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Explosive happy hour performance canceled

By BARBARA BEHRENDT
Published January 27, 2007

CRYSTAL RIVER - The crowd at the Oar House Restaurant and Lounge was enjoying happy hour Friday evening, but the big show never happened.

Jesse the Human Bomb got banned.

"We don't like people blowing themselves up in Crystal River," City Manager Andrew Houston said.

Jesse Aviles, "the Human Bomb," was supposed to be the headline performer Friday night. This is his act: He lies face down across two bar stools, beneath which are placed explosives. He wears flame-retardant clothing and a helmet.

Someone detonates the explosives, engulfing Aviles in flames and propelling him into the air.

He has been performing the stunt for years and has recently appeared in several shows around central Florida.

City officials learned of the planned Oar House show in an odd way.

"The police department became aware of a proposed event. They got a phone call and someone told them that if they heard a loud explosion, not to worry, it was just part of our show," Houston said.

Police contacted fire officials, who contacted the Oar House and determined that the proper permits had not been obtained. The show was canceled until those permits can be secured.

Just what kind of permits does a man need to explode himself?

"I have no earthly idea," Houston said, adding, "I hate to be a killjoy."

But canceling the explosive show did kill some joy at the bar.

Joyce Decker, general manager at the Oar House, said there would be hundreds of disappointed people.

"We hope we can reschedule," she said.

Aviles called the cancellation a "misunderstanding" and said he had not needed permits or insurance in other places where he had performed. He was hoping to book another show in the area.

Times photographer Danny Ghitis contributed to this report. Barbara Behrendt can be reached at 564-3621 or behrendt@sptimes.com.

[Last modified January 26, 2007, 20:42:10]