Darth Fiddler has been performing on the streets of Victoria BC for nearly eight years, and has become an iconic figure of the city's downtown. He is announced on cruise ships as they arrive from San Francisco and Alaska. He is featured in guided tours, local magazines and radio shows. People make pilgrimages to Victoria just to see him. Visitors' posts on his Facebook page tell him that he was the highlight of their trip.
One need only Google "Darth Fiddler" to find countless images of this masked character - a twirling black dervish, cape flying, violin shining - on the Web. With the looming architecture of the BC Legislative Buildings, Empress Hotel, and Hatley Castle often serving as his backdrop, he seems to belong in this city. Even though he is said to travel, and photos of him in other places do appear from time to time, none fit quite as well as Victoria.
On this auspicious occasion of Halloween 2010, we thought it a most appropriate time to catch up with Victoria's most mythic figure to ask a burning question:
"What's your favourite mythic city?"
"Micropolis," he answers immediately. "Have you heard of the Micronauts?"
"No."
"They were from the mid 70's, and came in the form of toys and Marvel comic book characters spawned by a sci-fi generation. The Micronauts were sub-atomic races that lived in the smallest cities of the universe. Their leader was Time Traveler who once even led them to save our world. I think there was a Micronaut revival recently with a movie that bombed, but nothing beats the toys of the 70's.
"Micropolis Mega City was the Micronauts' legendary capital, and there was this gigantic model with bubble domes and a crane that you could put together. I think it had almost 600 pieces, with towers and all these modules you had to balance precariously - they weren't attached. The best thing about this city was that all the myths and stories - even the design, itself - came from your own imagination.
"Wow, you've got me thinking about the Micronauts now. I haven't thought of them in years! I'd lost all interest in them after The Empire Strikes Back came out."
Another great Interview with Darth Fiddler here.
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| Darth Fiddler takes Hatley Castle, Victoria BC |
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| Darth Fiddler at Hatley Castle |
"What's your favourite mythic city?"
"Micropolis," he answers immediately. "Have you heard of the Micronauts?"
"No."
"They were from the mid 70's, and came in the form of toys and Marvel comic book characters spawned by a sci-fi generation. The Micronauts were sub-atomic races that lived in the smallest cities of the universe. Their leader was Time Traveler who once even led them to save our world. I think there was a Micronaut revival recently with a movie that bombed, but nothing beats the toys of the 70's.
"Micropolis Mega City was the Micronauts' legendary capital, and there was this gigantic model with bubble domes and a crane that you could put together. I think it had almost 600 pieces, with towers and all these modules you had to balance precariously - they weren't attached. The best thing about this city was that all the myths and stories - even the design, itself - came from your own imagination.
"Wow, you've got me thinking about the Micronauts now. I haven't thought of them in years! I'd lost all interest in them after The Empire Strikes Back came out."
Another great Interview with Darth Fiddler here.
Great post!
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