For more information on suspension visit – http://www.suspension.org/

I am always supportive of events or groups that work to strengthen the suspension community in their area. Brazil has been seeing a major growth in the number of suspension practitioners as well as those interested in suspending over the last few years. From that there have emerged several people who are working to unite the suspension community there and further the education of those who are providing body suspensions throughout their country. Suspension Attack Brazil 2012 is one of the efforts being made to show support and bring together the teams there. On January 24th, teams across Brazil will each hold suspensions in their area, and then share the photos, videos, and experiences they had with one another.

Many of you who have suspended can relate to the strong bond that comes from sharing a suspension experience with others, and I think it’s a fantastic way to connect their groups, even with so much distance between many of them. The event certainly isn’t limited to those in Brazil. They are encouraging teams around the world to participate as a show of support for their event and to share the photos or videos with them on their Attack Brazil group page. So far I have heard that they have teams in Russia and Germany participating in the event, and I hope we see that list grow to include more teams around the world. It is definitely refreshing to see people who are seeking to better themselves and the community around them. If you can’t participate, please feel free to take a minute and share some words of encouragement with the practitioners in Brazil on their group page. I am sure they will appreciate the support.

Thank you so much for the information about this Max Alves!

Now that you have had a chance to learn a little about Bardo in the last post, how about an opportunity to see them in person? Those of you near Albuquerque, NM will get to do just that on January 20th at Hydra Gallery. This event will be a one night only group art show featuring everything from painting and photography to sculpture and live suspension installations. There are over a dozen artists confirmed for the night from all over the world, including body suspension installations that will be performed by the members of Bardo. These living pieces of art will give those attending a chance to witness in person the beauty and elegance that we all love about body suspension.

This show, which is sponsored by Evolution Piercing in Albuquerque, will be taking place January 20th from 5-10 pm at Hydra Gallery. There is a broad range of talent that will be present alongside Bardo that evening, and the list is still growing. To check out the full list of artists or a map to the location, you can visit the News and Events section of their website.

The year is almost over, and you can already feel the excitement of things to come in 2012 as it approaches. February brings with it a date special to many of us; a day set aside to make connections with one another that really pull at our heartstrings, among other parts of us. If you think this day of love and happiness is Valentine’s day, please feel free to slap yourself. We are talking about AGRO’s Superpull, of course! What started as a small group of people coming together to have some fun over Superbowl weekend has quickly grown into a huge event that brings in members of the suspension community from all over the country.

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October 29th, 2011 marks the 3rd Annual Captain’s Halloween Massacre, held this year at Big Papa’s Pour House in Oklahoma City. The show will bring together live music, sideshow, body suspension, fashion, burlesque, a horror themed art show and more!  There will be multiple stages set up to bring you a range of talent including Sick Boyz Suspension, Nicole Moan Massacre Fashion show, Boobzilla, Jeremy Danger Show, and guest appearance by bands One Gun Solution, The Tastebuds, Suspects, Kill the Reflection, and more. Between all of the incredible entertainment, be sure to check out the Horror Art Show being presented by Stay True Tattoo.

The Captain’s Sideshow has worked to bring the best of Oklahoma City’s alternative community together in one place. Make sure to stop out and get your fill of hooks, horror, and Halloween fun all in one place. The doors open at 5pm with the shows kicking off at 6pm. Tickets will be $15 in advance or $20 at the door, but don’t forget your IDs as the show is 21+ only!

Halloween is coming up fast, and for all of you in Houston that means some fun nights ahead! AGRO Sideshow and Houston Haunted Houses are teaming up to bring you the scariest halloween yet. Houston Haunted Houses, which runs the Texas Chainsaw Maze, the Sanitarium, the Haunted Woods, and the Castle of Doom are in their 13th year of scaring the hell out of people around the Houston area, and now they have made it even better. There will be free perfomances from The Hunger, 999 Eyes Freakshow, and the incredibly talented AGRO Sideshow happening October 28th – 31st. Everything in the haunted houses may be special effects, but there are no tricks here. Their team will be skewering, hooking, and hanging themselves all for your Halloween enjoyment.

On top of all the great talent they are bringing you, they also have the Texas Chainsaw Maze for free as well as a car giveaway happening on Halloween. Now where else are you going to get that much awesome handed to you in one place?

For more information about the show, pricing for the other attractions, or times make sure to check out the website.

It’s that time of year again kids; Halloween is creeping up and that means we are going to be seeing more and more events here on Hook Life as all the hookers come out to play. First up is an event we have posted several times on here with photos and videos from last year’s performance. Evolved Body Art is once again presenting Trauma, and this year marks their 10th anniversary of fetish and fun in Columbus. The two day event will take place October 27th and November 4th, starting at 9pm. There will be a range of entertainment including a suspension performance choreographed by Mute-One featuring Jamie Mayhem, Bella Vendetta, Lauren D., and Dave Kelso. Also gracing the stage that night will be the talented Anna and the Annadroids, multiple DJs, burlesque, and so much more.

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Did we say competition?  So what’s this all about?  Well we’ll tell you…

Since the beginning of modern suspension the concept of hanging in public places has intrigued many practitioners. Of course suspending on a stage in front of an audience has it’s appeal, but for some this isn’t enough.  The idea of hanging out in the open in front of an unsuspecting crowd or in a location that might normally be forbidden brings with it an excitement and adrenaline rush that is difficult to describe.  In fact Stelarc, who is considered by many to be one the most influential suspension artists, experimented with many public suspensions.  Most infamous being the 1984 Street Suspension where he hung over a street in New York city.  Sadly, the performance was cut short when police pulled him into the building and asked this naked man for his ID.

Street Suspension © Stelarc Photograph: Nina Kuo

Have we gotten off topic?  Maybe a little, but any chance to write about Stelarc is always a good thing.  So we’re sure your wondering what this is all about.  A  Guerrilla Performance Art competition that involves suspension?  Yes folks.  The crew here at Hook Life has decided to put skills, courage and creativity to the test.  For more information on the contest read on…

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Today’s blog comes from our favorite green man (if you were at the Dallas Suscon you understand) Bradde Hamman

I was introduced about 4 years ago to this masquerade when I popped in the eve of the show to help throw hooks for some performances. To my surprise Theatre Bizarre was way more than I bargained for! This show was a lifestyle, a way of living, a career if you must. People sweat and toil year round to give the illusion that for one night the slums of “Detroilet” are a magical spell binding experience.

Having suspension intermingled throughout the grounds has always helped give a certain mystic to the venue. We have also done some main stage acts like the notorious “Devil’s Tight Rope.” John Dunivant approached us with this idea to have a man balance on a tight rope in the the middle of an energy pull, and we took it from there.

This show has been going on for 11 years now and unfortunately the last two have not been able to be on the grounds due to some safety codes. I am asking for any help and/or donations which will go to getting this event put back on the sacred grounds from which Zombo was created. I leave you with a teaser trailer to a documentary to help fund and return all the lost souls to the grounds.

Theatre Bizarre Website: http://theatrebizarre.com/

Theatre Bizarre FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Bizarre/123786143679

Theatre Bizarre Documentary FB: https://www.facebook.com/theatrebizarredoc?sk=wall

Zombo The Clown FB: https://www.facebook.com/zombotheclown

It seems that the suspension community is growing in Australia, and one of the newer additions is the WayLay Suspension Force in Brisbane. They have been working to improve their knowledge and technique as they slowly build an interest for body suspension in their area. One upcoming event that will help bring attention to their work is the Flesh and Fetish Ball on October 8th in Brisbane, Australia. It is a night filled with live music, burlesque, rope bondage, and of course, body suspension. The highlight of the evening will be an appearance by Samppa and Aneta Von Cyborg, performing for the first time in Australia.

The fun starts at 8pm that evening, and the dress code is semi-formal, make sure to come dressed accordingly. As an added bonus there will be professional photographers on hand, so please leave the cameras at home for this show. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $30, and it is strictly 18+ for this night.

Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world and participate in many different suspension conventions.  As you might imagine, each suscon is somewhat similar.  However, what people may not realize is that there are also many differences in the vibe and overall experience of attending.  Of course the event organization plays a key role in determining how things flow, but it’s the people and location that really makes each event unique.

So what makes the Italian Suscon so different?  After the break there’s a short description and a video from the 2010 event.

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