Dave Curtis of South Sound Collective and Matt Eklund of Pacific Fusion Productions toiled tirelessly to bring about this Saturday’s full-scale event “Playing with Fire.” This is more than a warehouse party with a few DJs (10 to be exact — all worthy); it showcases many forms of visual, audio and physical entertainment, talent and style.



“When Curtis told me he wanted a fashion show for the upcoming Fire event, I didn’t really know how we’d tie fashion to the theme,” explains Ondia Shapiro, owner of The Shoe Show boutique on Sixth Avenue.



In a meeting for the fashion show at Art on the Ave this year, the ladies discussed how to pull this off and Danica Nikolich of the Fashion Association of Tacoma, or F.A.T. , came up with the paint idea.



“There really won’t be much clothing,” says Shapiro. “It’s more of a body paint show with hair and makeup. Hair will have a singed look. Roni of Steven Christian Salon has it covered.”



In keeping with the show’s fire theme, I imagine the models’ makeup will be scary. And by scary I mean dramatic and powerfully done by makeup artist Fresh Face Stace. Models’ bodies will be painted ahead of time and they’ll0. have shoes from The Shoe Show strapped on their feet. There will be five stages, one large one as the nucleus where a DJ will spin and four smaller satellite stages for the models.



Graffiti artists, body painters and even an exclusive artist who paints on lingerie will contribute to the sensory bombardment that will jump off right before the witching hour at 11:30 p.m.



Already on the verge of extravagance and excess, PURE Cirkus performers might push the event right over the edge. Wickedly lovely acrobats in dazzling costumes will perform breathtaking aerial feats that will appear effortless. Garbed in tantalizing dress, fire dancers will capture all eyes, while height-defying stilt walkers add a dose of jest and are just plain creepy and fun.



Two DJ stages and dance floors should satisfy the beat freaks — one inside and one outside on the rooftop balcony with a clear topped tent. Mr. Clean, DJ dAb, Sticky J, NME Sub, and Big Chuck are half of the 10 DJs slated to spin.



There will be art everywhere you turn in one form or another.



For more information, go to myspace.com/ pacificfusion253.



[Freighthouse Square, Saturday, April 4, 9:30 p.m., 18+, bar with ID, $7-$10, Rainier Room, 430 E. 25th St., Tacoma]



Related Web sites:

purecirkus.com

freighthousesquare.com

myspace.com/theshoeshow

myspace.com/pacificfusion253

myspace.com/southsoundcollective