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Raks Inferno (by @RaksGeek)

@raksinferno

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"Spectacular!" - WGN-TV. World fusion dancers, firespinners, & circus artists who have performed from Germany to Morocco. Director: @dawnxianamoon.

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Happy 8th birthday, Raks Inferno!*

Eight years ago, I started Raks Inferno as a spinoff of Raks Geek that would allow us a more open forum to perform that wasn't based around cosplay. (I love cosplay! But also dancing in 20 pounds of Wookiee fur and a Chewbacca head you can't breathe in is... a lot, haha.)

Here's just a tiny sample of the awesomeness that's graced our stage in the last 8 years!

I'm thankful for everyone that's bought a ticket, volunteered their time, told their friends to come - your support has helped us pay artists, build a community where everyone** is welcome, and make awesome art.

Plus we've gotten to do hilarious things like spin fire for a Dude Wipes commercial. ("The fire is in your butt!") 🤣

Huge thanks to everyone that's been a part of the badass family we've built together, especially my amazing cast and crew. ❤️

- Raks Inferno founder/producer @dawnxianamoon

🔥 If you're in Chicago, join us this Friday for Raks Inferno: Cirque Burlesque! April 10 at 7pm @thenewporttheater

🔗 Experience the show named "Best of Chicago" by the Chicago Reader! Link in bio for tickets.

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* OK, technically it was yesterday, but we were too busy to post. 😅

** Everyone is welcome except a**holes. Creating a safe space means guarding it from jerks, and we will absolutely keep doing that. 👊

📷 @peterserockivisuals @genitophoto @stagephotographic taken in The Newport Theater by @raksinferno

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6 months ago

Had such a blast performing at Romeoville Halloween Fest last night as Raks Inferno!

Fire is the best. 🔥😄 taken in Romeoville, Illinois by @raksinferno

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38 minutes ago

Thanks to Romeoville for having us out for Halloween Fest last night!

Performers: @dawnxianamoon + @geekmelange taken in Romeoville, Illinois by @raksinferno

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an hour ago

Such a fun, epic night! And Shrimp Burlesque! 🦐

Thanks so much to everyone that joined us Friday for Raks Inferno's Halloween show!

Also what a fun way to welcome @nataliebrown5 to Chicago (she, @leelegancedance, and I pulled together a long, complicated Lee choreo in just 2.5 weeks!).

Many thanks as always to my incredible cast + crew. You all are amazing. ♥️

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🔥 Chicago: Join us next month for another cast filled with Burlesque Hall of Famers + internationally-touring performers!

🔗 Friday, Nov. 13 at @thenewporttheater. Don't miss out! Link in @raksinferno bio.

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📸 @genitophoto taken in The Newport Theater by @raksinferno

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6 days ago

Chicago: Experience the burlesque circus speakeasy named "Best of Chicago" by Chicago Reader!

We get spooky this month with:

- @tilavontwirl , Burlesque Hall of Fame winner

- @caityflows, award-winning pole artist and contortionist

- @leelegancedance , who's toured Europe with Bellydance Evolution

- @dawnxianamoon , who has sung the National Anthem for the Chicago Bulls and danced on Britain's Got Talent

- and more stunning performers!

"It’s a caliber of show you could easily be paying more money for in a bigger space, but have a chance to see up close and personal." - Third Coast Review

🔗 Friday: Don't miss out! Link in bio or comment HALLOWEEN for info.

📷 @genitophoto @peterserockivisuals taken in The Newport Theater by @raksinferno

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11 days ago

The weather is turning and spooky season is here! I know some of you have been waiting for this all year. 🎃

🔥 Chicago: Catch me Friday at Raks Inferno: Halloween Cirque Burlesque for a seriously badass, sultry, and spoopy show! Plus: A special collaboration with a performer from Denver, CO you do not want to miss.

🔗 Link in @raksinferno bio or comment HALLOWEEN!

📸 Photo by @twobranchesphotos from Raks Inferno taken in Chicago, Illinois by @raksinferno

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12 days ago

Dawn Xiana Moon is the Founder/Director of Raks Geek + Raks Inferno, a bellydance, burlesque, and fire company that's been featured on MSN, UK Channel 4 TV, WGN-TV, and more.

She herself was named "Best Stage Performer" (twice), "Best Dancer" (3x), and "Best Choreographer" (3x) by the Chicago Reader; she's appeared on Britain's Got Talent and has performed in London, Toronto, and Washington, DC.

Dawn is also a musician who was named runner up for "Best Singer-Songwriter" and "Best World Music Act" by the Chicago Reader - her music has been featured in exhibits at the Chicago Cultural Center and Wing Luke Museum (Seattle). She has performed in 10 states, released 2 albums, and sung the National Anthem for the Chicago Bulls.

🔥 Chicago: Join Dawn and the rest of our badass cast for the show the Chicago Reader named "Best of Chicago!"

🎃 Friday, Oct. 9 at @thenewporttheater. Don't miss out! Link in bio.

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📸 @genitophoto taken in The Newport Theater by @raksinferno

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13 days ago

We're so excited award-winning circus artist @caityflows will be joining us next Friday!

Caity Gee is a performing arts professional located in Chicago, IL. She has a background in ballet and contemporary dance, training with Batsheva Dance Company in both New York and Tel Aviv, the Nederlands Dans Theater, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

She placed 2nd in the Women’s Amateur Division of Pole Art PanAmerica, 1st in the Women’s Amateur Division of PoleArt Italy, and 2nd in the Professional Contemporary Division of Skripped Down in Canada.

She began training contortion in 2022 under Ulzii Kee and now performs at The Drifter and Untitled Supper Club. Caity is also one fifth of the Lab Collective, a research-based movement collective and was on the board for CSAW Microgrants for US Circus Artists of Color. 

🔥 Chicago: Experience a sultry & silly start to spooky season with internationally-performing artists! Raks Inferno: Halloween Cirque Burlesque. Friday, Oct. 9.

🔗 Don't miss it - Halloween usually sells out! Link in bio or comment HALLOWEEN for tickets.

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📸 @genitophoto taken in The Newport Theater by @raksinferno

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16 days ago

Learn the secrets of shimmies and slink! Choose to have bones only when you want them.

Join me with a modern, fusion dance style that combines elements from hip hop, flamenco, jazz, classical Indian dance, ballet, and more with a foundation of movements from the Middle East.

No dance experience necessary for Level 1. All genders and bodies encouraged!

🔗 Class starts Sept. 30! Experience the freedom of dance. Link in @raksinferno bio or comment SHIMMY for info.

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🎥 Videos from our student showcase on Sunday! taken in The Newport Theater by @raksinferno

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24 days ago

Fire = fierce joy. 🔥

📸 from @raksinferno's secret fire show by @twobranchesphotos

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Bra, top: @melodiadesigns
Belt: @atomic_armour taken in Chicago, Illinois by @raksinferno

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25 days ago

15 years ago today I became a professional dancer, performing weekly shows at a 400-seat venue!

I guess I've been at this a while. 💜😂

🎥 from @raksinferno, the monthly show I produce at @thenewporttheater taken in The Newport Theater by @raksinferno

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a month ago

MEET THE ARTISTS!

Internationally known, Lee Na-Moo (he/him) combines bellydance with contemporary dance, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and several Asian styles.

He won the Chicago Oriental Dance Competition, which brought him to audiences in Argentina, and was invited to teach and perform at the 7th International Oriental Festival in Spain.

He has also toured with Bellydance Evolution in Morocco, Germany, and the Czech Republic as a teacher and performer and was nominated by the Chicago Reader as "Best Choreographer" in 2019.

Lee was a longtime member of Read My Hips and was a member of Joel Hall Dancers, a contemporary dance company based in Chicago.

🔥 Chicago: Tickets for Raks Inferno: Halloween Cirque Burlesque are already going fast! Don't miss Lee and the rest of our award-winning cast.

🔗 Get your tickets! Friday, Oct. 9 at @thenewporttheater. Link in bio.

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📸 @genitophoto @peterserockivisuals by @raksinferno

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a month ago