Fireball 2010 – The Fire Within
was a success in all ways imaginable from the money raised to the beautiful weather to the ceremonies with the land and river to clowns performing in the rain to melodic music of Blue Paradox to exquisite food from the Out of the Blue Chefs to an evening around the fire with Grandfather Fire.

A very special thanks has to go out two people in particular. Forest Perrupato who for the second straight year was the chief organizer of the event. He was able to bring together over 30 volunteers to make this event work with joy. Maggie Starzyk returned for another incredible year of cooking for the event. Maggie not only planned and purchased and executed the menu that fed over 170 people at the Fireball, but for the days leading up to the event she marshaled the kitchen to feed 3 wonderful meals a day for up to about 50 people, an incredible gift to all who were at the BDC.

A peculiar site at this year’s celebration was the appearance of a group of what appeared to be strangers making odd prehistoric grunts and moans, stretching their faces in both delight and pain. It turned out to be the Directors, fresh from Clown School with Moshe of San Francisco. Having been sent by Grandfather to learn clowning, which some had equated with purgatory, their presence turned out to be a blessing for everyone at the event, as we learned the lesson of the fire within coming out in playfulness, joy, and delight. We plan to work more with Moshe in the future. So stay tuned.

Fireball grossed just shy of $20,000 bringing us to a new record.  The Fireball also brought other blessings to the Center, which included a deer whose blood will be taken to a sacred Huichol site as a blessing for the Center.  Tatewari presented to the BDC staff an abundance of cigars as an offering made to the fire in asking for prosperity for the Center.

The date is set for 2011. Fireball is August 6th. We are still working on the particulars, but we plan to have the theme of Dinner with a Shaman/Elder/Marakame/Granicero.  Fireball will offer an opportunity for all to sit, eat and learn about the many traditions that come to the BDC and are supported by the land.