Last month we celebrated my good friend Shannon’s birthday with a visit to see Alternacirque at Columbia’s Artbar. The stunning show was the perfect way to spend a summer night under the stars.

Alternacirque describes itself as “alternative performance.” What does that mean? “Any type of art that goes beyond most people’s perception of standard boundaries,” explains company member Gina Wolfe. This alternative circus includes tribal bellydance, torch eating, fire juggling, magic tricks, hoop dance (more on that later) and more. It’s sort of a modern take on old Vaudeville, but with an edgy, contemporary spin.

Speaking of spinning, hoop dancing was new to me when I saw it at the Alternacirque production. “Today’s hoopers are phenomenally different from the 1950’s style hula hooping most people remember,” says Wolfe who performs under the name Luna Trix. That is an understatement. Wolfe’s hooping is dance, synched to the rhythms of accompanying music. She also incorporates multiple hoops, LED hoops and fire hoops. One mystifying trick gives the illusion that the hoop stops in mid-air.

Alternacirque was formed in 2007 when Natalie Brown and her company Delirium Tribal Bellydance joined forces with a team of fire performers including Alternacirque founding member Steve Oswanski (who has since moved to Toledo). The circus collective soon brought hooper Wolfe on board as the group continues to expand its ranks.

Alternacirque currently performs on the fourth Friday of every month at Artbar, 1211 Park St. The first show is at 9:30 p.m. and a second show starts at 10:30 p.m. There is no cover, though donations are welcome and well deserved. If you go, bring a lawn chair and get there early. Space in the outdoor courtyard is limited and fills up quickly.

For information on upcoming Alternacirque shows and appearances visit its website at www.alternacirque.com.