This document provides information about specific requirements for members of the 2008 Temple of Poi Fire Conclave. This year the organizer ("shin") is once again Waldemar Horwat, who has been dancing with the Temple of Poi (the school) since 2004. Liz Christensen and Temple of Poi's founder GlitterGirl are assisting in the organization of this year's conclave.

• How do I join the Temple of Poi Conclave?
• Who is eligible to join the Temple of Poi Conclave?
• What is required of me to Participate with Temple of Poi?
• How can people get to know me?
• How can I find people to perform with?
• What deadlines should I be Aware of to Participate with Temple of Poi?
• Pre Playa Check List
• On playa Check List

How do I join the Temple of Poi Conclave?

To join the Temple of Poi conclave, contact Waldemar; his contact info is his first name at acm dot org.

Who is eligible to join the Temple of Poi Conclave?

Qualified candidates are individuals who:

• are at the equivalent of poi skill level of Intermediate II or beyond in classes (as defined by the Temple of Poi School's curriculum). Alternatively, hoop, staff, and other fire artists can discuss admission with Waldemar or GlitterGirl and, if necessary, audition for admission.
• collaborate with their peers and/or coaches to create a choreographed performance piece
• meet all deadlines required by both Waldemar and Crimson Rose
• are in good standing with Crimson regarding past commitments
• can demonstrate their commitment to their word to Waldemar and GlitterGirl
• are repeat burners (exceptions will be made in limited cases for first time burners)
• demonstrate a willingness and ability to perform with self expression and a unique style as an intention
• can perform fire with the use of white gas
• publicly commit to following the requirements below

What is required of me to Participate with Temple of Poi?

In addition to Crimson's requirements, Temple of Poi artists are also required to meet some additional criteria. Some of this criteria is necessary to meet Crimson's requirements while other criteria is designed to support a more fun and interactive experience within the community. Additional requirements include:

• Meet all Temple of Poi deadlines for auditions, videos, feedback, etc.
• Join the 2008 Temple of Poi conclave mailing list. This is a new mailing list and will be open until some time later in the year.
• Provide fuel and gear for the night of the burn and practices.
• Meet at a common location Saturday (burn night) at sundown on the playa to acquire badges for the circle.
• Be on time for on and off playa events.
• If you live in the bay area, attend at least two pre-playa group gatherings. The purpose of these is to get to know other members of the conclave, let them get to know you, as well as offer you an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to be where you say you will be when you say you will be there. These will occur starting in spring; the schedule is to be determined.
• Create group choreographed performances. Each artist can participate in up to two performance pieces. Ideally a group should consist of three or more performers, although we might make exceptions.

What is the mailing list used for and how will people get to know me?

The Temple of Poi 2008 Conclave mailing list is now available. This list is used for all critical communication regarding the Temple of Poi Conclave group. This list will be open to everyone until the 2008 Temple of Poi Conclave group is assembled and closed. To join the list, subscribe via the list interface.

In addition to all critical communication regarding conclave being sent through the conclave mailing list, everyone joining the list is required to post an introduction within 7 days of joining the list. The introduction should include the following:

• Name:
• Performance Name:
• Role: dancer, drummer, safety, helmsman
• Tool(s):
• Experience:
• Prior years in conclave: (Virgin, 1, 2, ...)
• Group: Indicate if you have one and/or need one. If you are part of a group, indicate who else is in it and who the group lead is.
• Something unique about yourself
• Commitment: A statement, such as the following, indicating your commitment:
  I commit to follow the Temple of Poi 2008 guidelines for conclave as described at: http://www.templeofpoi.com/events/conclave2008.php.

I'm excited but currently don't have teammates to do a routine. Help!

You're not the only one. A lot of folks are in the same situation. Because of the handy conclave email list everyone will be joining, we all can be connected to each other. Everyone's introduction will indicate if they have groups and/or need groups. Please also check the list archives to see the introductions of people who joined before you. Once you identify people who are interested in groups, connect with them at the community gatherings.

How do we come up with a choreographed piece?

There are lots of resources to help. Some groups have pieces and are looking for more dancers. If you're stuck creating a new piece, ask Waldemar or GlitterGirl for tips, take a Temple of Poi performance class, or contract with GlitterGirl for private lessons. Many of the more experienced members here can help as well. Watch what they do and ask questions at spin jams. Watch videos of other group performances to get ideas (GlitterGirl has DVDs of 2006's Union Square performances, and posted videos of some of the more recent Union Square performances on the net).

When doing a piece for Union Square, you want it synchronized with music. At the burn of the Man there is no recorded music, so you'll need either visual synchronization or to dance at the common pace set by the drummers. It's not hard to get most pieces to work this way.

What deadlines should I be Aware of to Participate with Temple of Poi?

In order for us to meet Crimson's requirements and deadline while also creating a standard of excellence representative of the Temple of Poi Community, the following deadlines have been created:

1. 4/15: contact Waldemar or GlitterGirl to indicate interest by April 15, 2008
2. If you'll be performing in Union Square at the end of April, you'll have a terrific opportunity to showcase your piece early and can sail through to the video submission step.
3. 5/1: create a rough video outline including some choreography and the concepts for the group piece(s) to be submitted by either DVD or uploaded by the group lead on or before May 1, 2008.
4. 5/15: this video will be considered the initial audition and GlitterGirl will provide feedback to the group lead on or before May 15, 2008
5. 6/17: submit a final video of your piece performed well with fire. The choreography should be at least 85% complete. For this video please use a non-distracting background and make sure there is enough ambient light to see the performers and not just the flames -- Crimson indicated to us that that's how she wants to see them.
6. 8/30 (burn night): Arrive at a location designated by Waldemar by 6:45 PM for badge distribution, general hoo ha and a fun procession to the Man.

Pre Playa Check List

Things fire artists might want to pack for Burning Man:

• pack a first aid burn kit to take with you (preferably that is mobile) with your gear
• pack all your gear and extra parts in case you need them
• pack your performance outfits
  
• Fire Watch: NON FLAMMABLE CLOTHS DURING THE BURN!!!! for your safety and ours
• fuel -- NO KEROSENE the night of the burn! [I estimate 10-12 burns per gallon of fuel, on average. I have never used as much fuel as I brought, but then, I'd rather have extra fuel than too little. If I were going for 7 days, I would pack 6 gallons including the fuel for burn night and dress rehearsal, which is 1 gallon]
• IF YOU GOT A DISCOUNT TICKET and you haven't paid for it, make sure you bring cash and your driver's license to pick it up. (At this point I don't know who will be eligible for discount tickets; the criteria are up to Burning Man and varied over the past few years.)

On playa Check List

Arrival until Friday

• Put your fuel in a safe place -- under your vehicle, not directly in the sun.
• Mark and set aside burn night and rehearsal fuel so you don't accidentally use it during the week.
• At some point Monday - Thursday between 10 am and 6 pm you must go to Fire Conclave Convergence and register with them indicating you are on the playa. If past years are any guide, the'll be located either around Center Camp or on the Esplanade close to Center Camp. YOU CAN NOT GET IN THE CIRLCE -- dance, drums, safety, whatever -- WITHOUT DOING THIS. Your name will be listed under the Temple of Poi conclave.
• if, for some reason, your name is not on Crimson's list (very unlikely),
  please report that information to Waldemar as soon as possible
  

On Playa on Friday August 29:

• There is a mandatory organizational meeting for the Shin only. The rest of you can ignore this. If you haven't signed in at the Fire Conclave Convergence by the time this meeting starts, you will not get a laminate to get into the great circle.

On Playa, August 30, BURN DAY/NIGHT:

• TBA: Special helmsman meeting.
• Everyone: Saturday night we will meet at Waldemar's designated spot at 6:45 PM sharp. This is when you will get your laminate and receive last-minute instructions. That is what you need to get in the circle for the burn. You can leave your bikes there, but pack light for the trek to the man. Bring your:
  • gear
  • fuel
  • camel back (water)
  • sobriety
• We walk over to the Man no later than about 7:15 (we might leave earlier). If you miss us at the gathering spot (please don't!), you can catch up with us as we walk to the circle around the Man.
• IF YOU ARE DRUNK OR HIGH, YOU WILL NOT GET A BADGE. NO EXCUSES, NO EXCEPTIONS.
• We do a lot of standing around in the circle -- so expect it. But it is also really exciting. Imagine, if you will... Thousands of people directing their energy into the circle where you are standing. You can feel the energy. It is really incredible. Truly. Few other things compare.

One final note on safety: If you are too cracked out for any reason to be spinning fire on Saturday night, that is OK. It happens. You might have gotten sick (GlitterGirl partied too much and did). You might have overdone it. YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY PERFORMANCE EVER. So, you can come and get a badge and help guard the burn barrel or be a safety or just stand around in the circle helping people keep their gear straight. It is okay to be human and have your human experience. It is more important to be safe than to do anything on this list that is "required" and
it is important to me that you all know this.