The Most Dangerous Woman Alive

Last weekend, during a trip to Washington DC, I thrilled to the sight of a sideshow attraction: Charon Henning, The Most Dangerous Woman Alive. She’s able to walk on glass, barely flinching, before stair-stepping on a ladder of swords. Her partner, Professor Otto Knowbetter, chews razorblades live before your very eyes. And the best part, the second act: sword swallowing!

There’s a small bar in DC called The Palace of Wonders. The local press, including The Washington Post not once but twice, and Baltimore’s Atomic Books have recommended the place, and now, so have I, for what its worth — but get there early to snag one of the choice seats beside the stage or in the balcony. I went to the show with an ulterior motive, of course. I’m writing about this sort of thing. I wanted to see some real sideshow barking, which is what I came for, but I stayed for the heckling, and a good time was had indeed.