march 27

Links we love today: New audio from Mitch Hedberg, defining the 'slow bookmovement,' a senator doing stand-up and more

Here are the links we loved today:

Whoa whoa whoa, Lorrie Moore on Lena Dunham!

Listen to this newly uncovered interview wih Mitch Hedberg (conducted by comic Adam Cayton-Holland!):

Let’s take a vacation to the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines! And then stock up on vintage Lisa Frank!

Headline of the day, from io9: “This necrophiliac ant gang bang is just about the worst thing in the animal kingdom.”

Nerd out with me over these Red Sox-related emails from Bill Simmons and Michael Schur, please.

Fresh Air interviews Rachel Maddow.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Miami Music Week.

Abigail Breslin, best known as 'the little girl in Little Miss Sunshine,' is all growed up and suuuper cuuuute, guuuys.

The Atlantic proposes a new approach to reading: slow books.

Here are some photos of Pope Benedict wearing a sombrero.

Former PA senator Arlen Spector did a stand-up set at Caroline’s in New York last night, because of course.

Feel how you will about Vice’s “White Bitch Guide to Rappers (Written by a White Bitch).”

New findings claim all cows came from the same herd.

Yes please, Chicken N’ Waffles-flavored Torani syrup.

Watch the trailer for Dexter’s Laboratory creator Genndy Tartakovsky’s new animated film, Hotel Transylvania:

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don't get burned

Talented performers fire up new store and training facility in Houston

Supplies for fire performances to open in Houston in 2025.

Photo by Matt Hellman

Kira Bailey performs with fire fingers.

Have you ever wanted to juggle, swallow, or dance with fire? Houston will soon be home for a place that sells the gear and offers lessons in that art.

Chris and Kira Bailey of the Solar Rain Performance Troupe have been firebending for audiences for more than a decade, as well as running their own online store for tools of the trade, TheOddPropShop. In 2025, they plan to open a combination storefront and workshop for Houstonians to enter and practice the fiery arts.

"Having a physical location allows us to connect with our customers on a more personal level that can’t be replicated online — which is especially important for building props that performers must trust with their lives," the Baileys wrote in an email. "Because of that, we’re building this workshop to become a space to create and test products, and invite our customers in when they want custom-made props. We go through a long trial-and-error with each of our new ideas, often using affordable items from Temu to build our prototypes, and then improve our designs until they’re ready to sell."

The space will be located in Kemah and is scheduled to open in the second half of the year. It will be a combination storefront, living space, and workshop area that will serve aspiring fire performers in a variety of ways. The Baileys will sell their signature fire bubblers, fire jump ropes, and sun wheels that are perfect for both professionals and hobbyists.

The brick-and-mortar OddPropShop will serve as a hub for greater Houston's performance community. Interested first timers will be able to take classes, while established performers can try out new routines and equipment. According to the couple, Houston is home to a significant community of fire artists.

"We wanted to be in a city that not only has a great arts scene and supportive creative community, but is also in a location where we could quickly and easily get the materials we needed to build our props," the Baileys wrote. "Houston was the only place that checked all those boxes. We were also personally drawn to Houston because many of our friends and fellow performers live in the city. In many ways, Houston already felt like home."

In addition to the tools of the fire trade, TheOddPropShop will sell costumes and accessories such as leather and stone jewelry. These small pieces of flair help add to the pagan ambience of the overall fire package.

performing-arts shopping fire performers