8/8/2008; Sacramento's First Fire Spectacular! A Festival Celebrating Fire, ART, Music, and Dance
Hi Sequoia,
That was a wonderful show last night. I remember when you were having all sorts of difficulties with permits, the fire department, and
it really seemed like the City of Sacramento wasn't ready for fire art... the fact that you were able to organize such a show speaks well
of everyone who was involved.
I really enjoyed the gallery art as well as the performing. It was a little like the Fire Arts Festival at the Crucible, but on a more
human scale - better for me, frankly. Less alienating. You are a very good organizer, with good awareness of fire safety, and
attentiveness to everyone who was there. Safety is another thing that's often totally lacking in these chaotic massive ravey San
Francisco events. Some of those kids think fire safety is for sissies. No lie. That's not my thang, I can't let go unless I feel like
someone's watching my back.
I wanted to say to each of the fire artists how much I enjoyed their performances. There was a lot of creativity out there, a lot of
individual styles, but more important, everyone was having a great time and they were supporting one another instead of being cold
and cliquish. It was nice to see a wider age range, too - I got tired of being the oldest person at these SF things, everyone else is way
under 30, and I just didn't have the dreads, the tats, the massive piercings, to fit in! As if body mods had anything to do with it, really.
Another thing that added to the warm vibe was a solid core of live musicians instead of canned or DJ music. They all appeared to be
fairly dedicated and skilled drummers and players. And, it started on time, metaphysically correct - I wondered if any of those guys
were NASA scientists???
The staging was good. Having the stage lights helped - they enhanced but didn't overwhelm the fire. Having the fire sculptures around
the stage really set the mood.
It was nice to see that many of the artists seemed to have some dance background as well. I could pick them out and see how they were
putting their dance training into their fire art. I actually got into Oriental dance (aka bellydance) from watching fire-dancers who'd
had a little training - in anything - and thinking that they looked better than the ones who hadn't. I didn't have much luck integrating
African dance with fire, but bellydance seems to work a lot better.
Thank you so much for inviting me!
-R
Hi Sequoia,
That was a wonderful show last night. I remember when you were having all sorts of difficulties with permits, the fire department, and
it really seemed like the City of Sacramento wasn't ready for fire art... the fact that you were able to organize such a show speaks well
of everyone who was involved.
I really enjoyed the gallery art as well as the performing. It was a little like the Fire Arts Festival at the Crucible, but on a more
human scale - better for me, frankly. Less alienating. You are a very good organizer, with good awareness of fire safety, and
attentiveness to everyone who was there. Safety is another thing that's often totally lacking in these chaotic massive ravey San
Francisco events. Some of those kids think fire safety is for sissies. No lie. That's not my thang, I can't let go unless I feel like
someone's watching my back.
I wanted to say to each of the fire artists how much I enjoyed their performances. There was a lot of creativity out there, a lot of
individual styles, but more important, everyone was having a great time and they were supporting one another instead of being cold
and cliquish. It was nice to see a wider age range, too - I got tired of being the oldest person at these SF things, everyone else is way
under 30, and I just didn't have the dreads, the tats, the massive piercings, to fit in! As if body mods had anything to do with it, really.
Another thing that added to the warm vibe was a solid core of live musicians instead of canned or DJ music. They all appeared to be
fairly dedicated and skilled drummers and players. And, it started on time, metaphysically correct - I wondered if any of those guys
were NASA scientists???
The staging was good. Having the stage lights helped - they enhanced but didn't overwhelm the fire. Having the fire sculptures around
the stage really set the mood.
It was nice to see that many of the artists seemed to have some dance background as well. I could pick them out and see how they were
putting their dance training into their fire art. I actually got into Oriental dance (aka bellydance) from watching fire-dancers who'd
had a little training - in anything - and thinking that they looked better than the ones who hadn't. I didn't have much luck integrating
African dance with fire, but bellydance seems to work a lot better.
Thank you so much for inviting me!
-R
4/17/2010: Capt Chuck from The Furr Ball
Sequoia,
You and your crew have always been a pleasure to work with and thank you so much for trying to stick it out
until the grand finale. It started later than we had planned but sometimes late is good for the big fire stuff.
Thanks for the feedback on the stage too. One of the things that always annoys me at fire performances is
the inability to see what is going on. I am sure everyone could see what was happening this weekend!
It looks like we have established an institution here in the Sacramento area and I hope we can continue to
host similar events. Thank you so much for your support, your kindness, and for sharing your amazing
talent at the FurrBall!
Anything that I can do to support what you do. More and more people continue to comment that your
performance was the best that they have ever seen.
Sincerely,
Chuck "Captain Chuck"
Sequoia,
You and your crew have always been a pleasure to work with and thank you so much for trying to stick it out
until the grand finale. It started later than we had planned but sometimes late is good for the big fire stuff.
Thanks for the feedback on the stage too. One of the things that always annoys me at fire performances is
the inability to see what is going on. I am sure everyone could see what was happening this weekend!
It looks like we have established an institution here in the Sacramento area and I hope we can continue to
host similar events. Thank you so much for your support, your kindness, and for sharing your amazing
talent at the FurrBall!
Anything that I can do to support what you do. More and more people continue to comment that your
performance was the best that they have ever seen.
Sincerely,
Chuck "Captain Chuck"
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Official Event #1: The Spring Masquerade Ball; 3/2003
"Last night we were talking about the event and how nice it was to be a Part of it. You really did
an amazing job! It resonated at some dark Primitive level deep within my soul.
It reminds me of a feeling I had watching a film back in 1982. It was A movie called "Cat
People". The film opens with a simple repetitive Rhythm beaten out on a drum. The scene is a
desert village surrounded by a sandstorm. Blowing sand. Stark images. A young girl is taken from
the village and tied to a tree and left as a sacrifice to the large black leopards that live nearby.
Later we see another girl brought to a cave, This time the leopard takes her in what looks like a
sexual embrace. The Music playing through the opening sequence is by David Bowie. "see these
eyes of green... I can stare for a thousand years... colder than the moon..." The rhythm of the
opening sequence was aboriginal - like leopards mating, Simple primitive pleasure. Your event
had a similar feel to it and a strong primitive feminine energy. You really put the right mix
together."
"Last night we were talking about the event and how nice it was to be a Part of it. You really did
an amazing job! It resonated at some dark Primitive level deep within my soul.
It reminds me of a feeling I had watching a film back in 1982. It was A movie called "Cat
People". The film opens with a simple repetitive Rhythm beaten out on a drum. The scene is a
desert village surrounded by a sandstorm. Blowing sand. Stark images. A young girl is taken from
the village and tied to a tree and left as a sacrifice to the large black leopards that live nearby.
Later we see another girl brought to a cave, This time the leopard takes her in what looks like a
sexual embrace. The Music playing through the opening sequence is by David Bowie. "see these
eyes of green... I can stare for a thousand years... colder than the moon..." The rhythm of the
opening sequence was aboriginal - like leopards mating, Simple primitive pleasure. Your event
had a similar feel to it and a strong primitive feminine energy. You really put the right mix
together."
Sacramento News and Review On the afternoon before the Gallery Horse Cow’s Valentine’s Day party, the buzz was all over Sacramento. Shoppers scoured downtown stores for pink clothes. (Rumor had it that anyone not dressed in pink had to pay double admission.) At Cheap Thrills, comments flew from the dressing rooms: yet.” Tyrus Wilson could be seen through the window at Le Fun, furiously sewing for the evening’s fashion show. Even the barista at Infusion mentioned he was planning to be a go-go dancer there. When love is everywhere, there’s nothing to do but surrender. So, you assembled the pinkest outfit you could find and arrived just after 11 p.m. Outside, there was a line of people dressed in wigs, wings, faux-fur coats, lingerie, fresh camellias and fluffy sweaters that ran the gamut from light to hot pink. Nearly every one of them tried to talk their way out of the cover, telling the doorman that they had no room for a wallet in their hot pants or that they knew someone inside. Having little patience for those who want to indulge in independent art without financially supporting it, you skipped to the front of the line and offered your money with a smile. Inside, a couple hundred people lined the perimeters of the warehouse. Square stages were interspersed throughout. Huge movie screens offered simulcast views of each. For the next several hours, a montage of strange and wonderful sights passed by. Belly dancers shimmied to Eminem tunes. Women covered in fresh flowers spun fire from their fingertips. The Lovemakers played a scintillating set, as vocalist Lisa Light pushed her way through the crowd, staring down boys and singing, “I’ve got you hypnotized.” People in metal suits ran buzz saws over their armor, creating showers of sparks. Models strutted for a seemingly endless fashion show. Some wore pull-tab flapper dresses, inner-tube corsets and gowns made of plastic bags--all recycled-material garments by Davis group Haute Trash. The trash was fantastic, but the fashion by Amy Hemmens and Wilson was truly visionary. Models with hoods that totally obscured their faces wandered slowly through the warehouse in a parade of white, pink and burgundy. The clothing was so original, there aren’t even names for some of the garments: gathered velvet tubes that slid over both arms, shirts shaped like pink bows that bound the arms across the chest and asymmetrical masks that made it impossible to tell a person’s gender or race. For the finale of their show, two hooded models climbed atop the center stage and dressed and undressed each other. Some of their garments bound them together, and others barely stayed on their own bodies. Their dance became a metaphor for the transformative properties of relationships. It was a perfect Valentine’s Day gift and worth every bit of the buzz. 2/17/05 Sacramento News and Review; Becca Costello |
Wavy Gravy's 70 70th Birthday Bash
"Hi Sequoia, it was really cool!
Thanks so much for being a part of the show.
Wavy did love it.
I hope we can work together again some time."
"Hi Sequoia, it was really cool!
Thanks so much for being a part of the show.
Wavy did love it.
I hope we can work together again some time."
7/18/09: Private Party
Dear Sequoia,
I just want to thank you and your partner for the fabulous show. Days later people
are talking about how wonderful you
guys were and how it added to our party. I would recommend you to anyone.
Sincerely, Debbie
Dear Sequoia,
I just want to thank you and your partner for the fabulous show. Days later people
are talking about how wonderful you
guys were and how it added to our party. I would recommend you to anyone.
Sincerely, Debbie
7/25/09: Private 40th Birthday party
Hey Sequoia,
Thanks so much for the entertainment at my party - you guys were a hit! I really
enjoyed watching your dancing. It was cool to see how into your art you were.
It was very memorable!
Thanks again, especially last minute like that.
Hope to see ya soon.
Bob
Hey Sequoia,
Thanks so much for the entertainment at my party - you guys were a hit! I really
enjoyed watching your dancing. It was cool to see how into your art you were.
It was very memorable!
Thanks again, especially last minute like that.
Hope to see ya soon.
Bob
The Fire Spectacular 2009
My family was blown away by the performance. None of us have ever and with a story too! The momentum
was amazing one scene right after another. All my family filled up their memory cards on their cameras with
the performances. Everyone I spoke with that day had wonderful energy, and it is all due to you and your
fantastic students. Thank you so much for a once in a lifetime experience. I hope to see you next year for the
3rd annual Fire Dance Spectacular.
Kathy
My family was blown away by the performance. None of us have ever and with a story too! The momentum
was amazing one scene right after another. All my family filled up their memory cards on their cameras with
the performances. Everyone I spoke with that day had wonderful energy, and it is all due to you and your
fantastic students. Thank you so much for a once in a lifetime experience. I hope to see you next year for the
3rd annual Fire Dance Spectacular.
Kathy
| Testimonials |
7/10/2010: 60th Birthday Private Party Luau
"Thank you for a wonderful show!"
Johna
"Thank you for a wonderful show!"
Johna
7/3/2010: 5 yr Birthday Private Party
Dear Sequoia,
You and you team were absolutely fantastic...each and every guest enjoyed your work and we were
completely pleased. We're definitely calling you back for our future parties!!!! Once again thank you very
much, you were absolutely outstanding in your work! I'll definitely recommend you to all my friends!
Thank you,
Nimisha
Dear Sequoia,
You and you team were absolutely fantastic...each and every guest enjoyed your work and we were
completely pleased. We're definitely calling you back for our future parties!!!! Once again thank you very
much, you were absolutely outstanding in your work! I'll definitely recommend you to all my friends!
Thank you,
Nimisha
7/21/2010: Chics and Charcoal
You were a rockstar! Seriously, you exceeded all expectations.
Everyone loved you and the fire-eating was the highlight of the night.
I don't know how to top this next year ...
Thank you so so much!
~ Erin
You were a rockstar! Seriously, you exceeded all expectations.
Everyone loved you and the fire-eating was the highlight of the night.
I don't know how to top this next year ...
Thank you so so much!
~ Erin
7/10/2010: 60th Bday Private Party
Thank you for a Wonderful Show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johna
Thank you for a Wonderful Show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johna