Difference between revisions of "Fire Dancing - Oahu"

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{{CovidWarning|message=These events could change at any time due to covid. This info was last updated <b>May 16, 2021</b>}}
 
{{CovidWarning|message=These events could change at any time due to covid. This info was last updated <b>May 16, 2021</b>}}
  
[[Fire Dancing|Fire dancing]] is amazing! It's one of the greatest things to do on Hawaii, and you don't need to pay hundreds of dollars to see it at the Polynesian Cultural center. A wonderful community of Hawaiian locals spin fire for fun, and would love you to come along and watch! Some of the fire spinner will even give you free lessons if you want to learn. This article list out the events I know of on Maui and Oahu. It might be that you're just a tourist who want to watch some incredible fire spinning on the beach.... or maybe you are really keen to learn. Either way I hope this article sets you up with an amazing first night of fire.
+
The '''[[Fire Dancing|fire dancing]]''' scene on Hawaii is incredible! It's one of the greatest things to do on the islands after dark, and you don't need to pay hundreds of dollars to see it at the Polynesian Cultural center. A wonderful community of Hawaiian locals spin fire for fun, and would love you to come along and watch! Some of the fire spinner will even give you free lessons if you want to learn. This article list out the events I know of on Maui and Oahu. It might be that you're just a tourist who want to watch some incredible fire spinning on the beach.... or maybe you are really keen to learn. Either way I hope this article sets you up with an amazing first night of fire.
  
Notice I've also included some [[Ecstatic Dance|ecstatic dance]] events in this article. Why group them together? Well on Hawaii, it seems that the ecstatic dance community is intricately tied to fire dancing - in fact if the ecstatic dance is at night, you will probably see the fire dancers emerge after sunset. Heck... a lot of ecstatic dance people and fire people are acro-yoga people also (which also exists on the same Sunday).... providing you with even more fun people to watch or join!
+
Notice I've also included some '''[[Ecstatic Dance|ecstatic dance]]''' events in this article. Why group them together? Well on Hawaii, it seems that the ecstatic dance community is intricately tied to fire dancing - in fact if the ecstatic dance is at night, you will probably see the fire dancers emerge with their toys after sunset. Heck... a lot of ecstatic dance people and fire people are acroyoga people also (which also exists on the same Sunday).... providing you with even more fun people to watch or join!
  
  
  
  
==Oahu==
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==Oahu Fire Scene==
  
 
Oahu has a wonderful fire dance community and somehow the cops don't seem to mind about fire dancing around Honolulu, probably because the tourists are already packed so tightly on Waikiki during the day, fire dancing circles don't seem so bad. I also think the cops understand that fire dancing is a great way to keep the locals happy, plus tourists who stumble upon the fire dancing around Waikiki are absolutely delighted. I honestly don't know if there are other regular events on other parts of Oahu.... I think spinning events on the other side of the mountain are one off, or special events organized by the Trial By Fire community which are invite only. The Sunday dance I list below is probably the best one for tourists to come along to and watch.
 
Oahu has a wonderful fire dance community and somehow the cops don't seem to mind about fire dancing around Honolulu, probably because the tourists are already packed so tightly on Waikiki during the day, fire dancing circles don't seem so bad. I also think the cops understand that fire dancing is a great way to keep the locals happy, plus tourists who stumble upon the fire dancing around Waikiki are absolutely delighted. I honestly don't know if there are other regular events on other parts of Oahu.... I think spinning events on the other side of the mountain are one off, or special events organized by the Trial By Fire community which are invite only. The Sunday dance I list below is probably the best one for tourists to come along to and watch.
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* <i>What:</i> <b>Amazing ecstatic dance experience in the park</b> <br>A similar location to the Sunday one, but on the southern side of the Barefoot Beach Cafe (not the northern side)! Jonathan / Sage Bee and "Vibe Tribe" runs the ecstatic part, and then [http://trialbyfire.community/ Trial By Fire] takes over as it gets darker. You will want to be there at about 6pm I believe. It only opened in May 2021, so early days, but even on the first one there were ~30 people dancing. Cost is <b>$10</b> to come and dance.
 
* <i>What:</i> <b>Amazing ecstatic dance experience in the park</b> <br>A similar location to the Sunday one, but on the southern side of the Barefoot Beach Cafe (not the northern side)! Jonathan / Sage Bee and "Vibe Tribe" runs the ecstatic part, and then [http://trialbyfire.community/ Trial By Fire] takes over as it gets darker. You will want to be there at about 6pm I believe. It only opened in May 2021, so early days, but even on the first one there were ~30 people dancing. Cost is <b>$10</b> to come and dance.
 
* <i>When:</i> <b>Every Thursday ~ starting at ~6pm</b> with just a few people, but builds up at like 8 to a decent crowd!
 
* <i>When:</i> <b>Every Thursday ~ starting at ~6pm</b> with just a few people, but builds up at like 8 to a decent crowd!
* <i>Where:</i> <b>Sans Souci State Recreational Park</b>. Just walk to Queens Beach (just south of Waikiki Beach) and keep walking south... it's about 50 meters south of "Barefoot Beach Cafe @ Queens Beach". [https://goo.gl/maps/85ZFRDQoxVM3zrQi9 approx map location]
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* <i>Where:</i> <b>Sans Souci State Recreational Park</b>. Just walk to Queens Beach (just south of Waikiki Beach) and keep walking south... it's about 50 meters south of "Barefoot Beach Cafe @ Queens Beach". [https://goo.gl/maps/85ZFRDQoxVM3zrQi9 approx map location] ... if it's NOT there, on some days it might shift over to [https://goo.gl/maps/1AkVSDHuABAmTXZj8 Kapiolani Regional Park], but that's still a short walk away (over the road).
 
* <i>Website:</i> <b>N/A</b>
 
* <i>Website:</i> <b>N/A</b>
 
</blockquote>
 
</blockquote>
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==Maui==
 
 
Maui is an interesting use case for covid where cases are very low, because they test people coming in (see: [[Hawaii_travel_tips|Hawaii travel tips]]), but the hospital on Maui has only 200 beds and they are typically over capacity even without covid patients. As a result, the police generally don't like any dance gatherings, but they also realize that locals will form drum circles and dance regardless to blow off steam. It's part of the culture here.
 
 
There are a few little drum circle / dance events on Maui that appear to be happening.. they are:
 
 
 
===Sunday Morning (Ecstatic) - North Side Ecstatic===
 
 
{{Prettyblockquote}}
 
* <i>What:</i> Email me for info... it's kept very secret, but it's amazing!!
 
</blockquote>
 
 
 
 
===Friday Night - Fire - Baldwin Beach Drum Circle and Fire Dancers===
 
 
{{Prettyblockquote}}
 
* <i>What:</i> <b>(Informal) Baldwin Beach, Drum Circle and Fire Performers</b> <br>... might be ~30 - 50 people, plus more people just out on the nearby beach enjoying the music. Unlike the (bigger) Little Beach event, cops tend to leave this one alone. ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc77oz4DZ7k see video]) <br>... Having said that... I've been twice, and the cops appeared the second time at around 7pm and did ticket the guy who organizes the fire-spinning and music, so I fear that part might disappear a while.
 
* <i>When:</i> <b>Every Friday ~5 - 11pm</b> <br>... the drumming starts before sunset, and people dance... then after dark the fire performers will take turns and slowly the drums get replaced with a speaker system. Depending on how many fire spinners there are it might last only 30 minutes, but hopefully it will last longer. I highly suggest arriving before sunset, if you arrive late (like most of my friends did), you'll miss the whole show. Arrive early (5pm) if you are happy to just chill on the beach as the drummers slowly arrive and it builds up.
 
* <i>Where:</i> <b>Baldwin Beach, Paia, HI 96779</b> ([https://goo.gl/maps/zLsRnX9CvnELPqNp7 map]) <br>... the main parking area locks it's gates at 7pm (I think - read the sign) and they do lock cars in, so you might want to park outside if you want to stay for the fire spinners.
 
* <i>What to wear:</i> <b>Locals are often in bathing suits, but you'll want probably want flip-flops to walk in because the little walk in and drum circle area can have prickles</b>.
 
* <i>Website:</i> <b>N/A</b>
 
</blockquote>
 
 
 
[[Image:Ecstatic_dance_-_baldwin_beach_1000w.jpg|1000px|center|thumb|Baldwin beach before dark...([https://photos.app.goo.gl/4xReQJYQZAfi7MMX6 see extra pics])]]
 
 
 
===Sunday Night - Fire - Little Beach (Nude Beach) Drum Circle (sort of)===
 
 
{{Prettyblockquote}}
 
* <i>What:</i> <b>(Informal) Little Beach, Drum Circle and Fire Performers</b> <br>... can be lots of people so it is pretty common for police to come down and break up the party just before sunset. The locals warn that when that happens (assume it will), you want to be very careful to have a mask around your neck, be 6 feet apart, and do NOT have any alcohol or drugs on you. People get ticketed all the time. It's a naked beach, so that part is fine.
 
* <i>When:</i> <b>Every Sunday ~5 - 11pm (?)</b> <br>... I've heard people will be there and drumming most of the day, a few people might dance, and if the cops don't break it up there can be fire performers after dark. When I went there were many people (>100) but very few people dancing... so you might want to bring you own dance people and dance up behind the drummers.
 
* <i>Where:</i> <b>Little Beach, Kihei, HI 96753</b> ([https://goo.gl/maps/UB3PBz7cPGfH6aAj6 map]) <br>... to get to little beach you'll want to park outside the Big Beach parking lot (if you park inside you have to pay for parking and could get locked in after dark as per the sign!) and then walk onto Big Beach.. and then turn right to walk north up and over the rocks to get onto little beach. One way in and one way out, which makes it awkward when 8 police officers show up at night and you have to walk past them.
 
* <i>What to wear:</i> <b>I've heard locals are often in bathing suits or naked (it's a naked beach), but you'll definitely want probably want flip-flops or shoes to walk over the rocks.</b>.
 
* <i>Website:</i> <b>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/77832751303/about Fans of Little Beach, Maui Drum Circle (private Facebook group]</b>
 
</blockquote>
 
 
 
[[Image:Maui_-_little_beach_1000w.jpg|1000px|center|thumb|This just shows the beach in normal times, so you can imagine how crowded it gets when there is a drum circle]]
 
  
  
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* [[Ecstatic Dance]]
 
* [[Ecstatic Dance]]
 
* [[Hawaii travel tips]]
 
* [[Hawaii travel tips]]
 +
* [[Fire Dancing - Maui]]
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
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{{Acknowledgement|people=My friend <b>Zzina</b> and new friend <b>Jazzy</b> - for telling me about these events on Maui! .... and then it was <b>Irina</b> .... and of course the biggest thanks to <b>Dhevhan</b> and <b>Lindsey</b> for teaching me fire dancing and brining me into their community. These two people are actually a large part of the reason I decided to move to Oahu. It was supposed to be just a "one month" stay, but staying was an incredible decision for me!    :)}}
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{{Acknowledgement|people=Thanks to <b>Irina</b> (who helped me discover fire dancing).... and of course the biggest thanks to <b>Dhevhan</b> and <b>Lindsey</b> for teaching me fire dancing and brining me into their community. These two people are actually a large part of the reason I decided to move to Oahu. It was supposed to be just a "one month" stay, but staying was an incredible decision for me!    :)}}
  
  
 
[[Category:Personal]]
 
[[Category:Personal]]
 
[[Category:Images]]
 
[[Category:Images]]

Revision as of 22:29, 28 May 2021

About

NOTE: This page is a daughter page of: Fire Dancing and Ecstatic Dance


Covid Warning: These events could change at any time due to covid. This info was last updated May 16, 2021


The fire dancing scene on Hawaii is incredible! It's one of the greatest things to do on the islands after dark, and you don't need to pay hundreds of dollars to see it at the Polynesian Cultural center. A wonderful community of Hawaiian locals spin fire for fun, and would love you to come along and watch! Some of the fire spinner will even give you free lessons if you want to learn. This article list out the events I know of on Maui and Oahu. It might be that you're just a tourist who want to watch some incredible fire spinning on the beach.... or maybe you are really keen to learn. Either way I hope this article sets you up with an amazing first night of fire.

Notice I've also included some ecstatic dance events in this article. Why group them together? Well on Hawaii, it seems that the ecstatic dance community is intricately tied to fire dancing - in fact if the ecstatic dance is at night, you will probably see the fire dancers emerge with their toys after sunset. Heck... a lot of ecstatic dance people and fire people are acroyoga people also (which also exists on the same Sunday).... providing you with even more fun people to watch or join!



Oahu Fire Scene

Oahu has a wonderful fire dance community and somehow the cops don't seem to mind about fire dancing around Honolulu, probably because the tourists are already packed so tightly on Waikiki during the day, fire dancing circles don't seem so bad. I also think the cops understand that fire dancing is a great way to keep the locals happy, plus tourists who stumble upon the fire dancing around Waikiki are absolutely delighted. I honestly don't know if there are other regular events on other parts of Oahu.... I think spinning events on the other side of the mountain are one off, or special events organized by the Trial By Fire community which are invite only. The Sunday dance I list below is probably the best one for tourists to come along to and watch.



Sunday Night - Fire - South Waikiki

  • What: (Informal) Kapiʻolani Regional Park (Waikiki area) Fire Performers
    ... they just do it for fun, just after dusk, and they are very good! Just space out and sit down to watch them... they have acro-yoga before dusk which is fun to watch too. The group is called Trial By Fire - of which I'm a part of now - and I love their values of (a) teaching and inclusiveness (anyone, tourist or not, they will teach you to spin) and (b) safety and staying sober. Yup, fire dancers are asked to stay sober, because fire and alcohol shouldn't mix (fire is dangerous)... *but* people watching often bring some beers and seats to enjoy the dancing way into the night. If you want to spin then you have to prove to fire master you respect safety and have some experience with your chosen prop. Once accident with this audience of trusting tourists (some of them with kids) would shut us down, so we're trying to add as many safety measure as possible, while still keeping it fun.
  • When: Every Sunday ~ at dusk. If you want a lesson spinning the staff come at 5pm and donate $10-20 for your lesson (extra $20 to take home a staff). They couple that teach this are amazing, it's really fun! They might tell you about some other events about.
  • Where: Kapiʻolani Regional Park / Sans Souci State Recreational Park. Just walk to Queens Beach (just south of Waikiki Beach) and keep walking down the beach past the park and about half way through the park you'll see the acro-yoga and fire spinners!. It's about 50 meters north of "Barefoot Beach Cafe @ Queens Beach". map
  • Website: N/A


Fire dancing starts around sunset with more pictures here. Lindsay actually teaches a free lesson at 5pm if you want to learn staff.
Fire dancing after dark. Yes, quite a few people watch! This is Tiana spinning a levi wand. There is up to 3 people at a time spinning, but I only caught one person here.


Thursday Night - Fire - Kaimana Beach

  • What: (Informal) Kaimana Beach (just south of Waikiki) Fire Performers
    ... unlike Sunday, this is a little more chaotic, but it's more locals, so it's a really fun energy also! Just on the northern edge of beautiful Kaimana beach is an unused tennis court which is perfect for fire dancing on cement. It's some of the same dancers as Sunday, and it's not even that far from Sunday's event *but* this is a more local beach - not quite as touristy as Wakiki - so you have more locals watching, and since it's a bigger space you might see 5-15 people dance at once (versus 3 max at Sunday). Concrete means you can spin off on the performance areas for some amazing effects!
  • When: Every Thursday ~ starting at sunset with just a few people, but builds up at like 8 to a decent crowd!
  • Where: War Memorial Natatorium between Kaimana Beach and Waikīkī Aquarium. map
  • Website: N/A


Kaimana fire dancing, with more pics and a video here.


Friday Night - Ecstatic and Fire - South Waikiki

  • What: Amazing ecstatic dance experience in the park
    A similar location to the Sunday one, but on the southern side of the Barefoot Beach Cafe (not the northern side)! Jonathan / Sage Bee and "Vibe Tribe" runs the ecstatic part, and then Trial By Fire takes over as it gets darker. You will want to be there at about 6pm I believe. It only opened in May 2021, so early days, but even on the first one there were ~30 people dancing. Cost is $10 to come and dance.
  • When: Every Thursday ~ starting at ~6pm with just a few people, but builds up at like 8 to a decent crowd!
  • Where: Sans Souci State Recreational Park. Just walk to Queens Beach (just south of Waikiki Beach) and keep walking south... it's about 50 meters south of "Barefoot Beach Cafe @ Queens Beach". approx map location ... if it's NOT there, on some days it might shift over to Kapiolani Regional Park, but that's still a short walk away (over the road).
  • Website: N/A


Wakiki ecstatic dancing.



My Initiation into Fire Dancing

I first saw (I mean really saw) fire dancing on a date in on Maui in November 2020, and was immediately captivated! It wasn't until January on Oahu at a Zouk lesson that the magnificent Irina suggested I try fire dancing. I went to my first lesson on Sunday at 5pm, and the amazing Lindsey and Dhevhan taught me how to spin a wooden staff, and I bought my own stick soon after so I could practice at home. Together with the talented DJ Pairadice (Cory), Dhevhan and Lindsey started the Trial By Fire community. Within a few weeks of practice, Dhevhan invited me to a beach burn with just a few friends and I spun for the first time with fire. It felt electrifying! I got so excited I immediately ordered my own fire staff, and started helping to get extra safety equipment and learning the basics of safety (see my: Fire dancing safety manual). A few months later Dhevhan asked me to be fire marshal and help to organize some of their events.

As Hawaii gradually becomes more and more covid vaccinated, Trial By Fire has grown and it's been amazing to be part of that community. I would highly recommend to anyone to say hi to the fire spinners after the show, and most are friendly enough that they will let you hold their fire toys and encourage you to come learn in a skill share. Just remember that you should practice *unlit* for weeks before you graduate to fire! And be warned that it's addictive! :)

Just like burning man, I love the principles of inclusivity, and I've been known to randomly invite many people to the lessons! My amazing dance partner Ann Swanson was one of the first girls I introduced, and now we often dance together as a couple with fire-fingers! Actually Ann & I are writing a book together now. Wohoo. If I sent you this article, there's a good chance I want you to try fire spinning too. It's not as hard as you think..... and it might not be your thing, but hey - the best people in the world are always keen to try new things. And you are probably pretty terrific!


What is Ecstatic Dance

Ecstatic dance I've been doing **forever** now. I love it equally as much as fire dancing... actually maybe still more, because it's fun to dance with others - often in a very connected way. I think the best thing you can do, for a full explanation, is read my Ecstatic_Dance article. It explains things in depth. In a nutshell: wonderful energetic tribal music where you are free to dance however you want (no instructions) and no shoes. When approaching people to dance, or during a dance, remember that putting your hands together in a pray like position is saying "thanks, but I want to dance by myself now". On Maui, people wear bathing suits and it's all outside during covid... and honestly a little secretive.

Wish I could give more details, but make some friends on Baldwin Beach and you'll get details to anything else going on.

Sincerely,

    Andrew Noske


See Also

Links


Acknowledgements: Thanks to Irina (who helped me discover fire dancing).... and of course the biggest thanks to Dhevhan and Lindsey for teaching me fire dancing and brining me into their community. These two people are actually a large part of the reason I decided to move to Oahu. It was supposed to be just a "one month" stay, but staying was an incredible decision for me! :)