Sean @ Paganarchy

Update 1/May/2008: There will be another round of auditions in late June. Phone the number below if you are interested in working with the Nomadic Academy of Fools, or come see us in Brighton. I'll announce the details shortly.

People who know me personally will know I'm a part of the Nomadic Academy of Fools. Auditions for next year are taking place next week and so applications close this week.

See the attached email for more details and to get involved:

Applications for Jonathan Kay's Nomadic Academy of Fools closes this Friday 25th April

After a highly successful first year, applications are now being invited for the year beginning September 2008. For more information on the application process please go to www.jonathankay.co.uk and to apply please download and complete the form on the Nomadic Academy page.

NAF is a travelling centre of creativity with a unique approach to developing an invigorating and concentrated training that explores the relationship between the performer and the audience for people who have already developed a body of professional work in which they have regular contact with the audience and who are interested in developing and crafting this relationship.

The Academy is run by the Jonathan Kay, who draws from a tremendous range of skills and experience, but more importantly with an unparalleled enthusiasm, passion and commitment to the value of this work and its impact on the performer's work.

PLEASE NOTE WE HAVE CHANGED OUR NUMBER. FOR ENQUIRES PLEASE CALL JOYCE ON 01903 501 262

I have had a truly amazing year in the academy learning the art and science of the Fool. It's very challenging exploring some of the darker recesses of my inner world - and often exposing them to an audience. JK's Fooling system is a kind of cross between shamanism, improvised theatre, self-exploration and appreciation for the many archetypal forces that are with each of us all the time. The audience (both inner and outer) are perpetually of prime importance.

If this sounds interesting to you, please give Joyce a call on the number above.

The Nomadic Academy of Fools (which I'm a happy part of) are performing in London next week, Wednesday 13th, February 2008.

Come along!

Further to yesterday's post about the ISBN network, I see that Amazon now have my book on sale at a discounted rate of £7.88 - but they still haven't got any copies and have still not asked me for any.

In fact, I think they will be selling books at a loss if they actually make any sales at that price. Fuck knows what they are up to!

Link: http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/thunderbird-and-trickster.html

An interesting article on Thunderbird and Tricksters mentioning Heyoka - the Lakota sacred clown. Interesting in how much of it overlaps our own tradition of Holy Fooling here...

However insulting or sacrilegious heyoka [sacred clowns] actions might be, they were tolerated, since it was assumed they were acting on the higher and more inscrutable imperatives of the Great Mystery. Heyoka were freed from all the ordinary constraints of life, and thus were usually not expected to marry, have children, or participate in the work of the tribe. Despite their bizarre acts (such as dressing in warm clothes during summer or wearing things inside out), they were trusted as healers, interpreters of dreams, and people of great medicine. Whenever they interrupted the solemnity of a ceremony, people took it as an admonition to see beyond the literalness of the ritual and into the deeper mysteries of the sacred. Like the flash of lightning, the heyoka's sudden outbursts and disturbances were thought to be the keys to enlightenment - much like the absurd acts of Zen masters in Japan.

more at http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/thunderbird-and-trickster.html

Link: http://www.piratequiz.com/

Just been to piratequiz.com and have at long last found my inner pirate!