Best Good Olde Times They Are Not a-Changin'

All last week I was so excited to go to the Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park for the second year in a row. But when I got there Sunday morning I was surprised to find that it was EXACTLY THE SAME as last year. The same booths were in all the same spots and I saw a LOT of the same people in the same costumes. I mean consistency is great, I suppose. But now I know: The Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park  is something you can go to every couple of years.

I have reason to believe that this man is a Gothamist photographer. 

This is a blacksmith hollering for some water.

Teaching kids Dark Arts.

The Medieval Festival pushes the boundaries of what might be medieval...apparently the time frame now includes cavemen.

These were like the cool kids of the Festival. They hung out on a hill all day where everyone passing by could look up and admire them.

Pickle Monks?

It was really hot and sunny and hard on our armor guys.

Kinda funny, right?

Although the program suggests otherwise, it seems like there is always river dancing on the main stage. (2013)

While taking this photo a passerby said "Look at that lizard down there!" Lizard? Don't you know where you are, passerby?!

I think this kid is supposed to be Prince John from Robin Hood? If so: Best costume of the festival! If not: Then who are you supposed to be, a monkey?

Oh look, it's the lizards.

(2013)

I was on the subway to the Festival with this Fez guy.

If you leave the Medieval Festival not having heard a half-dozen times that a Peregrine Falcon can dive at up to 200 mph then I don't know if you were at the Medieval Festival.

2013

2013

2013

Wait! Is that George RR Martin?

I didn't mean to be too hard on the Medieval Festival. It's a fun thing to see. You should go. Let me know if it's different next year.

Best Must See Exhibit of the Season

There's this 45th Anniversary Sesame Street Retrospective exhibit at the New York Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center right now and it's the best.

 

Wall to wall Sesame Street behind the scenes magic, it can't be topped.

And friendly familiar faces in the flesh at every turn.

Now here's an invitation.

Nothing like seeing him pop up on your account.

There was cool stuff on display like original sheet music for many a famous Sesame Street song,

Great old photos,

Things you didn't know,

Like they use the same mupper, called "Fat Blue", to make these two characters.

Have you ever encountered full-size real Big Bird? I tell you it'll pull an honest emotional reaction right out of you.

Elmo's a little after my time, but still.

There on the left? That's the first sketch ever of Elmo. That's where Elmo got invented on someone's notepad.

Placido Flamingo.

Rubber Ducky beside Rubber Ducky lyrics.

The music for C is for Cookie and Rubber Ducky.

There was a whole good corner of documents regarding the decision on how to address the death of Mr. Hooper. See I'm from the generation that remembers Mr. Hooper so this is strong stuff to be reading.

This might have been my favorite thing I saw. Do you recognize it? Come on, tell me you recognize it...I've posted a video below if you're feeling slow. But this 10 put the biggest grin on my face, I was just like "Aw yeah!'

This guy, too, left me feeling tickled. Let's hear it for original animation cells.

Genuine smiles all over the place.

Good stuff did not let up.

This Sesame Street exhibit runs through January and I'm telling you you should see it. It's not big, and if you go at the right time (just before it closes) it's not crowded (although it deserves Cronut-size lines). It's one of the best ways to spend 20 minutes in the city.

And outside during all this? Met Opening Night up on the screen for us commoners to enjoy.