Hammond Gets Lit

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Madeline Cancienne

Adrianna Bourgeois is the founding member of Illuminating Wonders. The Hammond-based group meets in Cate Square Park on Thursdays to practice and have fun.

Every week, a group gathers in Cate Square Park to play with fire. The group, called Illuminating Wonders, practices a particular art form known as Flow Arts.

This style of art is comprised of movement focusing on dancing, juggling and spinning fire as well as object manipulation in dark environments, which creates a bridge between physical activity and art.

It’s a beautiful thing to grow and share ideas and new things with people who have the same love as me.

— Adrianna Bourgeois

Adrianna Bourgeois, founder of the group, shared how her flow journey to Hammond began.

“I saw it on Instagram one day and had been going through a lot in my life,” said Bourgeois. “I would practice every single day for a year. Now, I have the skill level of someone who has been doing this for five years.”

Her passion grew as she found others with the same talent and passion as she had.

“I met some people from the Baton Rouge Fire Guild, but I wanted to go somewhere else and spread the love of what I love,” said Bourgeois. “That’s when I met Madison Decote on Facebook, and we decided to start Illuminating Wonders together.”

The group has grown from two people to over 20 who participate each week.

“We usually have about 25 people, and once, we had 50 when there was an event going on downtown, which was awesome,” said Bourgeois. “We usually flow together just in the park, but we can also be booked for events like fairs or festivals.”

After a year and four months of gathering weekly, Bourgeois shared what her time participating in flow arts has taught her.

“I love finding new ways to show other people how to do something,” said Bourgeois. “You can’t really help someone. It’s more of a watch and try it out for yourself kind of thing.”

For Bourgeois, the bonds that she made with others through this hobby have been unlike any other.

“I have met so many good-hearted people since I’ve started,” said Bourgeois. “I have gotten the chance to meet so many famous flow artists that are so skilled and talented that I never thought I would ever see.”

Bourgeois invites anyone who is interested in flow art to join Illuminating Wonders.

“We are always open to anyone who wants to join,” said Bourgeois. “We are just a group of people who all love the same thing and join together. Just come stop by and join in.”

Illuminating Wonders meets at Cate Square Park on Fridays at 8:30 p.m., weather permitting. Any questions regarding the group can be  directed to its Facebook page.

“I love that I can learn something new and show others, and they try it out,” expressed Bourgeois. “It’s a beautiful thing to grow and share ideas and new things with people who have the same love as me.”

Madeline Cancienne
Bourgeois first discovered her passion through watching Instagram videos.