For several years now, James Nelson has been performing as his alter-ego, Black Jim Spudcake, the fourth fiercest pirate in the Caribbean.

Black Jim's mission, along with the usual plunder, pillage, etc., is to educate children regarding the true history of pirates and piracy, which tends to be quite different from what they have seen in movies and on television. Black Jim's lectures, while entertaining, also touch on the history and origins of piracy, the real lives of the pirates, the fact that pirates were not "good guys" as well as the positive aspects of pirate society.

So far, thanks to Black Jim's lectures, dozens of children have turned to lives of crime on the high seas.

"Black Jim Spudcake...was dressed in full pirate garb and spoke in authentic pirate dialect, mesmerizing the students throughout the performance. He told them tales of pirates, sharing both the good and the bad... The students were engaged and asked numerous questions of Black Jim Spudcake. It was a stellar performance and we look forward to his return in years to come."

Alison Macmillan, Enrichment Specialist

Great Salt Bay School

Black Jim Spudcake is available for lectures and educational programs. For information on fees (he is a pirate, after all) and availability, contact Black Jim Spudcake himself.