This is assuming you’ve already got a skill toy of course. You’ve been playing for days, weeks, months, maybe years. Someone may have given you money for a couple shows, but nothing intense, just for friends. But now you want to make some money, real money. Sexy cash.

1. Anyway, the first question you have to ask yourself is, “Do I really want to perform under someone else’s terms?” That is not to say you’re selling your soul. Integrity is key for doing this professionally, because without it, you cannot hope to garner any sort of respect. But, as with any profession, you are going to be hired by someone, and asked to perform for them, not just for yourself. That may mean certain costumes, certain songs, and of course specific times and locations. When I look back at many previous shows, there is always some feelings that this was more fun back when it was simpler. I could do what I wanted when I wanted to. But when you think about it, you don’t have to give that sense of freedom up. Every client you will work for is hiring you. Not just any fire performer, but you. So don’t leave yourself at the door, invite your personality and spirit onstage with you. It will make every show better for yourself and all those lovely, open-mouthed spectators in front of you.

2. Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to jump into the sea of professional performers, make sure that you’re skills are at the same level as your ambitions. Nobody want to cringe as they watch a performer repeatedly struggle with whatever it is they’re doing. While they may empathize with your situation, you can bet they won’t want to hire you again. Whatever it is that you do, make sure that you can get through at least 3/4 of your burn time, or song, without falling all over yourself. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing a different trick every 2 seconds. Even a Poi spinner with the most basic skills can wow a crowd with their particular dance style.

3. Which brings us to style. I may not be an expert on this, but I’ve seen it enough to know that style is key. And the main reason, is that the audience is more than likely ignorant to your particular set of skills. They don’t necessarily care what sorts of Hybrid/CAP combinations you may be capable of. Your style is what will set you apart. A great example of the melding together of style and skill is Yuta. He’s a Japanese Poi spinner, with tons of skill. But what makes him one of the best in the world is his style. He’s got Pazzaz! Hoopers especially need to understand that style is key. Which is why a sexy hooper will be hired over an awesome poi spinner 8 times out of 10 (*not an actual statistic, but probably true). So work it!

4. Practice. Find songs you love and practice with them. Feel the Rhythm. Move your body! Do everything you can to mix the skills you’ve got with your personality. And find songs that match your personality. It’s always super awkward when you’re up spinning, and the DJ is playing the most god-awful song you’ve ever heard. Are you a fast spinner? A slow spinner? Whatever you may be, figure it out. This is just the very first steps to becoming a professional, but there are intricacies to every aspect of this that you will figure out on your own. And while some of these things seem super obvious, the aspect of style in performance is woefully overlooked in the moment, though we all know logically that it is important.

-Sean

So…how do you like it? Does it feel weird? Taste odd? Sound off? Well I don’t give a shit. Because it was so FREAKING hard finding a cool domain name with the word gyro at the beginning. I’m just blowing off steam. I actually really like the new domain name. It falls off the tongue real pretty like. And it has a pretty cool meaning if you break down the word: Gyro: A prefix meaning spinning or circular. From the Greek “guros” Pulse: 1. Any beat, signal, vibration, etc. that is regular or rhythmical. 2. The perceptible underlying feelings of the public or of a particular group. So all in all it can add up to mean the “pulse” of the circle, or spinning community. It feels like I’m writing very important articles, things that will shape a generation! Ya! But even still, it is absolutely amazing how many websites out there are taken, and NOT BEING USED! After the fifth or sixth try on GoDaddy it was getting ridiculous. Here’s a brief list of all the websites I checked out which are being “parked” (meaning someone’s just squatting):

Here’s an awesome video to inspire all you isolation hoopers out there. It features Matt “Poki” McCorkle and Brian Thompson of Code Red Circus Conspiracy. These guys live out at the Vulcan in Oakland, and they are the pioneers of isolation hooping in America right now. I suppose if i lived out at the Vulcan with all of those ridiculous spinners, I wouldn’t have any excuses not to be this good. Hmm…Perhaps that’s not such a bad idea. One day, maybe. But in the meanwhile all I can do is watch and be amazed by the god-like skills and illusionary Kung Fu.

-Sean

Q:What is Electro Circus, and why should you care?

And based purely on these two videos, with no knowledge of anyone or anything else in Austin, we decided to move to Texas. Seriously. Based purely on these videos.

So first off, I must thank Tim “Lucian” for making such wonderful videos and posting them to youtube. And secondly we must thank Shayen, Tyrone, Shade, Wesley, and all of the other wonderful people we greeted with such kindness at our first visit to Austin after we came back. And now Tash and I have been living in Austin since last September. And not only that, we’re getting married out here! And many of those in attendance at our wedding will be those same circus folk who inspired us back in Thailand. Suffice it to say that C.U. @ Circus, and Electro Circus have made a big impact on our life.

Hey Everybody, I’m teaching poi lessons again.

This time around the are going to be at Tiniest Bar in Texas, (around 5th st. and Lamar, downtown, across from Whole Foods) on Wednesday nights, starting at 7 PM. That way all you crazy people can hang around afterwards and jam out with us at the fire jams which happen there on Wednesday nights as well! And the best part is, IT’S FREE! That’s right. I’m teaching these lessons out of my love for you guys! The classes are going to be informal and super chill, so no matter what level spinner you are, beginner or advanced, there’ll be something here for you to learn. Ask questions. Whatever you’re looking to improve about your spinning I’ll try and help.

And if you want to practice in the meanwhile, or if your mind was blown at the last lesson, I do have a series of videos for Beginner’s that you guys can watch to keep you entertained: Beginner: Poi