firemancer
The Flaming Hula Hoop of Death!

We caught the best street performers I've seen in a long time tonight... Firemancers. There was a street festival, wandering around with my sis and BIL. We had stopped to see a karate exhibition (smashing blocks of ice) when my eye was caught by flames. Fire won over ice. This gorgeous blonde with braids everywhere, spinning these chain-looking things while they were on fire (Melinda). Her partner, Doug (tall redhead), followed up with a flaming sword dance. Then Melinda brought out the hula hoop! Imagine a black hula hoop with little spikes every so often, topped by what looks like a charcoal bricquet. They had laid out a half circle of something in the street, it burned with this beautiful green flame. Melinda used this to light her hula hoop, and off she went! She never singed herself once! The two of them alternated with different flaming devices. Hazel Miller was playing just half a block away, and their performance meshed perfectly with the music, or vice versa! Sis said something to me about how graceful Melinda was. I told her, "Well, you really couldn't do this if you were a klutz!" She replied, "Sure you could, but only once!" We talked to them afterward, were amazed to find out they had NO martial art background, because it certainly looked as if they did. Got their website ... they are starting a regular gig in September at some club in Denver, so definitely must make plans to see them again!
Firemancer