This blog has moved

This blog is now located at http://mystressfyremusings.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://mystressfyremusings.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

I'm Teaching and Performing Again!

Summer has finally arrived here in Vancouver and life is sweet!

The school year is *finally* finished, I'm free from homework and have the room to let my creative juices flow!

This school thing is great (studying Early Childhood Education) but gosh it sure does take up my time! I'm loving every minute of it but I'm missing my 'creative' outlet...performing and teaching.

I'll be teaching a beginner workshop (stay tuned for Intermediate Details) this summer AND performing with my favourite Fire Troupe Radiant Heat ( www.fireplay.ca) at Illuminares on July 25th. ( www.publicdreams.org)

I'm oh so excited to be doing both of these things again as it's been waaaaay too long!

Beginner Workshop Info:::

If you've been hankerin to spin some poi now's your chance to learn!!!! In this two day workshop folks will learn all of the basic poi moves:: Butterfly Combinations, Weave and Corkscrew Combinations as well as basic turns.

WHEN?
Sat July 18th AND Sunday July 19th--both classes mandatory.

TIME?
2 till 4pm both days
WHERE?
45West Studios
45 West Hastings---back alley entrance off of Abbot Street.

COST?
$100 (includes a set of practice poi to keep)
Deposit required upon registration

Please feel free to email me directly to register or with questions.
Mystressfyre at gmail dot com

Poi Workshops at the End of November 08

I've got some classes coming up at the end of November for all peeps interested in learning how to spin poi!

Below is the information and contact info at the bottom.

I look forward to hearing from you and Hey! Thanks for reading my Blog!!!

Beginner Workshop
Saturday Nov 22nd from 1pm till 2:30
Sunday Nov 23rd from 2pm till 3:30
COST::: $100
LOCATION:: 45 West Studio's, 45 W.Hastings St, Vancouver

This class is best suited for those who have no experience or very little in the way of poi. Belva will teach you the in's and out's of how to fling poi around your body in a safe fashion. Butterfly Combination's, Weave Combination's, Corkscrew, Basic Turns and Transitions will be covered during this class. Practice poi to keep will be provided for all students and is included in the price. Please be sure to dress warmly as the studio can be a bit chilly from time to time. AND don't forget to bring some water or juice to sip on while practicing. Spinning poi can be thirsty work!

Intermediate Workshop
Saturday November 22nd, 2:45 till 4:15pm
Sunday November 23rd 3:45 till 5:15pm
COST::: $75
LOCATION:: 45 West Studio's, 45 W.Hastings St, Vancouver

In this Intermediate Class Belva will be covering basic transitions and the in's and out's of Flowers and Stalls. Belva will teach the basics of how to execute a fluid flower with good planes. She'll also teach all different kinds of Stalls...down stall, up stall, in stall out stall....you get the picture. She'll show different kinds of drill to work on for both the Flowers and the Stalls. Students attending this class should have a good basic knowledge of poi.Please be sure to dress warmly as the studio can be a bit chilly from time to time. AND don't forget to bring some water or juice to sip on while practicing. Spinning poi can be thirsty work!

For more information on these classes please feel free to contact Belva directly at mystressfyre at gmail dot com. Please be sure to put "Poi Class' in the subject line.

A Long Overdue Update!!!!

Shame on me
Shame on me
Shame on me.

I've not updated my blog in waaaay too long.

Shame on me.

However I'm here to rectify that with an update and an Announcement!!!

UPDATE:::

The Summer found me in a whirlwind of sunshine and exploration of different music festivals. I did a few random performances at said festivals under the guise of Luxotica. I spent the majority of my weekend summers working with Luxotica, www.luxotica.com , selling all things fire related and some super groovy clothing. We hit up Vancouver Folk Fest, Pemberton Music Festival and Shambhala to cap it all off.

Each of these festivals are a learning experience for both Erin (of Luxotica) and I. The people that each one attracts are like night and day;

Vancouver Folk Fest was a mix of happy mom's to be, small children and genuine music lovers. The vibe was very cozy, friendly and approachable. On the Sunday I heard some gospel from across the creek that had me *running* to listen to. It truly was like going to Church for me...and I don't go to Church all that often ;) We met lots of great local folk, I taught a few how to spin poi and thier kids even! Such FUN!

Pemberton....hmmm....hard core music lovers that just want to dance, spend money and throw their garbage on the ground. It was a fun weekend and I did one of the best performances I'd done in a LONG time while at Pemberton . . . but I spent most of the weekend watching packs of feral frat boys roam the grounds bellowing drunkenly and bumping chests. Would I go back again? Yes. Why? Because while at these festivals you gain a keen eye for observing humanity at it's 'finest' and Pemberton was no exception. I was reminded that the 'world' I live in with my chosen community of friends is amazing, kind spirited and intentional. I was reminded that it's okay to not look like everyone else. I also had a huge lesson on the 'in' fashions as well....dude. I'm so out of touch these days! Although they were few, I did have some *golden* interactions with people that touched me deeply. It only takes a moment to touch someone! I also sold a teeny tiny pair of hot pink fairy wings to one of biggest guys I've ever seen. He was sober and literally tickled *pink* over the purchase.

Shambhala. What can you say about Shambhala. It's the largest outdoor DJ festival that happens on private land in BC. I truly enjoy working at Shambhala. The folks are kind, sweet and genuinely good overall. I met some amazing fire dancers there from other parts of BC and Alberta! Hooray! Granted by the end of the week I was a little over the rain and wind storms that kept racking our poor little booth. At one point I had myself and four other people inside our little 12x12 pop up tent with the entire stock crammed inside...holding it down so it wouldn't blow away. And of course....someone wanders in from the storm to squeeze thru everything, find a shirt that they like and ask "Do you have this in green?". Yeah. Funny!

Of course no summer is ever complete without a trip to the desert. The Nevada Desert that is.

I ventured to Burning Man just ten short days after returning back from Shambhala. I was to perform in the Fire Conclave that happens on the final night of the festival just before the Man itself is burned. I've been attending Burning Man for nine years now and this year was THE FIRST year that Conclave didn't get a chance to perform due to weather conditions. Shocking! The dust storms this year were long and hard. Like ALL DAY long. Saturday night was no exception. We drove out onto the playa to find our placement and were struck with sharp wind and a five foot visibility. In the end we ended up not spinning due to safety. The Conclave was oficially called off from the top. Needless to say we were very sad as we'd been working for six months on this piece but fully understood the safety calls. There were 1200 people around the man performing and teching. The man is stuffed with fireworks and large explosions that must be set off. There was a small window in the weather and they grabbed it while they could. Remember too that 40,000 people are watching from the sidelines....with big explosions. YIKES! We proceeded to have a good time all the same as we sung OH Canada as the man burned to the ground.

And now I"m back home in Vancouver settling back into life once more.

I've started attending Early Childhood Education classes part time in hopes of becoming a Pre-School Teacher eventually. This has caused a huge shift in my focus this fall. More school, less performances and teaching. It's tough to say the least but worthwhile in the end. I will always teach and perform as long as I live. I HAVE to. But for now I am trying to be more intentional about the shows I choose to do. I want them to count for ME and not for my resume....know what I mean jean?

ANNOUNCEMENT!

I have some classes coming up at the end of November. I'm going to post it in a second Blog Post...check it out!

Over n Out

Belva

Sistahood was a Blazing Success!!!

It's Official Ladies n Gentleman, Sistahood Cabaret was a blazing success!!! The night was stuffed full of outstanding performances of all varieties in the theme of Monstrous Beauty! Traditional Japanese pieces that ended in blood being smeared over naked bodies, multi-media pieces that offered video, music, movement and amazingly costumed creatures, outstanding Burlesque that moved and inspired me personally....and clowns ;) I felt very honoured to have shared the stage with all of these Monstrous Beauties! Each person backstage was lovely, kind and warm hearted! I love being surrounded by such performers, especially women performers!!

The place was packed by 9pm and seats were scarce! The show wasn't to start until 9:30 even! YIKES! My biggest concern was for my parents who were coming in just under the wire. My mother's plane was arriving at 9pm that night, my step dad was picking her up at the airport and they were rushing like mad to make it in time! I had the brief pleasure of seeing them for but a moment as I ushered them to their sacred seats that I'd had friends put aside. Wine in hand I let them be and disappeared off backstage to get myself ready.

Having your parents in the audience always adds another level of excitement for me. They'd never seen me do Clown thus far and this was their intro into it...tee hee hee. This piece isn't what I'd consider to be 'traditional' clown by any means but it was funny in some spots and hopefully got a message across.

Of course we're always concerned about what our parents think about *our* piece but when they're attending a cabaret. . . there's the other acts that one has to consider. I don't often think twice about this as I'm used to seeing things that push my boundaries and open up my mind. My parents on the other hand? Not so much. The final piece of the first act was up and I finally realized what I'd thrown my parents into. It was a burlesque piece that involved a *very* traditional piece of music, glittery pasties, and a vibrator. It basically ended with the woman onstage pretending to get off with the vibrator. I realize it doesn't sound that funny but it was FREAKIN HILARIOUS!!! It was at that moment that I remembered that my parents were in the audience....

My roomate had the pleasure of sitting next to my mother during the course of the night. After this piece was over she turns to my mom and says, "So what do you say to your roomates mother after seeing a piece like that?!" My mother responds, "The car is parked on Georgia street and my luggage is in the back seat. Do you think it's safe?"

~ ~ ~

Needless to say The Parents loved my piece and were very proud of me. Yay me! As for the rest of the show? To quote my mom..."It was --- interesting shall we say." I'm glad they went. It's good to push boundaries every now and again even for them.

I'm happy to say that I got video of it! The only downfall is that my facial expressions are hard to see but I'm sure you can figure it out ;0)

watch video

Here's to my second Clown Piece EVER!!!

There will be more shows coming up in the future....more likely fire shows but I'm now looking into studying more clown here in Vancouver starting in the Fall....will keep you updated!

Thanks for reading!!

Over n Out

~MF

Sistahood Cabaret!!!

Sista--what?!

Sistahood is a month long festival in Vancouver that essentially celebrates women performers of all varieties! In 2001 it started out as a one day festival but over the eight years of it's life it's now grown to a full month long celebration of the feminine performer!!! The theme of this year's Sistahood Celebration is Re:birth and Co-creation.

www.sistahoodcelebration.com

This year I've been asked to join the ranks of the Sistahood Performers. It was with great glee and a sense of honour that I accepted! I will be performing in the 2nd annual Cabaret this coming Friday, March 7th at the W.I.S.E Hall in Vancouver, BC.

The theme for this year's Cabaret is "Monstrous Beauty"...phew! That's a big one! That in conjunction with the overall theme of Re:birth and Co-Creation is allowing for an amazing night of performances! There will be taiko drummers working with a poet, a burlesque dancer with a film maker . . . the amazing list goes on! I know your asking yourself...who am I co-creating with? Um...I think it might be pertinent to ask "What". . . .

An Umbrella.
A Rola Bola
and
A Hula Hoop.

I began asking myself "What is the Monstrous Beauty of a Clown?". From there I moved into the questions of "How can a clown FIND Monstrous Beauty?!" or "What is Monstrously Beautiful about a clown?!"

The answers I discovered were rich and full of discovery for clowns to most people aren't friendly, happy or fun. They're scary, hideous and have offered nightmares to more people than not over the years! That in itself can be considered Monstrous Beauty!

My clown is a bit different than the normal Ringling Brothers fare. Lucille is soft, round, totally insecure in her body and kinda shy...okay only sorta shy. She doesn't have loads of loud horns and squeaky shoes...although she does have an affection for Balloon Animals but that's a whole nother post.


Generally, the reasons we find clowns funny is because we can all identify with them on some level. They trip and fall down and we laugh. Why? Because we all trip and fall down! It's a reality and it's funny. Their nose is actually a sign of shame...for they can't ever do things correctly, they fumble around, they make a mess....they have an engorged red nose to let society know that they're fools! But clowns are lovable, adoringly sweet and pretty funny.

With these thoughts in mind about the 'intentionality' of clown, Monstrous Beauty, and Re:Birth n Co-Creation I've been developing a brand new piece for Sistahood that I'm VERY proud to present!

Because Lucille is 'round' in many ways and I as Belva am not round...I'm more like a straight peg and she's a voluptuous being I decided to delve into this a bit more. I personally have an affection towards curvy n bumpy women---they're hot! The Hourglass Figure, the cleavage, the round bottom...it's everything I personally DON'T have for as mentioned...I'm straight as a stick. I took my personal feelings about my body being inadequate on some levels and Lucille's body being ample adequate AND looking at societies view of bodies, a little love story interwoven thru it all and got to work. How can a skinny girl get the curves that she's always dreamed of?!

This has been an interesting process for me, my body, accepting my body for all the curves it doesn't have and loving to watch the story unfold in front of me. I've been blessed to have had the assistance of my closest friend and roomate in Vancouver, Ms. Natalie Spence, offer me her help thru this as an outside eye. Gosh, she's helped to pull the threads of this together for me on SO many levels....it's gonna be amazing!

I am hoping to get some video of this so I can post up my first ever piece to YouTube and claim it to the world!

If your in Vancouver, please oh please come and watch. I"ll be the one with the big red nose on ;0) If your not in Vancouver and know someone in Vancouver, tell them to come and check back into this space in the next few weeks for I'll post a link.

This Friday, March 7th, W.I.S.E. Hall (1882 Adanac St).
Doors open at 8:30, show starts at 9:30.
Tix are $10 ... door sales only so get there early!

Over n Out

Mystress Fyre

Welcome to My Brain...I mean Blog!

*leans back*
* stretches arms behind head*
*surveys the empty white space*

Yep..sure is dull in this here blog. That means only one thing...that I am to fill it with my amazing adventures of tromping thru the streets of Vancouver spinning fire, clowning around, and just generally being myself!

If you've never met me and have randomly stumbled across my blog...WELCOME! I am Mystress Fyre, Fire Performer/Goddess/Clown/Teacher/Person Extraordinare! If you haven't checked out my website already you should do so. It will explain most things about me, myself and I.

www.mystressfyre.com

If you've found this Blog thru my website--Congratulations! You get a gold star!

I will be chronicling my future events, posting about WHEN those future events are and where they're happening and hopefully giving a blow by blow action packed rendition of each one after the fact. I figure that someone might actually read this one day and enjoy it. It would also be a good idea to start chronicling the stuff I'm doing too!

So please check back often in the Blog of my Brain or should I say "The Musings of Mystress Fyre" and see how it's doing. If you have any comments to add into the mix of what you see here please don't hesitate to speak up! If you'd like to contact me there's a contact button on my website. Drop a line if you feel so inclined!

To tide you over till the next posting here's a link to a photo shoot I did recently with a wonderful local photographer, Shayne Johnson. I don't have enough good things to say about this man. We were strangers when we began the shoot and by the end I felt as though I'd gathered a new friend into my midst.

www.johnson-media.com (this is his website...take a peek...he's amazing!)

Here's the link to the shoot we did together...it's a nice reflection of all that I be!
http://www.johnson-media.com/modelspace/belva_071203/index.htm

I'll be posting more soon in regards to upcoming gigs and some Poi Classes...so keep poking back in to see what's going on!

Over n Out

Mystress Fyre~