By STEVEN JUPITER
DEREK SMALL OF Wildlife Encounter with his yellow python.
BRANDON—Brandon was hopping this past weekend, with packed events scheduled on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
On Friday evening, Derek Small of Wildlife Encounters enchanted the audience at Town Hall with a fascinating array of wild animals. He had a camouflaged Malaysian frog, which looked exactly like a dried-up old leaf; a sleek and beautiful Arctic fox; a vocally expressive Moluccan cockatoo, with a beautiful salmon-pink crest; a stunning yellow python (see photo); a delightfully horrid monitor lizard; and a surprisingly cute porcupine, appropriately named Thorn, whom Small called his “ancient ambassador.” Small has been bringing his animals to Town Hall for years from his sanctuary in New Hampshire. If you didn’t get a chance to see them this time around, be sure to check them out next year.
On Saturday evening, Town Hall was thronged with folks eager to see some stompin’ and hear some trash talkin’: World of Hurt Pro Wrestling took over the main floor and gave the crowd quite a show. Champion Pierre “The Beast” Vachon and “The Gouda Guy” Mikey Cheese were on hand (see photos), along with a dozen other rowdy wrestlers. Through seven individual and group matches, the wrestlers slammed each other against the mat and ropes. Bodies were flipped and flung. The crowd went wild, cheering on the heroes and booing the villains, such as the Russians who opened the show with the Russian national anthem, prompting a boisterous chant of “U-S-A!” from the room. The evening was hosted by emcee Bill Moore and Colleen “Shiraz” Wright.
Across Seminary Street from the wrestling event, Sister Wicked hosted a video release and artist showcase. Brandon-based singer/songwriter Breanna Elaine premiered the video for her song “One Another.” The lyrics are about “interconnectedness to and spiritual entanglement with our loved ones, including those who have passed,” according to Breanna Elaine. The video depicted the singer becoming more and more colorful as she painted the message “We’re here for one thing and that is loving one another.” After the video, local artists presented their own work, including glass by Monique Monette, pen-and-ink drawings by Caber Wilson, and original songs by Melissa Moorhouse. Matt Viscido, of local band Bodenbender, ended the evening with a group jam that got everyone moving and singing. Sister Wicked hosts frequent Saturday-night open mics. Follow them on Facebook.
AINSLEY GELSEIGHTER LIGHTS up the room with her smile.
On Sunday, Town Hall was the setting for the Poppy Pageant by Silver Bells of the Brandon Area Toy Project. The Silver Bells are a community-service organization that raises money for and donates food, books, and clothing to the elderly and veterans. This pageant raised $821 for the Brandon American Legion Auxiliary. Everyone looked fantastic and had a terrific time, all for a great cause.
As always, Brandon keeps things lively and the season is just getting started!
