Mike Icon

I am an artist of many kinds. I am a teacher and a learner. I like to observe and am kind of low key, especially in bigger groups. That's not to say I don't shine when the time is right.
I like to travel. I haven't done a whole lot of it, but I've been to Burning Man twice, SF and Santa Cruz, Connecticut, Niagara Canada, New York a lot... Kentucky, Florida, Virginia and Maryland, Michigan, and Massachusetts. Eh, guess I've done a bit... But I wanna do more!
I am a member of the Philadelphia Experiment, the largest burner community in Philly specializing in house music, performance art, and good vibes. I joined up with them in 2005 for my first Burning Man and they've been like family ever since. I camped with them again at Burning Man 2006 and hope to do so again this year. In the mean time, we've been throwing some crazy ass parties and going to lots of local festivals. PDF, Santacon, Decompression, probably TransformUS and others as well.
I art mostly in digital. Photo, video, web, editing, design, etc. It's what I went to school for (didn't graduate) but I haven't yet used my skills professionally. I've just been using them for my own fun and promotion. Most of what you see here was done by myself and I also made the MikeIcon.com website. I'd like to perhaps find a job doing something along these lines but I know I have a lot of stuff to learn and catch up on. I've been slacking!
Performance wise, I started with poi about 4 years go. It's my favorite and it's what I'm probably best at. Since learning poi, I also picked up other skills and toys like staff and double staff, fire eating, fire breathing, and hula hooping. I also like to roller skate and have started mixing that with my fire arts which is turning out rather well... SEE! I can juggle 3 or 4 balls, 3 clubs, and contact juggle a bit... But I'm not too good with that. I pick things up quick but I've been slacking here too.
Ahh, enough slacking for now. Back to business! :~P
Philadelphia Experiment at Burning Man '05
About my fire:
Since people have been asking me a bit about my fire performing, I figured Id write this little FAQ to perhaps answer some of the more basic questions. However, feel free to be inquisitive. I love what I do and never mind tallking to people about it!
Q: Who do you perform with?
A: I am a solo act but I often collaborate with friends.
Q: Where do you perform?
A: I'll perform anywhere you'll take me! Ive been all around the country, from San Francisco and the Deserts of Nevada all the way up to Salem MA and Deep Water CT. I love to travel and it is one of the reasons I love this job.
Q: When/where is your next show?
A: All upcoming public shows will be announced in my blog and as bulletins. Please check back frequently for updates.
Q: How did you get into this?
A: In early 2003 I happened across a website which taught the basics of poi spinning. As I was something of a raver back in the day, I used to like watching the kids spin glow sticks, so I decided to try and learn a few moves. I didn't want to spin glow sticks though. It was too cliche. Instead, after about 6 months of practice, I started spinning fire. It was quite a while before I knew anyone else who did this stuff but one day, a stranger IM'ed me and told me about a group who practices weekly in the city. I began going to those meetings and was all of a sudden immersed in a whole new era of my life. It was then, that I dug myself deep into the heart of the fire world and took on many other skills including staff spinning, fire breathing, and fire eating.
Q: Will you teach me?
A:Yes, but seeing as how this is what I do, it's going to cost you. During the warmer months I occasionally hold open workshops behind the Art Museum. If you'd like some special attention or can't wait for the spring, you can contact me and set up a private lesson.
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Jeannine, Kat, Me, and Michelle - Day of the Dead on South Street
(Halloween '04)
What I Do For Work...
(Footage from my workshop in Massachusetts)