Shiver me timbers, it's Pirate School time!
Wearing a striped bandana, long coat, gold hoop earrings and carrying a sword, pirate Billy Bones entertained and educated children 4 and older at the Pirate School Show at the Syosset Public Library Wednesday.
Billy Bones, aka David Engel, explained, "Kids are already on their way to being pirates with their carousing and playfulness. I want everyone to find their inner swashbuckler. Pirate School allows the kids to be kids and have a great time."
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Engel admitted that Billy Bones is just a bad pirate on a timeout. Engel had many tricks up his sleeves for the children, including blowing bubbles into the crowd and opening his treasure chest filled with a treasure map, fake spiders, hot dogs and ice cream.
The pirate reminded kids to participate in the Make A Splash Reading Program at the Syosset Library, told kids to stay in school, gave tips on how to deal with playground bullies and reminded them to always have fun.
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Inspired by Daffy Duck, Mister Rogers and Captain Kangaroo, way of Long John Silver, Bones loves bringing laughter to children.
"I engage the kids in a good way," Engel said. "I also visit elementary schools where I teach nutrition–you arrgggh what you eat."
While swinging their arms from side to side and stomping on the floor, kids excitedly sang along with Billy Bones.
"The Pirate School Song"
The pirate life is for me,
I will eat my broccoli,
I am a pirate, I don't care,
I've got clean underwear,
Yo ho ho and a box of juice.
In addition to being Billy Bones, Engel performs as a clown doctor for the Big Apple Clown Care Program.
"We work in the Pediatric Unit," Engel said. "We make really sick kids laugh. When you are going through a tough time, it helps to laugh sometimes."
Engel has been a variety performer and professional actor for the past 19 years.
"I did bad miming on the streets of Europe for a while but then I came back home. I love performing for kids," he said. Engel has performed in Hamlet, Macbeth and Cyrano de Bergerac and has over 30 television, commercial and film credits.
Five-year-old Sara of Syosset summed it up best after the performance: "You are funny and we love you, Mr. Billy Bones."
