Entertainment Options

Show Length

Performances last anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes. Individual props tend to burn for 2-3.5 minutes. Longer fire performances are created using multiple fire props. Performance lengths will be determined in part by staging and venue allowances.

 

Single Act Stage Shows

Stage shows feature fire performances choreographed to Sally's music selection and last anywhere from 3-10 minutes. The exact length of the act will be determined, in part, by the staging and venue allowances.

 

Ambient Hourly Fire Performances

For Ambient fire performances, Sally performs for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off using multiple props. This creates approximately 30 minutes of entertainment within an hour. For ambient requests exceeding one hour, longer breaks are periodically required. 

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Burlesque

Sally performs a burlesque striptease that incorporates various fire performance elements. That act is typically a minimum of 5:30 minutes long.

 

Tools Of The Trade

Sally is a multi-prop artist. Her arsenal include a fire crown, a fire belt, palm torches, fire fingers, hollow torches for fire eating, fire sai, a burning Book, double staff, fire swords (short), fire swords (long), fire bubbles, fire Tassels (for Burlesque) dragon canes for lycopodium, and a fire whip.

 

Safety

Experience

Sally is an experienced professional with 11 years of experience performing with fire and training with other experienced fire performance professionals.

 

Certification

Sally holds a Certificate of Education in Fire Safety For The Flow Arts from the Flow Arts Institute. 

 

Insurance

Sally holds performance insurance through Specialty Insurance Agency up to $1,000,000.00 USD. This policy is only valid in the United States. A COI listing any relevant parties as additional insured can be made available upon request.

 

Safety Equipment

Sally brings a fire blanket and an ABC or BC rated fire extinguisher to all fire performances. For bookings that require air travel, the venue must provide a fire extinguisher.

 

Fire Safety Technician

Sally hires a trained fire safety technician to monitor and assist with performances. This price is typically included in the quote. For bookings outside of Chicagoland, the booking agent must provide a sober representative who is able to fulfill this role. Sally will provide fire safety training for this individual.

 

Fueling Station

Fuel is kept in fuel safe, sealed containers where it is stored away from open flames and patrons. Equipment is fuelled in a separate area from the performance area.

 

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Sally has an MSDS available for any fuel used during her performance and can make these available to the venue or the Fire Marshal upon request. 

 

General Staging Requirements

The Stage

Fire performances require a minimum of 10' of clearance in all directions. Large props and pyro effects may require additional clearance up to 26'. The stage or performance area must be clear of obstructions such as PA speakers, flammable decor, low hanging chandeliers, etc. It is advisable to rope off all performance areas that are not separated from the audience by an elevated stage.

 

Audience Separation

Fire marshalls want 15' of clearance between the performer and the audience. At no point should audience members be able to walk through the performance area, walk directly behind the performer, or otherwise approach the performer while she is performing. 

 

Lighting

Dim lighting is best for indoor fire performances. Do not use strobe lighting. The lighting during dusk and evening times are best for outdoor fire performances.

 

Set Up & Fueling

Fire safety apparatuses, (i.e., fire extinguishers, fire blankets, etc.), must be pre-set in or near the performance area prior to the performance.

 

Fire props must be fueled just prior to performing to ensure that the fuel used does not evaporate substantially before the performance. It takes one to two minutes to properly fuel each prop. The more props used during a fire performance the more time is required to fuel. 

 

The fueling area must be separate from the performance area and in a place that is inaccessible to the audience.

 

Once fueled, fire props must be pre-set in or near the performance area for easy access during the performance.

 

Considerations for Indoor Performances

Ventilation

It is important to consider the emission of fumes from the performance in relation to the safety and overall experience of patrons, staff, and performers. Adequate ventilation or circulation of air may help to remove harmful fumes, however, some ventilation systems may also put the performer at risk. (See "HVAC Systems and Fans" below). 

 

Ceiling height factors into both natural dissipation of fumes emitted and prop clearance. Larger and taller spaces inherently allow for better dissipation of harmful fumes. This can aid or potentially eliminate the need for mechanical ventilation.

 

If reasonable ventilation cannot be confirmed, a smaller prop or smaller flame effect is recommended.

 

HVAC Systems and Fans

No fans can be on while the performance is taking place. Additionally, no HVAC systems should blow air on the performer during their act. A strong current poses a danger to the performer as it can blow the flames back into their face or body during close contact acts like fire eating, fire breathing, or fleshing. A draft can also disrupt the execution of certain fire eating techniques.

 

Smoke Alarms & Sprinkler Systems

The venue must ensure that there are no smoke alarms or sprinkler systems over or near the performance area that may be triggered by the performance.

 

Fire Breathing and The Floor

Sally uses Ultra Pure Lamp Oil for fire breathing. Residual fuel from this performance can leave a slick and corrosive residue behind.  Indoor fire breathing requires immediate clean up of the floor of the performance area by venue staff. Performances using oil based fuels are only recommended on porous flooring such as poured concrete.

 

Considerations for Outdoor Performances

Time of Day

For the best visibility of the flame, outdoor fire performances should take place at dusk or after dark.

 

Extreme Temperatures

Fire performances should not take place during extreme heat advisories.

 

Sally will not perform fire outdoors once the temperature reaches approximately 32° Fahrenheit (0° celcius). Some performers might be willing, but not Sally; she does not enjoy being cold. Certain cold weather clothing may also not be safe for fire performances. Additionally, bundling for warmth can impede shoulder mobility and hand dexterity for spinning props. Wind chill will be taken into consideration with the calculation of the temperature.

 

Warming Stations 

The venue or client must provide a warming station for Sally to use before, between, and after performances once the temperatures start dropping during the Fall/ Winter months.

 

Weather & Inclement Conditions

It is not possible to predict the weather with accuracy when planning for outdoor performances that will take place at a future date. Alternate plans should be made for performances in the event of rain, storms, extreme wing, or other conditions that may be considered dangerous or otherwise unsuitable for outdoor fire performances. 

 

Travel Considerations

Fuel 

Sally is unable to fly with fuel. Fuel must be sourced at the location of the event.

 

Fire Extinguishers

Sally is unable to fly with fire extinguishers. The venue or client must provide a fire extinguisher for the performance.

 

Luggage

Smaller equipment and collapsible equipment such as short fire swords, palm torches, fire eating torches, and fire belts can fit in Sally's checked luggage. For longer props such as double staffs or long fire swords, extra sports luggage is required.

 

Fire Safety Technician

For bookings outside of Chicagoland, the booking agent must provide a sober representative who is able to fulfill the role of a fire safety technician. Sally will provide fire safety training for this individual.