How to improve on fire poi shows

dont know if this is the right forum to be in.
have been doing a fire show outside a bar in paphos, cyprus, not for money, just for a few free drinks. the show is fine but i feel it needs a little extra something. i can do most of the moves, at least basic, i realize the sky is the limit. not looking for anything complicated just some suggestions on how to make the show a little better, little things like opening moves or ways to keep the poi lit up for longer, any suggestionson how to improve the show

Hey I ain't much for performing but using different fire toys always ups it. A fire show isn't a fire show without different toys.

yes, did you know that staff twirlers are very virile people?! it's true!

i saw an amazing show in Edinburgh, and it was done by two dudes twirling together with two sticks between them but swapping sticks with throws throughout their act.

Also u could try increase the ambience of your show, so take the bare street, but try to think of ways to get your audience excited even beofre u light up, just by giving the place an aoura

hope that makes some sense and/or difference

cheers

Interaction....

Talk to the people watching, make up silly stories about "this one time, at band camp, I set a triangle on fire"

Have a common theme or reaction running throughout the whole show that people can follow on. It can be something as simple as getting them to all yell (as nicely as possible) for someone in the the club to bring you out a drink of water every ten minutes.

Get someone to set their watch...and keep asking how long to go whenever they look bored.

Flirt, with complete and utter innocence, with BOTH sexes in the audience. Be aware that men with girlfrinds may feel a little intimidated, so go on about how cute they look, even if you are male...It gives their girlfriends a great laugh, and earns them a few points of respect with the crowd.

Play up BIG on the safety aspect too, constantly ask people if they can check if kids are watching, and if any turn up...have a long long talk about how only adults are dumb enough to spin fire...kids are WAY to smart for that sort of thing...


Well, anyway, that few suggestions...take 'em or leave 'em...

the presepction of firetwirling (at least in my view) is very tribal so play on that, costuming, war paint..... even go as far to find someone who plays bongo and get them to play while you twirl. Mixing it up a little is a good idea..... just play with a theame and once you've got it right run with it.

Like your thought process Charles, getting the audience into it will make the show sooooooo much better....that is how all buskers make money

cheers

you should spin naked.

great points, charles!
My interaction is limited to a bow at the end! I think i get too out of breath to talk though..

Dentrassi, is that with or without shaving?

Remember that you are there for the audience, not the audience there for you. Even if you were not there, they still would be. You are a bonus.
Be appreciative of the fact that they are giving you their time.
Spinning hard and fast (so that you lose your breath) is only good for a short time. Spinning technically is great when you spin for other spinners. However, after a bit, to most people it is simply fire in circles.

Move your body. When you are spinning, make eye contact with the audience. Add other visually interesting things, like uv/glowy things (glowsticks on the ends of handles are really neat in clubs. Crack them when you take a break so that it adds something new in the middle of a show. Then keep your hands really close together. It looks almost like liquid dancing with fire poi.)

And Charles is spot on. Performing is ALL about the audience.