Poi Fire Dancing Spinning Performance & Twirling (Hoop Staff Fans Also)

Please apply only if this vision calls to you.

Update: 2.1.09: The slots for the expo are all filled. The application process is closed. Stay tuned to this blog for more details about the upcoming show.

Update: 1.27.09: It looks like all the spots in the show are filled pending the completion of some applications. Any applications received after 1.27 from people we have not discussed a slot with will be wait listed for a performance spot and spots will be filled if they come available. The application process will official close February 1, 2009 or when the pending applications from the International artists have been received.

Temple of Poi is hosting the 4th annual Temple of Poi Fire Dancing Expo in San Francisco, California, USA’s Union Square on the main stage. This event is free to the public and is open to audiences of all ages. Events over the past years have had an estimated 750 people in attendance. This year’s show is April 25 at 7:50 pm. Call time for dancers is 7 pm.

The purpose of this show is multifold:

• to expand awareness of the art form
• so that fire dancing artists can be taken seriously in the world through performance on credible stages in gorgeous venues rather than be looked at as fringe or parking lot art
• to share our art with the community and world
• to offer artists from around the world an opportunity to perform for a very grateful and more attuned than average American audience
• to allow artists the opportunity to be on a top notch stage which is huge (70ft wide by 30 feet deep), elevated and inspiring
• community service — each year I give 10% of my wealth, no matter how big or small it is, back to the community around me; this event is part of that community service
• as a spiritual practice of giving from a place of non attachment to results

While we had intended, in part, for this to be a marketing event when the first show was produced — as a renegade in 2004 — the reality is, it hasn’t work out that way. Despite any rumors to the contrary, Temple of Poi has never made a single penny off this show and has never gotten a single client because of the show. Not once. We know this because we ask client’s how they find us and never has this show been credited as the reason.

In order to maintain the integrity of the vision of the show, we do not pay any performers. Period. No exceptions. MCP, Icon, Yuta, Banyan and all the rest of the artists who have graced our stage have not gotten paid. They have gifted themselves and their art to the show and community. 

To be clear, the 2008 show (the biggest one so far) cost about $6000 to put on. These days getting up on the stage costs nearly $2000 alone. In 2008, we gave about $1200 in travel stipends on top of that. That doesn’t include any marketing, sound systems, hiring for assistance in organizing the show, etc. required to create a show of this magnitude.

We do this as a gift to the community. And every artist who gets up on the stage does it as a gift to the community as well.

All of that said,  we do have a limited number of travel stipends for artists. All travel stipends go to artists outside of California and states bordering California. The travel stipends are up to $200 per act, regardless of weather the act is a soloist or group act. We anticipate giving $1,000 in stipends in 2009, $800 of which have already been promised. Stipends are given on a first come first serve basis.

Guidelines for Applicants

• Interested applicants must submit an application to us by noon, February 1, 2009 in order to be considered. Applications must include this information sheet as well as either an in-person audition or video submission of the proposed piece or similar piece. You must also fill out a video release form as part of your application.
• In an effort to support a diverse show, priority will be given to artists more than 150 miles from San Francisco. After all, they are coming quite a long way to donate their time, energy and brilliance to a Bay Area fire show!
• We are pleased to announce that there will be a limited number of stipends made available to out-of-town performers. They will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please note on your application if you would like to be considered for a stipend. All travel stipends go to artists outside of California and states bordering California. The travel stipends are up to $200 per act, regardless of weather the act is a soloist or group act. We anticipate giving $1,000 in stipends in 2009, all $1000 of which have already been promised. Stipends are given on a first come first serve basis.
• We will assist in finding housing with local artists who have volunteered their homes. Please note on your application if you are interested in hosting/being hosted.
• This is a non-profit event; therefore, performers will not be compensated monetarily in 2009.
• Each group must apply with one application and a designated contact person. All members of the group must be listed on that application.
• Solo acts must have a separate application, even if you are part of a group.
• Solo acts may be no more than 4 minutes per tool and 5 minutes total. Group acts may be no more than 7 minutes total.
• All applications must include a video of the piece or comparable work or the artists must audition the piece live for GlitterGirl. (Special exceptions can be made for established out-of-town artists on an individual basis. Please contact GlitterGirl directly to make arrangements.)
• Because the stage is very slick already, we do not allow the use of lamp oil since it does not evaporate and creates a safety danger for performance acts following your group.
• Artists must have prior experience spinning with white gas only. Artists must therefore be comfortable spinning with white gas only.
• For permit and safety reasons, all artists must wear natural fiber. Synthetic fibers may be used with prior written approval from GlitterGirl if they are on top of natural fibers.
• Fire spitting is not allowed.
• Fire works are not allowed.
• Propane tanks are not allowed.
• Artists must have prior experience extinguishing burning tools.
• Artists must agree to abide by the Flowology Mindset® as related to the event:
  http://templeofpoi.com/flowology/mindset.php

Enjoy this video giving  a brief explanation of how to do the weave with an under the leg transition (left poi under right leg) and then applying it to a weave turn around.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (7.5MB)

Enjoy these fun tracks for spinning fire!

This 1 minute lesson offers some quick tips for flowing more with weaves as you turn around. The example in this video is for turning left, though the same concept applies with the opposite feet for turning right.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (7.4MB)

Enjoy this 3.5 minute video influenced by the Pilates concepts of subtle muscle awareness and supportive posture. Regular practice of these poilates drills for the side plane circles with extension — “giants” — improve poi artists competence with giants and prepare them for giant turn arounds and swivels.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (22.3MB)

This 1 minute lesson offers some quick tips for flowing more with weaves as you turn around. The example in this video is for turning left, though the same concept applies with the opposite feet for turning right.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.1MB)

Newer poi artists can often be at a loss for how to flow between moves. One answer to that is drilling combinations, as one might drill a move, to develop the muscle memory necessary to move between the different patterns. This advanced beginner combination uses the following moves:

• counter clockwise corkscrew
• overhand weave
• weave turnaround (left)
• underhand weave
• underhand buzzsaw
• both opposite direction buzzsaws
• underhand opposite/split hip reel
• overhand butterfly
• clockwise pinwheel
• clockwise corkscrew

The table below describes the specific transitions, positioning of the body and feet in more detail.

	NAME	DIR.	FACE	FEET
move 1	corkscrew	CCW
transition A
transition B	when L hand bottom, R over left arm
move 2	weave (W); note you’ll want to put your right foot ahead of your left foot before turning	OH
transition C	weave turnaround, 1.5 times; this will result in doing the OH W 2 times before stopping in the UH W
move 3	weave	UH
move 4	circles	UH
transition D	choke poi
move 5	figure 8 to inside plane to buzzsaw	UH
transition E	tap right poi on back
move 6	buzzsaw	SSL
transition F	double tap back 4 times; hand that is OH taps on butt, other hand on back
move 7	buzzsaw	SSL
transition G	figure 8 left poi to outside plane while turning left; release both poi
move 8	hipreel	UHS
transition H	double stall in on front plane
move 9	butterfly	OH
move 10	butterfly with extensions	OH
transition I	right poi stall or wrap
move 11	pinwheel	CW
transition J	plane shift from the pinwheel to the corkscrew	CW
move 12	corkscrew	CW
transition J	turn right with the corkscrew (or left, usually a little tougher for beginners)

Here’s a 4.5 minute video demonstrating the combination a few times.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (28.8MB)

Double Up Stalls

One of the slickest ways to transition from same direction to split (opposite) direction is to use stalls. For that reason alone, mastering stalls is an invaluable skill for performance artists, allowing the audience to enjoy the patterns through every transition. If you’re one of those artists who is looking to improve you skill with stalls, the basic stall drill is a simple (though not necessarily easy — especially for beginners) pattern to practice. Below is a table and video breaking down the pattern, step by step.

	NAME	DIR.	FACE	FEET
move 1	circles	OH
transition A	left stall
move 2	circles	SSR
transition B	right stall
move 3	circles	UH
transition C	left stall
move 4	circles	SSL
transition D	right stall
move 5	circles	OH
transition E	right stall
move 6	circles	SSL
transition F	left stall
move 7	circles	UH
transition G	right stall
move 8	circles	SSR
transition H	left stall
move 9	circles	OH

Mastery of the basic stall drill assists artists in developing independent hand movements and invaluable for the beginning artist who finds rubbing their head and patting their belly simultaneously challenging.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (16.5MB)

Enjoy this fun video of GlitterGirl getting down on New Year’s day to “Brick House.”

Enjoy these remixes of popular artists done in chill beats and downbeat grooves.