Spring Break
Circus sideshow group freaks out Denton
Audra Glover
Issue date: 3/27/07 Section: ARTS
The first time Raven Scott attempted to hammer a four-inch nail through the bottom of his jaw, he paralyzed one side of his face temporarily.
Now perfected, he has been performing the stunt for two years as the lead member of Circus Della Morte, North Texas' premiere sideshow circus.
A large crowd gathered to witness the members of Circus Della Morte perform acts of bizarre and macabre nature Saturday night at a local house party located at 914 Egan St.
The circus was originally scheduled to perform at Sunset Bar and Grill, located at 809 Sunset St., but the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission did not renew the bar's license and the bar was forced to close.
Currently, Raven Scott, also known as Mr. N Visible, mainly performs as a human pincushion along with two other members: Becca Krznarich or Abra Cadavra, contortionist and masticator, and Kennie Wirth, wielder of large and dangerous objects.
Circus Della Morte warmed up the audience by performing the "Blockhead" stunt in which Scott hammered a four-inch nail through his nose.
"The worst part is trying not to sneeze," Scott said. "The first time I tried 'Blockhead,' it felt like an overwhelming sneeze coming on but never going off."
As the night progressed, the crowd grew anxious as the sideshow acts became more impending.
The "Balls of Steel" act drew a boisterous reaction from the audience as Wirth swung a large hammer and demolished a cinder block that Scott had placed between his legs in front of his groin.
"They're either made of steel or non-existent," Krznarich said to the crowd, causing uproar in laughs.
Wirth said he was recruited into Circus Della Morte two years ago when he offered to show the members how to properly swing a machete. He said he learned how to use it in the Boy Scouts clearing underbrush.
Wirth and Scott, former NT students, then performed the "Human Chopping Block" in which a machete was used to slice a cantaloupe on Scott's stomach, behind his neck, and an apple in his hand. Each fruit was sliced completely in half.
Now perfected, he has been performing the stunt for two years as the lead member of Circus Della Morte, North Texas' premiere sideshow circus.
A large crowd gathered to witness the members of Circus Della Morte perform acts of bizarre and macabre nature Saturday night at a local house party located at 914 Egan St.
The circus was originally scheduled to perform at Sunset Bar and Grill, located at 809 Sunset St., but the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission did not renew the bar's license and the bar was forced to close.
Currently, Raven Scott, also known as Mr. N Visible, mainly performs as a human pincushion along with two other members: Becca Krznarich or Abra Cadavra, contortionist and masticator, and Kennie Wirth, wielder of large and dangerous objects.
Circus Della Morte warmed up the audience by performing the "Blockhead" stunt in which Scott hammered a four-inch nail through his nose.
"The worst part is trying not to sneeze," Scott said. "The first time I tried 'Blockhead,' it felt like an overwhelming sneeze coming on but never going off."
As the night progressed, the crowd grew anxious as the sideshow acts became more impending.
The "Balls of Steel" act drew a boisterous reaction from the audience as Wirth swung a large hammer and demolished a cinder block that Scott had placed between his legs in front of his groin.
"They're either made of steel or non-existent," Krznarich said to the crowd, causing uproar in laughs.
Wirth said he was recruited into Circus Della Morte two years ago when he offered to show the members how to properly swing a machete. He said he learned how to use it in the Boy Scouts clearing underbrush.
Wirth and Scott, former NT students, then performed the "Human Chopping Block" in which a machete was used to slice a cantaloupe on Scott's stomach, behind his neck, and an apple in his hand. Each fruit was sliced completely in half.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Jane Bailey
posted 3/16/09 @ 10:23 AM CST
Good scene, interesting post, thanks.
Holly Colburn
posted 3/20/09 @ 1:36 PM CST
I thank you for the opportunity to share a portion of my moments in time with future generations.
Michelle Gelman
posted 4/20/09 @ 5:45 AM CST
Great .Now i can say thank you!
Post a Comment