MANCHESTER – It is said that some people are just full of hot air. For one township resident, it is a bit more than that. He breathes out fire.
Needles, the township’s own fire breathing human, took center stage recently at the 20th annual Lakewood Renaissance Faire. He drew a lot of applause from the audience with his spectacular spouting of flames high into the air and managed to do so without scorching his tongue.
His real name is Eric Lotz and originally, he was from Berks County, Pennsylvania but for about seven years now he’s called Ocean County his home. “I came to Brick but most recently I’ve been living in Manchester Township.”
When asked how one becomes involved in performing as a fire breather, Lotz said, “when I was 8 years old there was an episode of “The X-Files” that had The Enigma on it and they were doing side show circus stuff and literally in that moment I knew this was for me.”
The Enigma, (born Paul Lawrence) is an American sideshow performer, actor and musician who underwent extensive body modification, including horn implants, ear reshaping, multiple body piercings and a full-body jigsaw puzzle tattoo. The “X-Files” episode Lotz referenced was from the episode “Humbug.”
“When I see something, I am like ‘hmm, I’d like to do that,’ so with breathing fire I just one day put lighter fluid in my mouth spit it into an open flame and did it,” Lotz said. He was doing great “until the first time I set my face on fire.”
After that Lotz decided he just might need more formal training. While being self-taught seemed satisfying, it just might leave a serious burning sensation in his mouth and face. “I went on to be formally trained by Bizzarro the Optical Illusionist.”
Bizzaro is a cabaret magician who performs in Las Vegas, Nevada whose promotional slogan goes, “in a world full of reality TV and lackluster entertainment, Bizzaro, The Optical Illusionist strives to prove that “normal” is just the setting on a dryer.” Lotz’s instructor has performed from coast to coast and appeared on FOX, NBC and on America’s got Talent and the Travel Channel’s Extreme Conventions.
Lotz went to Bizzaro who, of course, had has his own background in flame-based entertainment having lit himself on fire as part of his performances.
“I’ve been doing this now for 20 years,” Needles said. This marked his third year to dazzle attendees of the Lakewood Ren Faire. He enjoyed some good reviews among not only the attendees but members of the Lakewood Lions Club that sponsors the popular autumn event. Members there said he was a welcome addition to the entertainment of their annual festival.
“I am glad because that is why I do it, for the entertainment of others and putting smiles on people’s faces. I read this article once where a performer in Serbia said something which really struck me. What he said was life was very short why not spend it spreading smiles,” Lotz said.
He is 35 years old and has been working to do just that in his last two decades on the planet. When not spitting fire into the air to the amazement of crowds he works another job. “I would eventually like to do this full time but in the meantime what I do to pay the bills as my 9-5 Clark Kent job is working at Berry Fresh Farms (in Brick Township) which has plants and produce.”
Lotz performs throughout the year and enjoys each opportunity that presents itself. He plans to be back at next year’s Lakewood Ren Faire as the fire in his belly isn’t just for the show, it’s part of his passion in life.
