Springtide Variety Spectacular at Mirkwood

To bring cheer, laughter and excitement to good people during hard times, Captain Trendo and the Blue Collar Cult with Reverand Chumleigh brings the Springtide Variety Spectacular to Arlington, Saturday, April 18.

To bring cheer, laughter and excitement to good people during hard times, Captain Trendo and the Blue Collar Cult with Reverand Chumleigh brings the Springtide Variety Spectacular to Arlington, Saturday, April 18.

Perhaps better known in the community, Chumleigh presents movies in Terrace Park in July.

Chumleigh became a reverend nearly 30 years ago.

He has performed more than 27 weddings, some on a tightrope, as well as a civil commitment ceremony and two funerals, he said.  

Some may remember Chumleigh with fondness from his street performing days in the early 1970s.

He was one of the major progenitors of the now passé “New Vaudeville Movement” and his performances influenced folks like Avner the Eccentric, Bill Irwin and the Flying Karamazov Brothers.

He strives to

inspire ideas

To that end, Chumleigh, also brings Captain Trendo to town.

A young Pacific Northwestern man who grew tired of the predictable, Captain Trendo created a traveling show, Captain Trendo and the Blue Collar Cult, a bizarre mix of entertainment tailored to appeal to people of all ages.

The son of vaudevillians, Captain Trendo decided, rather than letting death hunt him down, to structure a show of music, comedy and gnawing social commentary to revolve around life-threatening stunts of pain and endurance.

Joined by his bodyguard, Morgoth-the-Bludgeoner, and the gorgeous singer Jazzgroovetress K, they seek to impart young adepts with the secrets of the Blue Collar Cult.

Chumleigh returns to the stage after a hiatus largely connected with passage of the Patriot Act. A legendary vaudevillian and satirical author, he will give a rare and “mercifully” brief appearance, according to the presenters.

Nash is an experienced entertainer who will distort your perception and baffle your mind. He is an expert in both sleight-of-hand magic and mind reading, which makes him a rare “double threat” in entertainment.

The Man in Black, a.k.a. Graham Stockdale is a multi-talented performer with a diverse range of training from dance, music and circus-type skills. Six years in Seattle now, Graham attended Cornish College of the Arts for dance and is currently a company member of Phffft Dance Theater and Dance Contemporary.

Admission to this diverse variety show is $5 at the door, starting 8 p.m., Saturday, April 18 at Mirkwood and Shire Cafe, 117 E. Division St. in Arlington. For information call 360-403-9020 or see the Website at www.shirecafe.com.