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

What: Temple of Poi 2010 Fire Dancing Expo
Where: Union Square (Geary and Post)
When: April 24, 2009 at 7:50-10:10 pm
Cost: Free!!

Bring a chair and a blanket and join us April 24, 2009 at 7:50 pm for our fifth annual free fire dancing show in San Francisco’s legendary Union Square (Geary and Post) for the fourth annual Temple of Poi Fire Dancing Expo.

This year’s show is a veritable who’s who of internationally renowned fire dancing performers hailing from 3 continents including:

• MCP (Edinburgh, Scotland) - dragon staff solo
• Redox (Temple of Poi) - poi solo
• Aileen Lawlor (Oakland, CA) - wand and contact staff
• Memory Elena & Corey White (Bay Area) - fans
• Alien Jon (Currently residing somewhere on planet Earth) - poi solo
• Dyami & Wryly (Santa Cruz, Ca) - single poi duet
• Bradley Allbee (West Los Angeles, CA) - poi solo
• Sarah Starlight (Temple of Poi) - hoop solo
• Ian Boyd, Anthony ‘Broadway’ Rutland, Ayala Kalisher, Russ Megowan, Dyami Kaplan
  & Sara Huntley are Kinetica! (Santa Cruz, CA) - fans, staff, double staff
• Corey Just (Oakland, CA) - fan solo
• Erin Shredder of Shredder Hoops (San Francisco, CA) - hoop solo
• Celsius Maximus (Monterey, CA) - fans, swords
• Vin DeLuca & Solenne Alexa (San Francisco, CA) - staff poi duet
• Vatra (San Francisco) - poi solo
• Russ Megowan & Jake Yoshioka are Hybridz R Us (Santa Cruz, CA) - poi duet
• Zan & Aurora Moore of Instruments of the Now (Portland, OR) - poi duet
• GlitterGirl & Kahunahula (San Francisco, CA) - poi hoop duet
• Colleen Sullivan, Krista Borst, Emily Port, Don Keenan & Michael Henninger of Firish (Bay Area, CA) - hoop, fan, staff, poi
• Erik Aylen, Shaina Dyani Johnson, Bridget Harrison, Alysia Hook & Oliver Pavick are Copper Lantern Fire Theater (Oakland, CA) - wand, fan, poi, hoop and staff
• Matt McCorkle & Brian Thompson are Circus Conspiracy (Oakland, CA) - clubs
• Miss Rosie (San Francisco, CA) - hoop solo
• Rob Horner of PYRODYNAMICS Fire Dance Productions (Cairns, Australia) - 7 staves solo
• Adam Herscheid of Flames Of the Phoenix (Cairns, Australia) - double staff solo
• Adam Herscheid & Rob Horner are Flames of the Phoenix & Pyrodynamics (Cairns, Australia) - double staff duet
• Luis Chavez, Gatamala, Juicy Jess and Luna Del Fuego of Fire Euphoria (Santa Cruz, CA)
• The Amazing Baz & Drex are Ouroboros (Boston & Washington DC) - poi duet
• Mike Icon & Jenni van Tassel of Cirque d’Optique (Philadelphia, PA) - poi hoop fan duet
• Ansel Cummings & Kyle Ford of Pyrotechniq (Iowa City, IA) - umbrella, torches, poi
• Yuta (Tokyo, Japan) - poi solo
• Chryseph of Obsidian Moon (Seattle, WA) - rope dart, staff solo
• Madelaine “Wolf” Bukiet & Lauren “Madamn Burnz” Picheney of Las Piratas Del Fuego (Brooklyn, New York) - contact
• D. “Mac” Kaul, Dave “O.D.”  Kaul, Dave King (founder of Controlled Burn), Carlyn “Wrangler” Perona, Angel “Fire Angel” Schultz, Barbara “Dr. Soos” Slaughter, Brenda Ashworth, Evonne “Shelly” George, Katrina “Glitter Bee” Whitten, Kelin Whitten, Kurt “Titwi” George,  Mark “Lucky” Ashworth, Roger “Rogeman” Stimson, Sage “Safire” Ashworth, Shane “Saul Goode” Peterson, Tom “Moon Penguin” Fougner & Bill “Dammit Bill” Schultz from Controlled Burn (Reno, NV) - poi, fan, staff
• Banyan (Chicago, IL) - s staves
• Jaden Rose of Solar Flare (San Francisco, CA) - double hoop

The 2010 Expo also marks the 5th Anniversary of Temple of Poi Fire Dancing Expo and this show is once again on the City of San Francisco and Union Square’s Jewels in the Square Program. Jewels in the Square is an ongoing series of culturally significant presentations made in San Francisco’s Union Square in an effort to make diverse entertainment available to the public for free.

The creation of this event – selected in 2010 for the 4th consecutive year as one of Bay Area Dance week’s Cornerstone events – is a tremendous leap in the efforts to legitimize fire dancing as an art form by taking it out of parking lots and putting it on landmark stages like Union Square. The Expo celebrates safe, legally permitted, public fire dancing performance in honor of National Dance Week, an annual 10-day week of free public dance events in the Bay Area designed to showcase the dynamic diversity and critically acclaimed quality of Bay Area dance.

Temple of Poi supports this vision by creating an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate fire dancing at no cost to the artists or audience. This event is a not for profit event created with the intention of:

• offering more performance opportunities for fire dancers
• giving novice artists who might otherwise not have an opportunity to perform in a public setting an opportunity where they can invite friends and family to see them express their art
• increased exposure to the flow fire art forms by creating a legally permitted public event at a San Francisco landmark location
• raise the awareness of fire dancing as a prestigious dance form by holding this event on the opening night of National Dance Week

This $5000 event is being financed by Isa “GlitterGirl” Isaacs, Temple of Poi, Union Square Park and San Francisco, generous donations from Susan Drews Watkins and you! 

Due to the economic challenges of the current economy, we are requesting fiscal support in funding this event. If you’re moved by our cause to legitimize flow and fire arts, use the Chip-In link on this page to help defray the costs of the event which include fire permits (almost $800 for the fire permit) travel stipends for out of state artists ($1000), programs, marketing and more.

Please apply only if this vision calls to you.

Temple of Poi is hosting the 5th 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 1000+ people in attendance. This year’s show is April 24 at 7:50 pm. Call time for dancers is 6:30 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 celebrate National Dance Week (April 23 - May 2)
• to offer artists from around the world an opportunity to perform for a very grateful and more attuned than average 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
• 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 alone. 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, Dai, Manda Lights, Thomas, Alien Jon, Vatra 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. In 2009, we gave $1000 in travel stipends, all of which was raised through the generous donations of friends and members of the Temple of Poi Community. We will again be offering travel stipends in 2010.

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. This year, we hope to have 10 $100 travel stipends and will be awarded at our discretion.

Guidelines for Applicants

• Interested applicants must submit their application via email to GlitterGirl at: 2010expo (at) templeofpoi daht com by noon pacific time, February 5, 2010 in order to be considered.
• All applicants must submit four things:
  • A completed information sheet - only one per group
  • A signed agreement sheet for each person in the group to be included in the fire permit application - please print, sign, scan and email it back
  • a URL with a link to a video submission of the proposed piece or similar piece (or something representative of your work), ideally using fire
  • a signed  video release form for each person performing as part of your group - please print, sign, scan and email it back
• Restrictions/Agreements:
  • Call time: For tool and costume inspection will be 6:30 PM. You must be there with your tools in working order by that time.
  • No tosses! Tosses were not allowed in 2009 and will not be allowed in 2010 — there was a $300 fine per toss implemented last year, so write your act without tosses. This is a restriction imposed by the fire department, not by Temple of Poi.
  • Stage Time: Solo acts are limited to 4 minutes; Group acts are limited to 6 minutes
  • Spin off: Artists agree to spin off their tools before taking the stage.
  • This is a white gas only show! 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.
  • Prohibited tools/acts: Fire spitting, fire works, propane tanks (or any fuel under pressure), steel wool or anything else that will leave residue on the stage are all prohibited for fire permit reasons.
  • Costumed requirements: For permit and safety reasons, all artists must wear natural fiber.
  • Soloists: Solo acts must have a separate application, even if you are part of a group.
  • Groups: Each group must apply with one application and a designated contact person. All members of the group must be listed on that application. All members of the group must complete sign a video release form.
• 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. In 2010, we hope to have 10 $100 travel stipends which will be awarded 1 per act.
• This is a non-profit event; therefore, performers will not be compensated monetarily in 2010.
• 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

As we near the end of the footage from the 2007 Expo (most of the rest was either off stage or the sound didn’t), here’s a fun little student piece featuring the oldest and youngest performers of the evening. This 5 person piece features Gen as the oldest performer (58 at the time) and Danica as the youngest performer (13 at the time) of the evening with three other hot ladies in the middle. This is a student performance which was the premier fire performance for most of the students. Enjoy this set as Delicious takes the stage.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (27.2MB)

I first started dancing at Sunset Parties the day before my 29th birthday (if you’re not up for the math, that’s 1998). One of the things I really loved about it was that I was in the midst of a bunch of dancers vibing off their energy and that was feeding my dancing. Of course, I didn’t really start relating to it that way until much later when I reflected back on it and started to realize how much I really like to dance.

As I started to play with poi, my poor skill and the subsequent space requirements at dance parties relegated me to the back corner of the room. Ug. What a bummer. I was not able to play in the crowd and rather than being one of the dancers on the floor hanging out with my friends and vibing off the flow of the crowd, I was one of the side attractions on the way out the door.

For my 40th birthday, I went to LA and visited with Randy and Spencer and we went to Billy’s Society party. I had a great performance, and, later on in the night was even more fun. I can recall the two of them sitting on a couch in a narrow hallway on the way to the rest rooms and I wanted to be spinning and not sitting down. So I just started whipping out my ogg poi in the narrow hallway. On one side was a glass fronted display case and the couch on the other. Between the couch and the display case was perhaps 2.5-3 feet of space.

At that point, I was playing with being able to do moves and interact with people as they were walking to the bathroom. It was a fun little game and it was so interesting to see how different people responded — some fearful, but most playing with me and moving with me as I was doing my tricks because they recognized I was very aware of them and they could see I was skilled with the poi.

I’ve been out dancing a few times since then and done this a little bit, but last night something amazing happened. I was with my Illuminaughty crew — my first Burning Man family — at the Dia De Los Muertos fundraiser. The space was small and the sound system was intimate, so I really wanted to be on the main dance floor. And, I wanted to be dancing with my poi. And there really was no space for me to go for it with long poi. And, I wanted to dance with my friends. Later, at the afterparty , with an even smaller dance floor and disco ball overhead, I was in the same situation.

I started playing this game of, “How Close Can I Get?” And I had some huge breakthroughs! Because of the tiny space, I would go between dancing without the poi and dancing with the poi wrapped up in my hands. What I noticed is that I really started using my body in new and different ways with the poi because I was both watching out for hitting my friends while also trying to really go for it and maintain my high NRG dance style. I was amazed by how small a space I really needed to be able to flow with the crowd and I had an awesome time just being one of the dancers on the dance floor AND also using my poi at the same time. I was right in the midst of dancers — not up against a wall, at an exit, or even off the main floor like I was in the past. The dancing was really much more body oriented than normal and the movements, while fun, were much more in connection with the flow of the dance floor itself than in connection with the tricks of the poi, even though I definitely did some tricky things.

If you’re a dancer and you get all juiced by being on a dance floor, there is nothing like being in the midst of “your people” and playing with your poi. Of course, you have to get competent enough with the poi to do this. . . which is the game.

And, I really have to admit, I wouldn’t do this with the same level of NRG I had last night on just any old dance floor. These people know me and trust me with my poi and are also somewhat forgiving (well, very forgiving — thanks Chris!) if I brush their legs  with the poi. Still, it’s a game worth trying for all your poi dancers out there!

Have fun and I hope you end up as happily sore as I am today!

Like some of the other footage, this Tango duet already appeared on YouTube some months ago and is now being added to the Podcast. Enjoy as Anne and Jim take the stage for this 2 person tango performance in Tango Sexy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (25.3MB)

L’umanita is a collaboration by two Temple of Poi Alumni, Jamie “Sparkaluscious” Luv and Vikki “FireSpice” Friedman. They are two sexy hoop sisters who are inspired to gracefully engage challenge with their mind body and soul, and show it in their love of play in this wonderful performance from the April 2007 Fire Dancing expo. As with the other footage, the original footage was corrupt so this was the highest quality we could get of this video.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (33.1MB)

Etsy.com had a contest going on for making a movie about handmade moments. My entry was the video clip I put together featuring me making and then performing with a set of flag poi. They are so cute — white (UV reactive), sheer organza with silver holographic dots on them. I also happened to weight them really well so they just flew so nicely.

Anyway, because of the Etsy.com lawyers, this clip was rejected because you can see the banner in the background. So sad. . . Hope you enjoy it though!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.4MB)

Here’s the podcast version of the footage we released a few months ago of Shredder lighting up the stage with two fire hoops at the Temple of Poi 2007 Fire Dancing Expo held in San Francisco’s landmark, Union Square. The original video was shot in April of 2007 as part of National Dance Week at the 2nd Annual Fire Dancing Expo.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.7MB)

While Temple of Poi founder GlitterGirl was having an amazing trip down in Dallas in May (where Phillip hosted me — thank you very much!), she had an opportunity to spin a little fire poi for a handful of people. This is a short little practice burn set to Seal’s “Waiting for You.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (20.4MB)

Wanting to prepare for the playa and get acquainted with fire dancing before you see the Man go up in smoke? Join us for some up coming Poi and Hoop classes this June and July at 3 time Best of the Bay Winning Fire Arts School, Temple of Poi. All classes meet nights in San Francisco in SoMa on Mission at 5th (near the Metreon).

- Beginner Poi Moves class series: 6 weeks, 80 minutes per week: For the novice or self taught artist looking for some drills and structure designed for the novice or self taught. Thursdays at 7:30 pm starting 6.25 (skipping 7.2).  As a special Burning Man special, we’ll give you $15 off the tuition so it is reduced from $180 to $165 for all six 80 minute sessions! (may not apply other coupons.) Description and registration.

- Beginner Poi Dancing class series: 4 weeks, 80 minutes per session: If you’re already familiar with Poi Dancing and want to add more flow to your moves, consider our Beginner Poi Dance class where you’ll learn how to transitions between the basic moves with more freedom. $120 on its own or $200 when you register with the Beginner Poi Fire Dancing Class. Runs Tuesday evenings at 8 pm starting June 30 for 4 weeks. Details and Registration.

- Beginner Poi Fire Class class series: 4 weeks, 80 minutes per session: This class series teaches fire safety, poi assembly and maintenance and has each student spin fire as well as fire safety other artists. Tuesdays at 9:30 PM (after dark so you can spin at night!) starting July 14 (back to back with the dance class for 2 weeks). $120 on its own, $200 with the Beginner Poi Dancing Class Series. Details and Registration.

- Fire Hoopology: 3 week series, 80 minutes per session: This class series teaches fire safety and has each student spin fire as well as fire safety other artists. Tuesdays at 9:30 PM (after dark so you can spin at night!) starting July 14 (skipping 7.21). $90. Details and registration.

- Mixed Level Hoop Class: 1 night only, 80 minutes: This mixed level hoop class will help you develop your skills. We keep the classes small (4 or fewer students) so you can enjoy the class more and get lots of personalized attention. Wednesday July 1 at 6:30 pm. $30 Details and registration.

At Temple of Poi, our intention is to create an environment which fosters
people’s exploration into themselves and their own growth as individuals,
using poi as a medium for this journey. I would also like to invite you to
read up on our philosophies at the school — this is a great URL.

Please note payment plans are available if necessary. Please email us
directly to make arrangements.

Please be aware that all payments are non-refundable, though they may be
transferred up to 7 days prior to the start of classes. For information on
our class policies, go here.