The Crucible’s Firebird
The Crucible did it again, another great Fire Ballet! This year it was appropriately “Firebird.” But much more than a ballet. I’ll just summarize the highlights, think of it as Cliff Notes for a fire ballet
The Firebird in a flaming tutu (with real fire)
The Firebird dancing on stage with a stunt motorcycle??!?!!?!
Blow-torch fire fingers on the villain.
Traditional ballet fused with B-boy dancing -Iron Monkey is crazy
Flaming metal trees and flowers
A real Pontiac Firebird “flying” onto the stage, with flames coming out of the hood, neon lights underneath and the firebird in the driver’s seat
Women who know how to fight
Flaming trapeze performances
Wow.
I don’t have any pictures, no photography was allowed unless you had a press pass. But here are some links
The official Crucible Firebird Ballet page
Eric Gillet’s Flickr set Firebird L’oiseau de feu (an outstanding set of photos)
The Crucible in Oakland is a nonprofit space that teaches, supports and encourages all the fire arts- blacksmithing, glass blowing, flame working fire dancing, forging and casting, jewelery, kinetic arts and many more. They also sponsor out reach programs for schools in the fire arts and support local artists by giving grants to help fund specific fire oriented projects. My kinda place. Every year they host a number of events that are really fun to go to. The next event is the Fire Arts Festival. If fire art really cranks your tractor, then consider taking a class or joining as a member you won’t regret it.
