While some may see bubbles as just soapy pockets of air, Blaise Ryndes uses them to bring smiles to faces nationwide.
With his Spheres Bubble Show, the Land O’ Lakes resident creates unique bubble performances.
He is a solo entertainer, but his parents, Dave and Nadine, accompany him at each show.
“I like to consider my act to be a fusion of art, science and magic,” the 18-year-old said.
Just like many kids, he had an affinity for magic and balloon animals growing up.
But, at age 9, he decided he wanted to become a performer — not just a spectator.
His dad bought him his first magic kit, and he began learning how to master tricks. He also found creative ways to contort balloons into various shapes.
As he recalled: “I was always really shy as a child. I noticed when I got into magic, that when I would start to perform for other people, I came out of my shell a little bit. It gave me confidence.”
He drew inspiration from the Cirque du Soleil entertainers and the Blue Man Group.
One day, his dad showed him a YouTube video of the bubble performer, Tom Noddy.
After watching Noddy’s act, Blaise was inspired to learn about bubbles himself.
Acquiring skills took much trial and error, but he said his persistence allowed him to create his own bubble techniques.
Blaise was attending Countryside Montessori Charter School, while performing shows.
As he gained notoriety, he took Pasco eSchool online courses during high school.
Over the years, he has performed at birthday parties and sports arenas, while being invited to venues in Massachusetts and Texas.
Locally, he has done shows at the Lutz Preparatory School, Glazer Children’s Museum and Great Explorations Children’s Museum, to name a few.
At 16, he was selected to perform his bubble act on the television series, America’s Got Talent, which exposed him to the nation.
“They flew me out to Los Angeles, California,” Blaise recounted. “I did my show, the judges loved it. It was really a great experience.”
“Blaise is a rock star in the bubble world,” his dad said. “He’ll probably do close to 200 shows this year.”
One of those events was at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library on Aug. 10. There, the Children’s Room was packed with parents and kids alike.
The crowd watched in awe as Blaise inflated a large bubble illuminated by an LED-lit platform, then used a straw to blow wind ripples inside the bubble.
During the “UFO,” he used a special device to blow smoke into the bottom of a bubble, forcing it to move upward into a saucer shape.
The audience continued to erupt in cheers as he performed the “Galaxy” — using a straw to create a big bubble, which he filled with smaller bubbles inside, spinning like planets.
One part of his act had the crowd counting down before he gently released a vertical chain of bubbles into the air, like a rocket.
In another, a rectangular frame held a film of glossy bubble liquid. Blaise poked an opening in the film using a thin, knotted string and formed a bubble on the audience’s side. He then slowly pulled back the string with the bubble fully intact on his end.
Some kids had the chance to become a part of the show. One by one, each became immersed in a bubble wall, as Blaise lifted a hoop, surrounding them.
The library function was the first time Blaise incorporated new props to a show, such as fire and laser beams.
He enjoys entertaining at these venues, but also performs in places where sad children need a smile.
“Out of all the shows I do, by far, the shows that are the most rewarding are charitable performances,” Blaise said.
He has put on shows for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Children’s Cancer Center and Best Buddies International.
His dad couldn’t hold back tears as he recalled the joy Blaise brought to the kids at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg.
“It feels so good to help make their lives a little better,” Blaise said. “Even if it’s just one second that you can take their mind away from all the negative things that they’re having to deal with, and just have a cool experience. That’s the reason I do this.”
He also noted that while he’s a star, Spheres Bubble Show really is a family business, and he’s happy to have his parents supporting him every step of the way.
For more information, or inquiries for the Spheres Bubble Show, visit SpheresBubbleAndMagicShow.com.
Published September 04, 2019
