Booking - Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is poi?

Poi, or fire spinning, is an ancient Maori art. There are many different variations of poi, usually involving spinning a ball (or wick) that is attached to some kind of chain or rope. The performer soaks the wicks in fuel for a few minutes, lights them on fire, and dances with the poi until the fuel burns out.

I spin both glow poi and fire poi. My fire poi contain a kevlar wick attached to a ball-chain, and my glow poi have color-changing LEDs.

 

What kind of fuel do you use?

I prefer to spin with white gas, which is the standard camping fuel that can be bought at most outdoor stores. White glas burns clean and bright -- and it doesn't smell too bad. However, it's more flammable and has a shorter burn time than other fuels.

Other common fire spinning fuels include kerosene and lamp oil.

 

What safety precautions do you take?

I always spin with a "fire safety" -- a person trained and familiar with the risks of fire spinning. The fire safety ensures that people do not get too close to the performance area; monitors the fuel space; and is equipped with a fire blanket and fire extinguisher in case of emergency.

In addition, I always cover my hair and wear non-synthetic materials: thick cotton, leather, or denim.

 

 

Which events and venues are best suited for fire spinning?

The best location is a private, spacious open-air venue at night time, when the fire looks best. Daytime spinning is possible but it doesn't look half as cool. I've spun fire at music festivals, open-air parties, BBQes, corporate events, and weddings.

While it is possible to arrange the necessary permits for indoor fire spinning, it requires much more paperwork and is only recommended for large clubs and party promoters.

 

Ok, I'm interested. Can you spin fire at my wedding/birthday/BBQ/party/event?

Yes!

If you have:

-- an outdoor private space of at least 10 square feet with a large vertical clearance. (I can't exactly spin, say, beneath low-hanging tree branches.) The bigger the space, and the more level the ground, the better.

Please email me with:

-- date, location, and time of the event. Fire looks MUCH better at night. However, I have done a few daytime performances.

 

What are your rates?

My rates vary based on location (travel time), event type, and duration of the performance. Please contact me - anna (at) annawexler.com with your name, phone number, and a detailed event description.

Please note that unless there is a trained fire professional present, I will need to bring along a fire safety.