The best shows start with Irina holding me up by one foot and end with dance parties with all my circus friends wearing nothing but spandex and bunny suits.

All photos by Spilt Sugar Photography

In December we did a photoshoot with a local t-shirt company called Detroit Respect – two dudes making apparel to promote the good things in the city. It was really fun to play around and try out new poses and I even got to take that comfy tank home with me. Seriously one of my favorites now.

Take a min to check them out >>>

Photos by Spilt Sugar

Here’s the video from our show last week.
I’ve had the music from Chicago stuck in my head all weekend!

We spent an afternoon last week printing tons of tanks and tees. We ended up with about 50 shirts! While the lovely Miss Kristi did most of the printing, I did learn a few things.

The screen came from a kit, but instead of using an emulsion, Kristi cut the letters out of contact paper and attached it to the screen making sure to tape along any parts of the screen that weren’t covered. Then once we were done she just peeled it off, so we can use the screen over and over again. Magic!

After placing a fabric cutting board inside the shirt and lining up the screen (contact paper side down), Kristi used a spoon to spread a couple tablespoons of ink along the top of the image. Then she dragged the squeegee down the screen multiple times. You’ll have to practice your technique to make sure you’re coating the entire image – the bottom was most likely to be not fully inked.

We used a screen like this, a squeegee like this and this ink.

Also I have a little secret for finding cheap shirts if you’re going to be printing a lot…KOHLS. Clearance rack, nice shirts that are not stiff or square for two and three bucks. Double magic!

Last night instead of passing out candy or dressing as a sexy nurse/kitten/cop, I was swinging from the rafters in a packed arena at the Pistons home opener. After being hit with a horrible cold on Thursday and then waking up on Monday realizing I still could not breathe through my nose at all (very important for things like climbing and flipping yourself all over the place) and had ZERO energy I was more than a little freaked out. We hired a fill-in aerialist to take my spot at rehearsal that night and I hightailed it to the doctor who loaded me with meds. By that night I was feeling a lot better and on Tuesday I was good to go!

The experience was totally bananas, fun, exciting, and nerve-wracking – but the second I started climbing all the nervousness completely went away. My parents even came out to the show – the last time they saw me perform was at a student showcase two years ago!

We found this random person’s video on YouTube. Thoroughly enjoying their commentary – especially when the entire audience lights up. They gave everyone radio-controlled wrist bands and when they all turned on I heard the entire audience go ‘whoooooooa!’

Posing like ravens???

This year for Theatre Bizarre we went a little crazy on the costume front, covering ourselves in fur and feathers and performing as witch doctors to Amon Tobin’s Proper Hoodidge. Irina gets credit for crafting our creepy skull-topped staffs. (yes that porcupine quill is going straight through her septum :)

Photos by Spilt Sugar and Red Riding Photography

We’ll be mummified and flying through the air while 80 other performers dance below us & a crazy light show fills the arena. I hear we might even get to perform to Thriller which excites me even more!

We’ve got three other Halloween shows that I’ve been running all over town buying costume pieces for. If any of you locals stop by and see me fly be sure to say hello :)

Saturday, October 20: Theatre Bizarre: The Summoning
Masonic Temple, Detroit
9PM
(we’ll be on the main stage with the big TB banner twice during the night)
More info >>>

Saturday, October 27: Rustbelt Market Halloween show
22801 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, MI
2PM, free

Saturday, October 27: Elektricity Nightclub – Rave from the Grave
15 S Saginaw, Pontiac, MI
9:30PM, $10
More info >>>