palladium

8 March London Palladium

9 March London Palladium

12 March Oxford New Theatre

14 March Birmingham Alexandra Theatre

15 March Birmingham Alexandra Theatre

17 March Manchester o2 Apollo

18 March Manchester o2 Apollo

20 March Brighton Dome

21 March Brighton Dome

24 March Bristol Hippodrome

26 March Dublin Olympia Theater

27 March Dublin Olympia Theater

20 April Bruxelles Cirque Royale

23 April Antwerp Stadsschouwburg

25 April Zürich Theatre 11

28 April Amsterdam Koninklijk Theater Carré

29 April Amsterdam Koninklijk Theater Carré

2 May Praha Karlin Musical Theatre

3 May Praha Karlin Musical Theatre

5 May Wien, Burgtheater

7 May Monte Carlo Opéra Garnier

9 May Milano Teatro Degli Arcimboldi

12 May Bordeaux Théâtre Fémina

14 May Lisboa Coliseu

19 May Berlin Admiralspalast

20 May Berlin Admiralspalast

21 May Berlin Admiralspalast

23 Geneva Théâtre du Léman

26 May Stockholm Cirkus

28 May Oslo Folketeateret

30 May Copenhagen Opera House (two shows, 5pm and 8:30pm)

2 June Paris Folies Bergère

3 June Paris Folies Bergère

4 June Paris Folies Bergère

6 June Lille Théâtre Sébastopol

8 June Frankfurt Jahrhunderthalle

Ticket links in bio: Dita.net /shows

#burlesque #artoftheteese #stripstriphooray #ditavonteese

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andrevasims · 3 years ago

Audio

Did you know that the Sims Makin’ Magic soundtrack was comprised entirely of songs licensed from the music libraries of APM & CPM Music?

This song isn’t in Makin’ Magic, but it may as well have been because Pierre-André Athané and his album Ciné Souvenirs, released in July 2000, make up half of the entire Makin’ Magic soundtrack.

Here they are in his album’s order:

• Rue en Pente (Build Mode 9)

• Marche des Étoiles (Build Mode 4)

• Via Napoli (Build Mode 5)

• Pas Vu Pas Pris (Magic Town theme)

• Hôtel des Bains (Build Mode 6)

• L'Autre Bal (Build Mode 7)

• Par La Forêt; Clarinet, Accordion, Double Bass Version (Build Mode 8)

• Marilu (Magic Town theme renamed "Foggy Shores")

• Sur Les Quais (Magic Town theme renamed "Magic Town")

--- Other Makin’ Magic song sources: ---------------------------

1989 Barrel Organ/Squeezebox by Brian Peters

• Flowers of the Thorn (Buy Mode 2)

• Cafe de Montmartre (Buy Mode 3)

1999 Pataphonic Dancing Circus ft. Xavier Demerliac

• Valsomatic (Build Mode 3)

1995 The Ethnic Sampler 3 (😬) ft. Daniel Jeannin

• La Ballade de Montmartre (Credits Theme)

2002 I Love Paris ft. Eric Gemsa & Bernard Rabaud

• Le Grand Manege (Magic Town theme renamed “Nutcase Land“)

• La Valse a Dede (Magic Town theme renamed “Ada-Quaint Place”)

1997 Cirque du Monde by David Grant & Ole Mathisen

• Anzane 2 (Magic Town theme renamed “Medieval Neighborhood”)

2000 G*psy Swing of Paris (😬😬😬) ft. Angelo Debarre

• Melancholy (Buy Mode 5)

2002 Zampano Magic Circus by Florence Caillon & Xavier Demerliac

• The Ring Master's Tango (Buy Mode 4)

2001 Cinema Francais by Jean-Michel Bernard

• La Nuit Enchantee (Buy Mode 1)

• Carrousel du Diable (Loading Screen - This one has an original remix in-game so the album version sounds different)

--- Other Sims music trivia posts: ---------------------------

• Urbz composer interview & unreleased Urbz songs

• English to simlish Urbz songs

• Artists who did songs for both The Urbz & TS2 Console

• Hot Date songs licensed from APM Music

• English to simlish Unleashed songs

• Nightlife DJs’ other 2000s music

#sims music #sims 1 #ts1 #sims 1 music #ts1 music #the sims 1 #sims makin magic #makin magic

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ausetkmt · 2 years ago

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Oct. 9, 2022

Kevin Locke, who brought traditional Native American culture to audiences all over the world through flute songs, hoop dances and stories, helping to preserve both the art forms and the Lakota language, died on Sept. 30 in Hill City, S.D. He was 68.

His son, Ohiyesá Locke, said the cause was an asthma attack he suffered after performing at the Crazy Horse Memorial nearby.

For decades Mr. Locke was a familiar sight at cultural festivals, in schools and in theaters, playing his traditional wooden flute, performing hoop dances and explaining the history and meaning of the works.

He performed for small groups and in larger settings like Symphony Space in New York City, where he and his Kevin Locke Native Dance Ensemble presented a program in 2008 titled “The Drum Is the Thunder, the Flute Is the Wind.”

Sometimes he represented Native American culture in a global context, as he did at the 1996 New Haven Festival, where he shared the bill with the Celtic folk band Solas, Cirque Baroque from France, the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Shanghai Quartet and performers from the Beijing Opera.

In a statement, Kristi Noem, governor of South Dakota, called Mr. Locke “a vibrant voice of South Dakota arts.” Among his achievements, she noted, was helping to pass a bill recognizing the traditional flute as “the state’s official Indigenous musical instrument.” She signed it into law in March.

In an interview cited by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1990, when he received its National Heritage Fellow designation, Mr. Locke spoke of what he hoped to achieve in his home state with his performances.

“There is a great need to continue the work of bridging the gap between the Indian and non-Indian cultures of South Dakota,” he said. “I have been able to teach countless Indian and non-Indian children to sing, to dance, to stand inside the hoop of Indian culture, and I know that this experience will have lasting influence with regard to future positive race relations within the state.”

Kevin Edward Locke was born on June 23, 1954, on the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota and was a member of the Hunkpapa community of the Lakota of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. In Lakota, his website says, his name was Tokaheya Inajin, or “First to Rise.”

His mother, Patricia (McGillis) Locke, received a MacArthur Foundation fellowship in 1991 for her work to save tribal languages that were growing extinct throughout the United States. His father, Charles, was a contractor.

Mr. Locke earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of North Dakota and a master’s in education administration at the University of South Dakota. He started his career as an educator.

As a young man he had lived with an uncle who spoke only Lakota and who began teaching him both the language and the cultural traditions. Tribal elders showed Mr. Locke how to make and play wooden flutes, and he developed an interest in preserving and reviving traditional courting songs and other music.

“At the time I started this revival, the last exponent of the flute-playing tradition, Richard Fool Bull, had already departed from this life,” he said in the Heritage Fellow interview. “My only recourse was to seek out those who could still recall the vocal traditions from which the instrumental flute melodies are derived.”

In the late 1970s he became an adherent of the Baha’i faith, which emphasizes equality and the unity of all people, concepts that fit well with the Native American hoop dances he had begun to perform. Soon he gave up his career as an educator in favor of educating through performance.

“It wasn’t really so much a matter of conscious choice,” he told The Tampa Bay Times in 1991, “but the more I tried to rebel against that and maintain my position in the regular work force, the more I felt I should focus on performing,”

Mr. Locke was also a longtime board member of the Lakota Language Consortium, a nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve the language.

“Locke looked to the past and to the future,” that group said in statement, “drawing on his heritage to create a better future for his people.”

Mr. Locke’s marriage to Dorothy Locke ended in divorce. In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife, Ceylan Isgor-Locke; three daughters, Kimimila, Waniya and Patricia Locke; two sisters, Winona and Jana Locke; a brother, Charles; and two half sisters, Connie Zupan and Carla Peterson.

In a video posted on YouTube in 2013, Mr. Locke is seen dancing and explaining the symbolism of the hoop, noting that its shape is one in which people gather all over the world.

It “represents love,” he says, “represents the family, represents unity, represents beauty, peace and harmony, represents continuity, represents togetherness. All the good things.”

#Lakota #Kevin Locke #Who Worked to Preserve Lakota Culture #Dies at 68

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awhiskeyriver · 4 years ago

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le cirque monstre

This is the prologue to an old but newly updated story I idea I’ve had for years, sort of forgot about and recently remembered and became interested in again. I honestly don’t know when I will transfer this over to ao3 (probably at least the prologue, soon) or when I will add more. My inspiration for things is very fleeting right now, but I wanted to get your thoughts here in tumblrland on whether or not I should bother continuing!

Unedited and some things might end up changing in the future, but enjoy!

+++

Prologue: 1918, Coney Island

She used to think the cotton-spun candy that tasted like melted sugar was just like a dream; too good to be true. She was younger then, and everything about life was shiny and vibrant. Her nose crinkled with distaste as her boney knee stuck to the floor of the bleachers. Not anymore, though. Now, the popular fair treats were only a nuisance, making her job of cleaning between shows all the more difficult.

“Applesauce,” she muttered, twisting to sit on her butt as she peeled a piece of gum from her skin.

“What are you complaining about now, Katniss?” Gale asked, poking up from the row behind her with a devilish grin. Katniss rolled her eyes when he reached out to poke her nose, wondering how someone three years older than her could still be so immature. Gale and her had been best friends since the time she was small, bonded through unfortunate circumstances of life.

“I’m tired of cleaning these seats,” she pouted, sweating and absolutely exhausted. It had been their fourth show of the day, with five more to get through before calling it an evening. Katniss felt the sharp pangs of hunger vibrate through her stomach and moaned.

“If you quit being such a dewdropper this could’ve been done by now and we’d be off eating lu—“ he cut off, ears perking at the sound of distant voices growing closer. Katniss turned to face Gale before he pushed the top of her head in signal to crouch, doing the same for himself.

Female voices billowed through the auditorium, followed by that of her father, whose voice was authoritative and all business. He cleared his throat loudly a couple of times before joining in their quiet laughter with a hardy one of his own that reverberated off the bleachers. Katniss shrunk further into the ground with the sound. Father had always been a vocal man. Vocal when he was happy, even more so when he was angry. He talked, and Katniss listened. Katniss was always listening.

“The children all loved the performance today.”

“Simply loved it!” another high-pitched voice agreed. Katniss twisted her head uncomfortably in hopes of seeing beneath the bleachers and caught sight of two women dressed in long black robes with matching white-lined headdresses.

Nuns from the orphanage.

Gale had sold them tickets earlier before the last showing, and Katniss had hoped she would’ve finished her chores in time to see the children. Because despite living within her father’s circus (what he advertised to be the happiest place in America) there was a surprisingly low number of people who were willing to keep her boredom occupied.

“Children, what must you say now to Mr. Snow?” A chorus of cheerful thank you’s sounded, and underfed children whose clothing didn’t exactly fit wore bright grins. Perhaps the advertising hadn’t been entirely false. They all sure seemed to think so.

The children lined up behind the tallest sister like toy soldiers, marching towards the opening flap of the tent. All, except for one.

“Not you, young man.”

Katniss had practically turned herself upside down in effort to keep the woman in her line of sight, and caught the faintest glimpse of the child. He wasn’t facing her, but his hair was ash-blonde and unattended. Although he wore the same uniform as the other boys, it was sloppy with his shirt un-tucked and it’s color slightly off-white.

“You are not going anywhere,” she spoke dismissively as the other sister came to stand beside her.

“…But, have I done something wrong?”

His voice surprised her. Strong for a child, despite the same unavoidable squeakiness Gale experienced sometimes, being almost fourteen.

“Part of becoming a man,” he’d said proudly when her and her baby sister Prim giggled. “It’s called puberty.”

“Puber-what?” Prim asked, nose wrinkled.

“Awe, forget it.”

“Peeta...” The one reached out, as if to touch him but recoiled before her hand could land on his shoulder, and drew back. “Our home has no place for you, anymore. There is nothing we can do for you.”

He remained quiet as the softer one peered up at her stone-faced sister, who only nodded with agreement.

“You belong here. There is simply nowhere else for you to go.”

“There is not a soul in New York who cares to take in a crippled boy.”

Father took a step in closer to the nuns, who stood a fair distance from the wilting boy. Katniss watched on, her heart beating explosively inside of her chest in a way that made her breaths almost ragged. She’d witnessed cruelty tenfold and was not blind to its existence. But the reality of what the young man was crashed down on her heavily, and she realized perhaps they were not being heartless afterall.

The boy was grotesque. Evidence of the fact made clear as he turned on a crutch made of wood and exposed his profile. It took a hand covering her mouth to keep from making any audible sound.

So, they were simply right, then. There wasn’t a soul in New York, or most likely any state, that would willingly take him into their care. Nobody but a circus.

He resisted as her father’s thick hand clutched his arm, but surprisingly enough did not scream. He did not say a single word as he finally spun around fully into Katniss’s view. Watching with a mixture of fear and dread as the two nuns who had escorted him in left without him.

+++

“Quit trying to bug him, Kat,” Gale snapped, catching her arm outside of the tent where all of the circus freaks were busy preparing for their shows.

Three weeks had passed since the boy joined her father’s circus, parading around with clowns on stilts and the small people that waddled around in shoes five times too big and circular red noses. Three weeks and any time she tried to catch a glimpse of him outside of the show, Gale caught her.

“Aren’t you at all curious?” she huffed, twisting out of his embrace with a thoughtful rub to her elbow. “Haymitch says he is only thirteen. The youngest carnie we’ve ever had.”

“Then going in there will only make him feel like more of a freak,” he scolded and Katniss wilted, realizing the truth to his words. They both jumped as father’s booming voice sounded from a distance, calling Gale’s name.

“I need to go start selling tickets,” he sighed, turning to leave with suspicion in his eye. “Promise me, Kat.”

“…Oh, alright.”

“Promise me.”

Katniss sighed, smoothing out the fluffy material of her dress as something to keep her hands busy. “Yes Gale, I promise to stay out of trouble. Now go, or you’ll have to answer to the whip.”

He left and Katniss paced the length of the carnie tent. There was music playing inside, the soft blare of a saxophone and some sticks against metal pots. Katniss enjoyed spending time with the performers when allowed. Chaff, the deep-skinned muscle man that could lift four hundred pounds despite missing a hand, made her laugh. And Haymitch, a magician, let her play with some of his props when he was drunk enough.

So, really, her going inside of the tent wasn’t completely for the new boy. She had been keeping her fingers crossed during the promise to Gale, anyways.

Katniss glanced around the abandoned backlot, where dark puddles of mud created divots in the green grass she was forced to hop over to keep her shoes clean. Then, she slipped past the thin curtain, which closed off the strange world of fantasy from harsh reality.

Katniss went unnoticed, weaving her way through lounging performers and billowing clouds of smoke. It was always louder in the back tents – deep laughter and saxophone practices, occasional drunken arguments and the escaped moans from two closer carnies. She winced when the volume grew unexpectedly, and bowed her head as if to provide a thin veil of privacy to a group of outlandish people who didn’t know the meaning of it.

She waved at Haymitch, who only raised up his eyebrows in her direction before blowing up a shining red balloon and twisting it with his skilled hands. The other clowns seemed to be hanging close by; some sleeping, others smoking. The new boy most likely wasn’t far. She bit the inside of her cheek, silently debating with herself whether or not to ask of his whereabouts before she caught a glimpse of something that captured her attention.

There it is again, she thought, following the thin trail of light that bounced off the draped edge of the tent, which was otherwise dark. She bent over in half, silently pushing past it with curiosity in her expression. The corners of her mouth lifted when she saw him, sitting perched on the clear opposite end near one of the long poles, which held the tent in place. With a thin, melting candle for light, he kept a novel perched in his one bent knee, his eyes scrolling the pages like a typewriter.

“Hello,” she offered, jumping in surprise when the boy dropped the book and shot up on one wobbly leg.

“Oh…” she bit the corner of her bottom lip to keep from giggling at his startled expression. His overgrown hair fell haphazardly into his eyes despite his best efforts to push it back.

“Did I scare you?” She asked, reaching out to hand him his cane. He didn’t reply, but accepted the crutch quickly before bending over for the book, which he tucked behind his back away from her view.

“It’s alright, I’m not gonna take it,” she promised. He glanced down at her, bright blue eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I was just curious.”

He huffed in silence, falling back to the ground silently as he dusted the dirty pages. Katniss frowned, shifting on her feet as she watched the boy flip through his story. She hadn’t thought past the initial finding him, and now that she had, the silence was deafening.

“Can you speak?”

The tips of his ears turned red as he kept his gaze focused at the ground, running his hands over the dirty cloth of his pants.

“Of course.”

“I know,” she smiled slyly, inching closer to him the way one might approach a nervous animal. “I just wanted to hear you say something.”

She sat down, pushing her butt closer when he didn’t protest and leaned over his shoulder to glance down at his lap. She’d never seen a book so close in real life, only in the hands of strangers or in pictures. Father had never bothered teaching her how to read more than a few simple words, claiming it was pointless for girls to fill their heads with nonsense like knowledge. Certainly, as a circus girl, it wasn’t Katniss’s place to argue. But, it hadn’t helped her curiosity. She sat in silence, wondering if the boy could actually read the words on the pages, or if he was pretending. It was just as ridiculous for the time to be spent teaching him such a skill as it would be for herself.

“What is your novel about?”

“You can borrow it, if you would like,” he offered, dog-earing one of the pages before handing it over to her waiting hands. Her lips pursed sourly as her eyebrows furrowed, pushing the book back into his hands with a sting of betrayal in her chest.

“Well, you don’t need to make fun of me.” she mumbled, rising up to her feet. How humiliating, to be made fun of by this boy she’d only hoped to make feel more comfortable.

“Wait.” He grabbed hold of her arm, the first physical contact he’d offered to her since she’d approached. Her body stiffened and the warmth of his fingertips was gone in a flash as his hand twitched back down to his side. He pushed a long lock of hair back behind his ear, eyes boring into her despite her back being turned.

And it was then, under the candlelight that she saw the gnashes and hideous scarring that ripped apart more than half of his face up close. Quickly, she looked away.

“I wasn’t making fun of you,” he promised lowly, sounding almost sincere. “I wouldn’t.”

“I can’t read. You should know that,” she sniffed, chin tilted up in the air as her eyes shifted back to his forlorn face. “I’m a lady.”

“My apologies. Someone I kne—” he stopped himself short with a shake of his head before cocking his chin back in the direction of the book. He ghosted a hand over its impressive script before opening it back up to the page he’d previously closed. “Perhaps, I could teach you. If you wanted to learn, then you could borrow it sometime.”

Katniss took a moment to truly ponder the idea. Plenty of carnie’s had taught her things over the years. Octavia, the lady with facial hair as long as that which grew on Katniss’s head, had taught her how to properly buckle her shoes when she was younger. And to that day, Haymitch took credit for teaching the girl her first words. She didn’t suppose accepting such a proposition from this boy was much different.

“What would you like in return?” she wondered aloud, confused by the boys humorless laughter, sounding through the dark space.

“Your company shall be payment enough.”

She imagined the boy, all by himself in the dark confines of the carnie tent with only the book as company, and pitied him. She knew well that it took more than being surrounded by a sea of people to not feel alone. Gale and Prim would like her new friend though, she was sure of it, and together they would all keep him fine company until he found a solid place within the odd circus family.

“Alright,” Katniss agreed, dusting the dirt from the bottom of her old dress. She needed to be going soon, or Gale would grow suspicious. The last thing she needed was father out searching for her when he had a show to run. “Friends, then.”

“Sure,” he agreed slowly, as if mulling over the word. “Friends.”

“But we can hardly be friends if I don’t know your name,” she argued, waiting patiently with her hands twisted together. Her tightly spun sausage curls bounced with every step she took in the direction of the main tent before stopping just outside of it. “Mine is Katniss.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Katniss,” he spoke, so eloquently for someone of his status. “I’m Peeta.”

#fanfic #writing #circus!everlark #this will definitely be on the darker side...lol #probably the darkest thing ive written #very different #but i hope interesting??#let me know if its worth continuing or aborting LOL #writing is hard #everlark #everlark fanfic #thg #why is putting something out into the universe so hard?? lol

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mudkissphotography · 2 years ago

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2022 - MY YEAR IN REVIEW

Looking back at 2022, it was a year of living life on my terms. Doing things I have wanted to do for a long time, regardless of age. My biggest personal change this year was losing 4 stone and getting fit and healthy - its still a work in progress. I also dyed my hair like a raspberry ripple ice cream, (not been pink since the 80s) and had another tattoo.

I began to smile more and felt great, but sadly towards the end of the year, I lost my beloved 16-year-old bengal cat Rococo, so Christmas time was tinged with sadness that he wasn't around. I had this portrait of him completed as a tribute in November by Ana at Holy Trinity Tattoo Studios in Wigan.

On the photography front, I got to photograph two world-renowned theatrical shows. Firstly the Burlesque queen herself Dita Von Teese's Glamonatrix show, (the hottest, most glamorous ticket in town in March) was really something special and I was one of only 2 photographers chosen. Cirque De Soleil was another one off my bucket list and the only photographer at this particular show. I was treated with respect and kindness by the female tour managers of both shows.

I got to photograph the great British theatrical show Circus of Horrors which is always fun and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats with its death-defying stunts and bizarre horror themes and freak show.

It was also an incredible year for live music, it really did breathe life back into the venues once more. I was lucky enough to experience some magnificent shows and photograph them.

In no particular order, this is what struck me as some of my favourite times this year. First Aid Kit was my final show of the year, beautiful music, I could easily have photographed them all night.

Always fun shooting Billy Idol, who was in one of the first punk bands I saw in 1977. He is still the king rocker and had the audience in the palm of his hands. I also had one of my photos of him commissioned in the Guardian.

Robbie Williams is an incredible entertainer and 7 photographers were allowed access to his arena show - I was one of the lucky few.

Peaches, a superstar, a creative and powerful female artist, an explosive show at O2 Ritz, I was the only one shooting the whole show. It was dynamite and colourful and I had the best time. Peaches even shouted out to me to take the shot and proceeded to do a high jump for it. My favourite show of the year.

Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless owns the stage at the Mcr Academy, with a pit packed full of photographers trying to get THE shot; I loved the beauty in this shot of Ezra Furman shooting for Academy Music Group at O2 Ritz, which reminds me of a pre rachelite; the first time capturing the funkiness of Macy Grey was fun and also a bucket list tick for the exciting duo Nova Twins to a packed crowd in the small academy; shooting legends My Chemical Romance in Warrington in daylight was marvellous, sounding fantastic, bonus that the L. A band Starcrawler was one of the supports.

Photographing the Mcr show for Brix Smith as she unleashed her new band supporting PiL was awesome. John Lydon was in fine form too. Tori Amos at Mcr O2 Apollo was a challenge from the rear of the theatre, but I loved the colours and stage set-up. Karen O of Yeah Yeah, Yeahs, was another awesome show, her outfits were magnificent. Blondie, another old favourite at the Mcr Arena spectacular backdrops made for a stunning photographic show. Wolf Alice, was one of my first live music events for me this year and what a dynamite show it was too.

The Rolling Stones in the summer I sadly didn't get to photograph them, but as press for Louder Than War we did get access to the VIP area which was just amazing, with Echo and the Bunnymen as support - win-win. These were the famous lips in the grounds of the Anfield Stadium.

So many shows I got to photograph this year I couldn't include them all here - but a shout out to Cassyette, Chvrches, Roxy Music, Mitski, Marina, LP, St Vincent, Paloma Faith and Samantha Fish, for some great photo ops, if you wish to go see the albums they are all here on Flickr:

So what a year it proved to be, packed with diversity and it was great to reconnect with some of my photography chums, old and new once more. It was also a pleasure to liaise with some fantastic writers on the live shows this year and some of the Louder Than War crew got together in the summer at Home Mcr for an afternoon of chatter, drinks on John Robb.

And this was such a fantastic mural in the town of Leigh (4 miles from me) and such a fitting tribute to Pete Shelley that I had to include it here as one of my favourite moments - taken July 2022 on the day of the launch.

Just one last one, this was our New Years Eve 2022, walking through Delamere Forest on the illumination trail - such a grand spectacle.

Use of these images in any form without permission is illegal.

#2022inphotos #mudkissphotography #livemusic #livemusicphotography #gig #music #mudkissphotos #o2ritzmanchester #liveperformer #manchesteracademy

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