Black Rock City Comes to Oakland Through Inferno: A Fire Circus

The Crucible

​Whether you're dying to get out to Black Rock City, like, yesterday, can't make the haul this fall, or just really like to see freaky people set stuff on fire, the next two days at the Crucible in Oakland are made for you.

The edgy industrial arts school and venue hosts Inferno: A Fire Circus with the Lucent Dossier Experience. Cirque Du Soleil, it ain't. Children are allowed, but kids who have grown up on the playa will have a head start comprehending what takes place.

With enough pyrotechnics to make KISS envious, this eccentric revue combines aerial acrobatics, sideshow feats, and Burning Man-style hedonism (which means you might see a titty or three), all set aflame (except the nipples, let's hope) to a battle-between-heaven-and-hell plot line.

"Skirts ablaze" is one of the selling points made in the promo video above, but don't worry: They mean the skirts of men in the show, not yours, gals. (Note to men: You might want to leave that Utili-Kilt at home, just in case.)

Inferno: A Fire Circus starts at 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday (July 15-16) at the Crucible, 1260 Seventh St. (at Union), Oakland. Admission is $50-$55.