Ahoy there matey! Thank ye for checkin’ out our web site and considern’ the Puget Sound Pirates: Pacific Northwest Privateers (PSP) for yer event. We’re the premier black powder ‘n sword fightin’ Pirates of the greater Pacific Northwest.
We have five major areas of expertise:
- Black Powder Shows
- Sword Fighting / Whip Shows
- Living History Display
- Pirate Games (for kids ages 2-99)
- Street Faire
Black Powder Shows –
The Puget Sound Pirates: Pacific Northwest Privateers black powder shows involve cannons and small arms. Pirates load and fire bronze and iron cannons and small arms weapons such as flintlock pistols, blunderbusses, musketoons and muskets. .
Besides having fun, the safety of our audience and actors is our main concern. Only participants who have attended our black powder training and certification program are allowed to use the black powder weapons. The training is extensive and comprehensive to ensure that the performer knows how to fire and use the weapons and interact with other performers in a safe manner.
Our black powder shows are actually stories and skits that result in fights between two or more performers using black powder weapons. Some fights use black powder weapons only, some fights begin with black powder weapons and then progress to other hand-held weapons such as swords, cutlasses, oars, cargo hooks, mops, buckets and fisticuffs. And some fights begin with other weapons such as swords, and mops and end with black powder weapons. We are after all…. Pirates!!.
Sword and Whip/Shows –
Whips are a huge crowd pleaser! It’s impressive to watch our trained crew members cracking their whips and jokes at the same time.
Our sword fighting shows demonstrate our command of standard edged weapons such as the rapier, cutlass, boarding axes and daggers. The fancy footwork, the sound of steel on steel, the grunts and groans of the pirates adds to the excitement. For good measure, we also add a dose of comedy and humor. Just like real pirates, we use some rather unconventional weapons: cargo hooks, buckets, oars, whips, rope, drinking mugs as well as the standard edged weapons.
Living History Display –
Our living history display is the centerpiece of our services. It showcases two important themes: Education and Entertainment. We demonstrate the real history behind tall ships, privateers and pirates, pointing out the differences between Hollywood historical accuracy. We encourage our visitors to touch things – pick up them, ask questions and learn about them. Our crew has a wealth of knowledge regarding the historical items we have on display: where they come from, how they were used, the historical significance of that item, and why those items were important to pirates and privateers.
Inside our 16’ by 20’ tent we have 6+ display tables with various replicas of historical items ranging from the nautical items used for navigation back in the 1500 – 1730 era such as charts, spy glass, compass, astrolabe, sextant, log line, lead line, scales, and a knot display of the various knots used aboard the ships. We have several replicas of a Letter of Marque and examples of Ships Articles that describe and explain what was allowed to be done on board a ship and what was prohibited.
We also have “treasure” on display that pirates would have gone after and stolen. No, it is NOT just doubloons and pieces of eight. The real treasure was the goods that merchant ships carried such as silks, calico cloth, spices, nails, house ware items such as silverware, china, drinking vessels of all materials and shapes, candles, linens, tobacco and other items that were easy sold in any port. We also have ships biscuits on hand for the truly hearty explorer who wants to see, feel and taste what the crew ate on board. It invariably leads to discussions about what pirates ate onboard ship and why food was often more important to them then gold and silver.
Weapons are always a favorite subject and of interest to patrons and we have an extensive collection of weapons on display. The weapons range from the expected edged weapons such as the rapiers, cutlasses, daggers and knives, to the less known but equally as deadly boarding axes of various designs, cargo hook, belaying pins a monkey’s fist and star knot club, as well as the whips and ‘cat-o-nine tails’ used to discipline the crew. We have replica functional flintlock weapons such as various flintlock pistols, blunderbuss and muskets that we use in shows, as well as non-firing pistols that the children can touch. We have real cannon shot on display to demonstrate that it was not just round iron balls that the cannon fired, but a wide variety of objects, depending on the desired outcome. We have most of these items on display for patrons to pick up and handle and ask questions about them.
Pirate Games –
Walk the Plank! Roll the Barrell! Load the Cargo! These are just a few of the games we offer. Our games were developed to challenge the participants and teach them a bit about pirates. We have games that use real ships biscuits – what the crew would have eaten on a daily basis, swab the deck - a task performed daily by the crew, and load the cargo - a fast paced game that makes fun out of loading the ship. The children have fun and the parents have to watch their kids having fun and being ‘real pirates.’
Street Faire –
Street faire is our chance to interact with the public and entertain people in a very up close and personal way for a very brief time. Our performers wander the event grounds entertaining people, helping vendors sell their goods, answering patron questions.
Yar!!! Put a little piratical spice into your event. Contact us and let us design a show for you.
Thank you for considering the Puget Sound Pirates: Pacific Northwest Privateers. We look forward to seeing you soon.
- The Captain and Crew of the Crimson Star
Puget Sound Pirates are available for Birthday Parties, Renaissance Faires, Parades, Pirate Festivals, Tall Ship and Maritime Festivals, County Fairs, Community Events, School and Educational Programs, Corporate/Business Events and any place else we’re invited.