and the Oscar goes to...

[Butterfly Man]

Last night, Philippe Petit's film "Man on Wire" won the Oscar and he took the stage did a coin trick and then balanced the statue on his chin. I thought that was so fucking cool.



I first met Philippe at an FSU circus party way back in 1969 ... I was in awe of him then... now, 40 years later, I still am.

[Jim]

Aw crap. I didn't watch anything after Hugh Jackman's opening bit. Anyone know if there is a video of Petit's acceptance speech?

[Jim]

Here it is for now....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD9jsx9mKtQ&e

[Flyin' Bob]

Great clip. Great movie.

Here is a link to Philippe on Stephen Colbert.

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/217060/january-27-2009/philippe-petit

[Kate Awesome]

That's awesome!!
Thanks for the links!

[Schuyler]

That was fabulous.

[Rex Boyd]

I haven't seen the film yet but I will get it on DVD soon. I want my kids to know about the amazing thing Philippe did when I was a little kid.

And just a repeat... every street performer should read the book that begat the film.

The book was originally called "To Reach the Clouds". I signed my hardback copy along with the instructions that it should be read, signed again and then passed on to another street performer. I then gave it to Windsor. I need to ask him who he passed it on to. Anybody seen/read my ex-copy?

[Butterfly Man]

Windsor to Dom to Andy to Fungus to Kate to Hotch to Hell

Thanks for the heads up (pun intended) on the book Rex ... considering that so few street performers are actually are able to read, let alone write, makes this a remarkable and valuable piece of literature ... the fact that you gave it to Windsor first, however, makes me question your judgment.

[Rex Boyd]

Well what can I say? Windsor just happened to be the first street performer passing by when I had finished the book. I didn't ask if he knew how to read or not. I'll find out what he did with it and report back soon.

[Butterfly Man]

literary illuminati

Just wondering ... does anyone know of any other books by famous street performers?


I heard Ray Jason has an excellent book (about sailing) but I don't know the name.

[Rex Boyd]

Robert, I must bow down before your better judgement.

I have just finished a long phone call to Windsor about the book. When I gave it to him four years ago I made a big deal about how it must be signed and passed on to another performer. He couldn't remember ever receiving it. He hasn't even read it. He then asked his wife about the book. She did read it. She also found it sitting on their bookshelf.

Windsor has been duly scolded and is now supposed to be reading the book and passing it along. I told him that it needs to end up in Edinburgh for the Fringe and from there hopefully make it's way around the world to eventually passing through the house of the Butterfly Man on it's continued journeys.

Well it's a nice idea anyway.

[Frisbee]

Just wondering ... does anyone know of any other books by famous street performers?


I heard Ray Jason has an excellent book (about sailing) but I don't know the name.

the Ray Jason book is Tales of a sea gypsy.
it is a good read, I gave the copy Ray gave me to my grandfather who is also into sailing.

[Rex Boyd]

Windsor also reminded me of a book that he actually has read. It's by Hung Le from Melbourne ( former member of the Como String Quartet.)

Hung's book is called "The Yellow Peril from Sin City" It's about leaving Viet Nam and then growing up in Australia.

Here's an article and interview about the book