It is our level of LOCAL activity that clearly sets the Crewe of Thee Leviathan apart. Even though we are international in scope, we still take pride in how our members get together face-to-face in their local communities for small impromptu gatherings in local “Pirate Friendly” bars and backyards bar-b-ques in between the larger Faires and Festivals that are scheduled the rest of the year all over the map.
This is accomplished through the hospitality and leadership of our LOCAL Coxswain’s.
BY DEFINITION: Coxswain (also Cox’n) | 1. The coxswain is the senior non-commissioned officer on board. He/She is the link between the officers and the enlisted men, other than that provided by the divisional system. 2. The seaman in charge of a ship’s boat when it is away from the ship. In World War II pilots of landing craft were referred to as coxswains. In Olympic rowing, the coxswain keeps the boat going straight and the oars swinging in sync and lets the crew know who or what’s ahead.
OUR LEVIATHAN DEFINITION: Coxswain (also Cox’n) | 1. Local HOSTS. Utilizing the spirit of hospitality, providing an exceptionally FUN experience for everyone around them in a LOCALLY DEFINED GEOGRAPHY. Many of our Coxswains are located near Major Festivals and Renaissance Faires which are popular among our Crewe. When we are in their town for an event, they are “in charge” of the “shore excursion” and make arrangements for group dinners, hotel discounts and local FUN. The rest of the year, they host impromptu gatherings on a spontaneous basis that allow LOCAL CREWE MEMBERS the opportunity to meet and truly befriend each other.
The Gainesvillians
Travis and Jasmine Vaughn are our Coxswains in Gainesville, FL. This was our first LOCAL Coxswain Group…and it is STILL one of our closest knit and most respected groups. The two of them naturally enjoy nights out at craft breweries and cool restaurants as much as float trips out to the springs. They post these local fun opportunities and the ‘Villians’ come out to play.
If you live near Gainesville, Florida…If you attend the Hoggetowne Medieval Festival…If you plan to attend the University of Florida…You may want to click on the link and request to become a ‘Villian.
Leviathan Crewe of the Heartland
Kevin and Mary Briscoe are our Coxswains for the Leviathan Crewe of the Heartland, which is geographically our “largest local territory”…the GREAT AMERICAN HEARTLAND. There are a tremendous number of landlocked pirates and wonderful events in this area. The Briscoes are performers/cast at KCRF, Iowa, Central Missouri, Dogpatch and others. As they travel, they make point of encouraging other crewe members to join them in the FUN. Leviathan Crewe of the Heartland…Click on the link and request to join the group if you live in the Midwest and/or plan to attend a Renaissance Faire or Pirate Festival in middle America…so that you can be part of the special brand of mischief and FUN that Kevin and Mary create everywhere they go…
Leviathans of the Deep South
Kruel Kathy and Dungeon Dan Blackhart are our Coxswains of Leviathans of the Deep South. They are incredible hosts and genuinely gracious people. Whether you are attending Georgia Renn Fest or Tybee Island Pirate Festival it is hard to imagine that you haven’t already met this prominent pirate power couple. They are also frequently seen at Florida Festivals in Cedar Key, St. Augustine and Cocoa Beach…as well as Gasparilla and Bay Area Renn Faire in Tampa.
Thee Leviathan “Local 504”
We are lucky to have outstanding LOCAL Leadership for Thee Leviathan “Local 504” in the magical Crescent City of New Orleans, LA. The 504 is led by Coxswains, David Thibodeaux and Becky Bright. To all our Powdermonkeys and Stowaways, we bid you Welcome Aboard! With so much to do, and SO MANY PLACES to have FUN. Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! OR Let the Good times roll! Thee Leviathans Local 504 are happy to be the annual hosts of the National Pirate Gathering and Shore Leave in New Orleans…with 2020 dates set for April 10-12th. This event is tailor made for Pirates and Piratical adventures as it combines the French Quarter with NOLA Navy Week, Riverboat rides orTall Ships on Lake Pontchartrain and the EASTER Parade. New Orleans offers a vast array of attractions to make your visit fun and memorable and is a city that knows how to do big events. It means dining at world-class restaurants and staying in some of the finest hotels. It means you’re coming to the home of the hospitality pros. And it also means you can loosen your tie or kick off your heels in a city like no other.
Thee Leviathan “NORTHSHORE LOCAL 985”
Alane Luminais is the Coxswain of the Leviathan NORTHSHORE LOCAL 985. With a distinctly different feel than the High Energy Big City LOCAL 504, the 985 is laid back bayou hospitality. The Leviathan NORTHSHORE LOCAL 985 and New Orleans Local 504 are the hosts of the National Pirate Encampment held annually at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival in Hammond, LA in November/December. It is now legendary and not to be missed. In 2017, Members came from as far away as Iowa (950mi) to participate in the three day Veterans Day holiday weekend camp. Each year, Captain Kraven Moregrog (Doug Kosarek) and Heartland Coxswain Ragnar Greybeard (Kevin Briscoe) come from 700 miles in opposite directions to convene in the woods by the campfire with the LOCAL 504 and the NORTHSHORE LOCAL 985. HIGHLY Recommended.
Leviathan Crewe of Atlanta
“Hurricane” Mike and “Iron Cass” Engleking are our Coxswains of the Leviathan Crewe of Atlanta…and serves as host to Leviathan Crewe members from throughout the Country who attend the Georgia Renaissance Festival and Atlanta’s Nocturnal Pirate Paloozza.
Their hospitality is legendary and their nurturing spirit draws others to them and their energy. They enjoy calling impromptu events at local venues and in their home. We are all lucky to have them in our lives as friends.
Leviathans of the North Fl Keys and South GA
Mel and Kimberly Aiken are our Coxswains of Leviathans of the North Fl Keys and South GA. Based out of Fernandina Beach up in the Northeasternmost part of Florida where a cluster of Islands hosts some of the most incredible Shrimp Festivals and Pirate Parades you have ever attended…and Kimberly and Mel are right in the heart of it. Handy, Talented, Organized and very gracious hosts…they are festival vendors who travel and seem to have a gift for making others feel “at home”.
Leviathans of the Tampa Bay Area
When it comes to local leadership, Leviathans of the Tampa Bay Area are blessed with FIVE Co-Coxswains. Cheryl Guagliardo, Gay Hartman, Ted Finnigan, Rumbelly Russell Thogode and A.J. Mathews compose an exceptional team that are The Tampa Bay Area is of One of our most active LOCAL AREAS and home to not only the 7 week Bay Area Renaissance Festival (affectionately known as BARF) but also all the Gasparilla Festival related activity and parades. Tampa has a very busy pirate social calendar. Leviathan has a large concentration of members in greater Tampa-St.Petersburg-Clearwater. The Tampa Bay area’s population, already the largest of any metropolitan statistical area in the state of Florida, is projected to grow from 3 million last year to 3.1 million this year, and to 3.3 million over the next five years.THAT is a LOT of people…and we don’t think we’ve met ALL THE COOL PEOPLE YET.
Many of our earliest members met at BARF or at the John Levique Pirate Festival. The Cedar Key Pirate Festival, Sarasota Medieval Festival, Villages Renaissance Festival, Anna Maria Island Pirate Festival and Englewood Pirate Festival are ALL within a close drive. Tampa’s Leviathan roots run deep. It is not unusual for there to be an Impromptu Gathering at least twice a month, if not more often. Click on the link and request to join the LOCAL Facebook Group to receive notification about these opportunities to get out for an evening of spontaneous FUN with like minded PIRATES. Come as you are after work and discover new friendships that you will soon treasure. There are a large number of Pirate Friendly Pubs and Restaurants that we have well developed relationships with…and it shows in the way they treat our Crewe Members.The Tall Ship Lynx is also ported here, and Leviathan has hosted fully garbed events on board the past few years. Imagine sailing across the open sea cannons blasting with 40 of your closest friends all dressed like the sharpest pirates you’ve ever seen.
Another interesting aspect of our Tampa Area membership is that we have approximately 45 members who are active members of various Gasparilla Krewes…some Rough Riders and Sea SaveYours, Brigadoon’s and Mustang Sally’s, Charlotte De Berry’s, Annie’s and Ladies of Grace… multiple members of Krewe of Blackbeard’s Revenge, Black Pearl, Sir Henry Morgan and Santa Margarita. Since the Crewe of Thee Leviathan doesn’t actively participate in the Gasparilla Parades, WE ARE NOT A CONFLICT and we are an opportunity to participate in events all year long and beyond just the Tampa Bay Area.
Leviathans of the Orlando Area
Charity Vaine is the Coxswain of the Orlando Area, hosting activity in and around the Orlando Metropolitan Area.
Leviathans of the Orlando Area Facebook Group.
Leviathans of the Chesapeake Bay Area
Jacayla Cecily (Just Jac) is our Coxswain of Leviathans of the Chesapeake Bay Area…and serves as host to Leviathan Crewe members from throughout the Country who attend the Maryland Renaissance Festival and the Fells Point Privateers Festival in Baltimore, Wilmington Pirate Festival in Delaware or the Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend in Rock Hall, MD.
Leviathans of the Old Dominion
Amanda Yates Bourne is our Coxswain for Leviathans of the Old Dominion.
Leviathans of the Old Dominion LOCAL Facebook Group.
Leviathans of Lake Monroe
Tasha Martz is our Coxswain for Leviathans of Lake Monroe and has provided excellent LOCAL leadership as a liason in the reorganization and rescheduling of the Sanford Pirate Festival along with cooperation with other local pirates in the Sanford, FL area on several “Freebooter Pub Crawls”.
Leviathans of Lake Monroe LOCAL Facebook Group.
Leviathan Pirates of the Saint Juans LOCAL Facebook Group.
Leviathans of Birmingham LOCAL 205
Angela and Carl Richter are super cool people who have been a part of the Pirate Activity of thee Leviathan from the very beginning. Before relocating to Alabama, Angela was the Manager of a World of Beer location in Sarasota, FL where she organized SEVERAL successful and very popular pirate events. The Captain and Carl bonded over beers many times…and it was Carl who coined the phrase that hanging out with our pirate crewe was like, “meeting cousins you just hadn’t met yet”.
Now that the Richters have settled in Birmingham, Alabama needs a cluster of pirates to gather at Hop City. We can’t wait to see Angela and Carl both at home and other regional events.
Leviathans of Southwest Florida
Kyle Happel has served as a Coxswain for Captain MoreGrog on several occasions. He is now our Coxswain for Leviathans of Southwest Florida.
Leviathans of Southwest Florida LOCAL Facebook Group.
Leviathans of the Emerald Coast
Steve Helm is one of our Coxswain of Leviathans of the Emerald Coast serving the Pensacola area of the Panhandle of Florida…and serves as host to Leviathan Crewe members from throughout the country who attend the Billy Bow Legs Pirate Festival (in Ft. Walton Beach), the Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire and Pirate Festival and the Pensacola Maritime and Pirate Fest.
Leviathans of the Emerald Coast LOCAL Facebook Page.
Leviathan Pirates of the Shivering Sands
Shawn Johnson and Mandy McMullan Johnson have served several times as Leviathan Coxswains. First for the Leviathans of the Emerald Coast and then after an 1,800 mile relocation from the Florida Panhandle Gulf Coast to the Great White North of Wyoming and the Pirates of the Shivering Sands.
Pirates of the Shivering Sands LOCAL Facebook Group.
Leviathans of the Emerald Coast LOCAL Facebook Group.
In each location they have built a strong following of LOCAL pirates by focusing on the FUN.
Leviathans of the Lone Star State
We are proud of the growth of the Leviathan Crewe in the GREAT State of Texas…we have natural clusters of pirates in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston. We have a lot of Pirates make the trip out to the amazing Texas festivals… Scarborough, Sherwood Forest and the Granddaddy of them all TRF. There has been significant growth of the all the Lonestar LOCALs… Our Lone Star Leviathan are a PROUD bunch…visit with them and see for yourself.
Tim Morris a.k.a. Capt’n Crimson serves as the host of the Houston Area.
Penny Farthington serves the San Antonio geographic area.
Lisa Vestal McDaniels is the very able Coxswain of Dallas.
Angelique Pearson Hebert serves Leviathan crewe members in the Ft Worth area.
The area known as the Golden Triangle (an area in Southeast Texas along the Louisiana border near Beaumont, TX) is served by Kevin “Tank” Phjillips.
Austin, TX is Coxswain’d by Chris Howard a.k.a. Whitebeard Teague…a dashing fellow with a penchant for fine cigars and good company with friends.
Leviathan LOCAL 251 and Brethren of Massacre Island
Lonnie and Tina Miracle are the Coxswains of Leviathan LOCAL 251 and Brethren of Massacre Island in the Mobile, AL area. The Miracles bring a long history of pirating all over the gulf coast and a passion for re-creating historical events. One of the coolest events of the year is the Annual Massacre Island Pirate Event at historic Ft. Gaines on Dauphin Island.
Leviathans of the First Coast
Aimee Alex Riggsby is the Coxswain of Leviathans of the First Coast in St Augustine, FL.
St Augustine is a highly desirable destination for pirates from all over the country because of its amazing architecture and ancient city history. Walking the streets of the old town at night it is easy to lose yourself in the mists of history and feel like you and your mates are on shore leave.
Leviathans of the Carolina’s
Many of the Pirates who attend faires and festivals in the Carolina’s and Georgia have met Rodney Sorrell a.k.a. Capt’n Savage. Rodney has expressed his willingness to serve as Coxswain to the pirates who attend the events in the Carolina’s…in an effort to bring people together in the name of FUN.
Leviathans of the 601st
Monty Montgomery has volunteered to serve as Coxswain once again…this time helping coordinate LOCAL activity with impromptu gatherings and planned invasions of the festivals and faires in the area around Jackson, MS.
Monty has been a part of thee Leviathan Crewe for several years…first with Leviathan Crewe of the Heartland in Kansas City, then after relocating to Daytona Beach with Thee original Leviathan Crewe in Flordia, then again helping form up the group in the Dallas Metroplex before his most recent relocation to Jackson, MS…
…and like the rascal that he is, he has already fallen in with a bunch of Pirates who are just itchin’ to be LEVIATHAN.
AND SO the “Leviathans of the 601st” is born. Pirates living in the 601 Area Code who are also part of the STAR WARS 501st Legion. Sounds like FUN to me.
Even though Monty may move on from a LOCAL area, he leaves the LOCAL group stronger and well organized with a successor in place. Monty is one of our “Johnny Appleseed” Coxswains and Ambassadors who help spread our unique crewe culture across the country.
Leviathans of the 601st LOCAL Facebook Group.
Leviathans of the Sun Coast
We feel honored to have had Jay and Cher Groves accept their role as Coxswains of Leviathans of the Sun Coast. We are ALL saddened by her passing and grieve with Jay and their children. Since her passing…Jay and their son Cassey have continued to participate in Leviathan events, including Jay’s support of thee Leviathan Invasion of Nova Scotia.
Instead of promoting why Jay and Cher are (and always will be) a perfect choice for LOCAL LEADERSHIP…it may be best to simply introduce them in Cher’s own words…posted in the Group back in November of 2016.
It’s high time we properly introduced ourselves here. My Husband Jay (of 25 years) and I moved to Bradenton last August after ten years in New Orleans. We have been Pirating around since 2007 when I helped co-found the Nola Wenches Krewe of New Orleans. I had been a guiding hand in the Krewe until we left. Our mates there, now carry on under a few new banners, The Nola Krewe of Rouge Pirates, The Nola Scallywags and Thee Leviathans of New Orleans LOCAL 504.
We took the year we moved off from pirating alltogether to get settled in and to find out more about local crew activity and events…but we hadn’t found a fit until we met thee Leviathan founders and leadership at the recent Cocoa Beach event where Jay and I were formally inducted (IE: Flogged by the MoreGrog) into Thee Leviathan. It was that weekend that Kraven asked me to help with the Suncoast chapter.
We hope to meet all of you face to face at some point and be of help here to network, connect and just add to the overall FUN. Please feel free to reach out and share information, events, garb…and to use this group site to connect and plan with each other to get together – regardless of major events or not!!! WE ARE CREWE! Jay and Cher Groves of Bradenton, FL
We have some GREAT members who live in this area…and we know this group has lots of heart.
Leviathans of the Sun Coast LOCAL Facebook Group
Pirates in the Sarasota/Bradenton area should click on the link to request to be a part of this local group and/or thre Tampa Bay Area Group to be included in notifications of impromptu gatherings and events that may be of interest.
Leviathan LOCAL 228 – Gulfport/Biloxi
Harry and T Roullier are gracious and talented people with a flair for entertaining. Their pirate encampments are period and they both enjoy Black Powder demonstrations. Harry also taught himself to play the “hurdy gurdy” and is an avid Lion Fish harvester.