East Coast Pirate Goings-On

Virginia: a pirate-themed water park opened in Lorton at Pohick Bay Regional Park.

Washington, D.C.: Le Corsaire, a ballet about pirate love and adventure, is being performed by the Bolshoi Ballet at Kennedy Center.

Pirate Festival: Vallejo, CA

Pirate Festival this weekend in Vallejo, CA: "a Renaissance Faire for pirates, a living history with a tent city, a square rigger, cannon battles, sea chanteys, nautical-themed games for kids, wonderful food, beer — free admission!"

See interview with Captain Barossa,a.k.a. Michael Cawelti, theatrical combat expert and star of the festival.

Pirate Festival in California

The Big Bear Pirate Faire is this weekend in Fawnskin, on the north side of Big Bear Lake near San Bernardino, California. They have five entertainment stages, a battle arena, vendors, food, and a kids area. The faire runs today and tomorrow 10 am to 6 pm. www.bigbearcityrenaissancefaire.com/pirate/

Pirate Festival in Virginia

Today, tomorrow and Sunday is the Blackbeard Pirate Festival in Hampton, Virginia. It's a weekend-long dock party featuring many historical reenactors performing skits. There be music, vendors, and actual tall-masted sailing ships engaging in mock sea battles. The event culminates with a reenactment of Blackbeard's last stand and subsequent funeral parade. See www.blackbeardpiratefestival.com for more info.