My Pay It Forward loop continues (Fremantle Street Arts Festival 2013)

My pay it forward loop continued over the weekend. This time at Australia’s largest street arts festival (Fremantle Street Arts Festival), while watching American artist and ‘man of mirth’, Rob Torres.

Rob Torres Fremantle Street Arts Festival © The Ponder Room

  In its 15th year, and with 30 artists from UK, Spain, Canada, Belgium, Spain, USA, Ireland and Australia, performing over the three day long weekend, it was a workout for your jaw and stomach muscles.

On the Monday public holiday while others were packing up their gear and starting the long trip home, I was sitting under a shady tree watching Rob tie his tie perfectly with one hand, and play hat quoits with the audience.

Rob Torres Fremantle Street Arts Festival © The Ponder Room

Sitting next to me was a tall, slender man whose laughs came easily, his slightly greying shoulder length hair bouncing with each giggle. This laughing gentleman’s quiet giggles were easily surpassed by a three year old boy standing behind me. The young boy’s giggles were so loud and infectious, that soon the large sprawled out audience was turning to see what he looked like.

Rob worked through various physical and circus routines highlighting that, while great skill makes tough tricks look effortless, that’s only part of the equation. His interaction with the crowd was like a masterclass.

All too soon we were at the end of his set, it was time to stand up and face the inevitable decision.

No I’m not talking about putting money into the hat, that’s a given. After all you wouldn’t eat in a restaurant and not pay, it’s the same thing, this is Rob’s job. No, my decision was a more immediate one … how to stand up.

Having sat cross-legged for 45 minutes, 44 minutes longer than my body is used to, it wasn’t an easy task. First there was the decision of which leg to rely on the most, my non-preferred left leg or my right, which had gone to sleep 10 minutes into the show. Perhaps it would be easier to roll turtle-like back and forth until the built up momentum propelled me right side up … perhaps not.

Finally left leg raised, taking the strain, I looked up to see the majority of the crowd swarming around Rob inserting well deserved notes into his hat. Good, with them occupied this will be less embarrassing. Then I also noticed something else … a hand.

There in front of my face was a large hand, its long slender fingers laid flat and inviting, like an empty dinner plate being pushed along an ‘all you can eat’ cafeteria bench. Palm up it was extended in my direction, the universal signal for assistance. Looking up I saw the laughing gentleman on the other end.

For a moment I indignantly pondered … why is he helping me? …I’m not an octogenarian. But the thought instantly evaporated as reality took hold, and I heard myself thanking him profusely.

Right side up and still in shock, I looked to my left and saw the lady next to me in a similar malaise, but the gentleman had already disappeared from sight.

‘Do you need help too?’ I asked.

‘No’ came the sharp reply.

‘Pay it forward, yeah?’ commented another lady behind me.

‘Yes,exactly’ I agreed, as I was left standing with nothing to do, but wander off towards the stage and pay my dues.

So now, once again, I am in Pay it Forward credit. With the next few days earmarked for deskbound duties I can’t see the situation being rectified anytime soon … need help anyone???

For more information on Rob Torres go to http://www.funeeestuff.com
For more information on the Fremantle Street Arts Festival go to http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/festivals/Street_Arts_Festival 

For the earlier Pay it Forward loop post go to https://www.theponderroom.com/2013/04/caught-in-pay-it-forward-loop.html