Page:
DJ DantanaBRONZE Member
veteran
1,495 posts
Location: Stillwater, Ok. USA


Posted:
Ok, here it is, the long awaited "dancing thread". This is an open forum for the discution of dancing with your poi. This includes all forms of bodily movement, feet, hips, head, whatever you can think of. Well.....let's here some ideas.

What can you do?

What do you want to do?

What do you like to see?

etc?

Lets get some ideas floating around!

we eat and we drink and we smoke and we try!


PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
Yes..I choreograph for "real" shows, I also have sets of moves that go well together for more "improv" shows. This way my safety knows what I am doing, and I can be sure that my audience is safe.

Yes..I look at the crowd, sometimes I even talk with them, sometimes I wink, sometimes I just smile. It is really important to make that contact. That is part of the transition from hobbist in public to professional.

Yes..I make an exit, otherwise you leave the audience hanging. How many times have you walked away from something that didn't seem finished thinking "Geez, that was stupid". By making the ending clear you can do several things, reintroduce yourself so they don't forget who you are, make it clear the spectacle is over and receive your well earn accolades.

All part of putting on a show versus showing off.

Hey Santana...got those hip movements yet? Don't leave them just to the ladies as I can tell you, the ladies like them on men too! ahem*icecream*ahem

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


DioHoP Mechanical Engineer
729 posts
Location: OK, USA


Posted:
I've said it once and I will say it again...

purrrrrrrr....!

What hits the fan is not evenly distributed.


DioHoP Mechanical Engineer
729 posts
Location: OK, USA


Posted:
Darn loging...that was santana just now

What hits the fan is not evenly distributed.


arashiPooh-Bah
2,364 posts
Location: austin,tx


Posted:
really if you wanna be a pro you gotta do both. for many many years i just did the flow thing, and it's very good to have, so you can dance to any band or dj that walks up to hire you, and react to their music. plus i also have a set of moves that go well together, once you have that, you can spend more time reacting to the music.
but if you wanna really blow people away you gotta perform, and that means not having to focus on your dancing and move your focus to the performance, the winks and such. man, all those girls looking at you like, "damn, i'm takin HIM home..." You gotta make eye contact with THEM at least! . rftek, i'd be happy to help you out with some pointers, next time we see each other (as if our styles needed any more similarities, huh?)

-Such a price the gods exact for song: to become what we sing
-Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.
-When the center of the storm does not move, you are in its path.


DJ DantanaBRONZE Member
veteran
1,495 posts
Location: Stillwater, Ok. USA


Posted:
this is an interesting phylosophy. I must try it out at our next performance (couple weeks!)

Could you explain this "lure in the audience" thing a bit more?

so, I like go up the hottest chick there and wink at her while doing a butterfly, or something?

Eye contact, facial expresions? Make them forget I am twirling for a second? OR make it look like _I_ forget I am twirling for a second?

Ah have _heard_ of "playing" tha audience, bud ah'm just a back wuds kunchi boy wid vera lidle social trainin, so Ah need all the heelp ah can git.

we eat and we drink and we smoke and we try!


arashiPooh-Bah
2,364 posts
Location: austin,tx


Posted:
my advice? experi-meriment . really it's about what feels good for YOU, people can see and feel whether or not you are "there." try things and see what works. you're already working on the "moves for the ladies," but honestly, being sexy is sexier than looking sexy... if you want to pick up real tips, do what i did... take theatre classes! plus, i learned heaps from drag queens doing cabaret shows in San Fran. *respect* undoubtedly the best performers get their inspiration from drag queens. Little known hollywood secret. They perform, shine every moment of their lives! and they have style!

-Such a price the gods exact for song: to become what we sing
-Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.
-When the center of the storm does not move, you are in its path.


rftekmember
101 posts
Location: college station, tx


Posted:
arashi: i will definetly take you up on this. i *just* read a great, imo, article at burn syndicate.

https://www.burnsyndicate.com/performance.shtml


it tied in alot to what you we're saying earlier about taking cues from other performance artists, ie; drag queens and acting. this is something i've been thinking about lately.

part of my quest for myself is what am i as a fire performer? to be honest, it's all fun and games for me right now. i'm putting myself in the category of dedicated amateur playabout. i play because i love to, i get a lot of satisfaction out of making equipment i can later have fun with.

later yall

[ 29. March 2003, 04:49: Message edited by: rftek ]

PurdueFiremember
19 posts
Location: West Lafayette


Posted:
A style that i like is c-walking (crypt walking)...lol that thing rappers do. A good combination is a BTB weave and c-walking forward.

---
Matt Brisbin


DJ DantanaBRONZE Member
veteran
1,495 posts
Location: Stillwater, Ok. USA


Posted:
wow, that article was THICK. It had a lot of good info, but it was a lot to digest in one sitting (and they didn't even go into great detail about a tenth of the things they mentioned). I guess that is why they have schools that teach this stuff, not just overnight classes, right?

Well, we have a show in a couple weeks. I am going to try and implement that stuff.

I used to think I was starting to get the hang of this "performance stuff" Now I see how amature I realy am. I may have been doing a lot of that stuff by instinct, but untill I became aware of it, I could never be as good as I could be.

It reminds me of when I first saw Circles of Light #1, I realized I had a long way to go, (just when I thought I had learned all there was to learn. I feel like a child again). I feel I am lost in a sea of information, and trying to decipher it all at once. I know it will take a long time to come close to the %800 percent that I need.

Thank you all for showing me this world, even though it shook my very foundations. This is a good thing.

#1 learn to poi

#2 learn to dance

I thought that was all I needed to know, I was wrong.

#3 learn to do all that other 1000 things in the above article.

we eat and we drink and we smoke and we try!


_Stix_Pooh-Bah
2,419 posts
Location: la-la land


Posted:
that artical was written by FireMike!
Anyone seen him around lately?

I honour you as an aspect of myself..

You are never to old to storm a bouncey castle..


PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
That was the intro article to what he wants to be a stream of articles that incorporates a set of criteria for a strong physical performance. However, something to keep in mind...a performance is ALOT more than just getting up and dancing with the poi. THere is connecting with the audience, interaction, setting, costuming, music...it all plays a crucial role that makes or breaks a show.

That article was superbly researched and written, but is presented in a circular fashion that makes it difficult to sift through at points, I agree.
In many areas Mikie is very correct. The thing is, you can not force your body to do something it does not feel and have it look good. More you have to find what feels good and work your body into polishing that up. I simply disagree with the order he has placed them in. I draw my inferences in this from my training and experience.

The second edition of Burn Syndicate was supposed to be out last month I thought, but Juliet is a little busy now. His next article is about the studies that go into movement and performing..yoga, dance forms, tai chi, alexander technique, etc. It talks about performance principles from a personal perspective, about how to implement them and where to really dig the teeth in and what to grace over.
I know, he interviewed me for it!

Anyway, I would be happy to open a discourse about this here sometime if you are interested, but I maybe when it is not 1:30 am and I have a workshop in dance to teach the next day! LOL

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


Mistress AuroraHot Schtuff
1,032 posts
Location: Stillwater,OK/Wichita Falls,TX


Posted:
I'm working on something pretty neat!It's kinda hard to do and I will ONLY do it using electro-glo or practice poi...Never fire because what I'm wearing is made of a flame-worthy material.

Oh yeah! I'm also working on my freak moves.I got my turn the hips thing and moving with it pretty much down.Need to work on more technical freak moves along with poi!

It looks darn good!!!


RISK: Do not follow the common path; Go where there is no path and leave a trail.


JaedenGOLD Member
member
220 posts
Location: Edmonton, Canada


Posted:
I'll have to go back some time and see what this thread is currently about, but for now I'll just share my own thoughts and style of dance.

I dance with my poi. I call it a poi-dance. I do not try to incorporate other existing styles into my dance (have you ever seen a line-dancing balet?).

When I am dancing I try not to think of what move I am doing, or what I am going to do next. I simply let the poi do thier thing and try to keep myself out of thier way, not allways sucessfully. I just try to get a flow going and move/spin with that.

The world is not out to get you but if you fight it you will be eaten alive


AdeSILVER Member
Are we there yet?
1,897 posts
Location: australia


Posted:
fabulous thread - thanks for sharing

I thought I danced, but after reading this thread, I think I just try and move gracefully - I don't dance according to the rules of any particular style (though maybe there are some elements of irish dancing in there, as I used to do that many, many, many moons ago)

I have used some tai chi movements with the poi, and that seems to work well - though it seems to work better when I'm using my fire fingers.

toast made a good point about turning the head - it is quite a nice effect

I do move in accordance to the music (when there is some) starting with slow music (for choreographed shows) and some basic tricks done with slow body movements, then building up to fast poi movements and fast body movements. I like to slow it down again before a fast ending - sort of like a false end almost. I will cut music down (through a cd burner thingo) to ensure it's of the correct length, and will time it out on a bit of paper, before reconstructing the whole thing into a continuous flow.

mmm, more thoughts to come when I reflect a bit more on this discussion.....


tenticleenthusiast
275 posts
Location: ati: on: She: ffi: eld: UK:


Posted:
Well put, Jeaden. I dance with my poi, in the way people usualy dance when they're out at a club...
Moving their bodies around to music. My poi are props in my dance, and i wouldn't dream of dancing without them.
I don't perform with my poi, and get embarrassed when people watch to closely, so I don't think of it as a performance... any more than most people would think they were performing if they were just shakin' the booty to the tunes.
I'm aiming to be able to do all the moves i nkow i can do, however technical or easy, strung together in whatever order the music dictates, fluidly, smoothly and above all, without hitting myself in the head. My electroglos only weigh 75g each including the string, but it's still annoying after the 100th time...

--Ben

Pacifistmember
28 posts
Location: Taipei, Taiwan


Posted:
Yeahhh!!

It's time to waste some of my bosses time by writing in a HOP discussion group when I should be slaving away. This is what they get for not having cameras watching me all the time.

Anyways, back to topic.

I'm trying to combine some aikido moves with Poi. Aikido always involves a really low, balanced stance with your hips facing forward. You can move pretty fluidly in any direction in a rather menacing way. With the Poi swinging around, however, it's kind of hard to get those hips going the way I want them to go without wacking myself.

But if I can figure it out, it'd look cool for Poi fights.

The aikido stance could be the performance part, and the dance part could involve slowing down and speeding up the Poi in time with the music. We could even try timing our "strikes" with the music.

Pacifist

Bzzzzz Blurb, Bzzzzzz Blurb, Fop pzzzzz, Fop Pazazzzz,


WintermuteLost in the world but loving it :)
119 posts
Location: Maybe Oxford, maybe Brighton ;)


Posted:
Its good to see capoeira and aikido mentioned (I do both ), I always try and incoprate lots of big expansive arm and body movements into anything I do including the poi.

I imagine ginga could be used but its a little difficult to keep the poi from smashing together due to the side to side movement of ginga, you sort of make a triangle pointing behind you and move your feet from point to point (that was a really bad explanation)

Hmmmmmmm lots of new ideas now, you could try and throw a forward flip through a butterfly, or if you were absolutely badass you could do a flat folha seca whilst doing a corkscrew, possibly, you might die tho

Have alook here for made capoeira type stuff to incoporate, and if get it to work tell me

https://www.wu-wien.ac.at/usr/h96b/h9650297/cap-basics.html

If fishes were wishes we'd all cast nets


Bender_the_OffenderGOLD Member
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
quote:
Originally posted by Wintermute:
..capoeira type stuff to incoporate, and if get it to work tell me
wintermute, mate, i strongly suggest that you grab a copy of Circles of Light IV when it cometh out. I certainly will not be the only one who will do perferm their best capoeira combination movements and routines. Unfortunately, they do not allow for twirling toys at the rodas at the upcoming Melbourne Batizados!!

mmm capoeira makes me hungry

Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always


PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
quote:
Originally posted by Wintermute:

I imagine ginga could be used but its a little difficult to keep the poi from smashing together due to the side to side movement of ginga, you sort of make a triangle pointing behind you and move your feet from point to point (that was a really bad explanation)


Spin your poi in the horizontal plane (parallel with the ground) for this. It works better than vertical, imho. Split time Bfly movement work well with the ginga, and that just opens up even more fun experimentation!
Hope this helps a tad!

[ 11. April 2003, 13:32: Message edited by: Pele ]

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


DJ DantanaBRONZE Member
veteran
1,495 posts
Location: Stillwater, Ok. USA


Posted:
yep yep yep, butterflys work nicely, so do weave, the only part I have trouble with is coming up with a good 360 or 180 turn during the ginga...

we eat and we drink and we smoke and we try!


poirob2member
43 posts
Location: Harrogate, Yorkshire, England


Posted:
I know its not really dancing, but has anyone tried park skating (rollerblading) while spinning? Quarter pipe 180s look great with a horizontal mexican wave if you tuck up and get one poi under you skates as you turn.

Is this were Im supposed to write something interesting.....errmm.........AVOCARDO!!!!!!


Pacifistmember
28 posts
Location: Taipei, Taiwan


Posted:
I don't suppose anybody lives in taiwan who knows where to study capoeira? There's aikido studios here, and dance studios, but I don't know about capoeira.

Pacifist

[ 11. April 2003, 12:18: Message edited by: Pacifist ]

Bzzzzz Blurb, Bzzzzzz Blurb, Fop pzzzzz, Fop Pazazzzz,


GidgBRONZE Member
Super Gidg!!!!
8,506 posts
Location: Portland Oregon USA


Posted:
Has anyone thought of using traditional Polynesian dance technique? Lot’s of hip and leg movement but keeping the upper body still. If you want a challenge try an Omi, hips moving in a circle, keeping the upper body still while twirling. Add an extra element by doing the whole thing while turning your body in a 360. Remember the point of the exercise is to keep the upper body still . There are some people that just can't seem to do it.

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is NOT.
Proud member of the HoP DPS.
Sanity is a highly overrated state of mind.
I'm normal ... it's everyone else that's crazy.

Gidg


kymblemember
1 post
Location: Newcastle


Posted:
Can you guys help me start my routine? I can do all the basic moves: reels, butterflies, weave, wiggle etc but I need a push to get a routine together, something simple but what looks great - I've been practicing for a couple of weeks and would like my routine to fit with maybe funky house. Please help with any good tips

[ 14. November 2003, 10:27: Message edited by: kymble ]

Kym


PaliGOLD Member
journeyman
84 posts
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia


Posted:
How to create a routine for funky house: put in some funky house and poi until you can't poi any more. Use soft practice ones at first so you can try stuff. Let the poi lead you and show you where they want to go. Dance with it! Your feet aren't doing a thing when you poi so there's a lot of freedom and opportunity down there.

Remember to save something for last - I always save the chase because it's fastest and will put me out when the heads are ready. Have fun and remember to dance like no one's watching!

Genuineness only thrives in the dark -- like celery.


PaliGOLD Member
journeyman
84 posts
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia


Posted:
quote:
Originally posted by Gidg:
Has anyone thought of using traditional Polynesian dance technique? Lot’s of hip and leg movement but keeping the upper body still. If you want a challenge try an Omi, hips moving in a circle, keeping the upper body still while twirling. Add an extra element by doing the whole thing while turning your body in a 360. Remember the point of the exercise is to keep the upper body still . There are some people that just can't seem to do it.
Bellydancing with poi! It was destined to happen! Not only are we sexy girls on fire - we're sexy girls on fire shaking our booty!

Genuineness only thrives in the dark -- like celery.


RoGOLD Member
member
57 posts
Location: Kamloops, B.C, Canada


Posted:
I've done a couple of times what my friends have dubbed "the dance of Maudite"... I drink 2 bottles of 9% Quebec brewed beer and fly at it with my fire poi.

I don't recommend getting smashed and spinning poi, because it greatly affects your judgment, motor skills, etc., not to mention its a big risk, But it did force me to spin in a different way than I'm used to (because of a certain blood alcohal level)...

I've seen "drunken master" and some other material on the subject of drunken boxing. It seems to me that the style relys on offsetting your center of gravity, creating a funky looking movements to fool the eye. Speed in the style varies too. Slow and relaxed positions can then become bursts of energy, then back to slow and relaxed. It looks quite impressive

Being intoxicated sort of gave me a "feel for it" if you will. If I could "appear" to be totally off balance and confounded but be in the right mind and have perfect balance then I think I could explore this further. Unfortunately I don't have a clue how the mechanics of this style works, and I need a lot of practice on some of my ground work (rolls, and tumbles with poi). I'd like to learn some more if anyone has insights to this.

and as for the performance stuff, I'm really just an amature out in public... But I never know when someone might walk up to me and say "hey we could use you for such and such an event", so I think it's good to educate myself about such things.

Armoured_RavenGOLD Member
member
35 posts
Location: LV, NV, USA


Posted:
Quote:

Bellydancing with poi! It was destined to happen! Not only are we sexy girls on fire - we're sexy girls on fire shaking our booty!



Mmm, that's what *I'm* saying! ubblove
Actually, I *was* incorporating contact juggling with my bellydance (it looks great with the body rolls cool) but since ive been spinning i found that poi looks so much sexier with the bellydance than CJ did, prolly because you have a wider range of body motion when you spin... And letting go into the dance helped me loosen up my poi moves too.

And i sooo agree that guys can do the hip rolls and such too... you guyys look just as sexy to us when you shake your booty. wink weavesmiley

"I have no particular talent. I am merely inquisitive." -Albert Einstein


[Nx?]BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,749 posts
Location: Europe,Scotland,Both


Posted:
Learn to dance.

no seriously, thats the first bit, then assuming your technicality is all that it should be you shouldent have any trouble fitting what you know from dancing into poi. Movement has been my latest thing for poi, check out hip-hop steps, country dancing ect, good for footwork, for the body, men, move your ass! this esspecially applies to british spinners. Dont be afraid to do simple stuff when dancing, no-body really expects you to charleston though a hyperloop. For the arms, try linear movments aswell as circular ones, get your longarm and seperations sorted, do isolations at the side whist turning around, run about, travel, colapse, STOP, jump, change speeds, dynamics.

T wave

This is a post by tom, all spelling is deleberate
-><- Kallisti


DurbsBRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England


Posted:
I've been learning lots of foot glides and floats for use with my CJ, but you can put them into poi too.

I don't think you can learn to dance with poi, you just learn poi for long enough that you're confident to switch off the poi part of your brain and just dance smile

Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude


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