Last night I had another volunteering gig, this time at a performance hosted by my former bellydance troupe. Tribal Burn is an annual event held at Sacred Lands, the site of a historic Tocobago shell mound.

After we finished setup, I had a few minutes to wander the grounds. Located on Boca Ciega Bay, the 3 acre property has been protected by the Anderson family since 1940. While part of the family still lives there, they see themselves as stewards of the land and work to share its history.

Archaeological evidence from the site suggests the shell mound was not just residential but was also used for important ceremonies. It’s a fantastic setting for this yearly gathering of performers who dance with one of Earth’s powerful elements.

Last night’s show was even more poignant as it was dedicated to LeAnne Selman. A talented fire hoop dancer, she was not there to perform her routine because her life was inexplicably ended by the gunman who attacked Citibank earlier this week in Tampa. Yet another reminder that life is short, so burn your light brightly…

As the name implies, Tribal Burn is primarily a fire show, and this year’s theme was all about pirates, the rapscallions of the seas. Shortly after sunset, the performers lit up the stage. Their skill and talent was amazing, which my photos and videos do a poor job of capturing (but I’m sharing some of them with you anyway).