A Collaboration

Today’s guest blog by Professor Fire

The performers and the audience make a show truly come alive.

I’ve performed before crowds of thousands, and ones where you can count the people on one hand, and while you’d think bigger is better, and in a a lot of ways it is, it really isn’t the size that matters.

Yes, we as entertainers should always give our best, no matter what is going on or how we feel, it’s our job..and we do as best we can..but still, we need something from the people.

It’s the energy that they give off, that we feed on. If they’re just sitting and watching, no expressions, no sounds or applause, it doesn’t matter how many there are, something lacks..but the oohs and ahhs, the laughter, the way their eyes light up, that’s the fuel that pushes us, that completes the circuit and takes it to the next level

It takes everyone to bring a show fully to life..to make it a happening.

I try to do my part..do you?


You can see Professor Fire perform live as part of ‘The Show’ at Kip Barry’s Cabaret, located in the Garden Walk in Anaheim.

A Taste for the Fire things in Life

Today’s guest blog by Professor Fire

Previously I wrote of the how I got into working with fire, now I’d like to speak of the why. “Because I can” is a response I’ve used and it does make people laugh, but it’s really only part of the reason. Fire-eating centers me, no matter what’s going on in the world or in my life all I have to do is light a torch and gaze into the flame and all’s right with the world, and with me. The first move is when my happiness begins.

This is my art, my creative outlet. It makes me think, to imagine what the end result will be and to strive to reach it.

And yet it helps me relax, in some cases makes me do so, since the harder I push, the less things seem to flow. I have to take a step back, take a few deep breaths, then start again, just let my experience and the fire itself make the moment happen.

I have built my act, and in a way my life, around fire, it has given me lots of chances I never would have had otherwise, especially to perform with my assistant Jym, to share my art, and the twisted sense of humor he and I share, with others.

Origin of Professor Fire

Today’s guest blog by Professor Fire

It was crisp fall day, late 1960’s in a little town in New Jersey. The kids were playing and hanging around while the adults burned large piles of leaves, filling the yard with a pleasant aroma. Then, for reasons I still don’t understand, my “friend” decided to push me in.

Thanks to Levi’s and their flame-retardant material, the physical injuries weren’t that bad and healed fairly fast. But the psychological ones were another story…

For decades, I could not get near fire in any form. Even a small birthday candle was terrifying. If for any reason I had to light a match I would pray for it not to work, if it did, I would drop it and jump back.

Time passed and new friends came into my life with similar yet different interests, one of which was fire. I would of course sit as far away as possible as I watched them practice, but soon my fascination grew. I would edge a little closer each time, and despite the fear I eventually found myself wanting to try it. It started out with just being able to hold a lit torch (a big step). Eventually I worked my way up to actually eating fire, transforming from scared and scarred child to master of combustible ingestion, the moment Professor Fire was born.

So always remember, don’t let fear run your life. Face your fears, or your fears just might run your life.

You can see Professor Fire perform live as part of ‘The Show’ at Kip Barry’s Cabaret, located in the Garden Walk in Anaheim.