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NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
As much fun as it would be to just whine about the lack of scene in New York (See "Death of a Fire Scene" post) I figure I'll get off my butt and do something about it. At least when the weather starts getting nice. But since it's far too cold to spin nowadayz I figured I'd do my homework and ask those of you that have participated/organized for advice in starting a weekend "Spin Jam" "Poi in the Park" type thing. I've certainly got access to email lists of the area as well as many local contacts.

I'd ideally like to have it in Central Park (not that that means anything to any of you) and I think I can deal with most of the logistics. Is there anything that I'm forgetting?

What do other events like this "look" like? I know that there was some talk of including shy people and social awkwardness at some events. Any advice on how to deal with that?

London, Sheffield, Texas, Florida, Baltimore, Boston, Californias (northern and southern), Austrailia, New Zealand, ... who am I missing?

What's the scene and how do I make sure it goes well?

This way this summer, when y'all pass through New York and say "What's up in New York City" I can say "Lots, come out this Saturday!"

{Of course, there are a thousand and one things that could happen between now and the spring thaw so I'm not makin any promises but would still love some advice.}

[ 21. January 2003, 06:45: Message edited by: NYC ]

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


RoziSILVER Member
100 characters max...
2,996 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia


Posted:
Sydney events? Not majorly organised things right now.

I understand that the Newtown events when in full swing were something to behold, and were very very organised, with candles brought and fuel and donations for said fuel.

Glebe is very very informal. A bunch of people show up and bring their own fuel. They congregate and twirl, then they go home. Sometimes they turn up, sometimes they don't, sometimes there is no apparent reason for this. Some enterprising people bring blankets, and drums, sometimes this does not happen. Once again, there is often no apparent reason for this. Glebe works on a "let them know a start time and they will come" philosophy. It is very word of mouth, although of course fireartfanatics have a website on which they have info about it. They also have a mailing list that was started. Although to my knowledge it is only maintained through the website and once by a sheet that was sent around at the gathering.

I don't think either groups has found it necessary to ask permission of local authorities, but both are in very nice areas that accept weirdos adventuring with fire in their area. And as Glebe has been going for a while, and newtown before it, the police are very used to the idea, and only occaisionally drop by to check on us.

(hint: you may want to change the title of the thread to "advice for organising... etc", I thought you were looking for volunteers!!!)

It was a day for screaming at inanimate objects.

What this calls for is a special mix of psychology and extreme violence...


PukSILVER Member
Sweet talented nutter
2,615 posts
Location: Brisbane Oz, Australia


Posted:
NYC , it's great you are going to try to get fwirling in again in the big apple. All i know is what Moonpixie and bec do (it's taken them years). Like going to a african drums place find out if there is anybodie's that will drum that night . Advertise (anything goes word of mouth , net, flyers,) find out about rules and regs.
Organise a show for a hour or so to get interest from outside parties.

and that all i've got to say.

that shrewd and knavish sprite

Called Robin Good Fellow ; are you not he that is frighten of the maidens of the villagery - fairy

I am the merry wander of the night -puk


Magnusmember
279 posts
Location: Bath, UK


Posted:
random thoughts, from being on the periphery of organisation of Bath Poi meets. We've closed for the winter, really, but hopefully things will get going as it warms up.

get an email list goingthink about insurance, we don't need it in the UK, but I dunno about the USTELL people to spread the wordJust make sure shy people are approached and welcomed by someoneThe important thing is to publicise the day, place, and start time, and keep it regular weeklyDon't upset the council, park wardens, whoever

Magnus... pay it forward


NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
Thanks for the posts so far, and thanks for post title "advice" Roz

I'm pretty definite that I'll be making it a daytime, education and practice, non-fire event. I'm simply not willing to take responsibility for a stranger's fire safety protocol or lack there of.

I guess if the event does start to get large enough, it would be nice to have "greeters" on call (Hi and welcome to "The Gap" ) informally to include everyone.

Hrmmm... a drum circle might be nice. I'll have to find out where in the park that'd be legal/acceptable. We have in the past run into trouble with tennis ball poi in a "Non-ball playing" area of the park. Don't get me started.

I'll have to scout out some nooks and crannies of the park that would support that without creating a scene.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


primative_toyshappy hunting
228 posts
Location: Brisnyland


Posted:
the sorce of energy if you will, if you can get away with it, a contained medium size communal fire, the drum circle reside to one side and spinners light wiks from the other, behind the beaters(drummers) a fair size tent markie hut whatever cleanish floor comfortable things and a fuck load of blacklight looking out only the fire... generally a generic setup, but always works well.... ummm as for advertising let every one you know that has an interest the music the people the fire, the Dr()gs.. and tell them to invite anyone they know that has an interest, word of mouth works well but it must be done well in advance if all fails, go to clubs and hand out fliers or something of that nature posters in clubs work well, theyll generally put them up behind the bar if u buy the barkeep a drink...
happyhunting
mythmitch

ps. nyc roadtrip up to saratogasprings and save me for a few days pweeesse... or come and spin fire on the lake with me for a while or something a rescue mission is becoming very very close indeed....
ta

regret nothing, learn everything

fire_light_movement


NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
Saratoga springs? Where the heck is that?! I'm too sick with the flu to be thinkin of anything but soup and juice and it's far too cold to think about spinning but PM me and we'll be in touch

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


primative_toyshappy hunting
228 posts
Location: Brisnyland


Posted:
upstate, lake saratoga like 4 hours upstate, but im curently in cambridge for a few days shall be fun to meet some boston fireys, hehe
happyhunting
mythmitch

regret nothing, learn everything

fire_light_movement


pkBRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,997 posts
Location: United Kingdom


Posted:
i could advise loads of things, but to be honest the scene here is totally fucked up, we have a regular crowd of sheffielders who come to poiinthepark, we have the headcharge junkies who al spin and most do not come to poiinthepark and then we have the jugglers from flying teapots whom most are all poi spinnrs this year. erm right when i first arrived in sheffield there were atleast 5 poi spinners here, myself and kato joind the gang and now it has grown to a monster, the reason i started poiinthepark was to hopfully get the other 2 scenes together once a month to socialise and meet others that do not go to either. so ok we have been doing poi in the park for over a year now and still can not get every one out and at the same time for a few hours once a month al together, if we did we would have one hugh gathering and maybe it would stay that way. maybe not every one is as hooked as others like me but it would be good for the scene. but at least when i leave sheffield i can leave this monster behind and watch it grow still, i will not be able to carry on as i will be to far away. but maybe just maybe my next port of call will be greater, i doubt it as i know what goes on there once a year cough beltain cough.. well for the time being i dont know if i am going, likly chance i am but dont know for a few weeks. i hope poiinthepark will be taken on in my absense, i'm sure some one will care for the scene here as much as me.

NYC i can tell you have a love for poi as i do, you care for people, your a teacher by trade and you love to share knowledge and understanding and certainly love to give your all back to comunities, such as HOP people give you the respect you deserve for you efforts, i'm sure you feel this from watching your students grow up and move on with their ever growing knowledge. you want to share some more and bring back the poi scene of NY, i know you can create this, i wish you all the luck in the world man, i hope it works. what you put in you will get back hopfully what you wanted. thats all the advise i can give you with the replys that have been posted above.

good luck.. love and respect.

NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
Thanks for the lovely post PK.

I'm curious to see if I'll be able to pull this thing off once it thaws. The only problem is that I'm really just a mid level poier. I can certainly teach the basics quite well but am looking for help in teaching/learning the advanced stuff. I know that I can probably elicit some help from some of the poi/staff masters of New York City. I'm even intimidated by comparing PK's love for poi with mine. I can go weeks without picking them up... especially in the winter. I've never been the poi addict that some of y'all are. But that won't stop me from trying.

One question: In the summer...
Is once a week too much?
Is once a month too little?
Is every other week too hard to remember?

I'm thinking of going every Saturday that the weather's nice. Is that about right?

Also, is there anything that I'm forgetting that will create a headache later on?

Email/listserve/post and they will come, right? And worst case scenario, I get a nice day in the park by myself.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


CantusSILVER Member
Tantamount to fatuity
15,966 posts
Location: Down the road, United Kingdom


Posted:
Make up some little flyers - they don't have to be very impressive. As long as they say the date, time and venue they'll be fine. - Put on them that every one is welcome regardless of skill level or whatever.Keep it all informal and friendly - doesn't sound like much but you'd be surprised how many feel intimidated at eventsmake sure you have toilet facilities (or at the very least trees and bushes) within dashing distanceThink about access and easy routes to and from the place - cos folks need to get there (and away again ...in the dark)Be prepared for a low turn out - at least for the first one - when word gets about then it'll be bigger. Well placed flyers and word of mouth will make the next one bigger.Invite Danae - this is bound to draw the people (works for us anyhoo )

[ 22. January 2003, 16:20: Message edited by: C@ntus ]

Meh


CantusSILVER Member
Tantamount to fatuity
15,966 posts
Location: Down the road, United Kingdom


Posted:
Hey PK, notice how he listed Sheffiel 2nd? That's fairly impressive I reckon


quote:
I'm even intimidated by comparing PK's love for poi with mine. I can go weeks without picking them up... especially in the winter. I've never been the poi addict that some of y'all are. But that won't stop me from trying.
Personally, I'm just a social spinner. I'm not particularly good at staff spinning - ask anyone - I tend to go to these events to spin a little, chat a lot and meet a few new folks.

I can't pass on very many skills to people so i tend to leave that to some of the fancier folks/ more skilled people - like Mr PK and FNF.

Don't s'pose that helps any but i thought you might be interested anyhoo.

Meh


dromepixieveteran
1,463 posts
Location: Florida


Posted:
NYC:

Two helpful tips! If lots of people who know each other over the net are going then you can do name tag thingies and that helps take away some of the akwardness and get people to do something like BRING PLENTY of cake to share so that you can be offering total strangers cake!



This way people might cooooooincidentaly meet other people they like and its is a conversation starter!

Not just cake though... Something that get people interacting is fun and takes away peoples fear of the unknown...

Sheffield kicks ass! But so does the whole world Damn I cant wait to go see as much of it as I can... NYC I hope you gots something going on this front by the time I pass by NYC as I would love to meet more spinners and more people who do more stuff everywhere

Good luck,
drome

JUGGLEwithyourmind!


pkBRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,997 posts
Location: United Kingdom


Posted:
rest asured NYC, i'v hung up my poi for the time being,i feel i have consentrated a lot for now on poi. the only time i have picked up my chains since the begining of december was to make that last video i posted and even then i was having "one of those days".
this coming PIP were gonna have a big old staff session. i love my stick right now the worlds going stick crazy... its the next hugh thing... malcolm book this www.homeofstick.com get in quick. every one has peferences to sticks or poi or both, so every one that will come to your meet will have beginers and intermediate levels to pick new stuff up from depending on how things turn out.

i keep hearing poi master and advanced spinner yelled at me... i'm not advanced, yeah i know a few moves... i'm still learning and have a lot to learn, i may look good i dont feel it. i have reached a stage where i have to learn new stuff and the only way i can do this is to travel and meet others such as minero and glass, long hauls and costly to my pocket at a much needly time as i have no income and a lot of time on my hands, hopfully not for much longer. but this all comes from having no one to learn from in sheffield, i have spent months now teaching beginers and intermediate poiers and not getting any thing new for my self, i do how ever feel that with the two pip londons we did last years was beneficial to hoppers and the southern scene, there hasnt been a big gathering in the north so far, just 40 people max at some of the pips we have done in sheffield.
i agree with cantus though invite cass... that will get a crowd.
there is a slight thing i have noticed with the scenes in england in my travels for reater knowledge and thats the old school jugglers... look for those groups and you will find the source of all poi and stick scenes around NY.
search the net for juggling clubs or societies in NY and contact them, make sure you cover all aspects of what we do.
one think i found that helps is having some thing to give back as well and that was the pip website, i havnt done much to it recently as regards to footage and photo's ut for now theres a source of information.i get people contacting me to give poi lessons for sheffield university and private lessons left right and center, info on other meets, toys and people that just want to email me for a chat, you could do an informal webpage for people to look at and see when the meets are and maps to get there, public transport details, contact details.. its all going to help.
you have a lot of responses so far mate, sift through and make a list of what makes sense and draw up ideas from there.
just remember the one important thing its all for fun, dont take things to heart and make sure you enjoy your self and what you will have created... its all for a good cause... reviving the NY scene.
get poiaholic22 in on it too he seems to have his head screwed on, i normally talk to others about events then make decissions before i post any thing.
i'll leave it there for now.

NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
Good points PK.

Strangely thought, the US poi scene isn't rooted in Juggling the way it is in Europe. Glass and I were talkin' about this at where ever it was that we were with all the mud.... oh yeah, the Europian Juggling Convention. I don't know any US poi people who are "Jugglers" as I would categorize them.

The entire Poi scene that I know of is more underground artistic burningman urban-hippies. Which is just a different crowd.
Then there is the raver crowd which the fire people would sooner die than be associated with (and vice versa... totally different wardrobe at least.)

I'm definitely using my own 1337 fire crew connections for inspiration and support as well. And if I don't get my boy poiaholic22 all the kevlar that's been sitting on my living room floor he's gonna kick my sorry ass next time he sees me.

It is important to remember to have fun and I will check look up the NYC juggling community too... Might be nice since it's cold now. Sssssooo cccc-ccc-cccold.

Good advice kids. Keep it coming if you got it.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


pkBRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,997 posts
Location: United Kingdom


Posted:
juggling clubs in NY << 1337 <<<<< read that
contact these nutters

thats all i could really find for you, the first link is your best bet and source for info an contacts to gain, also good if any are local to you as NY is so fuken big. hope this helps.

NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
Yo PK... before you introduce me to my mom, these are all my people! I spun with them at the event that the Village Voice Article covered and Safety for 1337 all the time. We all had pancakes last Friday at which I stated that I'd be starting a Poi in the Park type deal. That's what got this whole thread started. I am the member of 1337 that will be leading Poi in the Park. 1337 did some educational Poi in Central Park type stuff last year... I just wanted to make this year "official" and even better.

I haven't seen hide nor hair of Flambe Volupte since Decompression. It's their absence that I miss the most. That's who I was referring to in my "underground artistic burningman urban-hippies" quote... and I do mean that in the most loving and friendly way. They're actually the group that was the heart of NYC fire for a while.

I already tried to contact some juggling groups but they haven't gotten back to me. I really don't think that any NYC juggling groups juggle poi. They just kinda throw things in the air and catch it a whole bunch.

Thanks for the info though PK. It was kinda funny to relive my existance through a complete stranger.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


pkBRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,997 posts
Location: United Kingdom


Posted:
quote:
Originally posted by NYC:
[Q]Thanks for the info though PK. It was kinda funny to relive my existance through a complete stranger. [/QB]
my pleasure! i thought you might like to read the article if you hadnt already seen it before, i supose i should go read the death of a fire scene thread, i never got round to it.
oh well the search gave me some thing to do and was a joy to read some of the stuff i posted and a whole lot of other stuff too. seems though that there is a scene in NY but their presense on the net isnt great other than 1337 and Flambe Volupte.

fluffy napalm fairyCarpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land


Posted:
I hear Fraggles in town make for big PIP's too

Geologists do it in the dirt................ spank


NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
PK... if you've got any evidence that there's a fire scene in New York City that's not Flambe or 1337, that's news to me. I REALLY don't think there is. I know it's a big city but I've got quite a few friends who are constantly looking out for fire people for me.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
... I do know that there are a few isolated spinners here and there that aren't Flambe or 1337 and even fewer that aren't associated with either in some way. But I've never heard of a gathering that isn't associated with either of them.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


CantusSILVER Member
Tantamount to fatuity
15,966 posts
Location: Down the road, United Kingdom


Posted:
Except, FNF, fraggles seem to be invisible to New Yorkers....

Meh


CantusSILVER Member
Tantamount to fatuity
15,966 posts
Location: Down the road, United Kingdom


Posted:
See?

Meh


pkBRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,997 posts
Location: United Kingdom


Posted:
:currently looking for random fraggle's in NY:

i searcheda all of the yahoo fire club directories and found no one at all from NY registered on any club? how strange it all seems to be going off in texas or the rest of the US.
seems like you have your work cut out NYC mate, i will carry on this week to find out any more that i can and place where i can look, i trust you have gone through the HOP list and stole email address, that was my first port of call when i used to do email lists that i do not have time to do any more.

cantus is there any MSN groups for poi? if so could you do us a favor and look to see if there is any NY people out there?

ta much like.

NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
I appreciate your efforts PK. I do think I'm right though.

There are Flambe kids.
There are 1337 kids (who actually evolved from a subsection of Flambe)
There are a few random individuals who learned it elsewhere and don't meet in large groups.

And that's all.

Do keep in mind, as Pele will jump on you if you forget, that New York state is huge and the city is on the absolute southern-most tip of it. The geography works out that New Jersey and Connecticut are much closer to me than say, Pele. So there are a few cliques in the state (N8 and Girl from Mars, Pele, other "upstate" peoples)... In the city, there ain't no more.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


DomBRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK


Posted:
Hey NYC, how's it going.
I don't think I've got much to add, except to say that pretty girls in bikinis spinning fire really attract people to an evemt! Anyone out there want to offer for this summer PiPs in London?
Seriously, an open, unintimidating, social and friendly environment will get people coming back because they weel welcome and comfortable. Disorganisation of the actual event always seems to work in making it random and letting people make it what they want it to be.

Good luck!

Oh, pancakes! You mean Cass didn't teach you how to make proper crepes?

NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
{Scribbles furiously in notebook:}
Girls in Bikinis... got it. Good call Dom.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]



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