Everybody Has a Story: From glow sticks to fire rods: Raving abilities raised up to hotter temperature

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:07:00 GMT

By Kyle Phillips

Photo By: Rebeca Solares

Flame Master

At a neighborhood park, senior Richard Redmond wields fire in a routine he practiced many times. Richard

performed a light raving act in the talent show on January 17 and did a similar act on the dance floor at Cotillion. “I started raving

a year ago,” Richard said. “(Fire wielding) is more of a challenge. I have to be much more aware of my surroundings and where

the fire is compared to me.”

Hobbies can include skateboarding, dancing and singing, but for senior Richard Redmond, raving with fire topped his list. “I started raving in June of last year,” Richard said. “It just kind of spawned into an every day thing.” Poi, the art of spinning any lighting utensils on the end of nylon strings to form patterns, is Richard’s preferred type of raving. He enjoys this more than others because it gives him a more extensive workout. “It is a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination,” Richard said. “It also helps with balance. It is like yoga for the brain.” Recently, Richard started spinning fire. According to him, poing with fire gives more of a rush and takes his skill to a whole new level. “Spinning fire is crazy,” Richard said. “Feeling the heat of the wicks gets my adrenaline pumping and makes me do better so I don’t get burned.” Poi started hundreds of years ago by local tribes in New Zealand. Richard wanted to “reignite” the art of fire spinning to the North Texas area. “There are no good ravers in Texas,” Richard said. “I want to change that and try to make it a more popular thing.” For Richard, raving is his way to escape from the real world. When he starts to move the lights, everything that bothers him goes away. “Poing is like going to my own happy place,” Richard said. “I concentrate so hard when I spin that I just forget about the reason I was upset.” Richard’s favorite trick to do was the “PacMan,” This move starts when he grabs the ropes with one hand and moves them side to side forming a “PacMan” shaped figure with the lights. “There are a lot of amusing tricks I can do,” Richard said. “I love doing stunts that make people laugh and awe in amazement.” According to Richard, raving is his favorite pastime. He practices for roughly an hour every night. “I hope to become really good and get paid to do what I love in clubs,” Richard said. “That would be the life, getting paid for amusing people with a light show.”

The Stampede

Everybody Has a Story: From glow sticks to fire rods: Raving abilities raised up to hotter temperature