Fire Dancing in the Rain

Last night we did a fire show for a 16th birthday party in Sacramento.  This show had been booked for MONTHS and the hostess was really excited about it.. we were too!  It was a very cool location, right near the capital building, and a "Fire & Ice" theme which is some of our best stuff.

When yesterday's thunder storm rolled in, I called the hostess..  Would the show go on?  The wind was whipping, the rain was driving and there was dramatic thunder and lightning!  We hemmed & hawed for a moment .. but then decided that yes, the show must go on.  I braved the traffic and the 2 hour drive, and got to the restaurant right on time.

It was raining BUCKETS.  I was a little nervous about the PA system.. electronics and rain do not do well together.. but I was able to borrow a catering cart and drape fabric all around to make a little "tent" for the speakers, and cranked it up just as loud as it would go to overcome the incredible noise of the rain drops.  The hostess pulled some capers to trick all the guests into coming outside in the rain, and then the show began.

Remember how fun it was to stomp in puddles when you were a kid?

Well, as the music started, I got a huge surge of energy.  There's this moment.. at first, you're trying your best to stay as dry as possible.  Keeping the hood up, avoiding the deepest of the puddles, hurrying to any overhang you can see.. and then there is an internal shift.  The music starts, your shoulders relax, your jacket comes off and you turn and face the rain... and embrace it.  Embrace the wet, embrace the cold, jump into the puddles and smile.  The rain drops sizzle as they hit the fire.  The audience shivers until you get close and share the fire's heat.  The light reflects from the puddles and from the falling drops, surrounding you in a magical halo of warmth and fairy lights.

When you embrace the rain while being embraced by the fire, the magic of the opposite elements twirling around you and surrounding you is absolutely transcending.

The last time I fire danced in pouring rain was at Castello di Amarosa, the very first time we performed there.  It was magical, and still one of my favorite fire dancing memories of all time. This weekend's show might not rank up with the favorites.. but it sure did an amazing job of making me feel truly alive.

Being an entertainer means bringing performance and art off the TV screen and into the real world.  Sometimes the real world presents challenges.. but if it's too easy, is it really worth doing?  Transcendence is easiest to find on the opposite side of adversity.

S8RG3V79REWH

Fire Dancing for Diwali at Junnoon in Palo Alto

If you're looking for something fun to do for Diwali this weekend come check us out!  We will be performing at Junnoon Restaurant on Friday night (November 5) and possibly also November 6.  Come have some delicious indian food in an absolutely delightful restaurant with great atmosphere - and of course, Fire Dancers!!

Photo booth!

..at the Nimitz Halloween Mansion party..

Next time I'll be more careful not to make Darrell mad. ;)

Halloween

I love doing halloween fire shows! I love parties where absolutely everyone dresses up in costume. I love the challenge of having to give my costume that extra "oomph" so I still stand out as a performer. I LOVE HALLOWEEN.

I did a stilt walking show at the Live 105 Spookfest last night, and that was pretty crazy. There were 4 of us stilt walking altogether and we had blinky spinny light toys (yes, I can hula hoop on stilts and YES it's very difficult) and we had a fun time wandering around the Cow Palace making people's jaws drop. My costume was the Queen of Hearts, or rather the Red Queen from the newer Alice in Wonderland movie, "scaried" up a little bit for fun.

From now on, every time I go to a concert or a show at a huge event center like the cow palace, I'm doing it on stilts. I could *see*! And there was room up there to spin my spinny toys without hitting anyone. And.. well, I got a backstage pass and preferred parking and got paid to be there instead of having to pay to get in.

It was challenging though.. the crowd was thick and young and energetic, and there were plenty of spilled drinks on the floor. Wet floors + thick crowds + stilts is a recipe for disaster.. and I did slip and fall at one point. I had my kneepads on so I didn't get hurt too bad, but I did bruise my right elbow and my left palm, and my nose just a bit too. Luckily there were about 15 cute, costumed 20 year old guys around to pick me back up again. I was amazed at how quick I was back on my feet.

I guess a fall is inevitable at some point in one's stilt walking career, and I'm glad it's over with. :)

Tonight is a fire show at the Nimitz Mansion on Yerba Buena Island. I'm pretty excited! Halloween RULES!

2010

Wow, it's been a while since I updated - so much of my exciting news gets posted on facebook these days that I don't always remember to post here as well.

A couple fun things to share.. I will be featured spinning fire on an episode of "What would Brian Boitano Make?" which will air on March 28 at 1:00 pm on the Food Network. I can't wait to see how it turned out!

Also, Darrell is starring in a new GMC commercial, which can be seen here. Fun stuff, that!

As for now, the shows are starting to roll in, and plenty of excitement is on the horizon. We'll be traveling to Brazil to do some performing in late March and early April, and I'll be dancing at Forbidden Island's annual luau on May 16 - I've done this event the last 3 years and it's always a complete blast! Come on out if you're in the neighborhood. :)