That's Haute

When it comes to checking out a show at the Crucible, it's unlikely you'll be paying much attention to the sartorial choices of the probably sweaty performers. Considering that the organization's forte is the "fire arts," a fashion show may seem like a dubious tie-in. All the same, Hot Couture proves that pyromaniacs can be as stylish as the next guy. The three-day gala, which marks the Crucible's ninth anniversary, blends compulsory flame throwing/eating/dancing with equally red-hot catwalk couture. Dozens of local designers band together to throw a little grace into the inferno. They include Bad Unkl Sista, a collaborative of multimedia artists creating threads that are both sustainable and pulled apart at the creative seams; Miss Velvet Cream, whose custom needlework is as likely to cover a codpiece as it is a futuristic miniskirt; and Miranda Caroligne, whose recycled bricolage embodies the show's focus on wearable, eco-friendly art. Runway models are accompanied by dancers like the Nekyia, a cabaret troupe that specializes in sultry trapeze -- not to mention a ton of nifty demonstrations by welders, glass blowers, and other artisans.
Jan. 17-19, 7 p.m., 2008