Seattle Center Productions Winter Solstice Fire Festival New Dates: Saturday, Jan. 10 & Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, 4 - 9 PM
Due to inclement weather, the Winter Solstice Fire Festival has been rescheduled for:
Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 10 and 11, 2009
The Winter Solstice Fire Festival, a spectacular Winterfest premiere, radiates flames and fiery drama. Towering steel infernos will illuminate the darkness, along with dynamic movement and music – all to celebrate the Solstice return to light.
The spectacle begins at 4pm with a performance recognizing the Winter Solstice. Featuring soprano Celeste Axelson singing an original composition by Dell and Chandra Wade, Orbis and Solaris create a dynamic outdoor performing art installation that weaves together words, movement, music, fire performances and large luminaries to transform the Seattle Center International Fountain into a stunning celestial wonder.
At the conclusion of the performance, around 5pm, the sculptures in the open spaces around the International Fountain will be illuminated; and throughout the evening, fire performances by local artists will entertain as audiences take in the brilliant works.
This collection of fiery sculptures includes some dramatic, organic, inspired forms:
Fire-Pod Created by Mark “Buphalo” Tomkiewicz, Fire-Pod, a steel sculpture, stands 11’ high with a 20’ diameter footprint. Six claw-like tendrils jut out of the ground to define a spherical negative space from which fire performers emerge. Each tendril hosts two propane cannons; one at the top facing upward/outward and another at the bottom facing inward, for a total of 12 firing points controlled through a midi interface. www.fire-pod.com
Pnuema
Pnuema, an organic kinetic fire sculpture by San Francisco artist Charles A. Gadeken, takes the form a lotus flower erupting in flames. Created from stainless steel and copper, the flower stands 7 feet tall and is comprised of 12 lotus petals, a spinning central stamen, three large leaves, and a pin-rod stem and root system. When lit the leaves glow red hot and tiny fingers of blue and yellow flame twinkle around its edges and down the leaves’ central spine. The stamen spins at 200 rpms with over 100 small flames creating a 3-foot tall 3-D solid form in fire, simultaneously creating tornados of fire. rising from it.
Water Candle
This 6-foot tall water fountain, created by Chris Piper, with an adjustable flame shoots as high as four feet. Water is pumped up a tube with air bubbles to show the circular flow of the water. Lights at the base of the unit give color to the bottom of the fountain. Propane is pumped through an airtight tube in the center of the water and is ignited at the top. Chris Piper is based out of Oregon. www.fireartistry.com
PyroBeat Artist Chris Piper has created an interactive experience that melds music and fire. A user interacts with a keyboard that directly controls the flame effect for 41 rod-like units that produce flames ranging from 3 to 12 feet. The computer also drives a sound system so each key sounds a note and lights a flame effect. www.fireartistry.com
Participating performing artists include:
Open Flame Dance Theater - 5:30pm on the Fisher Pavilion Roof Open Flame Fance Theater (OFDT) is a contemporary dance company that plays with fire. In a departure from the cabaret-like shows often seen in the fire community, OFDT is committed to contemporary dance with choreographic integrity. The intent is to provide engaging, innovative, and accessible performances while pioneering a new style of dance - melding contemporary dance and fire. www.openflamedance.com
Pyrosutra - 6:30pm at the International Fountain Pyrosutra, one of the leading fire-dance troupes in North America, utilizes a unique combination of fire and dance to create thought-provoking dance works. Pyrosutra has created a sophisticated, diverse, international repertoire that offers powerful entertainment for all audiences. Performances are a musically driven blend of techniques that include fire eating, martial arts, acrobatics, belly dance and stilt walking with a flow that motivates eye, energy and spirit. www.pyrosutra.com
Spinergy Arts - 7:30pm on the Fisher Pavilion Roof
Spinergy Arts is synergy in motion. A group of professional artists that spins together and performs fire manipulation, circus arts, unique choreography, rich and dramatic theatrics, and martial arts makes for dynamic entertainment. www.spinergyarts.com
IGNITION - 8:15pm at the International Fountain This collection of artists and entertainers is committed to delivering visually brilliant, high-quality performances for all ages fused with spectacular fire breathing, poi, staff, batons, hoops, martial arts choreography, interpretive dance and acrobatics.
The season comes alive at Seattle Center Winterfest 2008 with five spectacular weeks of world-class entertainment, cutting-edge performers and captivating activities for one and all. Seattle Center Winterfest is presented with generous support from Seattle Center Fund, Starbucks Coffee Company, Seattle's Child and the City of Seattle.
Seattle Center thanks our Winterfest 2008 Sponsors:
Winterfest 2008 events and hours are subject to change.
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About Seattle Center Seattle Center draws you in. Its vibrant pulse brings together people of all ages and walks of life to create thousands of extraordinary experiences that enrich millions of lives each year. Entertainment options abound - starting with nearly 500 public program activities and over 5,000 shows and events annually. The 74-acre campus, with 17 acres of open space, is welcoming to all - and is home to more than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations. This treasured urban gathering place exists to delight and inspire the human spirit in each person and bring together our rich and varied community. The 12 million visitors to Seattle Center each year generate $1.15 billion in business activity and $387 million in labor income for King County.
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