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"
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: “I heard this guy wears a metal suit and runs
saws all over it, and sparks shoot out.” “I’m modeling tonight, and I don’t even know what I’m wearing 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
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: “I heard this guy wears a metal suit and runs
saws all over it, and sparks shoot out.” “I’m modeling tonight, and I don’t even know what I’m wearing 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
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
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
My family was blown away by the performance. None of us have ever seen fire dance 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 group.
Kathy
| "Thank you for a wonderful show!" Johna |
Dear Sequoia,
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
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
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
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
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