Benefit For Landon

This Friday we will be performing at a benefit in Bloomington, IL.
Here are the details:

Start Time: Friday, June 18, 2010 at 4:00pm
End Time: Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 12:00am
Location: American Hungarian Club, 1520 Calhoun Street, Bloomington

"The benefit will include dinner, 50/50 raffle, auction, a drawdown and MUCH more. The dinner will begin at 4:00 (carry out will be availalbe), followed by the 50/50, live auction, raffles, and ending with a drawdown. Live entertainment will be going all night, including bounce houses, face painting, fire entertainers and more for the kids and DJ/live entertainment."

Come check it out and make a donation for a little guy in need.

Angel

BM is getting closer!!!

Hello again Wicked Wicks and blog followers! Decisions - Decisions! Burning Man gets closer, and there are decisions to be made. Originally we had planned to load up a small bus, but as time passes we are getting more and more "Love to, but can't this year.". So it is starting to look like it'll be the same crew again this year (for our immediate camp). E-Man will be going again - though I haven't heard if he is going to join the Conclave again this year. I think Kate is going and will be camping with her EE friends. (You are going this year right Kate?) Anyway, back on point - Decisions - Now's the time to be making them... and finalizing them (and buying your ticket if you haven't already). We have our backup plan in action since it doesn't look like we will be using the bus this year. (Next year Screwy n' Angel you have to join us! Did I mention we have a BUS! - LOL). The rest of us just got together tonight for a little BM planning PowWow... (ok, really it was for Jenn & Tim to work on a commissioned metal art project in the garage, but we did do a lot of BM planning between hammer falls & loud grinding noises.)... and now it's time to get busy!

OK - Wicked Wicks business... Hey Guys whats up? What's up with all this rain lately? We were complaining over winter/spring that it was too cold, then too windy, now all this rain and mad humidity! Where has all the good weather gone? Kate & E-Man, let us know when you'll be down next - so we can gather for an old fashion spin!!! Hear any more from the glass blowers on when they would like us to come out again? Liyou's 1st B-day is coming up - anyone interested in spinning at my Dad's place with me? Richard is providing the Burgers n' Dogs!

Keep the fires lit!
-Meadevil

Poi-ing in Chitown

(Spinning glow poi with Environmental Encroachment in a 2-high at Resonate 4.0)


I've been poi-ing it up in Chicago pretty intensely; giving lots of lessons, doing lots of performances...having lots of fun :)
Here's a few odds and ends I thought might be useful:

Full Moon Jam Schedule
May 7th | Thursday | 7:30 pm
June 7th | Sunday | 8:00 pm
July 7th | Tuesday | 8:00 pm
August 5th | Wednesday | 7:30 pm
Sept 3rd | Thursday | 7:00 pm
Oct 4th | Sunday | 6:15 pm
Nov2nd | Monday | 4:30 pm

Sock poi for sale

Just started making a new batch, with a few new colors for spring. $12.00 if anyone wants a pair.  Also, I'm coming to Normal tomorrow!

LETS SPINN!

- Kate

A Little Bit of Footage

A short clip of some of the Wicked Wicks at the 2nd Annual Earth Music Arts Festival.



Had a good time - unfortunately it was raining tonight so we were not able to go back for a 2nd night. Thanks to the whole gang for coming out, and all the folks who cheered us on. G-night.

-Meadevil

Wicked Wicks and the Earth Music Arts Festival

On April 18th and 19th from 10am till midnight, the 2nd Annual Earth Music Art Festival will happen and most of us will be there. I'll be there during the day taking photos of the event but when the sun starts to go down the other guys will be out to spin a little fire. If you happen to be in Bloomington- Normal that weekend or you were looking for something to do, please stop out and see us. There will be some awesome local artist, and plenty of music too. For more information and directions check out The Blank Canvas Project.

Angel

Spinning Once Again!

The weather round here was semi-warm when I got the text message that we would be gathering together to spin this past Saturday. As it turned out the temperature dropped back into what I would call cold... but we had a fire going to huddle round to warm up, and we had a good time. Seven of us were able to make it out to Screwy n' Angels place to dust the cobwebs off the gear and get our fire on! It was enjoyable to get everyone back together after such a long winter's hiatus. Good times all round. Many thanks to Screwy n' Angel for inviting us all over and hosting at their abode.

Spin on!
-Meadevil

The Man burns in 156 days!

I've got my Ticket - do you? Yep, preparations are already underway for Burning Man 2009! This year we hope to expand our numbers as well as our camp. If you haven't checked/know already - this years theme is 'Evolution'. For those of you who have never been to Fabulous Black Rock City and are Playa virgins - you can go to http://www.burningman.com to learn more about it. While this event holds a multitude of art, idea's, concepts (far too many to try to explain to someone who's not been there - it's a 'Gotta experience it for yourself' kind of thing) the note of importance for this blog is that it's the largest gathering of fire spinner/performers in North America. This will be mine and Ernest's 3rd year... and hopefully Ernest will get to spin in the Conclave's performance during the burning of the Man this year. Last year he prepared, but an unfortunate duststorm ended up canceling the performance (This really sucked as his practice times were at the same time as the Lamp Lighters). If you have never been, or have been but never signed up - I highly recomend signing up with the Lamp Lighters at least once. Last years members of our camp signed up multiple times, and we are all planning to do so again this year. If you are going this year - we would love for you to come by our camp and give us a visit. I'll post more details later...

Now on to some real Wicked Wicks news > Spring has nearly sprung!!! Just need the weather to get just a tad bit better and we'll be back in business. Time to look over the gear and make repairs and preparations. Very soon we'll all gather together to hash out our practice schedule. Looking forward to it too - The winter has been far too long!

Spinnings Greetings!
Meadevil

Cold Weather Blues

Is anyone else tired of this freezing cold weather?? I'm ready to get back out and spin again! This seems like it's been the coldest and longest winter.

Sorry I haven't posted much lately but I have been busy and the weather just isn't spin friendly.

Stay tuned and hopefully we will have something interesting to post soon!

Angel

The Holidays

I was going to say "Let's Spin on New Years"... But if the weather is anything like it has been, there's no way! It's way too cold out.

Tonight

Bitterly cold. Mostly cloudy. Lows around 4 below. Windy. West winds 20 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the evening. Wind chill readings 18 below to 28 below zero

Yeah, not exactly the best conditions to be outside playing with fire! (wish I could spin indoors - might warm the place up a bit!) Oh well - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Wicked Wicks n' Friends!

-Meadevil

Happy Holidays!!!

FIRE!!

So there isn't a whole lot going on around here since it's like 12 degrees outside. I figured I would post a picture of our friend fire breathing. Zach, thanks for stopping in to visit while you were in town. You are welcome to hang out with us anytime!

- Angel

Fire Spinning and Winter

Well it's starting to really get cold here so fire spinning season for us is coming to a close. It's pretty hard to spin when you can't feel your fingers. Screwy and I have also been really busy getting settled into our new place. I am hoping to get a few spinners out once we have some snow on the ground. I always thought it would be really cool to photograph fire on snow. Since we won't have a whole lot going on thru the winter I would share some older photos with everyone. Below are a few pictures to start off the winter season.











--Angel

Halloween - Is there a better night?

I know we just got done with two weekends of spinning performance (grand and exciting as it was), but the weather is supposed to be nice - I've still got some fuel left... I say let's spin after the Trick-or-Treater's have their fun!!! I can't speak for the whole Wicked Wicks crew - but I think it's a pretty good idea! Halloween Spinning - I can't think of a more appropriate time! Besides... this would not be a performance, this would be spinning cause we feel like it - spinning because we want to - spinning for us n' our friends just for the fun of it! What does everyone else think??? One last great spin on all hallows eve before the weather turns cold and unfriendly?

Wicked Wicks at the Downs Haunted House

Note: I did my best to scale this down for Blog Use - It's my first time posting video... humm come to think of it, it's my first time posting too. Anyway, here's a glace (Filmed with my little hand held camera)- Hope you enjoy it... we all had a good time performing, and the people waiting in line to enter the Haunted House seemed to be grateful for our entertainment. - Meadevil

The Downs Haunted House

Just a quick reminder. The 24th and 25th of October will be our last weekend at the Downs Haunted House. This is a great deal, for a dollar you get all you can eat hot dogs, a hayrack ride to and from the haunted house, plus Wicked Wicks as entertainment while you wait in line. Proceeds from the Downs Haunted House goes toward charity. If you make it out to the house please stop by, say hello and introduce yourself.

The local newspaper came out and shot some video of the haunted house and also capture a clip of a few of us spinning and eating fire. Check it out at http://www.pantagraph.com/.

I also want to apologize for not posting for a while but we just moved and have been busy at our new place unpacking and painting. I promise to post some pictures of us spinning at the haunted house soon.

- Angel

Halloween Public Performance

For those that would like to mark their calendars, Wicked Wicks will be performing in Downs, Illinois at the Downs Haunted House. Admission is just one dollar and you get all you can eat hot dogs plus entertainment. How can you beat a deal like that!

The haunted house is open Friday and Saturday, during the last two weekends in October. It opens around 6pm but you may want to get there a little early. With a $1 admission we tend to stay busy.

We have worked the Haunted House for the last two years and we enjoy performing for the patrons waiting in line. If you come out make sure and stop by and say hello. We would love to meet you and show you our art!

Although, a majority of the Wicked Wicks members will be at the haunted house, some will be working inside. We've spent the last couple of months tearing out last years scenes and setting up new ones. Trust me it is worth the cost and you never know who you will run into, while waiting in line.

This is a family event but the haunted house has been known to creep out a few of the kids. Hey, it's Halloween and it just wouldn't be the same without a couple of screams. Please come see us in action, you won't have many opportunities after we perform in Downs.

- Screwy

Chicago Fire Events

As the Chicago rep of the Wicked Wicks I thought I would let you know about a few upcoming fire events in the city. There is such a large community here, and spinners are getting together and rocking out all the time! I've had a blast at all the events below, and if you are near the area I would highly recommend checking them out.

Give Peace a Dance: Oct 3rd, Friday, 9:00pm - 1:00 am. A public alcohol-free conscious-dance event which starts out with a drum circle and fire spinning. There is also a black-light space for spinning right off the main dance floor. Happens every month, and spinners attend the event for free. You MUST contact the hosts of the event before planning on spinning: http://synphorium.com/gpd.html

Full Moon Jam: Oct 14th, Tuesday, 6:10 pm.
An amazing event for spinners, musicians, and spectators alike. Though the crowd may be intimidating there are many spinners there for support, and you can enter the circle and spin and many times as you would like. Located about 1/2 mile south of Foster Ave Beach on the Lake Front. To see the full schedule of jams view: http://www.spunn.org/comm.shtml

Thursday night practices An informal gathering every Thursday night around 8:00pm...great time to practice, learn, and chill with fire spinners in the Chicago area. Contact chicagofiredancing@googlegroups.com for information on attending.

Also, I've been giving private lessons, which are great for anyone interested in one on one attention to learn or improve their poi skills. I can provide sock poi for practice if you don't have any of your own (you can also purchase a pair from me for $10.00). For more info you can view my website www.voortrek.com or email me at krvw@voortrek.com.

Hope to see some of you out and about in the city!

- Krimzen

How About a Little Video?

I have got a few request from friends to post up some video footage. So today is the day. Some of our troupe came back from Burning Man 2008 with a ton of pictures and a little footage. This is video footage of Zach spinning at the camp with the neighbor campers drumming in the background. Funny thing is the drummers had no idea Zach was spinning on the other side of the RV.

--Angel

Burning Man 2008

A couple of the troupe members adventured out into Black Rock City for a week. For some of them it was a first time experience and for a couple of others their second year going. While they are still catching up from the trip, I offered to post and put up some of their images from their journey. Burning Man is one of the largest gatherings of fire performers in the world. This year alone there were more then 49,000 attendees (not all fire performers). The theme for 2008 was The American Dream. Enjoy the images.

The Temple (built this year with scrap from previous BM events)


Part of Mutopia from The Flaming Lotus Girls


The Man himself!


The Bummer


Babylon


Really cool perspective statue!


The Hand (story is every day they would wake up it was striking a different pose)

Holiday Weekend…. for Some

While most of us are enjoying our holiday weekend, people in the Louisiana, Mississippi, and southern parts of Texas are spending this time evacuating. This weighs heavy on my mind as my whole family, including my parents live near the coast in Louisiana. They have lived there all their lives and this weekend they have to leaving due to Hurricane Gustav. While I am somewhat relieved since for Katrina and Rita they stayed home and stuck it out, at least this time some of them are leaving. The news channels this morning are saying that the storm is heading right for Louisiana, and is projected to hit my hometown. I want to let my family in Louisiana and the people of the southern states know that our prayers are with you. I pray that everyone is safe and returns to find minimal damage when the storm is past. Please keep the people effected by the storm in your thoughts as you enjoy your holiday weekend.

Thank you,
--Angel