Poi and Fire
Poi Lessons
My all level poi spinning class at Britannia Community Centre started again on Monday, September 22. It was a full class! It will continue to run for the next 10 weeks (skipping October 13), and drop-in students are still welcome.
We also teach private lessons, and these can happen at almost any time during the week. Contact us if you'd like one-on-one attention and a lesson schedule that fits into your busy week.
Poi (and other) Tutorials
My goal several months ago was to start filling in the blanks that many of the other poi tutorialists have left in their online instruction. Eventually we would like to help demonstrate the pieces that fit in between the moves, the transitions that aren't often taught, the basic elements that one can stretch in infinite ways. This project has been delayed, but not forever! Keep checking back, or let us know if you'd like to join our poi email list, and we'll let you know when we've added new videos!
A lot of my explorations with poi and other objects is based on a conceptual approach. Rather than asking how a single move (like the weave in poi) can be altered, we break moves down into their smallest elements and then vary those elements as much as possible. This liberates us from a repertoire of set moves and opens the door to a new level of improvisation.
The articles collected here are an attempt to capture some of my ideas about such elements, with suggestions to help others in their own explorations.
Gear
(types of poi, other tools, and their uses)
A constantly evolving section about different types of poi, their drawbacks and benefits, and what to use them for. The next phase in developing this section will be to add reviews about the tools we've purchased, and to include information about where to buy your own gear.
More Poi and Fire
Winter Solstice Fire Performance Class
Want to learn to spin poi? Want to perform with fire? Join us at the Roundhouse Community Centre for a ten week class in fire spinning, movement exploration, choreography, and more. Students will have the chance to be a part of a fire show on December 21st during the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival. Read more about the fire class here!
Poi Elsewhere Online
Tribe.net
We have our own tribe on Tribe.net. Visit Vancouver Poi to find information about classes and gatherings, ask questions, add your own listings and events, and meet other local poi spinners.
Visit our Night and Day Dance group for information not only about poi and fire opportunities but about our dance activities as well. You can also find information on Vancouver Poi Enthusiasts.
Flowtoys
For amazing LED gear, check out Flowtoys. They're amazingly nice people too, and incredibly responsive to queries about their products.
You can help us out by purchasing through them with the above link, or using the code "nightanddaydance" - we'll get credit that helps support our home business!
Home of Poi
One of the biggest sources of fire gear online, this is the place many Vancouverites turn to for their fire dancing needs. The following link gives Night & Day Dance referral points, which may help us test new gear and provide reviews and information about it in the future!
