Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX QCODE

The Texas Renaissance Festival may host half a million patrons indulging in whimsy and fantasy each year, but it also has a seedy underbelly. After journalist and Peabody Award winner Sean Cannon hears about the kingdom’s dark side from a colleague, he’s plunged into a gonzo journey to understand how these things could happen at a place that its eccentric owner likens to Disneyland.

Please note that this episode contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.
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Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
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On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
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Expectations are quickly overthrown the moment Sean steps through the gates of the ren fair. As day gives way to night, it becomes clear that — in this place dedicated to one man’s quest for freedom — trouble can find you easily. But what kind of trouble, exactly?

Please note that this episode contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.
~~~
Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
~~~
Follow us
On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
~~~
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands see the fair as a place for fantasy and freedom. But a closer look at the crimes of power that’ve occurred here reveals a more sinister story: One of pain and suffering, as the victims hope for answers while the fair appears unmoved.

Warning: This episode contains traumatic events and discusses aggression against women and trans people. Listener discretion is advised.
~~~
Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
~~~
Follow us
On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
~~~
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An attempt to find the king of the fair — who is also the mayor of the town — exposes an intricate web of festival and municipal politics. Sean slowly begins to see a community that is tightly woven by secrecy and fear, where speaking out against its ruler comes with unseen risks.

~~~
Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
~~~
Follow us
On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
~~~

Season 2 of Crime Waves tells the story of The Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest — and rowdiest — ren fair in the nation. A place where reality and fantasy are blurred. You may think it’s all tights and turkey legs, but what if we told you that the festival has a dark side, too? Over the years, this ren fair has been the scene of murders, assaults, and other assorted crimes. We went to the fair to investigate this place where people live out their carnal fantasies and figure out just exactly how that could become so dangerous. But we didn't expect to find danger for us.

~~~
Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
~~~
Follow us
On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
~~~

Season 2 of Crime Waves tells the story of The Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest — and rowdiest — ren fair in the nation. A place where reality and fantasy are blurred. You may think it’s all tights and turkey legs, but what if we told you that the festival has a dark side, too? Over the years, this ren fair has been the scene of murders, assaults, and other assorted crimes. We went to the fair to investigate this place where people live out their carnal fantasies and figure out just exactly how that could become so dangerous. But we didn't expect to find danger for us.
~~~
Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
~~~
Follow us
On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
~~~
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices