7pm - 10:30pm

Desert Art & Fire Art Preview and lectures.  Free!

This evening will spotlight artists creating work relating to the 2004 Burning Man theme, "Vault of Heaven" and artists who are participating in Fire Arts Festival 2004. You will hear directly from the artists, as they tell you about their inspirations, creative processes, challenges and how their work is ultimately produced. This night will give you insight into the real people behind the stunning works of art at The Fire Arts Festival and at Burning Man. See Artist Bios »

Masters of Ceremonies: $teven Ra$pa and LadyBee
7:00 - Overview of Burning Man 2004 Theme by LadyBee
7:10 - Russell Wilcox - VAX (light)
7:25 - Tim Black - Optical Acoustics (light)
7:40 - Jay Bridgland and Geoffrey Nwogu - Crucible Instructors and Artists
7:55 - Nate Smith - Singularity Machine - Fire Vortex
8:10 - Michael Sturtz - The Crucible
8:20 - Intermission
     Burning Man Art Documentary Film
     Tour of The Crucible and works displayed indoors
8:50 - Chris Schardt & Betty Ray - Nebula (light)
9:05 - Flaming Lotus Girls - Seven Sisters (fire)
9:20 - Kasia Wojnarski - Fire Tunnel
9:35 - Kiki Pettit - Fire Cauldron & Fountains (fire)
9:50 - Charlie Smith - Touring with the Nausts and fire sculpture as a catalyst for community-building
10:00-10:15 - David Best - Temple of Stars (to burn at Burning Man 2004)
10:00-10:15 - Q&A Session

Free demonstrations will be happening throughout the evening in The Crucible studios.

6:30pm - 10:30pm

Benefit Gala

In support of The Crucible and The Black Rock Arts Foundation (BRAF). There will be delicious hors d'oeuvres and wines, artist demonstrations, and stunning music and performances throughout this stellar evening! $125

The Benefit Gala is the premiere event of 2004 Fire Arts Festival. Meet the board members of The Black Rock Arts Foundation (BRAF) and The Crucible, and art community members. A special ceremony announcing BRAF's 2004 art grant award recipients will take place following remarks by Michael Sturtz of The Crucible and Larry Harvey of BRAF/Burning Man.

The Crucible's faculty will then execute a thrilling live bronze pour that will spark the climatic fire procession to commence the official opening of the Fire Arts Arena. There will be art by all Fire Sculpture groups thoughout the facility.

6:30 - Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres
7:25 - Opening Remarks, Michael Sturtz, The Crucible
7:55 - Introduction by Larry Harvey, BRAF/Burning Man
8:00 - BRAF Art Grant awards presented
9:15 - Live Bronze Pour
9:25 - Fire Procession across to the Fire Arts Arena
9:30 - Preview of the Fire Arts Arena performances

Featuring performances throughout the evening: Mark Deutsch on sitar/bazantar; Phoenix Rising - excerpt from "The Lake"; Capacitor - dance fusion excerpt from "Digging in the Dark"; Marisa Lenhardt - soprano, Opera San Jose; Members of Xeno - aerial and percussion excerpt from "Circuit"; Infinite Kaos - performing "Sacrifice"; Vau de Vire Society - avante-dance acrobatics; La Fiebre featuring Fyrestorm - fire dance Latinoamericano; Jasmine Garden and Gingerbread Candy Monahan of Rosin Coven - violin and cello; The Fire Conclave.

See the Thursday Evening Gala Invitation [pdf: 3.9mb]
Give us a call between 10am-6pm to purchase tickets at 510.444.0919
They will be waiting at the Will Call table when you arrive
Or email us at rsvp@thecrucible.org

Crucible Members are eligible for discount tickets, ask about this benefit when you make your reservation! Learn more about Membership »

1pm - 4pm

Youth Field Trip Day

Four exciting tours will be offered during the Fire Arts Festival to community based youth development organizations serving West Oakland. Theses groups get to come and experience the wonders of fire and light art firsthand. The youth organizations enjoying this day are The Prescott Clown Troupe, Museum of Children's Art, Jubilee West and De Fremery Park and Recreation Program.

Please ring Jumoke Hinton Hodge 510.444.0919 x31 or email her at
jumoke@thecrucible.org for more info.

8pm - 12 midnight

Fire Arts Arena Feature Performance

Join us in the Fire Arts Arena for an evening filled with awe-inspiring fire & light sculpture and performance, $20, $15 in playa costume

The schedule of spectacular performances include One People Voice Company Balinese Gamelon Orchestra; Kabari, fire performance troupe; Luna, blacklight bellydance; Capacitor, dance fusion; Infinite Kaos, "Sacrifice"; Kooke Troupe, excerpt from "Elementica"; Copper Lantern Fire Theater; Pyrotruck - with members of Xeno. Fire art performers include Monkeyboy, Fire Arts Collective, fire jump rope; Karisini of Pyrostura, double staff; Pyrocycles, choreographed oil rig bicycles and David Sloves, double staff. The finale will include soprano Marisa Lenhardt, The Fire Conclave & all the fire sculpture! See Artist Bios »

7:30 - DOORS OPEN
7:30 - DJ Vordo
8:30 - One People Voice Company Balinese Gamelon Orchestra
9:00 - Kabari, fire performance troupe
9:10 - Luna, blacklight bellydance with flaming sword and wine glasses
9:15 - Capacitor, dance fusion
9:30 - Infinite Kaos - "Sacrifice"
9:45 - Kook Troupe - excerpt from "Elementica"
9:50 - DJ Vordo
     Monkeyboy, meteor/staff/poi
     Fire Arts Collective, fire jump rope
     Karisini of Pyrostura, double staff
     Pyrocycles, fire bicycles
     David Sloves, double staff
10:50 - One People Voice Company Balinese Gamelon Orchestra
11:10 - Copper Lantern Fire Theater
11:25 - Pyrotruck - with members of Xeno
11:35 - Finale with soprano Marisa Lenhardt, The Fire Conclave, and all fire performance and sculpture groups!
11:40-12:00 - Fire sculpture continues quietly.

11am - 5pm

Classes and workshops - they're selling fast!
Check out the list of classes »

1pm - 3pm

Family Daytime Crucible Open House  Free!

Come and see what The Crucible is all about. Meet faculty and staff, see the 48,000 sq. ft. facility, and learn about this growing, vibrant community that offers celebrated classes from welding to fire performance. We will have demonstrations and hands-on activities for families and kids alike.

Featuring music by Cuatro Caminos
and Fire Department fire safety demonstrations

3pm - 5pm

Fire Arts Arena Family Day  Free!

Come for the Open House and stay for the Fire Arts Arena showing, with performances and art featured in our evening programs.

8pm - 12 midnight

Fire Arts Arena Feature Performance

Join us in the Fire Arts Arena for an evening filled with awe-inspiring fire & light sculpture and performance, $20, $15 in playa costume

The final spectacular night of 2004 Fire Arts Festival. Come and enjoy the unprecedented collection of fire and light art. Meet the artists and see the performances throughout the evening. Performers include: Illegally Hot, Kabari, Vau De Vire Society, La Fiebre featuring Fyrestorm, fire dance Latinoamericano, members of Xeno & Pyrotruck. Before the Finale and the closing of the Fire Arts Arena, there will be a rousing and heart-thumping performance by Mutaytor. See Artist Bios »

7:30 - DOORS OPEN
7:30 - DJ Vordo
8:40 - Illegally Hot
9:00 - Kabari
9:15 - Vau De Vire Society
9:30 - La Fiebre featuring Fyrestorm, fire dance Latinoamericano
9:50 - Kook Troupe, excerpt from "Elementica"
10:00 - Members of Xeno & Pyrotruck
10:20 - Mutaytor
11:30 - Grand Finale with soprano Marisa Lenhardt, Fire Conclave and all fire performance and sculpture groups!
11:35-12:00 Fire sculpture continues quietly

11am - 5pm

Classes and workshops - they're selling fast!
Check out the list of classes »

6pm

Closing Ceremony