Summer Poi Spinning Update

June 25th, 2009

Here is a long-ish summer poi update. Please, please, please let me know if there’s something big I’ve missed, and I’ll add it!

In this update: 1) Poi classes, 2) Fire jams, 3) Non-fire jams, 4) Fire shows, 5) Poi community.

1) I’m teaching two classes this summer:

Thursdays in July - Trout Lake. Drop-in beginner and intermediate/advanced classes from 7-9 pm.

Mondays all summer - Britannia Community Centre. All level class from 8:30 to 10 pm.

More info: http://www.nightanddaydance.com/poi/lessons/

2) Fire jams are lighting up the summer nights!

Wednesdays at Trout Lake are gaining momentum. It’s said to be a slightly more “beginner-friendly” vibe, which is great for newer spinners. I go when I can!

Sunday at Trout Lake is the bigger night, sometimes with a dj or drummers, and lots of great spinners. This night tends to draw a bigger audience too. Come see what’s cookin’, or do some spinning yourself!

3) There are two regular non-fire jams now.

They happen at around the same day/time: Saturdays around 2 pm. One is at the Art Gallery, and the other is at Trout Lake. Oh, woe is I, how does one decide? Trout Lake is closer to where I live, and I like going there after the Farmers Market. This weekend I’d like to go to one, then the other. We’ll see! Both are are blast and worth checking out!

Another jam happens a little farther out - Wednesdays in New West. Check out http://www.vanjug.org for info!

Other folks have also been getting together on their own to practice and play. I’d love to see them post their info online, perhaps on the Vancouver Poi Enthusiasts page on Facebook. I wouldn’t mind having a few more friendly outdoor practice/play sessions myself! Anyone have a few new cool moves to share?

4) There are a few fire shows coming in July.

You’ll see fire-aplenty at Illuminares at Trout Lake on July 25th - a tradition during that event. The following night, I’ve been asked to perform with fire at an event on/near Spanish Banks. I’ll send more info when I know more, but it should be a pretty magical/meditative experience!

5) Poi community - I love it!

And I’d love to see it grow. One of my favorite moments at Firedrums was when I stood up from lunch in the lodge and started spinning. A few minutes later, five others had joined me and we were sharing moves and ideas. About ten minutes later, one of the kitchen people started banging out an awesome rhythm with a ladle on the steel counter. Then all the kitchen people joined in. Suddenly the room exploded into a thundering harmony of rhythm and sound - it was breathtaking, and it was coming from US! Then Burning Dan, an amazing spinner and teacher, jumped into a clear spot and starting jamming out and dancing with poi, and we all watched and cheered. What an amazing moment! Poi community!

So maybe this is what I’m suggesting: we need a poi day. We pick a day. We pick a place. We get together for the day, and we spin, eat, make music, and jam. The sun goes down, and then we burn, eat some more, make more music, jam, take photos and videos. Then we share our day, in images, online. Then we do it again and again!

So, what do you think? A poi day, this summer? August? Or do we think even bigger and call it Flow Vancouver and invite all the hoopers/staffers, etc too! What do you think?

I hope to see you out spinning soon!

Happy spinning, happy living!
David

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Poi Jedi?

June 20th, 2009

I am embarking on a journey to become a poi Jedi.

I’m not necessarily doing anything truly different. It’s more a matter of focus, attention, and energy. I’m pouring more thought and time into what I do with poi, and the result is really striking. The lesson is simple, really:

The more you do of something, the better you get.

But usually most of us take this idea to mean an hour here, and an hour there. Nope, it’s gotta be deeper than that. BE OBSESSED.

led poi spinning triquetra Vancouver BC

led poi spinning triquetra Vancouver BC

So I’m obsessed with poi! I practice almost daily. I’ve been filming myself and sometimes cringing, sometimes cheering at the result. I keep making and trying new practice poi. I bought new fire poi. I talk to everyone about poi. I created a Google Map for spots to spin poi in Vancouver. I teach poi, and I’ll soon be teaching MORE poi. The more poi in my life, the more my poi-ness increases!

sock poi, fabric poi, tube poi, cone poi Vancouver BC

sock poi, fabric poi, tube poi, cone poi Vancouver BC

The really challenging side to my hyperfocus on poi is that I never really know at any single moment if I’m actually going anywhere. This is the cruel calculus of living in the moment - instantaneously, I’m actually standing quite still! It’s only when I look at the longer picture, my progression through the course of time, that I begin to see growth. It really helps to record oneself along the way, but we don’t always think of such things, do we?

Luckily, I’ve started!

It probably also helps to have a goal, but that’s tricky with poi. Do I make it my goal to tackle a certain move or set of moves? Perhaps. Do I aspire to enter a competition or perform in a particular venue? Sure. But what else is there? There is no Stanley Cup of poi, not really, and that’s not my angle anyway. I’m not much for competition.

Ah, the Jedi thing. There it is, full circle. The path of a Jedi is as important or even more important than the destination. The goal is fully entering the moment and making the best possible use of what is here right now. What’s here? Time, energy, a pile of poi to practice with, music, a video camera, desire. The more we use these things, the more we grow.

So that’s my quick take on poi, becoming a Jedi, getting better at something. What’s yours?

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Poi Lessons, Poi Classes oh my!

April 10th, 2009

New poi spinning classes start soon!

The big one is on Monday nights at Britannia Community Centre at 8:45 pm. Starts April 20. $140 for all ten classes.

Learn all the poi basics, intermediate poi concepts, and advanced poi moves. Did I mention poi?

I’ll have practice poi to borrow or buy, and we’ll plan at least one fire safety orientation and outdoor fire jam.

All the important info is here: http://www.nightanddaydance.com/poi/

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wedding dance songs

April 10th, 2009

I like to think we have a unique perspective on wedding dance songs. The list we have compiled is of songs used by previous students, period. We haven’t added anything that we think would work, or think others would like, or think might be popular. The entire list is instead a cross section of what’s being used right now, and what has been used recently. There are definitely some repeats, such as “The Way I Am,” but there are some unique choices as well. So, if students are looking for ideas, this is a great place to start. Now I just wish that someone hadn’t already registered weddingsongs.com!

Here’s the link: http://www.nightanddaydance.com/wedding/songs.php

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A seriously odd/interesting/different dance lesson idea?

April 2nd, 2009

I’ve been teaching club dancing off and on ever since we started teaching out of our home studio. This usually means someone who has somehow avoided or missed dancing all his/her life, and now wants to be able to feel comfortable at parties, clubs, weddings, etc. So, we start with some basic body awareness and movement, and build up from there.

One crucial element is always missing, though, and that’s a testing ground. How does a student know if this stuff really works without trying it? And in what situation can a student actually try this stuff without feeling completely vulnerable?

I think I’ve found one place, at least! Chai Gallery, above East is East on Broadway near Trutch, has incredible live music (and an amazing buffet) on Wednesday nights. The cost is $35, $10 goes toward a charity, and chai is $4.50 extra (aside from generous samples that they bring around). It starts at 7 pm, ends as late as people want to stay, and it is a wonderful, friendly, open, nonjudgemental vibe - perfect for new dancers!

So, here’s my thought - would a student be willing to pay my admission, along with theirs, to go to something like this and have me as a dance…helper? Coach? Dance support person - there we go! See, I would love to go more often myself, but I’m either teaching or I just can’t afford it on a regular basis. I’m sure my students would love to go, but they probably feel shy about dancing. If we go together, however, and I get up, start dancing simply, and give them something to emulate, and someone to feel good dancing next to, wouldn’t this fill in the missing link?

I’m curious to hear someone’s thoughts!

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Taking stock….

April 1st, 2009

Here’s just a quick list of things we’re up to….

I’m up to about 5′ 9″.
Diane is a little shorter still.

We’re creating and rehearsing a swing/jazz/partner dance piece for an independent film project. More details later!

I’m teaching two new sessions of poi classes: Saturdays at the Roundhouse, starting April 18, and Mondays at Britannia, starting April 20. Visit our poi and fire section for more details!

Funding for the seniors ballroom class has been cut, but the programmer for the course is trying to ensure that it continues! Help? Ideas? Let us know! We’ve considered charging for the class, but the program has always been free, so it would be a bit of a shift in thinking for our students.

We continue to teach a lot of private lessons. And right now, as an added incentive to previous students to come back and learn a few more tidbits, if you mention this blog post, I’ll offer you one private lesson, half off! Why? I want to know who reads these entries, and I’d love to see some old students again!

We’re also starting up our blues dance sessions again, so look for them soon if you’re a blues dancer (or even if not - it’s never too late to learn!)…we post the info on Facebook, usually, but may post it here eventually as well.

And finally, we chose a winner for our t-shirt contest, and now we’re just waiting for everyone to have time to get together and finalize the design!

Happy dancing!
David

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We want more blues!

January 4th, 2009

One of the things we’re determined to have more of in 2009 is blues dancing.

It’s really hard to imagine too much blues dancing - I’ve certainly never experienced it. I wonder if it’s anything like chocolate, a sensory fireworks show that diminishes imperceptibly with each nibble until the intestines, liver, kidney, etc, catch up, and everything collapses! With blues, the worst thing I’ve ever experienced is feeling physically tired from dancing all night! That’s it. Otherwise, it really is endless chocolate without the side effects!

So we live in an almost perpetual state of wanting more. That’s not a bad way to start, is it?

We keep thinking we should just open our door and have a blues jam. Our space is small large enough, right? I actually did type “small” at first, and it’s probably closer to the truth. Our “studio” is 12×17 ft, roughly, and there’s a computer desk at one end, mirrors along one section of wall, just crying out for a hard kick, and an awful creak right in the middle of the floor. Even if each couple could dance inside a 5×5 space, that’s only four couples dancing at once, shoulder to shoulder, nothing wild allowed. And everyone else? Pressed against the walls or somehow butting in.

No, we need a bigger space! That’s the next step - get a large enough space, suck it up and pay the rent, ask for a modest admission fee at the door, and then get down for the rest of the night! What are we waiting for?

We talked to the folks who run Rhizome cafe, since we’ve noticed that they occasionally hold dance/music-based events, but no luck there - apparently their license doesn’t allow for more than a limited number of such events, and they don’t seem willing to try their luck with us. I really liked the idea of a blues dance at a place where one can also grab a snack or a drink (hot chocolate?) in between dances! Too bad. I also like the visibility of that location, and the potential for people from outside the blues scene to find themselves gratefully discovered and invited in.

There are other spaces as well, each with limitations, but we know one of them will work out, eventually. We’re open to suggestions! The venue doesn’t have to be perfect - just allow for movement! And music, late into the night!

Some people say to me, “You and your wife must dance a lot!” but it isn’t really true. We don’t dance at home just for the fun of it. There’s something special about a venue filled with just the right number of people to be cozy, with just the right atmosphere to inspire playful dancing. Perhaps there is also the selfish pleasure of being seen, but really I think that’s just a part of community. Everyone watches, and everyone is seen, and everyone participates. Strangers become dance partners. Dance partners become acquaintances and friends. Community ensues. It’s a beautiful process.

So we want more blues! And we have a community! So it’s time to stop writing about it and time to start choosing a space!

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2009 is already filling up!

January 4th, 2009

2009 has just barely begun, and it’s already filling up with… well… a lot of things, actually.

1) I’m organizing a poi workshop with one of the best poi spinners around (as in: the world) starting on January 14 - more info here: Alien Jon Poi Workshop.

2) My poi classes also start again this month, and registration is now open, details here: group poi classes

3) Diane and I are working with Firebelly on a fire show for Winterruption and another show in Richmond, both in February

4) Our tap/dance/performance ensemble Kol Halev has a show planned for March, so rehearsals are starting

5) We’re working on a swing piece for a short film, details later!

6) Of course, private dance lessons are ongoing, especially for weddings, and will be starting soon!

7) Our social ballroom class for adults 55+ kicks off next week

….and there’s more but I can’t remember it all! Fun, exciting, overwhelming, busy!

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Poi Concept #3 - the secret of circles

July 30th, 2008

Poi Concept #3: The Secret of Circles

This is a relatively simple poi spinning concept, but much like a Zen koan, its meaning is wrapped in mystery, more difficult to grasp than I thought possible. Very few students have ever comprehended this concept, and even fewer, once grasping it, have fully embraced its meaning in their spinning.

So here it is

The concept is this: if you spin a single poi in a certain direction, say forward (down) toward the west, and maintain the same rotation no matter what you do, the circle’s direction never changes.

Got it? Good, now go be inspired to new levels of spinning bliss!

What!? I’m not enlightened!

Okay okay, let’s probe a little further.

Say you’re spinning forward, toward west, with your right hand. Then you cross your hand across your body so the circle is on your left side. Still rotating west, right?

Say you spin forward toward west with your right hand, and turn your body, but not your arm, 180 degrees to your right. Your right arm is now across your belly or chest. The poi’s rotation is still . . . west.

Say you swing the poi under your right leg from the front. As it swings up toward your back, you rotate 180 degrees left, the poi comes out from between your legs, and you keep spinning . . . west.

See the trend?

Now for the Real Point

The real point lies within the second two examples above. You spin west and turn your body 180 degrees, and the circle doesn’t change, but your relation to it does. So you have to wrap your brain around the idea that while the poi keeps rotating in the exact same direction—west—the fact that you turn around means your hand must now work to maintain a reverse rotation!

In other words, you don’t simply spin the poi forward, turn around, and keep spinning the poi forward. You spin forward, turn around, and spin the poi in reverse.

Whoah. Headache! Next thing you know I’ll have it all tied together with the Theory of Relativity!

Relativity

So really then, you must maintain awareness of two ideas at the same time:

The rotation of the poi will continue in the same direction until you shift the plane, bounce the poi, stall it and reverse directions, etc.

As long as the rotation of the poi continues uninterrupted, you must change the direction of force applied by your hand any time you turn away from you original position.

Thus: the poi’s rotation never changes, and the poi’s rotation constantly changes in relation to whatever direction you face.

And that’s the secret

Whether koan or quantam mechanics or otherwise, I think it’s a pretty awesome and powerful idea. So embrace it. Contemplate it. And go spin like a dervish!

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