The University News

Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: Culture

Media Credit: Heather Sprigler WaterFire goers light the evening with torches.

WaterFire Kansas City was really cool. There's no other way to put it.

It was incredibly primal. Two of the oldest substances on earth (water and fire, work with me people!) were at the focus of the event.

Hundreds of people attended the event and while many chose to stand and stare at one lump of fire, I chose to walk the course. I was enchanted by the fire winding its way down Brush Creek.

In fact, I almost fell in from not looking where I was going. I also almost pushed a baby in a stroller into the water, but don't tell anyone!

There was one thing that broke the spell the fire held over me. The strange opera, which I'm assuming was the Lyric Opera group promised, blaring from speakers set up along sides of the creek.

There should have been drums and tribal dancing. Even the Gregorian chants made sense, but the opera was too out of place.

Vesuvius Fire Dancers popped up randomly to do intricate and hair-raising dances with two Kevlar balls of fire. At the end of each dance they would spin the balls in circles parallel to their torsos. It was unbelievable they didn't catch themselves on fire.

Performers were surreal at street level. The performance I watched had a ribbon dancer on stilts, a belly dancer and a goat-like man pretending to play the violin. All were dressed in dreamy blue, silver and black clothing. Also, the belly dancer was the tallest woman I've ever seen.

There will be another WaterFire Oct. 13. It's a great opportunity for free, fascinating entertainment.

jburche@unews.com

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