The Golden Gate Bridge, Jumper Stilts and Me.

During my travels down to San Fransisco my friend asked me if I ever thought of crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on my bio mechanical stilts, I asked how long it was and realized that it will be no problem. Little did I know what was going to happen on 9/11/2009 and how it would change my way of viewing what I do. I did some research and discovered that back in May 27th 1937 when they opened the bridge to the public, a person named Florentine Calegari crossed this bridge on stilts, both ways...so I was not able to discover if they were still alive, but did make a shirt with their name on it in honor of such an  accomplishment.

This video will show what happened when I decided to do the same thing but with my bio-mechanical stilts instead.

A Late Night Stroll

So last month as I headed home from work I decided to send out a text message to some fellow stilt walkers and wait to see what happens. The message was as follows~

Let's take a walk down Broadway, no rhyme or reason, dress to impress....who's up for it?

Well Asraiya responded, I believe the last time I stilt walked with her was for a Petting Zoo Players gig in Tacoma for New Years Eve, the client wanted three stilt walkers and As jumped at the offer but was lacking in the stilt department. Luckily for her and the PZP, a Movement Instructor of mine by the name of George Lewis contacted me in regards to some stilts I fabricated for a production of Shakespeare' "The Tempest". He stated that he was moving and wanted to know if I would hold onto them for him, so this is how Asriaya obtained a pair of stilts to join me with this summer stroll.

We walked about 25 city blocks that night, in a couple hours, and we strolled down hills and back up them too...along the way my housemate Guage joined us, his pockets were packed with Magic and he was raring to go. The photo above was a break moment....going down hill can be physically trying as compared to walking uphill on stilts...you may not think so, but it's the truth.

All types of Event!

So these photos were taken by Philip Kramer at the ZAAZ company Christmas party that I worked providing ambiance to the part goers as they arrived. We, meaning the Petting Zoo Players, were asked to provide our stilt walking services on behalf of the Adventure School, who was hired to bring this party to life.
Stilt walkers always add a higher level of entertainment for all types of events.

It always intrigues me on the amount of enjoyment people receive from interacting with a stilt walker, and those that are wanting to learn....and in this near future I look to be the man willing to teach. I have already taught a few performers out there how to build, and walk on stilts, now the plan is to work on getting paid to teach others....so we ALL can have more fun.