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Forums > Technical Discussion > Breakdancing and Poi Battles
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160 posts
160 posts
Posted:
I noticed something was said about breakdancing in the "dance" thread...Breakdancing (B-Boying)is big in Seattle right now. We had a nationwide competition a few weeks ago and it was truly one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I have NEVER in my life been motivated to jump out of my seat cheering at any sporting event, but I was on my feet every three minutes at Lords of the Floor.It was the format of the competition, more than anything else, that really got me. There were teams of two that essentially "battled"... each dancer doing moves, primarily, to outdo the other. I saw some of the most amazing acrobatics I have ever seen... I don't know if they's be interested, but I decided I'd probably hide my poi from these guys.I've started working a lot of ground work into my poi routine (i.e. corkscrews down into quicksteps over the chains, hand plants, and ground spins). I think the two person battle format would translate well to poi... anybody have any idea what I'm talking about... think we could ever find a sponsor for a (inter)national poi battle?
I noticed something was said about breakdancing in the "dance" thread...Breakdancing (B-Boying)is big in Seattle right now. We had a nationwide competition a few weeks ago and it was truly one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I have NEVER in my life been motivated to jump out of my seat cheering at any sporting event, but I was on my feet every three minutes at Lords of the Floor.It was the format of the competition, more than anything else, that really got me. There were teams of two that essentially "battled"... each dancer doing moves, primarily, to outdo the other. I saw some of the most amazing acrobatics I have ever seen... I don't know if they's be interested, but I decided I'd probably hide my poi from these guys.I've started working a lot of ground work into my poi routine (i.e. corkscrews down into quicksteps over the chains, hand plants, and ground spins). I think the two person battle format would translate well to poi... anybody have any idea what I'm talking about... think we could ever find a sponsor for a (inter)national poi battle?
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
I know exactly what you are talking about.We use this technique all the time in theater. In fact it is what Prometheus and I do on stage at faires. We spin versus each other and try to out do the other for audience applause. In the end the winner is declared the god/dess of fire and is able to perform for the court. The crowd loves it and it is an awesome way to get spectators involved!!!!They also do it informally for gymnastics and all forms of dance usually have shows like this. Been involved in a few myself. They are fun and so stressful. Maybe if we can get that international thing going to end the relay in two years we can host one of these at the same time. I think it'd be really cool, though much to concider as far as toys, fire, etc. We usually keep votes to the audience applause as it is just easier then grading on a 1 to 10 basis.Does this mean break dancning is making a comeback? ------------------Pele Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir...
I know exactly what you are talking about.We use this technique all the time in theater. In fact it is what Prometheus and I do on stage at faires. We spin versus each other and try to out do the other for audience applause. In the end the winner is declared the god/dess of fire and is able to perform for the court. The crowd loves it and it is an awesome way to get spectators involved!!!!They also do it informally for gymnastics and all forms of dance usually have shows like this. Been involved in a few myself. They are fun and so stressful. Maybe if we can get that international thing going to end the relay in two years we can host one of these at the same time. I think it'd be really cool, though much to concider as far as toys, fire, etc. We usually keep votes to the audience applause as it is just easier then grading on a 1 to 10 basis.Does this mean break dancning is making a comeback? ------------------Pele Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir...
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
member
160 posts
160 posts
Posted:
They call it B-Boying (Girling) now... it's more oriented around posing and acrobatics than Old Skool... there are at least three crews in Seattle that I can think of... there were 56 teams from around the country at the battle I was at... and it sold out a pretty big warehouse's worth of people... there's a crew (Circle of Fire, hehehe) that draws a big crowd every Monday night to watch the breaks... I'd say it's coming back big time out here, just in a different form.
They call it B-Boying (Girling) now... it's more oriented around posing and acrobatics than Old Skool... there are at least three crews in Seattle that I can think of... there were 56 teams from around the country at the battle I was at... and it sold out a pretty big warehouse's worth of people... there's a crew (Circle of Fire, hehehe) that draws a big crowd every Monday night to watch the breaks... I'd say it's coming back big time out here, just in a different form.
BRONZE Member
member
90 posts
Location: New Paltz, NY, USA
member
90 posts
Location: New Paltz, NY, USA
Posted:
poi battles are becoming bigger at raves as more and more people learn...i've seen a few really awesome people, but unfortunately the audience is always so impressed by easy floor moves, just b/c they're on the floor.
poi battles are becoming bigger at raves as more and more people learn...i've seen a few really awesome people, but unfortunately the audience is always so impressed by easy floor moves, just b/c they're on the floor.
~K~No matter what you do, one billion Chinese won't care.
member
160 posts
160 posts
Posted:
Some videos here:https://www.angelfire.com/hiphop/breakdanceincanada/click "Circle of Fire" to see the Seattle crew....
Some videos here:https://www.angelfire.com/hiphop/breakdanceincanada/click "Circle of Fire" to see the Seattle crew....
BRONZE Member
member
829 posts
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
member
829 posts
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posted:
very true...i was battling this guy at a rave and he knew a total of maybe three moves...maybe 3. Weave, corkscrew, and something else, i couldnt tell what it was. He recieved crazy props because he dropped to his knees and did an above the head weave....of course i layed flat on my back and did a horizontal butterfly (which to me really isnt that big of a deal, especially when there are people on this board that roll over upside down wjile spinning)but it was enough.i think battle are a good way of meeting people that spin..i enjoy it. it pushes you to try new moves..."S"
very true...i was battling this guy at a rave and he knew a total of maybe three moves...maybe 3. Weave, corkscrew, and something else, i couldnt tell what it was. He recieved crazy props because he dropped to his knees and did an above the head weave....of course i layed flat on my back and did a horizontal butterfly (which to me really isnt that big of a deal, especially when there are people on this board that roll over upside down wjile spinning)but it was enough.i think battle are a good way of meeting people that spin..i enjoy it. it pushes you to try new moves..."S"
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear--not absence of fear.
- Mark Twain
member
10 posts
Location: Fl, US
10 posts
Location: Fl, US
Posted:
A little off the subject but.. Has anyone tied glowsticks to their feet and break danced? If they did, did it look cool?
A little off the subject but.. Has anyone tied glowsticks to their feet and break danced? If they did, did it look cool?
member
98 posts
Location: Albany, NY United States of America
98 posts
Location: Albany, NY United States of America
Posted:
i have a freind who clips 3 inch glowsticks to his shoes and breaks. looks cool with head spins and stuff.
i have a freind who clips 3 inch glowsticks to his shoes and breaks. looks cool with head spins and stuff.
Its all in good, clean, light producing fun.
member
341 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
341 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posted:
On a slightly different tangent...When we were in Byron Bay recently Josh, Katinca, FlashFire, Frenzie and myself had our performance space poached by a roaving band of b-boys!We literally participated in a poi v breakdancing battle.While I was a bit pissed off initially (Josh and I were going off!), once I relaxed and let go of my anger it was actually a lot of fun. The kids (a couple of them were only 11 or 12) were hilarious, as in funny in a comedic way. It was almost like their act had been choreograhed and scripted. Who knows, perhaps it had.
Ahhh! I know......The League Against Poi has infiltrated Australia! Disguised as b-boys!Finn
On a slightly different tangent...When we were in Byron Bay recently Josh, Katinca, FlashFire, Frenzie and myself had our performance space poached by a roaving band of b-boys!We literally participated in a poi v breakdancing battle.While I was a bit pissed off initially (Josh and I were going off!), once I relaxed and let go of my anger it was actually a lot of fun. The kids (a couple of them were only 11 or 12) were hilarious, as in funny in a comedic way. It was almost like their act had been choreograhed and scripted. Who knows, perhaps it had.
Ahhh! I know......The League Against Poi has infiltrated Australia! Disguised as b-boys!Finn BRONZE Member
member
515 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
member
515 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posted:
With what superman said: It happens in everything, in the end its not what you do, its how you do it.I mean normal crowds dont care so much for a 5 beat weave as it doesnt look any different to a 3 beat weave. But if you can get the crowd interested by dropping to your knees, or lying on the ground, it all adds to the effect and the response that you get (if that is what you are after).We watched a group perform in Byron and the crowd reacted mostly to changes in speed and bits of gymnastic display more than a technically challenging move.
With what superman said: It happens in everything, in the end its not what you do, its how you do it.I mean normal crowds dont care so much for a 5 beat weave as it doesnt look any different to a 3 beat weave. But if you can get the crowd interested by dropping to your knees, or lying on the ground, it all adds to the effect and the response that you get (if that is what you are after).We watched a group perform in Byron and the crowd reacted mostly to changes in speed and bits of gymnastic display more than a technically challenging move.
- Industrial design knows of no article more useful than the milk crate -
GOLD Member
member
94 posts
Location: Dover, DE, USA
member
94 posts
Location: Dover, DE, USA
Posted:
Breakdancers and ravers are often one and the same around here. I don't have much break skill, but i can do a coupla floor moves. Breakers and ravers usually cooperate though, cause you can rave to songs you can't break to, and its a little easier to open up a circle when people are afraid you're gonna put their eye out with a glowstick. Its great fun, get a couple of us together and we rock da clubs!------------------"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted" - Martin Luther King Jr.
Breakdancers and ravers are often one and the same around here. I don't have much break skill, but i can do a coupla floor moves. Breakers and ravers usually cooperate though, cause you can rave to songs you can't break to, and its a little easier to open up a circle when people are afraid you're gonna put their eye out with a glowstick. Its great fun, get a couple of us together and we rock da clubs!------------------"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted" - Martin Luther King Jr.
Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted - Martin Luther King Jr.
member
383 posts
Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
383 posts
Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Posted:
I think if a b-girl/boy did poi while he was breaking it would be AWESOME. I mean not just attaching glowsticks to themselves but holding onto the end of a flaming chain and throwing themselves around. How cool would that look! ... I would love to see someone do the caterpillar move and fire poi (smoothly!) at the same time... if I was in the audience I would give them the contents of my wallet at the time for being so excellent. I can see how poi offs would be ultra cool cause they would force you to kind of pull new moves from nowhere. They would certainly steepen your learning curve anyway. Anyone up here keen?
I think if a b-girl/boy did poi while he was breaking it would be AWESOME. I mean not just attaching glowsticks to themselves but holding onto the end of a flaming chain and throwing themselves around. How cool would that look! ... I would love to see someone do the caterpillar move and fire poi (smoothly!) at the same time... if I was in the audience I would give them the contents of my wallet at the time for being so excellent. I can see how poi offs would be ultra cool cause they would force you to kind of pull new moves from nowhere. They would certainly steepen your learning curve anyway. Anyone up here keen?
The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.- B.B.King
BRONZE Member
member
156 posts
Location: madagascar, USA
member
156 posts
Location: madagascar, USA
Posted:
hey twist, did you check out the breakdancers at folklife this weekend? i remember watching them and thinking about how amzing it would be if they could combine breakdancing and fireclubs(clubs over poi cuz it is easier to pause midmotion, more fitting for the crazy body strength/contortion pauses)any fire folks in seattle interested in playing and trying to combine fire+breakdance?
hey twist, did you check out the breakdancers at folklife this weekend? i remember watching them and thinking about how amzing it would be if they could combine breakdancing and fireclubs(clubs over poi cuz it is easier to pause midmotion, more fitting for the crazy body strength/contortion pauses)any fire folks in seattle interested in playing and trying to combine fire+breakdance?
member
1 post
Location: United States, PA , King of Prussia
1 post
Location: United States, PA , King of Prussia
Posted:
well actually I have battled with poi before and letme tell you it gets all sorts of crazy and insane. From corkscrews, to butterflies, and liquidation to all out engulfment into a rainbow of colors. I would like to find a sponsor for "Battle Poi" it would be and amazing and (probably painful experience) talented escapade, but to find a sponsor would be hard. I do know have a friend who knows a sponsored raver from "Oakley Sunglasses" named Matrix. I'll have him talk to Matrix and will see what he says.
well actually I have battled with poi before and letme tell you it gets all sorts of crazy and insane. From corkscrews, to butterflies, and liquidation to all out engulfment into a rainbow of colors. I would like to find a sponsor for "Battle Poi" it would be and amazing and (probably painful experience) talented escapade, but to find a sponsor would be hard. I do know have a friend who knows a sponsored raver from "Oakley Sunglasses" named Matrix. I'll have him talk to Matrix and will see what he says.
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
4 year old thread - nice find!
and good on you for searching
I'm not entirely sure this is possible now though except on a superficial level. Though I suppose that's exactly the same with breakdancing. I guess it depends on whether the 'audience' is one of fellow participents (who understand/grasp what is being done) or general public.
I want to do 'Battle Poi' !!
4 year old thread - nice find!
and good on you for searching I'm not entirely sure this is possible now though except on a superficial level. Though I suppose that's exactly the same with breakdancing. I guess it depends on whether the 'audience' is one of fellow participents (who understand/grasp what is being done) or general public.
I want to do 'Battle Poi' !!
Geologists do it in the dirt................ 
GOLD Member
ohm mani padme hum
134 posts
Location: Worcester, MA, USA
ohm mani padme hum
134 posts
Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Posted:
if millions of people can be entertained by "iron chef" than we should be able to get crowds excited about "Battle Poi."
Though the name sounds like we have SPIKED flaming poi heads and we are going at it, Gladiator style...
if millions of people can be entertained by "iron chef" than we should be able to get crowds excited about "Battle Poi."
Though the name sounds like we have SPIKED flaming poi heads and we are going at it, Gladiator style...
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
What a wicked idea!!!
What a wicked idea!!! Geologists do it in the dirt................
BRONZE Member
la di da di da
147 posts
Location: North Wales
la di da di da
147 posts
Location: North Wales
Posted:
aw break dance is amazing. i did it last year for a few weeks but now im not a student its far too expensive for me to afford sadly. never had urge to battle poi though....hehe....scary....i like just being a girlie twirly spinner
aw break dance is amazing. i did it last year for a few weeks but now im not a student its far too expensive for me to afford sadly. never had urge to battle poi though....hehe....scary....i like just being a girlie twirly spinner
just a crazee daisy living in a crazy world
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
I was wondering why loads of people didnt have avatars....
But
to you for searching for this! 
I was wondering why loads of people didnt have avatars....
But
to you for searching for this! GOLD Member
Pooh-Bah
2,110 posts
Location: Philadelphia, PA - USA
Pooh-Bah
2,110 posts
Location: Philadelphia, PA - USA
Posted:
Im down for a battle. Who wants a piece??
Im down for a battle. Who wants a piece??
Let's turn those old bridges we crossed into ashes.
We'll blaze a new trail,
and torch the rough patches.
-Me
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Well timed really - Coming up is the first poi "competition" that I've heard of...
A few people on here are entering...
I'm a bit nervous really - on the one hand, I don't think poi is or should be competitive (bear with me
), plus I'm a REALLY competitive person and will cry for days if I lose
However, from what I can tell - it's much more a "who can entertain the crowd the most" as opposed to "who's the best at poi/staff/nudity" competition, which makes a lot of difference to the atmosphere.
It will also be interesting to see more different people spin - again, from the website, they are completely "non-HoP" spinners, different lingo, different moves - in theory completely different spinners to alot of the spinning I've been seeing recently (This isn't a dig - merely an observation).
Well timed really - Coming up is the first poi "competition" that I've heard of...
A few people on here are entering...
I'm a bit nervous really - on the one hand, I don't think poi is or should be competitive (bear with me
), plus I'm a REALLY competitive person and will cry for days if I lose However, from what I can tell - it's much more a "who can entertain the crowd the most" as opposed to "who's the best at poi/staff/nudity" competition, which makes a lot of difference to the atmosphere.
It will also be interesting to see more different people spin - again, from the website, they are completely "non-HoP" spinners, different lingo, different moves - in theory completely different spinners to alot of the spinning I've been seeing recently (This isn't a dig - merely an observation).
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
GOLD Member
Pooh-Bah
2,110 posts
Location: Philadelphia, PA - USA
Pooh-Bah
2,110 posts
Location: Philadelphia, PA - USA
Posted:
Poi competition??? Where did you get such information? Where will it be held? What are the prizes? Is it too late to enter?? AHHH!!?!?!
Poi competition??? Where did you get such information? Where will it be held? What are the prizes? Is it too late to enter?? AHHH!!?!?!
Let's turn those old bridges we crossed into ashes.
We'll blaze a new trail,
and torch the rough patches.
-Me
SILVER Member
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Posted:
bar actually entering- would just love to see it.
bar actually entering- would just love to see it. SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,276 posts
Location: Oxfordshire/Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,276 posts
Location: Oxfordshire/Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
haha i used to breakdance... VERY badly!!! thats how i got into poi - needed something fun to build up my arm muscles! xxx
haha i used to breakdance... VERY badly!!! thats how i got into poi - needed something fun to build up my arm muscles! xxx
tHeReS gOoD aNd EvIl iN EaCh InDiViDuAl fIrE, iDeNtIfIeS nEeDs AnD fEeDs OuR dEsIrEs.
enthusiast
384 posts
Location: West LA
384 posts
Location: West LA
Posted:
I accept the challenge 
July in England - I gonna find you
andy
Written by: fluffy napalm fairy
I want to do 'Battle Poi' !!
I accept the challenge
July in England - I gonna find you
andy
To learn - read. To know - write. To master - teach . . .
DIAMOND Member
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posted:
Andy,
You're very very good,
She'll kick you butt.
Beut wither way this is a clash of the titans WOW
Can i watch,
then can I play.
as cannon fodder
Andy,
You're very very good,
She'll kick you butt.
Beut wither way this is a clash of the titans WOW
Can i watch,
then can I play.
as cannon fodder
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
hee hee hee - I'm both excited and quaking in my fairy-boots!
July in England? You know where I'm gonna be.........
hee hee hee - I'm both excited and quaking in my fairy-boots!
July in England? You know where I'm gonna be.........
Geologists do it in the dirt................
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
Additionally:
Vix would win hands down in the nudity bit 
Additionally:
Written by: Durbs
However, from what I can tell - it's much more a "who can entertain the crowd the most" as opposed to "who's the best at poi/staff/nudity" competition......
Vix would win hands down in the nudity bit
Geologists do it in the dirt................
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Vix vs. Frodo
Beauty vs. Sheer horror value
Vix vs. Frodo
Beauty vs. Sheer horror value
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
I suppose you had to be there........... (in a way I wish i wasn't )
I suppose you had to be there........... (in a way I wish i wasn't ) Geologists do it in the dirt................
GOLD Member
ohm mani padme hum
134 posts
Location: Worcester, MA, USA
ohm mani padme hum
134 posts
Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Posted:
well we have always kind of had our own fan-judged competitiion, havent we? just not live... CoL has always bene psuedo-competetive, though not anymore...
speaking of BAttle Poi... has anyone tried any fight choreography with poi? or poi vs. staff? we tried some last year but all we could come up with some lame wraps around your opponent.. and they werent spiked...
well we have always kind of had our own fan-judged competitiion, havent we? just not live... CoL has always bene psuedo-competetive, though not anymore...
speaking of BAttle Poi... has anyone tried any fight choreography with poi? or poi vs. staff? we tried some last year but all we could come up with some lame wraps around your opponent.. and they werent spiked...
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