Studying in AU/NZ for a year - Where to Go?

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jess and I'm currently an undergrad in Oregon, USA. I've been spinning poi for the past two years and have an opportunity to go to Australia, New Zealand, and the Polynesian islands to study and learn modern and traditional forms of fire dancing.

My understanding is that Brisbane, AU is an excellent place for me to start my experience due to several groups and teachers in the area. When it comes to NZ however I'm not sure.

I'd like to split my time up between Australia and New Zealand pretty equally with 6 months in Australia and 6 months in New Zealand with side trips to different islands during the year. I'm interested in learning other forms of fire dancing beyond poi so different styles are a plus.

Is there anyone who can recommend cities I should spend my time, groups I can practice/learn from, workshops in each country, and perhaps some ways I can find groups once I'm there?

I'd really appreciate any help offered!

Keep burning,

Jess

welcome to HoP, jess... I think you've already come to the most important conclusion you could have; brissie is where it's at, for sure.

now, you shouldn't think I'm biased just because I live here; I'm biased because brissie rocks; and yes, we are rather blessed with quite a large and very talented spinning community.

never been to nz, but you'd want to get down to HoP HQ while you've there and say hello to the wonderful people that are bringing us all together, here.

also, somewhere along the way between nz and brissie, melbourne has an active spinning/juggling/fire scene, also.

that's a start, but for as many people as there are here, you'll find as many opinions...

What kind of community does Brissie (I love that nickname btw) have? Are there weekly meetings?

And since you do happen to live there, how easily would you say it would be to get an apartment? Any ideas on prices?

Sorry for the slew of questions, but when one proposes moving to a new city/country, there are some questions.

Appreciate the advice. I'll check out Melbourne. Do you have any idea of who I could contact down there?

use this to find people

tassie is a lovely island, you should come check it out! (i'm not biased, honest!)

Brisbane has a very active community, and we tend to get alot of people passing through as well. Every monday night there is Jugglejam at southbank piazza. There are quite a few fire events all over the place, and plenty of people always keen to get together for a spin anyway. If you head to Jugglejam and ask around i'm sure someone will be able to help. Plenty of gatherings get put up in the events section on here as well.

For housing prices have a look on here, if you need more info on suburbs etc... feel free to flick me a pm and i'll see if i can help.

You should try to make
Common Ground - adelaide
Spun Out - Perth
UberOz - Brisbane

.. and I'm sure many more!

I can highly recommend Brisbane: Large and friendly fire spinning community up there.

Melbourne is also a great place to visit to, and just happens to be where I live

Brisbane is probably your pick for a twirling community. But if you want umm... insane skillz and dashing good looks you can't look past the fine city of Melbourne... Can you Brenn?

From what it sounds like, I made a good choice on Brisbane. But Melbourne does sound like it has some reasons to visit.

natasqi, do you know how easy it is to get into the workshops you mentioned? Is it a simple matter of getting on the proper website to register?

Thanks for the advice! Very appreciated!

I am living in North of NZ teaching Community Circus
Theres a great scene for Fire in Auckland (see events) aswell as other cities such as Rotorua, Wellington, Tauranga
Small scenes/Troupes in South Island - Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch (aswell as Circus school)
I have contacts in all those places if you need.
I havent yet been able to connect with the indiginous Maori population of spinners - which isnt so Fire orientated
Good luck in your travels - make sure you make it to NZ - its VERY different to Oz and has its own lovely feel and history to its spinning
PM me if you need

Firenix,

is there any particular reason as to why you haven't been able to connect with the Maoris? Just wondering since I'm aiming to try and learn some traditional and would like to know how best to go about that.

Thanks for the city suggestions!

Brisbane is an excellent place to start Large, friendly community. However around this time of year there are several festivals occurring around the Victoria and South Australia areas such as the Melbourne Juggling Convention, Common Ground (Adelaide) and there may be an equivalent Uberoz festival running next year in either Sydney or Melbourne, though don't hold me to that just yet.

If you are after exposure to styles other than poi I can speak highly of Melbourne's diversity. Whips, fans, flags, swords, meteors, rope dart make an appearance at the meets here in Melbourne in addition to Poi

syyydney! syyyyyydney! syyyyyyyydney!! yep, sydney represent.

They're basically, Pay, Turn up. Sell out in MONTHS I'd say...

There are lots of twirlers out in WA, especially Perth and Freo, but also check out Broome too. I'm heading down the East Coast right now, also looking for twirlers in Cairns but also everywhere on the way down too. Maybe we could meet up?

Yeah, lots of spinners in WA And we're very welcoming!

What is your plan/timetable so far?

Right now I'm doing some touring to Cape Trib, than I'll be heading down, aiming for Brisbane in 2 or 3 weeks, but not really sure yet, there's alot between here and there.

Wow! All helpful stuff and here I am not checking in enough.

Mentalyconfused, I wouldn't be heading out to AU until August of 2009 but if you have any advice for me, I'd love to hear it.

It sounds like there are a lot of places that I could stay in but the housing is the big question for me. I've done the hostel thing but I'd prefer to have a solid housing situation. Moving around makes that difficult. How is the housing situation down there? How easy is it to find a place to stay, either with flatmates, a family, or alone? Any recommendations?

Thank you!