with death's scythe scratching the tune...

The opening scene from one of my all-time favorite movies, Bergman's Fanny and Alexander, a movie filled with wonder and terror and beauty and horror.

I'm particularly fond of the scenes in the Jewish antique dealer's home (later in the film), filled with giant puppets and marionettes, magic, mystery, and an edge of menace with kindness underlying.

*

Today there is Artopium in the lofts pavilion and grounds, with fire dancing and Ararat food later.

tattooed demon belly dancers

I can has henna tattoos:









...and the ever popular tattooed demon belly dancers:







Besides all this excitement, I heard some beautiful, mesmerizing Iranian sitar (different than an Indian sitar, the Iranian instrument is small with a half-gourd body and long, slender fret board, the three strings making a whole lot of music).

There's going to be fire dancing later, but I'll watch from my balcony; I've had enough being alone in a crowd for one day.