All Over Albany

The Shilly Shally Fire Arts Meet Up Group

So, remember a few weeks ago when I talked with fire eating hula hooper extraordinaire Dehva Colure and she mentioned a local fire artists meet up group? Mmmm-hmm.

Well, I promised more about that later -- and here it is.

Yep, there's a Capital Region Meet-up of fire eaters, fire spinners and people who do all sorts of other cool things with fire. The Shilly Shally Fire Arts group performs at music festivals and parties around the northeast, but they also get together each week at the Corning Preserve's Riverfront Park. Their meet -ups are open to everyone, whether you're a fire spinner yourself or you're looking to learn or you just want to watch.

Apparently fire arts and "flow arts" are kind of a big thing right now. ( I had no idea either.) There are actually communities of fire twirlers, glowstickers, and fire jugglers across the country, with many of them connecting and sharing their techniques online through sites like Home of Poi . Poi is a big part of it; basically it's a kind of performance art in which you use a ball - or balls -- suspended from a length of flexible material and swing in circular patterns. But if you're the Shilly Shally folks, those balls are likely to be on fire. Picture some spinning fire balls and some fun improvised movements to music and you'll get the idea. Or you can check it out here.

Chris Bailey and Corey White of Shilly Shally met about 3 and a half years ago. They were introduced at a party where Chris was spinning fire. He taught her some tricks and later they began teaching their friend Sully - who specializes in fire-breathing. They've been performing together since. You might have seen them last year at Troy Night Out. They also do workshops and private lessons.

In case you're wondering, because I sure was, kerosene is their provided fuel for their tricks.

Upstate NY winters are a little cold for juggling fire outdoors. Bailey and White spent the winter performing in St. John. They even did a stint with the fabulously-named performance arts group, Pyros of the Caribbean. Now they're back in the 518 and ready for plenty of performances and fire fun this summer. You can a catch them each Tuesday at 7 p.m for their open spin jam sessions.