Santa Cruz Fire Dancers Form Fire University

Fire dancing is a hot topic these days. From Santa Cruz, California, to Paris, France, playing with fire has become something of a flaming phenomenon. For all that our parents told us never to play with matches, the fire community is growing fast.

The term fire dance has come to include dancing with everything from fire fans, elegant twisted metal fans with points of fire along their edges, to fire staffs. Fire hoola hoops, fire juggling balls, fire swords, fire fingers-- the variety is almost endless. The effect is the same though. The sense of awe that fire dance inspires connects the various expressions of the art with a net of mystery and magic.

The most common of the fire arts, at least around Santa Cruz, California, is poi. Poi are two heavy kevlar wicks attached to chains. The artist soaks these wicks in white gas or lamp oil, lights them and swings them in patterns that vary from beautiful to ferocious. Every Sunday evening at the West Cliff Lighthouse Park, fire dancers can be seen flickering their poi and staffs and hoops at the local Fire University.

FUSC, more commonly called FU, is a sister group to FU Davis and FU Seattle. The people who organize FUSC are focused on creating a supportive community in Santa Cruz, where those new to the thrill of fire can learn from those with more experience and those with experience can dance with friends.

What most people notice first is the sound. More than the heat, or the weight, or the sparks, it's the sound that people comment on after their first time dancing with fire. The roar, like dragons wheeling orange around their bodies. After the roar comes the heat, the weight on their fingers, the sparks in their eyes.

"I've been spinning fire for three years now," says a member of the Carpe Noctem Fire Troupe. Carpe Noctem is highly involved in organizing FU. "The first time I saw a spinner she was stoned and drunk and on stage at a private concert that some friends were putting on. She fell off the stage and melted my cell phone. I fell in love right then and there!

"The first time I spun fire, it was at this abandoned park really late at night. The stars were out. The playground was a silhouette of weeds. My boyfriend lit my poi and the sound was so fantastic, my mouth just kinda hung open. It was freezing out and I was in my tank top, but with all that fire I was warm! Most amazing memory ever. Like losing your virginity only better!"

A great resource for anyone looking to delve into this unique art, is http://www.homeofpoi.com. This informative website has good starter kits, online video tutorials, discussion forums and more. Also, locals can head down to the FU where friendly pyromaniacs will be more than happy to lend you a match and a new toy or three.