KC Fringe "Spiral Dream" review by vsoy

As hot as the heat advisory...

Rating: 5

Spiral Dream

KC Fringe Festival

The event is staged in the western parking lot of Union Station, by the Planetarium. The setting sun, the hot blacktop radiating heat accumulated from the day, the sounds of freight trains carrying coal, set the multi-sensory mood. I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere, but at the same time, in the back lot of someone's loft. The show started late, on account that many people tweeted, "WTF? Where r u guys?" and so we waited for the late comers to find us.

Pretty Boy Coy, the juggler, was the warm up act. Dressed in red pants and matching Converses, a black vest and a red fedora, he was a funny dynamo. "Most people, when they have to do something, will try to find the easiest way to do it. But jugglers, think, 'how can I make this HARDER?' " From fitting himself through a 13" wide tennis racket to balancing on a ball or rolling board while juggling, Pretty Boy stepped up the audience's challenge to do it the hard way with some applause help along the way.

Rhythmic Flames (formerly Vesuvius' Tribe) dancers were dressed in short vests baring midriffs, long pants, leggings and hip scarves, flattering the wide assortment of body types but also very functional. When dancing with fire, you really don't want loose clothing to catch on fire. The weather was hot enough, but those sitting close to the boundary could feel the intense heat from the flames at times. A viewer can only imagine how hot it can get when dancing with fire.

Using a variety of cool fire-bearing props, the dancers created the illusion of dancing with fiery fingertips, fans, butterfly wings, swords, swinging maces, yo-yos and medieval banners. Well choreographed, each dance had a distinct theme, ranging from hand to hand combat battle, a happy romp to a mystic butterfly. One of the highlights for me was when one of the dancers would take a swig of what was probably lighter fluid, and throw fire from his mouth, igniting the suspended looping rope above. The rope was dripping fluid throughout the performance and by the time he breathed fire, there was no more accelerant. The rope did not catch on fire right away.

This event is kid friendly and it definitely captured my 3.5 year old's attention. The delay and hot weather was a bit difficult for him, but the informal setting and freedom to run around the parking lot helped a lot. There was on hand, several fire extinguishers and heavy blankets, should the need arise. I told my son that these mommies and daddies had special training to keep their bodies safe and he was not to try this at home. When asked if he liked the show, he said, "When I grow up, I want to go to fire dancing school and I promise to keep my body safe"  Oy vey. If that is any indication, this was a great show. Bring a lawn chair and cold drinks and enjoy the show.