Emily Quant of Garrison is a fire-spinning belly dancer. Later this month she will attempt to set a world record for sword-balancing.
Was this the career path your high school counselor recommended?
No! I was going to be a philosophy major, you know, go for the big bucks, then go into one of the sciences. But in college, I realized how much I missed dancing — I’d danced since I was 5 years old. So I danced professionally, including with contemporary companies in New York City. A few years ago, I was no longer performing much. I’m 41; my body was changing. I wanted to keep dancing — I can be a philosopher when I’m 78 — so in 2019 I launched my own company, The Pyro Department.
What prompted you to chase the record for sword-balancing?
I have a ballet background, so balancing was easy. During the pandemic, I had no shows, so for fun I started demonstrating sword balancing via Zoom. People really got excited about it. It took me a year to be able to balance 21 swords at once. It takes a lot of strength. The swords weigh 2 pounds each and at one show I balanced 61. It’s intense. They’re dulled prop swords, but they can still cut me when they fall. I started thinking about doing sword balancing as a show at Renaissance fairs. I thought I was onto something: It’s hard to come up with something that’s not already a world record.
How will you establish the record?
I’m going for most swords balanced in one minute and the most in three minutes. I must balance at least 12 in one minute and at least 30 in three minutes for it to be recognized as the record; that’s difficult! I can position myself any way I want. An assistant will hand me each sword and I place them on my body, one at a time. I must document the attempt on video and have three witnesses. There are numerous rules: limits on the size and curve of the swords, no sticky substances, no skin-drying agents. I’ll make the attempt in Salem, Massachusetts, at the end of this month.
What is fire-spinning?
That’s mainly what I perform. You use metal or wood props with Kevlar wicks soaked in white gas. They become fire props. It’s like having a dance partner without having to hire one. It’s like juggling. You learn the movements and techniques without fire. With repetition, it gets more relaxed, more fluid. I always have a person with me who has taken a course in fire safety. If someone in our field has an accident, it brings everybody down.
Where do you perform?
Mostly in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. About 70 percent of my business comes from thebash.com, where you can book any kind of entertainer, from fire dancers and balloon twisters to singing telegrams, caricaturists and aerialists. People also book me at pyrodept.com. We’ll be performing at the Kingdom Faire, the pirate show in Putnam Valley, on April 30. I wanted to do that show because pirates and swords go great together!
Was this the career path your high school counselor recommended?
No! I was going to be a philosophy major, you know, go for the big bucks, then go into one of the sciences. But in college, I realized how much I missed dancing — I’d danced since I was 5 years old. So I danced professionally, including with contemporary companies in New York City. A few years ago, I was no longer performing much. I’m 41; my body was changing. I wanted to keep dancing — I can be a philosopher when I’m 78 — so in 2019 I launched my own company, The Pyro Department.
What prompted you to chase the record for sword-balancing?
I have a ballet background, so balancing was easy. During the pandemic, I had no shows, so for fun I started demonstrating sword balancing via Zoom. People really got excited about it. It took me a year to be able to balance 21 swords at once. It takes a lot of strength. The swords weigh 2 pounds each and at one show I balanced 61. It’s intense. They’re dulled prop swords, but they can still cut me when they fall. I started thinking about doing sword balancing as a show at Renaissance fairs. I thought I was onto something: It’s hard to come up with something that’s not already a world record.
How will you establish the record?
I’m going for most swords balanced in one minute and the most in three minutes. I must balance at least 12 in one minute and at least 30 in three minutes for it to be recognized as the record; that’s difficult! I can position myself any way I want. An assistant will hand me each sword and I place them on my body, one at a time. I must document the attempt on video and have three witnesses. There are numerous rules: limits on the size and curve of the swords, no sticky substances, no skin-drying agents. I’ll make the attempt in Salem, Massachusetts, at the end of this month.
What is fire-spinning?
That’s mainly what I perform. You use metal or wood props with Kevlar wicks soaked in white gas. They become fire props. It’s like having a dance partner without having to hire one. It’s like juggling. You learn the movements and techniques without fire. With repetition, it gets more relaxed, more fluid. I always have a person with me who has taken a course in fire safety. If someone in our field has an accident, it brings everybody down.
Where do you perform?
Mostly in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. About 70 percent of my business comes from thebash.com, where you can book any kind of entertainer, from fire dancers and balloon twisters to singing telegrams, caricaturists and aerialists. People also book me at pyrodept.com. We’ll be performing at the Kingdom Faire, the pirate show in Putnam Valley, on April 30. I wanted to do that show because pirates and swords go great together!
Three World Records to Be Set by Garrison Resident October 9
Emily Quant has been training for 18 months for these record attempts.
Garrison, New York, Wednesday October 6, 2021
Garrison resident, Emily Quant, is in her final week of training to set three new world records for sword balancing. The attempts will be in front of a live audience and accompanied by a fire performance on October 9 at Glorie Farm Winery in Marlboro, NY.
Quant developed these acts during the pandemic, instead of performing her usual fire shows with the Pyro Department. She quickly recognized that people were responding to the number of swords she was able to incorporate in virtual shows, and began strength training to create an act where she could balance as many swords as possible.
Several world records for endurance and sword swallowing are in existence, but none that involve a large number of swords. For one record, she will be lifting and balancing 126 lbs. of swords for over 6 minutes. Watching the act unfold, Croton resident and professional clown Adam Auslander said "I stopped breathing I was so scared." As the act developed, so did her protective gear and equipment. She wears a face shield and leather gloves to protect from dropped swords and metal shavings. Her side tables have been replaced with custom sword stands to hold over 50 swords. The other two records involve placing swords quickly and accurately in a race against the clock.
If you would like to see this performed live, some tickets are still available at www.gloriewine.com/shop/fire (845) 236-3265
Event details: Saturday, October 9, 2021 7-8 PM
Glorie Farm Winery, 40 Mountain Rd. Marlboro, NY
This act will be served with wine, dessert, and fire spinners from the Pyro Department.
The host of the event, Glorie Farm Winery, is a small, boutique-style winery on a working farm high on Mountain Rd. The winery just won the Best in Show and Best Red Wine in The Hudson Valley Wine & Spirits competition. Their Glorie Cabernet Franc 2019 by winemaker Kristop Brown was the winning entry. They are open for outdoor tastings Fridays- Sundays, with seasonal fruit picking, and sweeping views.
The Pyro Department was founded in 2019 by Emily Quant, bringing fire and circus arts safely to broader audiences through performances, workshops, and collaborations. Entertainment and art come together in large presentations that showcase the unique talents of their diverse cast. Workshops and classes build awareness, safety, and community for the spinning arts. For more see www.pyrodepartment.com.
Emily Quant has been training for 18 months for these record attempts.
Garrison, New York, Wednesday October 6, 2021
Garrison resident, Emily Quant, is in her final week of training to set three new world records for sword balancing. The attempts will be in front of a live audience and accompanied by a fire performance on October 9 at Glorie Farm Winery in Marlboro, NY.
Quant developed these acts during the pandemic, instead of performing her usual fire shows with the Pyro Department. She quickly recognized that people were responding to the number of swords she was able to incorporate in virtual shows, and began strength training to create an act where she could balance as many swords as possible.
Several world records for endurance and sword swallowing are in existence, but none that involve a large number of swords. For one record, she will be lifting and balancing 126 lbs. of swords for over 6 minutes. Watching the act unfold, Croton resident and professional clown Adam Auslander said "I stopped breathing I was so scared." As the act developed, so did her protective gear and equipment. She wears a face shield and leather gloves to protect from dropped swords and metal shavings. Her side tables have been replaced with custom sword stands to hold over 50 swords. The other two records involve placing swords quickly and accurately in a race against the clock.
If you would like to see this performed live, some tickets are still available at www.gloriewine.com/shop/fire (845) 236-3265
Event details: Saturday, October 9, 2021 7-8 PM
Glorie Farm Winery, 40 Mountain Rd. Marlboro, NY
This act will be served with wine, dessert, and fire spinners from the Pyro Department.
The host of the event, Glorie Farm Winery, is a small, boutique-style winery on a working farm high on Mountain Rd. The winery just won the Best in Show and Best Red Wine in The Hudson Valley Wine & Spirits competition. Their Glorie Cabernet Franc 2019 by winemaker Kristop Brown was the winning entry. They are open for outdoor tastings Fridays- Sundays, with seasonal fruit picking, and sweeping views.
The Pyro Department was founded in 2019 by Emily Quant, bringing fire and circus arts safely to broader audiences through performances, workshops, and collaborations. Entertainment and art come together in large presentations that showcase the unique talents of their diverse cast. Workshops and classes build awareness, safety, and community for the spinning arts. For more see www.pyrodepartment.com.
The Pyro Department starts at 1:38 in this video. Many thanks to Matt Sullivan and LMC Media for this fun event and video!
Best of Gigmasters
2016, 2018, 2019
Client Reviews:
"Em was a pleasure to work with. Professional, flexible, reasonable and talented! She performed at our daughters surprise 30th birthday party. My daughter is a huge Game of Thrones fan and wow did Em come through with an awesome performance. My daughter had tears in her eyes! Really good. Great. My daughters 100yo grandfather was mesmerized. As was everyone, young and old. Consider Em for your event. She will greatly enhance whatever you have planned!" LeeAnn M. from Cortlandt Manor, NY on 7/21/2018
"Em enhanced our 50th Birthday celebration and wowed the guests with her beauty and talent. She was amazing and made sure to include all the guests by moving to all four corners of the room. The candle dance was my favorite. I highly recommend that for a birthday party. She was on time, kept in touch throughout the days ahead and coordinated with me the music and style of her performance. She is a top-rated dancer. Thank you Emily!!" Julie M. from Bethel, CT on 2/18/2017
"You really brought the party! Wherever you were- that was where it's at!" Dean W.
"Emily was great to work with and a very talented dancer! We booked her for our wedding and, as I've heard happens, multiple things went wrong; which pushed back dinner (when Emily was supposed to perform). So appreciative of Emily for waiting. Everyone raved about Emily and it was so fun to see our friends and family dance with her. Great for getting the party started. Over a year later and people still mention how great Emily was." Angela G. from Deposit, NY on 9/5/2015
"Wow. My eyes are on fire!" Client in Mamaroneck, NY
"Emily was fantastic!! I loved her and my guests loved her as well! I am so happy that I chose her to perform at my sons party, she really set the tone for the event. Emily was kind and very accommodating. We were running late, and she was patient with us and put on an amazing show. She impressed me even more by staying past her alotted time to take photos with my guests. Overall Emily was so wonderful and professional and I could not have asked for anything more!" Natiah R. from Montclair, NJ on 9/3/2016
"An intoxicant with an accelerant" Paul B.
"We loved Em and will hire her again at our next summer solstice party -/ this time with her male partner" Michelle R. from Elmsford, NY on 6/22/2018
"Enchanting and Magical
A real professional. I have seen many belly dancing acts in Egypt and other countries, but this one was one of the best I've seen. I would definitely recommend her dance as one of the most beautiful, varied and enchanting I ever seen!" Linda G. Bayside, NY
"Emily traveled a distance, was on time, done a great performance, danced with the birthday boy as well as other party members and kept me anonymous. Just as we discussed. Speaking with her and emailing her gave me comfort to know I choose the right dancer. I was told thru (GIG) she was a Five Star Dance. That she is. I would book her again and recommend her for your next party." Helen K. from Elliottsburg, PA on 2/13/2016
2016, 2018, 2019
Client Reviews:
"Em was a pleasure to work with. Professional, flexible, reasonable and talented! She performed at our daughters surprise 30th birthday party. My daughter is a huge Game of Thrones fan and wow did Em come through with an awesome performance. My daughter had tears in her eyes! Really good. Great. My daughters 100yo grandfather was mesmerized. As was everyone, young and old. Consider Em for your event. She will greatly enhance whatever you have planned!" LeeAnn M. from Cortlandt Manor, NY on 7/21/2018
"Em enhanced our 50th Birthday celebration and wowed the guests with her beauty and talent. She was amazing and made sure to include all the guests by moving to all four corners of the room. The candle dance was my favorite. I highly recommend that for a birthday party. She was on time, kept in touch throughout the days ahead and coordinated with me the music and style of her performance. She is a top-rated dancer. Thank you Emily!!" Julie M. from Bethel, CT on 2/18/2017
"You really brought the party! Wherever you were- that was where it's at!" Dean W.
"Emily was great to work with and a very talented dancer! We booked her for our wedding and, as I've heard happens, multiple things went wrong; which pushed back dinner (when Emily was supposed to perform). So appreciative of Emily for waiting. Everyone raved about Emily and it was so fun to see our friends and family dance with her. Great for getting the party started. Over a year later and people still mention how great Emily was." Angela G. from Deposit, NY on 9/5/2015
"Wow. My eyes are on fire!" Client in Mamaroneck, NY
"Emily was fantastic!! I loved her and my guests loved her as well! I am so happy that I chose her to perform at my sons party, she really set the tone for the event. Emily was kind and very accommodating. We were running late, and she was patient with us and put on an amazing show. She impressed me even more by staying past her alotted time to take photos with my guests. Overall Emily was so wonderful and professional and I could not have asked for anything more!" Natiah R. from Montclair, NJ on 9/3/2016
"An intoxicant with an accelerant" Paul B.
"We loved Em and will hire her again at our next summer solstice party -/ this time with her male partner" Michelle R. from Elmsford, NY on 6/22/2018
"Enchanting and Magical
A real professional. I have seen many belly dancing acts in Egypt and other countries, but this one was one of the best I've seen. I would definitely recommend her dance as one of the most beautiful, varied and enchanting I ever seen!" Linda G. Bayside, NY
"Emily traveled a distance, was on time, done a great performance, danced with the birthday boy as well as other party members and kept me anonymous. Just as we discussed. Speaking with her and emailing her gave me comfort to know I choose the right dancer. I was told thru (GIG) she was a Five Star Dance. That she is. I would book her again and recommend her for your next party." Helen K. from Elliottsburg, PA on 2/13/2016