There are just no words . . .

I saved my most interesting NYC photos and story for last. On Wednesday, we walked through Central Park and spent some time at the Bethesda Fountain before heading back. On our way through the Angel Tunnel towards the fountain, we noticed an odd looking man and woman setting up for what looked like meditation - lots of little tapestries and incense. We watched them for a little bit while they put on some makeup and then went on our way. On the way back, their set up was still there, but we didn't immediately see them. The woman (who we found out later was named "Pink Angel") was off to one side stretching and warming up, but the man ("Thoth") was no where to be found. We soon discovered that he was under a giant black umbrella off to the other side doing who knows what (I really, really wish I had a photo of that!). Half of the group went ahead, but the other half of us were intrigued and decided to wait and see what was going to happen. After a lot of warming up and meditation, they finally began their performance. As one of Chris' students said ...there just are no words to describe it! Thoth played the violin and sang in his own made up language (we read about it in a book he had sitting there) while Pink Angel did the same. Their "prayformance" (that's what his website calls it) was quite bizarre and almost haunting. They started just with the violins and singing, and then slowly added in the bells by stomping their feet. At one point Thoth was spinning in circles and playing his violin. Quite talented! After watching one song performed, we decided it was time to move on . . . mainly because we all had headaches from whatever was being burned during their performance!


I did a little research once I got home and discovered Thoth has a website with even more photos and explanations and dates of his upcoming performances (in case you are interested) and Pink Angel has a blog where she mentioned us and also explains how she met Thoth!! Very interesting stuff there!


AND....in case my photos are not enough, you can view the same performance we saw here. Be sure to watch the whole thing or you will miss Thoth's fabulous spinning moves!! If you still can't seem to get enough of Thoth, he does have a CD available for purchase. :)



They did this little "greeting" when they both came out of their corners after warming up. . .
Getting ready to begin the prayformance . . . he stuck a giant red feather in his hair right before they began. . .
Thoth doing his thing . . .
Pink Angel during her thing. . .
Thoth and Pink Angel . . . her eyes were really creepy - she just seemed to look right through you . . .