Columbia is a university town. This place is deader than a doornail over the summer, plus the economy is obviously not very hot at the moment. Nevertheless, I heard on Thursday that Columbia Alternacirque's last show with the Mezmer Society broke attendance and take records for the Art Bar. Bigger than any live bands. Bigger than any Halloween. Somehow a tribal bellydance and fire show has become a hit in the middle of a Bible Belt town that still flies the Confederate Flag on the statehouse grounds. Who knew? I had no idea when I got blown into town three years ago that this was even possible, and it's all thanks to the amazing and talented people I get to work with every week.

So on the heels of that news, we are digging deep and building the new "Nightmares and Dreamscapes" show. This show has blown up into a monstrosity of new costumes, special effects, actors, dancers, fire performers, hula hoopers, and (tentatively) stilt walkers. We are attempting to push the envelope in every possible way. 14 people in one show that we're putting together in four weeks. I've taken over the basement rec-room, which currently looks like Jim Henson's Muppet Creature Shop. We have two weeks to go. Ready or not, this show goes live Friday, August 22nd at 10:30. "We're All Mad" gets a repeat performance at 9:30. Mark your calendars and come see the insanity.