Forums > Social Chat > poi going mainstream?
Login/Join to Participatenewbie
3 posts
3 posts
Posted:
Hi,
I'm a journalist in California and I'm working on a story about spinning Poi for the Los Angeles Times. In LA alone there have been a few "How-To" DVDs released recently and at least one of the producers wants to bring Poi to the masses. I'm looking to speak with folks who are both behind this and against it. If you would like to weigh in and maybe chat on the phone briefly about it, please IM me.
Cheers,
Steve
Hi,
I'm a journalist in California and I'm working on a story about spinning Poi for the Los Angeles Times. In LA alone there have been a few "How-To" DVDs released recently and at least one of the producers wants to bring Poi to the masses. I'm looking to speak with folks who are both behind this and against it. If you would like to weigh in and maybe chat on the phone briefly about it, please IM me.
Cheers,
Steve
SILVER Member
Geek
1,261 posts
Location: Manchester, UK
Geek
1,261 posts
Location: Manchester, UK
Posted:
Theres a huge thread about thi son here somewhere already - Have a search and you may find it
I think you'll find that most people on here a a bit apathetic when it comes to this topic.
Typical conversations go something like:
So do you think spinning is becomming more mainstream?
Maybe?
What do you think about it?
I'm sure you'll get an answer out of someone though
Theres a huge thread about thi son here somewhere already - Have a search and you may find it
I think you'll find that most people on here a a bit apathetic when it comes to this topic.
Typical conversations go something like:
So do you think spinning is becomming more mainstream?
Maybe?
What do you think about it?
I'm sure you'll get an answer out of someone though
How do you change this thing???
1,903 posts
Location: Behind the couch...
1,903 posts
Location: Behind the couch...
Posted:
Hey krcmar,
Some of these might help you out...
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
Hey krcmar,
Some of these might help you out...
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
I can't hear you... I have a banana in my ear.
"You mean I'll have to use my brain?... but I use staff!!!" ~ ben-ja-men
SILVER Member
Geek
1,261 posts
Location: Manchester, UK
Geek
1,261 posts
Location: Manchester, UK
Posted:
Cheers
I was trying to do that but it wouldnt let me search.
Written by: arsn
Hey krcmar,
Some of these might help you out...
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
Cheers
I was trying to do that but it wouldnt let me search.
SILVER Member
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
Posted:
is poi becoming mainstream?
are breaks dead?
yes more and more people are taking up spinning, but not all of them are sticking to it. its biggest positive it has over sport is that it can be done with relitively little equiptment anywhere you want in groups or by yourself.
i think the move by masses to spinning reflects more people that are getting sick of the ego and 'winwinwin' mentality that so often comes with organised sports in Western Culture.
is poi becoming mainstream?
are breaks dead?
yes more and more people are taking up spinning, but not all of them are sticking to it. its biggest positive it has over sport is that it can be done with relitively little equiptment anywhere you want in groups or by yourself.
i think the move by masses to spinning reflects more people that are getting sick of the ego and 'winwinwin' mentality that so often comes with organised sports in Western Culture.
"but have you considered there is more to life than your eyelids?"
jointly owned by Fire_Spinning_Angel and Blu_Valley
SILVER Member
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
Posted:
oh, when you've written the story, would it be too much to ask you to post it in here for us to read?
thanks.
mjk.
oh, when you've written the story, would it be too much to ask you to post it in here for us to read?
thanks.
mjk.
"but have you considered there is more to life than your eyelids?"
jointly owned by Fire_Spinning_Angel and Blu_Valley
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,666 posts
Location: Preston, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,666 posts
Location: Preston, United Kingdom
Posted:
I like winning...speaking off. You all just lost
I like winning
...speaking off. You all just lost Chief adviser to the Pharaoh, in one very snazzy mutli-coloured coat
'Time goes by so slowly for those who wait...' - Whatever Happend To Baby Madonna?
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
yes please post your article here! :jump:
Poi becoming mainstream? Naaaaaaaaaa, just because poi has finally come to L.A. and three videos "how to..." have been released... ?
Unless you see poi in at least 2 mainstream hollywood flicks, telling the story of those re-incarnated or time-warped Maori warriors, who came to Venice Beach fighting the evil red/ white uniformed spirits with their Poi and the help of twenty skateboarding, surfing and bucksnuffling buskers - I guess we're safe.
yes please post your article here! :jump:
Poi becoming mainstream? Naaaaaaaaaa, just because poi has finally come to L.A. and three videos "how to..." have been released... ?
Unless you see poi in at least 2 mainstream hollywood flicks, telling the story of those re-incarnated or time-warped Maori warriors, who came to Venice Beach fighting the evil red/ white uniformed spirits with their Poi and the help of twenty skateboarding, surfing and bucksnuffling buskers - I guess we're safe.
the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
SILVER Member
Likes trees...
209 posts
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Likes trees...
209 posts
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posted:
Damn you Brit Joe! I was winning for about 7 months now...
Damn you Brit Joe! I was winning for about 7 months now...
'n Boer maak 'n plan.
newbie
3 posts
3 posts
Posted:
Thanks for all of your help. I'm mildly surprised by the responses. From my experience, when a subcuture inches toward the mainstream or a few proponents try to push it closer toward exercise (one person I spoke with called said that one of these DVDs "seems more like Tae Bo for burners....") there's at least a small backlash. It doesn't seem that there's a negative sentiment though.
I'll post the article when it's published.
Thanks for all of your help. I'm mildly surprised by the responses. From my experience, when a subcuture inches toward the mainstream or a few proponents try to push it closer toward exercise (one person I spoke with called said that one of these DVDs "seems more like Tae Bo for burners....") there's at least a small backlash. It doesn't seem that there's a negative sentiment though.
I'll post the article when it's published.
Internet Hate Machine
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...
Posted:
I can't wait for it to hit mainstream!
Soon as it does, I'll be all "pffft... I was doing that before it was cool"
Yay for pretentiousness!
I can't wait for it to hit mainstream!
Soon as it does, I'll be all "pffft... I was doing that before it was cool"
Yay for pretentiousness!
The existance of flamethrowers says that someone, somewhere, at sometime said "I need to set that thing on fire, but it's too far away."
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
There was a huge backlash years ago before it went huge. The community was still small and there were a bunch of people who wanted to go pro and weren't ready. People who wouldn't watch videos but wanted to make them, stuff like that. Alot of people were really ticked by the presentious assumptions of these people that they were better than people who had been doing it pro and longer.
It cause verbal battles.
And since it's gone mainstream, there's no point in going down that road again.
Written by: krcmar
Thanks for all of your help. I'm mildly surprised by the responses. From my experience, when a subcuture inches toward the mainstream or a few proponents try to push it closer toward exercise (one person I spoke with called said that one of these DVDs "seems more like Tae Bo for burners....") there's at least a small backlash. It doesn't seem that there's a negative sentiment though.
I'll post the article when it's published.
There was a huge backlash years ago before it went huge. The community was still small and there were a bunch of people who wanted to go pro and weren't ready. People who wouldn't watch videos but wanted to make them, stuff like that. Alot of people were really ticked by the presentious assumptions of these people that they were better than people who had been doing it pro and longer.
It cause verbal battles.
And since it's gone mainstream, there's no point in going down that road again.
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
SILVER Member
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Posted:
I think spinning is starting to becomre big in gloucester as i help run a circus group here and the one on a wednesday night can have up to 20 people turn up to and the other day we started a fire spinning night we had bout 6or 7 older people turn up to that only 3 were from our circus on a wednesday so it is hitting the mass's in my opinion.
Mike
I think spinning is starting to becomre big in gloucester as i help run a circus group here and the one on a wednesday night can have up to 20 people turn up to and the other day we started a fire spinning night we had bout 6or 7 older people turn up to that only 3 were from our circus on a wednesday so it is hitting the mass's in my opinion.
Mike
he he i am mike the amazing gloscircus person who is mike.
Officaly an exception to the Poi Boys are Girls Thing
BRONZE Member
and behold!
464 posts
Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
and behold!
464 posts
Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
Posted:
Yeah, I have kind of noticed that myself. You can see people doing weaves and butterflies repeatedly at virtually all the gigs you go to. LOL!
One of the reason why I started fire spinning was because of its status as an "alternative" and extreme hobby. If you asked me the same question 6 months ago, I would have seen it as a bad thing because it would lose a lot of its novelty and unique-ness. However, since then my relationship with fire-spinning has evolved and I have made a deeper connection with the art. Its coming to a stage where I appreciate it so much that I would want more people to share and enjoy the pleasure I get from fire-spinning.
I think a lot of it is down to the open-ness of the fire spinning crowd as well. There is very little snobbishness about its people and newbies are always welcomed and encouraged to participate. And at the end of the day, things like fire and glow are stylish and visually stunning.
Seye, I still remember how random people would just come up and ask us where we could learn to do what we do.
Yeah, I have kind of noticed that myself. You can see people doing weaves and butterflies repeatedly at virtually all the gigs you go to. LOL!
One of the reason why I started fire spinning was because of its status as an "alternative" and extreme hobby. If you asked me the same question 6 months ago, I would have seen it as a bad thing because it would lose a lot of its novelty and unique-ness. However, since then my relationship with fire-spinning has evolved and I have made a deeper connection with the art. Its coming to a stage where I appreciate it so much that I would want more people to share and enjoy the pleasure I get from fire-spinning.
I think a lot of it is down to the open-ness of the fire spinning crowd as well. There is very little snobbishness about its people and newbies are always welcomed and encouraged to participate. And at the end of the day, things like fire and glow are stylish and visually stunning.
Seye, I still remember how random people would just come up and ask us where we could learn to do what we do.
Why let your body be a temple? When it can be a theme park?
Wii Console Number: 3294 0297 7824 7498
GOLD Member
Dangerous cynic
166 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Dangerous cynic
166 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
I think even though it seems big from within the community, it's not that big. I have still yet to experience mentioning that I do poi to anyone who doesn't subsequently require a lengthy explanation because they don't have a clue what I'm on about.
I think even though it seems big from within the community, it's not that big. I have still yet to experience mentioning that I do poi to anyone who doesn't subsequently require a lengthy explanation because they don't have a clue what I'm on about.
SILVER Member
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Posted:
well i manged to get into a convosation the other day about doing 5 club multiplex's as it was just a random person i just met who asked bout my hobbys
well i manged to get into a convosation the other day about doing 5 club multiplex's as it was just a random person i just met who asked bout my hobbys
he he i am mike the amazing gloscircus person who is mike.
Officaly an exception to the Poi Boys are Girls Thing
SILVER Member
newbie
18 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
newbie
18 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
Posted:
I did see someone spinning on Hollyoaks the other day though! xxx
I did see someone spinning on Hollyoaks the other day though! xxx
I may loose people. I may even loose my mind. But there's one thing I never loose....and that's the beat!
SILVER Member
member
50 posts
Location: USA
member
50 posts
Location: USA
Posted:
I agree with this.
But untill the day you randomly hear someone in line at a starbucks talking about doing a 5bt isolated weave, and have 4 other people present join into the conversation, I wouldn't call it mainstream.
Written by: kash
I think even though it seems big from within the community, it's not that big. I have still yet to experience mentioning that I do poi to anyone who doesn't subsequently require a lengthy explanation because they don't have a clue what I'm on about.
I agree with this.
But untill the day you randomly hear someone in line at a starbucks talking about doing a 5bt isolated weave, and have 4 other people present join into the conversation, I wouldn't call it mainstream.
member
90 posts
90 posts
Posted:
It's definitely getting bigger. When I started juggling in the mid '90's there was zero poi being done at my local club. Now you can hardly move for the buggers on some nights. It's turned into Spin City. (has to be the worst pun of the week, surely.)
It's definitely getting bigger. When I started juggling in the mid '90's there was zero poi being done at my local club. Now you can hardly move for the buggers on some nights. It's turned into Spin City. (has to be the worst pun of the week, surely.)
BRONZE Member
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
Posted:
A little birdie just told me...
https://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-fire11sep11,0,1886977,full.story?coll=la-home-health
A little birdie just told me...
https://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-fire11sep11,0,1886977,full.story?coll=la-home-health
"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)
Owner of Dragosani's left half
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
At least I now know Peles real name.
But jeez, journalism like that make me glad im not American so I wouldnt have to read it on a daily basis!
Sorry Steve, but seriously, a fair bit of that is either wrong, incorrect, or simply plain dangerous.
Spinners NEVER EVER use gasoline, light versions or not, unless they are spacktards. The fact that it burns cooler is why petrol (or gasoline) explodes!
Hence why the bit about someone extinguishing their poi makes no sence. Kerosene doesnt explode, and so it IS safe to put your fire poi out in a bucket of, if there is enough kerosene/ parafin in the bucket to totally cover the wick - No air can get to the flame once it is under the liquid so it goes out. The bucket would only catch on fire if the person putting out their wicks doesnt know how to do it properly, or is utterly oblivious to common sence.
What is a moth in the context of moves though?
Butterflies, moths, caterpillers and slugs. Those are all great names for moves. My favourite is still "Luke... I am your father" though...
That is something I have wondered about for ages though; you know how it (and many many other sources) says that poi were used to train males for the strentgh needed for hand to hand combat, right?
Yes, maybe if they were fighting a bunch of invading 5 year olds. Other than that, they would have gotten stronger, quicker simply by carrying buckets of water from the well. Possibly repeating it. No?
Yes poi does tone you up, but not nearly enough for use in fighting.
And for the Americans, whats the difference between Kerosene, and light gasoline?
[/grumble]
EDITED_BY: UmbiliciformCraterOnFace (1158589156)
At least I now know Peles real name.
But jeez, journalism like that make me glad im not American so I wouldnt have to read it on a daily basis!
Sorry Steve, but seriously, a fair bit of that is either wrong, incorrect, or simply plain dangerous.
Spinners NEVER EVER use gasoline, light versions or not, unless they are spacktards. The fact that it burns cooler is why petrol (or gasoline) explodes!
Hence why the bit about someone extinguishing their poi makes no sence. Kerosene doesnt explode, and so it IS safe to put your fire poi out in a bucket of, if there is enough kerosene/ parafin in the bucket to totally cover the wick - No air can get to the flame once it is under the liquid so it goes out. The bucket would only catch on fire if the person putting out their wicks doesnt know how to do it properly, or is utterly oblivious to common sence.
What is a moth in the context of moves though?
Butterflies, moths, caterpillers and slugs. Those are all great names for moves. My favourite is still "Luke... I am your father" though...
That is something I have wondered about for ages though; you know how it (and many many other sources) says that poi were used to train males for the strentgh needed for hand to hand combat, right?
Yes, maybe if they were fighting a bunch of invading 5 year olds. Other than that, they would have gotten stronger, quicker simply by carrying buckets of water from the well. Possibly repeating it. No?
Yes poi does tone you up, but not nearly enough for use in fighting.
And for the Americans, whats the difference between Kerosene, and light gasoline?
[/grumble]
EDITED_BY: UmbiliciformCraterOnFace (1158589156)
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,895 posts
Location: Cambridge UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,895 posts
Location: Cambridge UK
Posted:
yeah, I was a bit worried at reading about the 'light gasoline'...
don't know what it is that burns cooler and longer than kerosene..
what is the 'shadow-dancer' move
no mention of HoP there either
yeah, I was a bit worried at reading about the 'light gasoline'...
don't know what it is that burns cooler and longer than kerosene..
what is the 'shadow-dancer' move no mention of HoP there either Because ActiveAngel sounds like a feminine deodorant
Like sex, I'm much more interesting in real life than online.
'Be the change you want to see in the world around you' - Ghandi
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
except for the first link in the "google ads" right at the bottom of the page!
I would have linked to the HOP backyard fire spinners safety video myself, seeing as people will be reading that article and deciding that they want to get into fire spinning, and will also remember the word "gasoline" from the article..... anyone see where im going with that? 
more bad press for fire spinning. oh, and someone would get quite badly injured too 
except for the first link in the "google ads" right at the bottom of the page!
I would have linked to the HOP backyard fire spinners safety video myself, seeing as people will be reading that article and deciding that they want to get into fire spinning, and will also remember the word "gasoline" from the article..... anyone see where im going with that?
more bad press for fire spinning. oh, and someone would get quite badly injured too Precision instrument of speed and aromatics
240 posts
Location: Vienna
240 posts
Location: Vienna
Posted:
As far as I'm concerned, poi and staff becoming mainstream can only be a good thing. The more people who understand it, the more imaginations and creativity are being directed towards it, and more interesting stuff will emerge. Admittedly, many people won't progress weave and butterfly variations, but that will make the icrease the appreciation for and recognition the truely exceptional.
And maybe more people will know the difference between a good fire show and a bad one, meaning those who are exceptional can be paid what they deserve.
Maybe
As far as I'm concerned, poi and staff becoming mainstream can only be a good thing. The more people who understand it, the more imaginations and creativity are being directed towards it, and more interesting stuff will emerge. Admittedly, many people won't progress weave and butterfly variations, but that will make the icrease the appreciation for and recognition the truely exceptional.
And maybe more people will know the difference between a good fire show and a bad one, meaning those who are exceptional can be paid what they deserve.
Maybe
Not a spinner!
SILVER Member
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
Posted:
a quick bit of fractional distillation at 150 and 275 degrees celcius?
cole. x
Written by: UmbiliciformCraterOnFace
whats the difference between Kerosene, and light gasoline?
a quick bit of fractional distillation at 150 and 275 degrees celcius?
cole. x
"i see you at 'dis cafe.
i come to 'dis cafe quite a lot myself.
they do porridge."
- tim westwood
BRONZE Member
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
Posted:
well, I suppose we did just pass him on to links to stuff that had already been discussed, so maybe he didn't like that... and HoP is quite Oz/NZ/UK-centered anyways, I don't know if the other sites are much better for the States.
I was wondering about the light gasoline, too.
Oh, and I doubt it's a good recommendation to do poi when wearing a wrist support for repetitive stress (given that I tried it and it actually really really didn't help...!).
Apart from that I don't think the article's that bad, it's a nice introduction (especially with burning man just past) for people who don't know anything about poi, links to some resources and as Jon said gives us Pele's real name
well, I suppose we did just pass him on to links to stuff that had already been discussed, so maybe he didn't like that... and HoP is quite Oz/NZ/UK-centered anyways, I don't know if the other sites are much better for the States.
I was wondering about the light gasoline, too.
Oh, and I doubt it's a good recommendation to do poi when wearing a wrist support for repetitive stress (given that I tried it and it actually really really didn't help...!).
Apart from that I don't think the article's that bad, it's a nice introduction (especially with burning man just past) for people who don't know anything about poi, links to some resources and as Jon said gives us Pele's real name
"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)
Owner of Dragosani's left half
SILVER Member
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Posted:
That article has made me mad, sad and not at all glad.
That article has made me mad, sad and not at all glad.
Hoppers are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
SILVER Member
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Posted:
This article is more of a p*** take out of us then a help invite only yeah right.
Putting poi out in kersone that exploded i wonder why
It seemed to give to much credit to burning man as well sure it should of been mentioned but were was everything else i reckon we should complain
This article is more of a p*** take out of us then a help invite only yeah right.
Putting poi out in kersone that exploded i wonder why
It seemed to give to much credit to burning man as well sure it should of been mentioned but were was everything else i reckon we should complain
he he i am mike the amazing gloscircus person who is mike.
Officaly an exception to the Poi Boys are Girls Thing
marmite and nutella sandwich
1,590 posts
Location: Farnborough, Hampshire
1,590 posts
Location: Farnborough, Hampshire
Posted:
Only people who actually enjoy poi will keep on doing it. If it is just fashion, i doubt people who just follow fashion will keep at it, therefore no chavs on HoP. Yay!
Only people who actually enjoy poi will keep on doing it. If it is just fashion, i doubt people who just follow fashion will keep at it, therefore no chavs on HoP. Yay!
THE hop Pyro.
(with parents)
Unowned
SILVER Member
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Hitman
985 posts
Location: Gloucester England
Posted:
if they do come lets all rebel and chuck sticks at um
if they do come lets all rebel and chuck sticks at um
he he i am mike the amazing gloscircus person who is mike.
Officaly an exception to the Poi Boys are Girls Thing
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
yeah....
They may look at you oddly virtually throwing virtual sticks at them.
They would probably reply in text speak too, making all their points of view and opinions uttery irrelevant anyway
What? Mr Krcmar didnt like the links that Arsn gave him... because they answered his question and made the thread that he had just made redundant?
Sorry, did the bit suggesting using Gasoline for fuel totally pass you by? Birgit (
), this is NOT a good introduction to poi for beginners. People could get seriously injured after reading the article, who incorrectly assume they are using the correct fuel.
EDITED_BY: UmbiliciformCraterOnFace (1158609543)
yeah....
They may look at you oddly virtually throwing virtual sticks at them.
They would probably reply in text speak too, making all their points of view and opinions uttery irrelevant anyway
Written by: Birgit
I suppose we did just pass him on to links to stuff that had already been discussed, so maybe he didn't like that...
What? Mr Krcmar didnt like the links that Arsn gave him... because they answered his question and made the thread that he had just made redundant?
Written by: Birgit
it's a nice introduction...for people who don't know anything about poi
Sorry, did the bit suggesting using Gasoline for fuel totally pass you by? Birgit (
), this is NOT a good introduction to poi for beginners. People could get seriously injured after reading the article, who incorrectly assume they are using the correct fuel. EDITED_BY: UmbiliciformCraterOnFace (1158609543)
© 1998 - 2024 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com