Who Ever Knew That History Lessons Could Be Fun?

On a recent extraordinarily beautiful Southern California weekend Kim and I did something completely out of ordinary: we took a weekend Scottish history lesson. Luckily for me, this crash course was not in school. But, as a key verse in song, "Mesopotamia" by B-52's goes, "I am no student of ancient culture. But, before I talk, I should read a book." (Opening photo: The Clans appeared in Long Beach, California for annual Scottish Highlands Festival and Games, set on Clan Keith Tartan.) In both of our cases, being short on time, and in my case, short on functioning brain cells, we headed off to Long Beach, California to spend a glorious weekend enjoying 11th Annual Queen Mary Scottish Festival and Games being held at historic Queen Mary. Our intent was to soak up a wee bit of Scottish culture, food, music, and drink while having a good time. Who would have known that we'd even learn something while having fun?

Like ancient castles on rocky Scottish coast, we were besieged with things to see and do at this annual February festival. Whether you're of Scottish heritage or not, this event is easily something you can take whole clan to. Everyone can find something that interests them, from watching colorful parades and ear shattering historic reenactments, to checking out working dogs in their instinctual sheep herding demonstrations. Heavy athletics events, of which I'll explain later, are quite a sight to see.

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Let's Visit MacHomer

"Let's go ahead and get it all out now so we don't distract performer. On count of three give me your best Homer."

After one, two, three countdown thunderous Homer J. Simpson trademark, "Wooohooo's" echoed in 199 seat Curtis Theatre in Los Angeles. The announcer then said, "Next, give me your best Barney Gumble impression!" The 100+ audience members in this intimate theater then belched their best (or worst) Barney Gumble impressions.

"That wasn't bad, now give me your best Marge Simpson impression." The enthusiastic crowd, ranging from grandparents down to pre-teens, then, in unison nervously went, "Hmmmmmmmm."

"Now, who has read Shakespeare in last 30 days?" Suddenly, many eyes were now glued embarrassingly to floor, while a few brave hands rose proudly from audience. Well, I have to admit that my hand was waiving in air like U.S. flag being hoisted on Iwo Jima. Lastly, perky announcer queried audience, "Who has watched 'The Simpsons' in last 30 days?" Now, cheers began and hands of nearly every person at this Saturday 2:00 p.m. matinee were waiving in air like miniature U.S. flags at a Fourth of July parade. Let show begin, I thought.

MacHomer is a great way to introduce Shakespeare's most powerfully written, concentrated tragedy to whole family in a fun way in 60 minutes or less. You certainly can't get this on PBS, that's for sure. To top that, why not have one of most dysfunctional families in television history, no not Osbournes, do another from literature? Yes, nearly each of 50+ characters from The Simpsons cartoon has been incorporated into an amazing one-man theatrical rendition of Shakespeare's MacBeth. Of course, MacBeth is played by no other than loveable Homer J. Simpson, and Lady MacBeth is Marge Simpson. Believe it or not, but MacHomer is still 85% true to William Shakespeare's original work. They obviously didn't have Homer J. Simpson, jelly donuts, or rock and roll back in early 1600s, so creative license was taken so that these critical characters, props and mood enhancing items were added by theatrical genius/one-man performer known as Rick Miller.

Like Emmy Award winning episodes of The Simpsons, all forces of man and nature are gathered to shakedown MacHomer into alternating moods of dejection and irritation, much like man of many moods, Homer J. Simpson. Homer is perfect lead for MacBeth since nearly everybody knows and relates to him, and like planets of our solar system, MacBeth's subplots, incidents and speeches all revolve around MacHomer.