Diego Natividad de la Estafa -- "Dinty, The Moor!"

Set in the early 1500s, during the reign of King Henry VIII, the Maryland Renaissance Festival is one of the largest of its kind in the country, drawing a record 290,000 people in the 2001 season and providing a venue for what has been called "New Vaudeville." Many top professional acts like Penn & Teller, Avner The Eccentric, Harry Anderson and The Pendragons have peformed at Renaissance Fairs and festivals, free from the constraints and pressures created by a television-driven world of entertainment. The festival runs weekends from August until October in Crownsville, MD. For directions, click here.

Brian performs as "Diego Natividad de la Estafa," also known as "Dinty, The Moor," card sharper, mountebank and con man who is trying to go straight but just can't seem to manage to tell the truth long enough to keep the local sheriffs off his trail.

At times, Diego can be found attempting to convince a husband visiting the village of Revel Grove that his lass is on the brink of leaving town with the Pyrates, taking the man's hard-earned wealth with her in the dead of night. This is met with skepticism -- until Diego begins finding actual gold pieces-of-eight coins hidden all over the suddenly contrite spouse! He can also be found pointing out the infamous international pickpocket "Carmen" (or someone who looks like her, anyway)...

Occasionally Diego may be found demonstrating the old historical chain swindle, "Fast and Loose," a centuries-old con game that has been mentioned in at least three works by William Shakespeare: Antony & Cleopatra, Love's Labours Lost and King John.

An expert with a deck of cards, Diego will oft-times tread the boardwalk area of Mary's Dale Way, demonstrating occasional miracles for passersby. Prohibited by the King from making any money at his old dishonest trade, Diego will demonstrate his skills solely for your entertainment pleasure.