NEW: “Carnival King” Rewards on Patreon
In celebration of Mr. Ridenour’s new book on folk-Carnival traditions, Bone and Sickle is making available the new ultra-super deluxe CARNIVAL KING Patreon Rewards Tier celebrating the release of my book on Carnival traditions.
CARNIVAL KING Rewards are available either on an annual or monthly basis.
BILLED ANNUALLY – $204 ($17 month, 15% savings)
Annual Pledge — your book, video playlists, and merch will be sent ASAP.
BILLED MONTHLY – $20
Monthly Pledge — you receive your rewards after 6 months (US) or 8 months (International)
Here’s what CARNIVAL KING includes:
1) Signed Copy: “A SEASON OF MADNESS”
A SEASON OF MADNESS: FOOLS, MONSTERS, AND MARVELS OF THE OLD-WORLD CARNIVAL will be published in the US on May 6, but Carnival King subscribers may receive their signed copy of the book before the official publication date.
Growing out of Ridenour’s study of the Krampus and Winter folk celebrations, his latest volume explores the traditions of early Spring, the “Fifth Season” of Carnival. Sumptuously illustrated with over one hundred historical and modern images and illustrations, A Season of Madness takes readers to cultural hinterlands where Carnival is more strange, more marvelous, and even a bit frightening — where Spring is welcomed by clowns carrying inflated pig bladders, where stalking sheepskin monsters wave clubs bristling with hedgehog spines, and plows are dragged over cobblestone streets by celebrants in masks painted with cow’s blood. Folk horror fans take heart as the Old World welcomes Spring!
2) LIBRARY OF COMPANION VIDEOS
Unlock Mr. Ridenour’s private YouTube playlist created for “Season of Madness.” Included are 60+ videos depicting traditional processions and figures curated into playlists matching themes and chapters of the book. These are not videos an average user would easily find as they were sourced using a variety of specialized terms in foreign languages (including Cyrillic Bulgarian, Russian, and Ukrainian).
3) HUNGARIAN CARNIVAL STAMPS
Issued by the Hungarian Post in 1973, these collectible stamps depict figures of the folk Carnival known as Busójárás. We’ll slip a few into the book is mailed. (While supplies last)
4) CHOICE OF MUG OR SHIRT
(Mugs and shirts also independently available via our Etsy Shop.)
“MADNESS” MUGS:
- Medieval Carnival Musicians mug
- Slovenian Carnival Monster (Kurent) mug
“MADNESS” T-SHIRTS
Featuring illustrations from the book. In a wide array of cuts, sizes, colors.
- Carnival Fool led by Death w/ “Bone and Sickle Podcast”
- “Party Like It’s 1598 shirt” (16th-cent German Carnival costumes)
Plus: BENEFITS OF LOWER REWARD TIERS
See our Patreon Page
SOUNDSCAPES Narration for each episode is removed allowing you to enjoy the rich, wall-to-wall soundscaping consisting of original music woven around ambient sounds, drones, effects, and snippets from films, old records, or other recordings. Make up your own narration! (Monthly reward)
SHOW SCRIPTS: A Pdf version of the script for the month’s show is supplied (Monthly).
BONUS EPISODE : The Bonus Episode, streamed via a private Patreon feed, features Mr. Ridenour reading from choice 19th and early 20th century sourcebooks on folklore, superstitions, antiquities, and historical oddities, all set against an appropriately moody, droning soundscape. Shows are released once monthly and run 15-35 minutes. (Monthly)
BLOG ACCESS Unlock posts sharing extra written material that didn’t make it into the show. Includes original text and links to additional texts, videos, or music mentioned in the post or relevant to recent shows. (Every few days).