Props for Mono Mono

"I bring exploding foam, snow machines, confetti cannons, piñatas, and remote-control spaceships," says Jeffrey Beringer, a.k.a. Mono Mono, of his "interactive and inflatable" solo performances. Interactive? "The lights and other special effects are operated by radio control, and I give control boxes to the audience," he says. "I dress in drag and sit on your lap...[audiences] blow my clothes off with my leaf blower, and I run naked through the venue."

Okay. Inflatable? "I have an arsenal of inflatable monkeys, sex dolls, and blow-up toys," he says. "I put on an inflatable sumo costume and blow up like a huge, obese marshmallow man, and [audiences] squeeze, hug, grind, hump, and bounce me." Musically, he says, "I have help from my iPod and my computer.... The vocals are live, and the music and sound effects have been electronically programmed. I use Reason and Ableton Live loop-sequencer programs."

Some venues don't appreciate his props. "I had a fight with the stage manager and engineers at the House of Blues," he says. "Before I walked onstage, they said [HOB] was 'not for clowns' and that they didn't have sufficient staff to clean up streamers or confetti."

According to Beringer, "Over 20 of my inflatable monkeys have been kidnapped at shows. Now they appear in photos all over MySpace."

Mono Mono performs Sunday, July 29, at the Imperial Beach sandcastle competition.