FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com AUGUST 28, 2014 • The Courier SUN 3 Glendale balloon artist hits a healthy 500K views on YouTube BY SALVATORE LICATA while transitioning jobs and said she knew she had a slicata@queenscourier.com/@Sal_Licata1 niche for it. She is fighting MS, an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, but said since One Glendale resident is ballooning her way to she started her balloon art many of her symptoms have YouTube stardom and getting healthier in the process. gone away. Grace Brigham, better known as “Candy Twister” or “Memory is always a big issue for people with MS,” “Candy the Clown NYC,” hit over 500,000 views on Brigham said. “But I never forget how to make any type Aug. 18 for a video where she fits her full body into of balloon character. Doing balloon art is my passion a balloon. She considered this a great feat, but more I always feel great when I’m out there doing a show.” important than her balloon tricks leading to Internet Brigham began doing balloon shows at restaurants limelight was how they helped her battle Multiple like Applebee’s and Miller’s Ale House in Rego Park, Sclerosis (MS). where she is still a main attraction. She has done a great “I wasn’t sure how the video was going to do at first, deal of shows around the city and can create virtually but seeing the hits I get now blows me away,” Brigham anything her patrons ask her to make on the spot. She said. “Ever since I’ve been making balloon art I feel even worked on a team with 74 other balloon artists to better.” make a five-story, 50,000 balloon replica of Jack and Brigham started as a balloon artist at 42 years old the bean stalk. She decided to try her famous “Climb in Balloon Stunt 1: Candy Twister,” as listed on YouTube, for the first time last year by a friend’s house to see how it would work out. With its success, both in person and online, Brigham works the trick into every staged show she hosts. “People are always blown away to see how much work I put into my shows,” Brigham said. “But when you do what you love, everything just becomes fun. That’s what makes it kind of special.” Brighman will be playing her next show at the Rego Park Center on Queens Boulevard on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. Along with staged shows she specializes in all types of private events. To find out more about Candy Twister go to candytwistedballoons.com or candytheclownnyc. vpweb.com. Sponsored by Providing comprehensive end-of-life care in the home, nursing home, and in-patient setting throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Nassau County. For referrals or information call 718.472.1999 or visit www.hospiceny.com THE COURIER/Photo by Salvatore Licata
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