Yoday we celebrate the return of Fireboy to the island. His return always heralds the start of high season to me.
It is very clear that he has been working on and perfecting his art over the summer. He starts with a dazzling performance of firesticks. Which he lights with his hands! He also spends part of the performance surrounded by and dancing in fire. Wow.
His standard show with the fireballs on chains has been reved up quite a bit this year. He has three speeds he uses during the show - medium, fast and slow. Here is the fast part. Prepare to be amazed.
And here is where he slows it way down. Incredible that he can keep control of these things.
If you are on the island and happen to catch one his performances, show your appreciation for the talent, skill and originality of this guy. He lives on tips and 10 or 20 pesos in his hat is not going to kill you. It is well worth the money.
13 comments:
Very cool, that bee was huge! Yuck, glad I haven't seen one that size here ;-)
Can't wait to see the act in a couple of weeks!
I have always liked Fireboy. I have many friends who do not though They think that like many of the street performers that he is intruding on their “space” while they try to enjoy dinner and conversations. I will admit I don’t need to see him perform every night but since I no longer go out every night that isn’t going to happen.
Jackie: you bring up an interesting point. Street vendors and performers. I try to keep a Mexican attitude about them: everybody is entitled to try to make a living. With the vendors, a polite No Gracias costs nothing and they will just walk away. Table singers, same thing. Street performers are a whole different ball game. They are part of the tourist experience no matter where you go. Your friends need to adopt a live and let live attitude towards them. Your conversation will be derailed for a few minutes but you will get some kind of entertainment for them. Whether or not to tip them depends upon how much (or how little!) you enjoyed their performance and intrusion.
I always say if you don't like the street vendors and performers, then stay off Hidalgo. It comes with the territory. There are plenty of other options for dining.
Look forward to seeing Fireboy's new show in a couple of weeks!!
Donna
Great post. When I come back, I want to be sure to see him.
I must admit, like Jackie's friends, I would get annoyed at street performers while I was eating. And then I realized the error in my logic. There is no private space when you are in public in Mexico. You either accept that and adapt -- or you will have a miserable time. We NOBers have some control issues we just need to turn loose of. And that includes me.
You also make a good point about tips. White liberal guilt is a terrible thing to bear.
Cool! Can't wait to see the show again soon! Is the guy that juggles the knives back this year?
WOW .. I'm surprised his hair doesn't catch on fire! I agree with tippng and I love to watch the street vendors. It's a job and it's actually free entertainment! Americans are really spoiled!
Double WOW! He is excellent!
Linda
IC
I saw Fireboy last night. I was sitting at the bar at Copaya so I didn’t have a really good view of him. He and his group were approached by the policia who seemed to take about 20 minutes to check out permits.
I guess I'm going against the grain. Should I post, or should'nt I post? (24hrs of thinking first.) I love the b&w episodes of Andy Griffith. But, If I only had one episode to watch, the same one, nite after nite, over and over, I would tire quickly. That might be what Jackie's friends were talking about. Cut 'em some slack.
Disclaimer: Now, if it was the episode where Barney bought the 3 wheel motocycle, and the townspeople unbolted the sidecar Andy was going to ride in as Barney drove away, i could do some daily repeats of that.ha:-))
carl/debbie
I am hoping that this year I finally get to see him perform. I've missed him the past two visits. Thanks for the videos; he's great!
im a born and bread islander and i found your post funny because... well, we feel exactly the same about "fireboy" or angel as that is his name... his return from the sahara or sweden (or where ever he went this off season) means exactly what you said... ' high season has begun!"
he's looking a bit chubbier but has definately been working on his act...
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