April 15, 2015
FoolMoon 2015
A critical mass of Fools loving life on Washington St.
Weather forecast for FoolMoon 2015: 70% chance of rain through the evening, then clearing up.
The 5th annual FoolMoon street party answered a series of questions that I hadn’t even thought to ask until 8:15pm, Friday April 10, 2015. To wit: What would happen if it began raining just as the luminary processionals were due to leave Kerrytown, UMMA, and Slauson Middle School? Would the participants choose to even embark on such a soggy trek? And, if they did, and if they managed to actually arrive at Washington St. — not something I’d necessarily consider a foregone conclusion — how long would they endure the elements before retreating home to the comfort of warm, dry clothing? Would our fair, Foolish citizens tough out the inclement weather for a chance to dance and play at FoolMoon?
I’m delighted to report that the rain didn’t have a discernibly negative effect on FoolMoon. If anything, it just proved how gung ho we Ann Arbor Fools are! (Plus, the light reflecting off the wet pavement made for some great photographs.)
I arrived at the Kerrytown constellation station at 7:45pm to find the place full of eye candy.
“Tyger Tyger, burning bright, / In the forests of the night...” This year’s FoolMoon theme was Cirque du Fool-eil. A nearly life-sized tiger jumping through a fiery hoop was one of many ingenious creations we encountered. Learn how the young artist pulled it off.
This young lady bisects a pink dolphin with the greatest of ease. | Two bright, shiny faces!
Every circus needs popcorn. And a festive tent! Speaking of tents, I hope there are some set up on Washington St. because it has started to rain.
The drizzle turned into a steady pour bringing nearly all of the processioners under the Farmers’ Market awnings.
Approximates how I felt about the rain.
I call this one: Ode to the Butterfly in the Rain.
Wearing her “high water” boots.
It’s 8:15pm. Time to leave the dry protective awning, and venture out into the downpour. A rainy FoolMoon processional is unprecedented — until now, that is. Thank goodness so many smart Fools brought warm jackets and umbrellas.
Whoa! Except this guy. He brought a nice collection of tattoos — not to mention a sweet clownish luminary. But how long can he “bare arm it” in the elements? Does anyone know whether this guy actually made it all the way to Washington St. without putting on a jacket?
Now you can plainly see it’s pouring rain, yet these Fools are unfazed! Even under the protection of Rico’s giant umbrella, drops found my lens.
I appreciated this guy. He managed to take my mind off my drenched camera for about 10 seconds. Which is saying a lot.
Holy soaking camera, Batman! I convinced Rico we needed to break off from the winding processional and take a direct route to Washington St.
A blurred, wet dash later, we're finally safe under one of the several tents, and we've reunited with Max. (In all five FoolMoons, Max has ditched us to help lead the processional.)
A butterfly and her cohorts take cover as well.
The processional from Kerrytown has just arrived and are welcomed as the heroes they are.
This young lady has my full respect.
They’ve only been walking in the cold rain for 20-some-odd minutes with luminaries they spent several weeks creating. They make it all look so easy.
We dart over to a second set of tents across Ashley St, and find shadow puppet artist Patrick Elkins.
I believe the rain is starting to let up at this point? | UberFool Gretchen Adracie with her Giant Pink Elephant & Acrobat-Ballerina luminary.
Natalie Berry and Trevor Stone brought their super-pimped-out ride to FoolMoon. Here, Trevor sounds the horn as the car lurches down Washington Street, through the courtesy of Max and Rico’s four feet.
The classic, old-school circus strongman move: hefting 1000 pounds of iron overhead with one arm. (The mustache is what makes it possible.)
The weather is finally hospitable enough for Patrick to take his shadow puppet show on the road.
I’ll give you one guess what these kids are all excited about.
Bubbles! Courtesy of the guy wearing bubble-wrap, naturally. | Big ups to the cardinal dude!
Ann Arbor’s
Scout (Meryl Waldo) and Detroit’s
aria (Leah Waldo) return to FoolMoon for their second year as
DJs extraordinaires. Everyone was dancing!
Wonderfool Productions
fundraising director Jeri Rosenberg with her husband, Vic Strecher. | Founder/Creative Director Mark Tucker.
At about 10pm, on the dance “floor” of Washington St., FoolMoon 2015 revelers are in full dance mode.
My boys, beaming in the afterglow of FoolMoon.
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Comments
Outstanding! Ann Arbor puts on the best amazing show. You all are #1!
Wow Myra! Per usual a gorgeous & evocative capture of an awesome Ann Arbor event. We’re so lucky to have you in our community!
Beautiful photos Myra, as always! Thank you for continuously capturing these foolish events on film. With so much color, light and fun — it’s a photographer’s paradise of sorts!
Hey! I think we traded our big weird blinking glow sticks with your husband and son! :)
Myra is the BEST!!
And lest anyone ever be wonderin’ Myra and her husband Rich (affectionately known as Rico) and their son Max, have been offering up their services and talents (capturing, performing in, and promoting all of these Foolish events) since the very beginning, without ever a trace of interest in garnering any Fools Gold in return for their enormous and prodigious output of creativity and involvement. Myra and Rich have helped us all to shape and reflect on the very place that many of us are fortunate enough to call home. They represent the essence of what it means to give back to a community. Kudos to the Klarman clan!
If there was ever any doubt, these pictures make it clear that Ann Arbor is the place to be. Where else can you find such an enthusiastic and creative community? And where else can you find Myra Klarman?
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