Arizona Renaissance Festival

Ahhh, where else other than a Renaissance Faire can you see a skeleton band catching a ride in a funeral cart, after providing music for beautiful belly dancers?

The Arizona Renaissance Festival is an 8-weekend extravaganza which takes place in Apache Junction, a small town much closer to Phoenix than this blogger's home in Tucson. But it's well worth the trek! This coming weekend is the last one for this year, so it's not too late to go out and enjoy yourself as much as I did!Jamila Lotus is the belly dance troupe associated with the skeleton band pictured above. Their performance includes fire, sword dancing, and quite a bit of amazing skill. Arrive early for the show if you want a good seat, I saw them twice this year and they were packed both times!
Bollywood-style finger veil dancing may not be the most Renaissance-appropriate thing, but it's very enjoyable. Just look at the attitude these two dancers from Ghazaal Beledi are displaying! I just love them. This troupe and live band has a show that changes depending on their mood. You may get to see fan veils, fire fans, or even a lively Irish jig!

I'm a horrible photo journalist, as I don't have photos of any of the other shows I saw, or great costumes. I tend to get caught up in the moment and I forget to dig my camera out. As such, I can't show you the amazing acrobats of Barely Balanced, the drums and bagpipes of Tartanic, the sweet greyhounds, or the drool-worthy wares presented by hundred of merchants. You'll have to take my word on it and get yourself out to the Faire!