What's with all the jesters in the square tonight?

[zmgmeister.livejournal.com]

There were all these people on the "park bench" side of the square with jester caps on, around 8 tonight. Some of them were in black tie despite the joker cap, while the others had T-shirts that said "HOOL". There was one guy in the middle who looked like their leader.

Any idea what this is? More street theater, or something like the Cacophony Society?

Comments

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Sounds like the Harvard Lampoon hazing, if it was college-age folks.

[zmgmeister.livejournal.com]

Very possible. Do they do their initiation this time of year? Yes, they were college kids or mid-twentysomethings. I thought maybe it was a meetup for the film festival, but the movie was already playing when I walked by them.

That said, I've seen more and more people in Davis walking around in unusual dress with completely straight faces and no trace of irony about them. This weekend I saw two couples together; Both of the girls, I honestly could not tell if it was fashion or they were going to a comic book convention in character. The guys who were with them on the other hand, would have blended in anywhere.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

The Lampoon calls their initiation Phool's Week, so it would make sense if the shirts actually said PHOOL.

[somertricky.livejournal.com]

Which they did - confirmed by myself & Trickettes last night at Mr. Crepe, around 6:00 - heading from the subway to whereever they wound up.

Isn't this the group of people who completely dress up in drag to honor various Hollywood personages during the year. Even if they aren't, couldn't they have come up him something less tame than running around in purple t-shirts and jester caps. (Maybe they were promoting Emo Philips' appearance at Altcom on May 9...)

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

No, the drag folks are the Hasty Pudding Club.

[zmgmeister.livejournal.com]

Could be. It was getting dark and I may have missed the 'P'.

I suppose the "phools" are the rushees?