Our latest guest blogger is mikl-em, writing about the tragic loss of our friend Felicity Perez. – Scott
The San Francisco underground arts world lost a cherished member of its family last week.
Felicity Perez was a wonderful, dedicated, beautiful performer who graced numerous stages in this city and around the country. She co-founded the burlesque dance troupe The Cantankerous Lollies (dating back to 1995). She performed in the Opera at Burning Man in 1998. With her longtime partner and husband Molotov Malcontent she performed classic sideshow tricks like knife-throwing, fire-eating and walking on glass for crowds large and small; together they followed their dream to go on the national circuit, touring with the legendary Ward Hall “King of the Sideshow”.
Felicity died as the result of a shooting accident, when a rifle that a friend was loading in order to teach her how to shoot discharged unexpectedly and uncontrollably. She was shot in the stomach and passed away quickly in the arms of her husband Molotov. This tragedy touches everyone who knew this shining vivacious performer and loving friend. We miss our dear friend and grieve also for her beloved Molotov for the shock and unimaginable loss he must feel.
Felicity was a dedicated performer always working to add to her repertoire. She was committed to the arts she practiced and a valued member of the communities of Sideshow and Burlesque performers. She and Molotov will always be a part of the extended family of the San Francisco and Burning Man arts community.
She was loved, cherished and admired by all of her friends. She performed for literally thousands of people around the country. Amazing, amusing and delighting every one of them.
All of us who knew her are remembering her now. She was a bright light and she continues to glow within so many minds and hearts right now.
Video of Fellicity and Molotov performing
Her friend since high school, Sharon, assembled a wonderful set of images of a young Felicity and a tribute post
More Coverage:
- A tribute from Sideshow World.
- Local news report about the accident
UPDATE: A memorial for Felicity will be held at Chicken John’s warehouse in San Francisco (3359 Cesar Chavez) on Thursday, June 5th starting at 6pm.
photos courtesy of Sharon
Here Are A Few Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
- Burning Man 2008 Art Theme: American Dream
- Burning Man Presents Precompression 2008: Dreams & Delusions
- Burning Man Decompression 2008, Heat The Street Faire
- Burning Man 2008 Tickets Now On Sale
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
So sad. She was such a shining person. Our hearts go out to her family and to you Moltov. Their dynamics were wonderful. They were so great together in life and on stage.
My love to Molotov
My love to Dream Circus
I thank everyone always for the most amazing moments to date in my life.
I will never forget you,
I have been far away, and never forgotten my time with all of you
and Felicity helped make me who I am today.
I will never ever ever forget that.
For all the risks we take,
Its always something if we go still focused on doing that which we love,
with those that we love.
big humoungus love arrows from me
currently in Vegas, really hoping to make it to the memorial service on wednesday.
love
Warrior GIrl
Memorial Service moved to Thursday night for folks returning from the Texas services. 6PM Chicken’s
Bye Felicity, thanks for gracing San Francisco with your presence. Like all things wonderful it was all too brief.
San Francisco memorial info http://stiltdancers.com/wordpress/felicity-perez-1972-2008/
I miss her and am just wishing I had contacted her. She did her first performance art with me. I was doing video art work and she had the burn to be a performer. So we did a piece together. That was ‘93 I think. I was ill then and I fell from the world for a long number of years. I reemerged a few years ago and wish I had found her again. Our time together was only a year or so, but I loved her like a sister. I love that she went on to make such compelling work and am proud of my sister and friend. You who knew her and got to watch her magic on stage are very fortunate.
I will be doing some matras and offering 100 candles, illuminating the darkness for her tonight, and thinking positive thoughts for her this evening if anyone wants to join me in spirit.
Love Miracle
Thank you for photos of lovely Felicity. It is so utterly sad that she would have lost her life this way and at such a young age. We will all truly miss you girl and keep you in our hearts. All who got to know you if just for a short time were lucky to have known ya!
Love, Mari
“Queen of the Midway”
Compassionate, understanding, and accepting.
She believed in so many of us when we did not know if we could believe in ourselves.
Hard working, creative and never a problem too big to solve.
Honest,
Most of time kind,
Powerful.
Thanks Felicity for being all of the above.
Keep these alive in your daily life, all who read these words.
I was honored to be so close to you. To share the stage, to create a show, to make costumes and sew with you, and especially to be at your wedding.
Happy Trails to You, Until We Meet Again
Eveline “Kaotika”
we met in 95, worked on stuff together over the years.. can’t quite wrap my mind around shes gone.. no words to describe how wrong that is.
Molitov, my heart goes out to you.
a rare combination – never less than 100% real, and possibly the most consistently positive person I’ve ever known.
Felicity, my glass is raised to you
oh my dear sweet beautiful, beautiful sister. you are a star and i love you and will miss you dearly. thank you for you.