The greatest new show! San Francisco, April 18th-May 11th.

And If We Shadows
SHOW TIMES:
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 3pm & 8pm
Sundays at 3pm

TICKETS and INFO:
ph: 415.665.2276
$12.50 (general)
$25 (reserved) All Ages.


AND IF WE SHADOWS is a passionate and poignant portrait of life in the Bay Area circus and hip-hop communities. Featuring 3 generation of professionals, aged 14-34. SHADOWS is a groundbreaking collaboration between hip-hop and circus performers working in the urban city arts.

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED by Tim Barsky (EDT/Bright River). Choreography by Shannon Gaines (Vau de Vire Society). Live score by beat boxer Carlos Aguirre (Felonious). Devised and performed by City Circus.

FEATURING: legendary breakdancers Iron Monkey (Renegades B-boys) & Finesse (Breakbeat Assassins), aerialist Brett Womack (Circo Cero), Contortionist Breonna Noack (Vau de Vire Society), hip-hop theatre artist Rami Margron (Women's Will), stunt rigger Erin Shredder (Vau de Vire), and a baker's dozen of aerialists, acrobats, contortionists and circus specialists.

Shredder is going to the SUPERBOWL!

After neglecting my blog for some time, I have found a great reason to share!
Vau de Vire Society, the circus troupe I am in, has been hired to perform at the Superbowl Party in Scottsdale, AZ. We have been working/playing hard in the past year and I am so happy to start the new year off with such a huge event.
There are details on the party at www.944game.com. We are performing with 50 cent, Velvet Revolver, Wyclef Jean, and some other great bands. The event is being hosted by Paris Hilton, herself. Actually it is her birthday on Thursday. We're not sure what to think about that as we do not consider ourselves mainstream entertainment like Paris may be. But who cares? I'm stoked to go. We're gonna put on our best show yet with all sorts of talent and hopefully FIRE! We will take 20 of our staple performers, from aerialists, to contortionists, acrobats, and ballerinas.
Of course, I will be showing off my hoops. Newly added to my solo show is the aerial hoop/lyra. If you haven't seen it yet, then stay posted and I'll try and update some of our upcoming shows.
Thanks for your interest if you had a moment to read the exciting news.
Hope all is well, and keep up the challenges, as they only make us better folks.
Love to all,
Shredder

This Summer's Massage Special!

Hello all,
I am looking to increase my clientelle just a tad bit. I am very thankful for those of you who have shown support and become awesome regulars.
This Summer I would like to offer $10 off your next massage for every person you refer to me.
Just to remind you I have reasonable rates for a ground-breaking massage. $80/ hour and $120/90 mins. I am also very open and compassionate to those of you who can't quite make the fee. I am available to partial trades and sliding scales, so if you're hurtin' and you can't quite budget out the cost then just give me a call and we'll arrange for you to get some Shredder Therapy.
Please see my testimonials on my profile to get an idea of what you're about to experience.
I have a beautiful space in the panhandle where you may come to me. Or if you want me to come to your house then it is $100/ hour.
Much Love, and for goodness sake, relax your shoulders. I'll see you soon,
Erin Shredder
415-971-5556

HPV...Have you been checked lately?

Hi there Ladies,
I was just talking with my dear friend who works at the Women's Community Clinic. She told me that the amount of women who are coming through the clinic with the HPV virus is more than ever. Over 90% are diagnosed with HPV. This is not a concern for the ladies who are having it seen and treated at least once a year. My point of the blog is to remind you all how important it is to keep up on your annual check-ups. She said that in 10 to 20 years, cervical cancer is going to be the new Breast Cancer for those who are not getting their annuals. If you have any questions or comments or if you need to know where to go for discounted clinics, let me know and I can provide any neccessary info. Just wanted to spread the word to try and protect my fellow friends and community.
Be Well,
Shredder

It's the moment you've all been waiting for...

Hello All,
I am pleased to announce that I finally have my own space to do amazing body work for all.
If you've been looking for that one perfect massage where you wish the therapist would go a little deeper, or have a bit more intuition, you can stop looking. I've got you covered. I am working on my tenth year in the business. I specialize in Sports Therapy and Deep Tissue, integrated with Swedish relaxation strokes and some satisfying trigger point work. I am very well developed in body awareness and postural behavior. I will help you find all those muscles you never knew you had.
I recommend body work at least once a month to loosen up those bad habits that your body naturally forms, whether you're aware of it or not. This will not only help any existing discomfort, but will aid in the prevention of injuries in the future. If you are an active circus performer, or a tense computer genius, I will tap into your needs.

I would like to offer a sliding scale to those who are artists, or in need of a sliding scale. Generally my work is $100/ hour for outcalls and $80/hour for incalls, but I will offer $60/hour for those of you who can come to my new space and give it a try. If you want to continue regular work then I will offer a package price. I promise it will be worth your hard-earned money. Outcalls will remain $100/hour, unless otherwise discussed.
If you are tight for cash and your body needs work, I recommend starting a massage jar to save up $2-3/day, and before you know it, you'll have enough to relax and get your tense muscles worked out.
My hours are flexible. I am available some evenings and some weekends, and lots of daytimes.
Please give me a call or email me if you have any questions.
Also, I am looking for a place to start some testimonials. If anyone has recommendations on where to post them. I have a hand-full of people who would like to express their appreciation. Until then, please see my tribe testimonials on my home page if you need proof of a great massage.
I look forward to working with you soon.
Be Well,
Erin Shredder
(415)971-5556

Anyone have a video camera going to Bohemian Carnival?

Hey Folks,
I have a tape but need a camera to record my acts tomarrow night. Anyone want to bring theirs and let me use it so I can get some of my work on my mini DV tape?
I would be so appreciative.
Happy Irie,
Shredder

Oh yeah, and if anyone has footage of me from past performances could you please let me know so I can get a copy? Thank you!

Inspiration Full Circle

Written Sunday, April 8, 2007.

Tonight I had the opportunity to share the inspiration of the hoop with one special child. A six-year-old little girl name Jayda, that I have met once before, has completely wrapped herself around my heart and opened my eyes to yet another meaningful hoop experience. She has a tough life with a fast-paced, unstable foundation at home. When Jayda saw the hoop for the first time she had that same amazing look in her eyes that we all had the first time we saw hoop dancing. She quickly became addicted to the feeling of hooping and developed a love and respect for the hoop and the dancer within.
When she finally mastered hooping around the waste she came to me and said, “Shredder, it’s not so hard. All you gotta do is relax and keep trying.”
I smiled with pure content, and said, “That’s right, and when you want to learn any new trick you have to allow yourself that same amount of time and patience to learn and feel the movement.”
She was clearly open for inspiring, so I threw in, “Here Jayda, I want you to pick one of these hoops to take home. These are my show hoops, and I am willing to let you take one of them home. This is your new friend and partner and no matter where you are you will always be safe inside your hoop. So use it often and learn to trust it.”
She had wide eyes and said, “You mean I can have this one - your favorite hoop? I would use it every day. I’ll be safe inside of it no matter where I am?”
You could see her wheels turning and she got quiet and went within to ponder this idea. I went back into the kitchen and a few minutes later I over heard her telling her dad all about her new hoop and how it was going to keep her safe. He got choked up knowing that she could use a tool such as this in her life. He saw her lying curled up in her new hoop and knew that his little girl now had a new friend, self-sustaining support, and positive inspiration.
So the lesson in this is to always take the opportunity to share your inspiration with others. Never pass up the chance, it is too valuable. When a child looks up to you as a success, whether it be hoop dance or anything else, use that time to plant a seed of confidence within them. It is so important. As a performer, I have found the most satisfaction from the audience member who feels truly inspired by what they’ve just witnessed. My dance feels incredible to me, but the ultimate goal is to share the idea of endless possibility with those who could use a bit of fire lit within their heart. This, for me, completes the full circle of the purpose of performance, dance, and hula hooping. We shall continue to gyrate this amazing circle…HOOP ON!

Tearing to Shreds

Two weeks ago I found an umbilical hernia in my stomach. What does that mean? Well, the abdominal wall that holds all my intestine in is torn right where the abdominal muscles come together directly over my belly button. How did it happen? Unfortunately, I have a weak area where the umbilical cord was cut. It is fairly common to have a weak area there, and when you add intense aerial and contortion training to that weakness, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Initially, I was devistated and terrified. I thought my performance career had come to a screeching hault. Once I calmed down I realized that I am still quite young and it only takes 4 to 6 weeks to recover after the surgery. So basically, once I decide to have the surgery then I will be taking a leave of absense for at least a month. Hmmm, when will I do that? Who knows. Until then, I have to take a break from aerial and contortion training. I am strictly hooping now and doing some slower-paced yoga - back to level 1. The best part is that when I feel the intestine bulge out then I get to push it back in. My jaw quivers at the thought, but I think I am getting more used to it.
After lots of deep thought, I accept this challenge. I see this as an opportunity to slow down my strength training and focus more on the details of form and muscle control.

This is also a clear reason to hold off my trip to Florida. The Espanas called me a few weeks ago and asked me if I was available to come out there at the end of April. I got excited for a second, but then I felt torn, literally. I really liking being home, having a safe place, and my dearest friends and co-performers close by. Vau de Vire and Circus Metropolus are providing me with lots of room to expand my performance visions. It has been very rewarding to work with them.
I do plan to go back to Florida at some point and take advantage of such an outstanding opportunity. It is just about timing now.
Until then, I am focusing on expaning Shredder Hoops. I am getting more involved in the health and wellness aspect of hula hooping. I will not let my passion to perform fall to the wayside, but this hernia is allowing me to focus on other things for now. So I shall be thankful.
Hope all is well with my friends, and fellow interested readers. Having my community close by has been such an amazing and enjoyable priviledge. I appreciate each moment to the fullest.
Be Well,
Shredder

Feeling Settled - Ready to make Magic!

I am beginning to be more comfortable with the idea of staying here in San Francisco for a while. I've only ever utilized SF as a place to come and live temporarily until life sweeps me in a different direction. Everytime I have a moment to look beyond the pavement and stop lights I am completely blown away at how beautiful this city is. Thursday I am moving into my own space, and I am more than excited. Part of me feels a bit torn because the circus tour I was on last year is beginning next week. I have to realize that I joined the circus and learned a lot, and it felt like a lifetime of testing my patience. I was ready to burst at the seems for most of the tour because I wanted to be doing more non-traditional acts. Eventually I subsided the anxiety and absorbed as much knowledge as I could from everyone I knew. I studied handbalancing, acrobatics, contortion, flexibility, posture, poise, asthetics, aerial ballet, costume knowledge, make-up knowledge, and so so so much more. Now that I am here in San Francisco, I have a limitless horizon of possibilities. I have been performing every chance I get and I am loving every minute of it. So, to get to the point of all this, I feel like staying back from the circus is a positive and beneficial opportunity for me in this moment. I have the opportunity to be settled in one place, feel grounded, and train with more focus and perseverance than ever before.

I am now offering specialized classes to our community that will focus on developing each performer individually. I am available to review and expand existing acts and help to improve body form, movement, and character. I am also offering creative act development for those who don't have any act but have lots of great talent. I want to help people to reach their highest potential, whether it is performance oriented, or simply discovering the maximum potential of your body in every day walks of life. I'd like to call it a Creative Personal Coach. Please keep a look out for upcoming workshops and class series and let me know when you are ready to learn more about your maximum potential. I am also offering sports therapy and deep tissue massage as an option to all. Have table - will travel, CMT since 1997.
So here I am ready to get to know my new home. Yeehaw San Francisco!