Most of the images in this blog are of The Calling, a remarkable site specific fire spectacle created by Flambeaux Fire that happened inside Gowanus Ballroom at the same time that Amanda Palmer’s Kickstarter campaign wrap party was going on outside in the parking lot. It kicked serious ass and the audience loved it.
The Spirit Guide Of Fire (Chris Flambeaux) makes a point © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The Calling tells the story of a young witch who yearns to connect to a land that calls us all in our dreams. Tonight her rituals work and a spirit guide of fire arrives to take her through to that magical realm. Led by fire and instinct through a landscape of post-apocalyptic beauty, she meets the powerful gods and goddesses who are the inhabitants of the realm in their different environments. She realizes something is amiss and pursues a quest to put each back into their rightful place.
The Spirit Guide Of Fire (Chris Flambeaux) encourages The Red Witch (Kai Altair) to embrace the fire © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
Flambeaux Fire LLC was founded in 2009 by renowned Scottish-born fire performer Flambeaux and his wife, artist Abby Hertz, to produce spectacular fire performances that incorporate circus and aerial arts in a theatrical context. Performers in The Calling include Flambeaux, Abby Hertz, Masae Satouchi, Ali Luminescent and Claire deLuxe (of Project Runway fame), Christine Geiger, Fayzah Fire, Shane Ravenbane, Jimmy Joe and Serafina. The sculptors who contribute art are Adrian Landon, Sequoyah Auno, Damien Vera and of course, Flambeaux Fire. Who, coincidentally enough, also used to be in the Mutoid Waste Co.. Where I also resided for a while. To see what those originators of metal mayhem get up to, check the various Mutoid galleries in the MORE (Ministry Of Random Events) section of this website and previous blogs.
The Spirit Guide Of Fire (Chris Flambeaux) introduces fire to The Red Witch (Kai Altair) © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The Spirit Guide Of Fire (Chris Flambeaux) feeds fire to The Red Witch (Kai Altair) © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The Spirit Guide Of Fire (Chris Flambeaux) leads The Red Witch (Kai Altair) through the fire © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The Red Witch (Kai Altair) faces the Gods (Abby Hertz and Ali Luminescent) © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The Spirit Guide Of Fire (Chris Flambeaux) asks the audience to help © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
A slave girl (Masae Satouchi) is captured © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
One of the Gods cracks his Whip Of Fire © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The God looks down on the slave girl (Masae Satouchi)l © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The slave girl (Masae Satouchi) inside the Ring Of Fire © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The God cracks his Whip Of Fire © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The Fire Fairy helps the Red Witch (Kai Altair) © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The God falls under the power of the Red Witch (Kai Altair) © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The God breathes fire in an attempt to win the battle © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
The Red Witch (Kai Altair) extinguishes flames in the chest of the God © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
To see more pictures of the full show, check the gallery in the reportage section of this website. I would also recommend you keep an eye on the Gowanus Ballroom website as it is home to some of the best metal artists in NYC and they host some of the coolest off the grid events in NYC. Including regular exhibitions with some of the best emerging artists in NYC. And elsewhere. It’s one of the most beautiful warehouse spaces I’ve seen in the world and an absolute joy to walk around such an environment. It resides next to the Gowanus Canal on 9th St and is definitely worth making the effort to visit. I remember when Josh Young first took over the building in 2010 and he has done a remarkable job there. Respect.
The Red Witch (Kai Altair) astride the Horse built by Adrian Landon © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission
And if you live in NYC and like this kind of thing, then this coming weekend (9th & 10th June) you should make your way to Governors Island for FIGMENT, which is an interactive art festival that was voted Best Arts Festival in NYC by the Village Voice in 2011. Not that I’m saying there will be semi naked people chasing each other around dressed in spectacular costumes breathing fire and creating awe. On the other hand, there might be. As you will see when you check out the FIGMENT website. I will certainly be there representing the other side of my life as MORE (Ministry Of Random Events) with the MORE Drums at Chapel Bazaar, where Clayton Rd and Comfort Rd intersect. These are the MORE Drums at Figment in 2010.
The Flambeaux Fire performance finished around the same time as the Kickstarter Wrap Party at Gowanus Ballroom. Amanda Palmer went on to the After Party at Gemini & Scorpio new Loft Space, where she performed a full set of songs with the Grand Theft Orchestra. I will be posting more pictures from that show in my next post either later today or tomorrow.
Amanda Palmer performing for the Kickstarter After Party at the Gemini & Scorpio Loft Space © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission.
I posted this next picture in my last blog and wasn’t going to post it today until I saw a remarkable coincidence that is extremely rare. The NY Times published a story a couple of days ago and the main picture is this image in reverse. You can just about see their photographer is hidden in the shadows behind guitarist Chad taking a picture of the band and audience (and me!) which can be seen on their website. So I got my picture in the NY Times. Which has happened before, but previously I wasn’t actually the one in the picture, as I was the one taking the pictures.
Amanda Palmer & Grand Theft Orchestra performing for the Kickstarter After Party at the Gemini & Scorpio Loft Space © Andrzej Liguz/moreimages.net. Not to be used without permission.
