Don't burst his bubble: Jeff Boyer is performing in Pittsburgh
Jeff Boyer was watching “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson “ in 1983.
He couldn’t take his eyes off one of the guests — bubble artist Tom Noddy.
“I was mesmerized by this guy blowing bubbles,” said Boyer, who is performing Sunday and Monday in Pittsburgh. “He was creating these amazing bubbles and doing some really cool stuff that I never knew you could do with bubbles.”
Now Boyer is the one blowing those cool bubbles.
He is showcasing his talents at “Big Bubble Bonanza” in sold-out shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Byham Theater, Downtown. There are limited seats available for a 10:15 a.m. show Monday.
Boyer said he was inspired by watching Noddy use what looked like a little plastic jar with a circular-shaped wand that kids blow bubbles with. Noddy’s bubbles resulted in what is known as bubble art. He made smoke bubbles, a volcano bubble and a bubble inside a bubble — similar bubbles that guests at Boyer’s Pittsburgh performances will see.
A bubble is a thin film of soapy water usually filled with air and comprised of three layers: one of water and two of soap molecules.
If bubbles of different sizes meet, then the smaller bubble will go into the larger bubble.
The human eye can see all colors of the rainbow through a bubble because light is being refracted through it, Boyer said.
Rain will go through a bubble. Bubbles can be blown through anything from ropes to scissors, he added.
He uses a wand about a foot in diameter.
“I love bubbles,” Boyer said. “Everyone loves bubbles. It’s kind of a universal thing. Kids love bubbles the minute they are born. And they continue to be fascinated by bubbles.”
His goal is to make his shows entertaining and educational. Boyer, who resides in Catskill, N.Y., incorporates his interest in science by including information about how bubbles are made.
At one time, he made his own bubble solution but now uses Beeboo. There also is another choice called Uncle Bubble. Boyer has been creating bubble shows since 2005. He was part of a group of bubble artists who filled a castle in Wales with bubbles for a Guinness World Record in 2018.
Boyer’s visit to Pittsburgh is special to him.
“I love Pittsburgh,” he said. “It is a working class city, and that is the environment I grew up in.”
He said his wife also lived there when she was young and recalled attending a free Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performance for children.
“She was wooed by that, and she remembers it to this day,” Boyer said. “Something like that can change a child’s life. It’s about giving children access to all areas of the arts.”
Boyer, who believes bubbles are for all ages, often invites guests on stage. He will create bubble rainbows with people inside.
“When I am blowing up the bubbles, it’s the dads who are the ones yelling bigger, bigger,” Boyer said. “I like to make it an interactive show. I want guests to have fun and dream big … bubbles.”
A limited number of tickets are available for $12 for Monday’s show. For a glimpse of Boyer’s bubble talents, check him out on YouTube.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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