Do you want to be a Pirate?

Apparently a lot of people do.

Reuters: Pirate scene hooks recruits---

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shuhe Hawkins wanted to be a pirate when he grew up. Apparently, he was not alone.

Hawkins is part of a subculture of pirate lovers across the globe, a growing tribe that encompasses history buffs, musicians, actors and hipsters.

Across the United States, from New York City to Portland, Oregon, the pirate movement has spawned pirate bars, social circles, bands, festivals, magazines and apparel.

Devotees are attracted by pirate fashions, the spirit of rowdiness and the opportunity to engage in anti-establishment behavior. It's unclear where it began, but pirates are clearly in vogue.

"We are in the throes of its real peak," said Hawkins, 35, who performs as pirate Luc the Lucky in Portland. "Pirates are like the new cowboys."

Modern pirates fall into several categories. There are the re-enactment crews, which perform in staged battles at parks, yacht clubs and festivals.

There are music groups, like Portland-based Captain Bogg & Salty, that have adopted the pirate as their symbol, dress the part and typically attract a pirate-centric crowd.

And then there are the non-performers, who simply like to dress as pirates.
[. . .]
The huge success of the summer movie sequel "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" underscores the subject's broad romantic appeal. But the subculture emerged long before the original movie in July 2003, with some experts dating the trend back to the mid- to late-1990s.

Of course, Johnny Depp as a pirate doesn't hurt. I have seen POTC: DMC four times and my "review" is here. If you haven't seen it or the first one yet, I highly recommend both.

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