Three postings in four days! What is up with THAT, Bob/Irv? Well, as you all know, we have no requirements (check your contract) to publish daily (or monthly or yearly for that matter), so we write something when there is something to talk about. We don't need no steenking deadlines! But this morning, there most certainly is a fine event to discuss.
THE CRUCIBLE'S HEAT: A FIRE CABARET
The Crucible is an educational organization housed in a large warehouse-style building in East Oakland. It is a non-profit that teaches welding, metal-working and other industrial arts to adults and kids. Every year they put on a big fire-oriented production to raise money and attention for their classes. Last year, it was staged on an empty parking lot just beside and under an I880 on ramp. There were large, complex pieces of metallic art, each emitting flames as part of the sculpture. It was hot, noisy and totally awesome. There was a stage with some type of entertainment, but nobody was paying much attention since the show was, well, WEIRD. Cars were stopping on the on-ramp above for a look at the fiery panorama.
Oh, yeah, one that did not have any flames was this immense mechanical hand, controlled by a guy in a seat attached to the base of the hand. It had all sorts of motors, belts, pulleys, hinges etc. to allow it to move like a human hand. It could and did pick up a car and repeatedly slam it to the ground. Very loudly and effectively, I might add.
The guy told us they are developing a truck-mounted version for the general public. Imagine having one of these on your pickup, and using it to lift and destroy that jerk in the Beemer who just cut you off on his high-speed way to the golf course. At the very least, you would be able to flip him the largest bird he would ever see the rest of his wealthy-attorney life. The only problem so far is how to engineer it if one owner encounters another owner, and a large mechanical hand chop fight erupts.
This year, Crucible announced a new concept, A Fire Cabaret. It was indoors at their building, and had some fire sculpture, but on a very small scale. The focus this year was on the entertainment, and rightfully so. It was nothing but outstanding. It took place on a stage in a large space in the building. There were a few bleachers, but they were way at the rear of the space. So it was stand and watch, which was OK if there was not some tall guy (or a short guy with a big hat) standing in front of you. Which in our case (except for D. Henry) was the reality. The stage was decorated with fire-emitting metal objects, including a very impressive flame thrower mounted on a balcony above.
One of the four acts was two lovely young ladies performing pole-dancing. What made it remarkable was the fact that they were both on the same pole at the same time. They were quite strong and very flexible, and were performing very close to each other on the pole. This made for some very interesting interactions, so to speak. Use your imagination, then double it.
Just as this segment ended, sirens went off, lights flashed and the "Oakland Fire Department" (fake, of course) ran onto the stage. All the fires were extinguished and all performers were "busted" and sent off the stage. To my dismay, somehow the ladies lost the tops of their two-piece costumes in the melee and exited stage left with four colorful pasties literally bouncing off the platform. I had to avert my eyes, so actually Cheryl described this part to me.
The "firemen" then started dancing with their axes alight with flames. Even the fuddy-duddy "chief" was up there rockin' out. And the music was great, provided by a sultry jazz singer (Kim Nalley) and a great back-up band.
The rest of the building had smaller shows going on, stuff like "Jewelry Peep Show", "Glass Belly Dancing", "MIG Welding Striptease", and "ARC Welding Flashdance". I definitely hurt my neck attempting to take it all in.
Crucible asked for attendees to dress in costumes, the theme being "Flappers and Gangsters" No, they did not mean dolphins accompanied by doods with their hats on backwards and their "shorts" riding low beneath their undies (those would be "gangstahs"). We disregarded this request, but those that did not looked pretty cool. Especially the ladies, I must say. Lotsa feather hats, mesh stockings and very, very short skirts.
All in all, it was a most enjoyable evening's entertainment, and very well organized. I highly encourage attendance, but for sure get a sitter for the rug rats.
OH YEAH, DINNER!
I suggested we eat beforehand at Burma Superstar, a former "Dinner with the Gang" location. And again it was superb. If you go, try the Tea Leaf Salad. Excellent.
Whew, what an evening, and what an unnecessarily long blog. Well you know me. Why not use 500 words to describe 50 words worth of nooz?
So now your Editor/Publisher and the lovely CFO will enjoy a peaceful weekend here in hot and beautiful San Liverisco. Stay cool.
Bob/Irv
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