Heat Things Up at Fire Dance Fridays in San Diego
Fiora Firefly at Pacific Terrace Hotel
Fire Dance Fridays are a summer tradition here at Pacific Terrace, and we are so excited to welcome back the talented Fiora Firefly every Friday from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend! Read on to learn a little bit about our fire spinner, click the video below to view a previous hotel performance, and prepare to be amazed!
Our Fire Dance Friday entertainment is provided by Fiora Firefly, a San Diego-based Fire Bender and Flow Arts Instructor. With a background in theater and a love of fire, it’s not that difficult to imagine that the fusion of the two would eventually come to be Fiora’s chosen form of artistic expression. She began performing with fire poi in 2006 and has since expanded her range to include the use of various props including hula hoop, staff, and wands. She’s also a skilled fire eater and breather. If you’re booking a private event at the hotel on another night, ask our staff about having her perform for your group. You can find out more about Fiora Firefly on her website!
What led you to this profession?
I grew up near NYC. As a child, I fell in love with theatre on my first trip to see a Broadway show, Cats. I studied musical theatre when I first went away to school. A knee injury I sustained while training demolished my Broadway dreams – it would be years before I’d be able to dance again. Years later, on a climbing trip, a girl walked up to our campfire with a set of poi. She dipped them in the flames and began dancing with them. I was instantly in love with the art.
What exactly is Fire Dancing?
Fire dancing is the manipulation of flaming props, for visual effect, while dancing. Some of the props used come from martial arts, like the sword, staff, and rope dart. Others have traditionally been used in Polynesian (poi) and Middle Eastern (fans, palm torches) dance, or circus acts (hula hoop.) There are also new props being dreamed up by visionary fire performers and makers all over the world.
Other hobbies and interests?
Art! All forms of art inspire and nourish my practice and bring out my creativity. I’ve been lucky with this path because it’s allowed me to integrate my musical training and my love of all things shiny – I get to mix all of my music sets and make and embellish my costumes. I’m also a dog lover. I lost my pup last year, but am looking forward to my next rescue and lazy afternoons at Dog Beach with my new BFF.
How do you see this art and your profession evolving?
In my tenure as a fire performer, I’ve seen a definite shift in public perception of the flow and fire arts – from hippie-raver play to legitimate entertainment. I think that’s due in part to the commitment of so many talented professionals raising the bar. As far as the discipline itself is concerned, there’s also been a shift from focusing primarily on the technical manipulation of props to integrating character development and other performance arts, from dance to clowning, juggling, adagio, and contortion. There’s a whole world of inspiration out there, and I don’t think I can predict how fire performance will look 10 years from now, but I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Want to heat up your summer with Pacific Terrace Hotel? Book your stay today!