The Blingling Bros - Juggle Duo, MCing - Auckland
Are...
Paul "Showtime" Klaassen, and Mark "The Catching Machine" Williams.
Paul and Mark met in 1998 at a juggling shop in Auckland New Zealand, and have been juggling and performing together ever since. In 2007 they created their new act, The Blingling Bros.
Mixing juggling, comedy, interaction, and music to create their trademark style. The Bros put on energetic, impressive live shows, that appeal to young and old alike. Known for always establishing a great connection with the audience, The Bros are dedicated to delivering quality circus entertainment with a fresh modern approach.
Since the acts release The Bros have been busy performing at festivals, corporate events, street corners, private functions, schools, community events, theme parks, charity tours and more.
https://www.facebook.com/TheBlinglingBros
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBlinglingBros
https://twitter.com/BlinglingBros
Paul "Showtime" Klaassen, and Mark "The Catching Machine" Williams.
Paul and Mark met in 1998 at a juggling shop in Auckland New Zealand, and have been juggling and performing together ever since. In 2007 they created their new act, The Blingling Bros.
Mixing juggling, comedy, interaction, and music to create their trademark style. The Bros put on energetic, impressive live shows, that appeal to young and old alike. Known for always establishing a great connection with the audience, The Bros are dedicated to delivering quality circus entertainment with a fresh modern approach.
Since the acts release The Bros have been busy performing at festivals, corporate events, street corners, private functions, schools, community events, theme parks, charity tours and more.
https://www.facebook.com/TheBlinglingBros
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBlinglingBros
https://twitter.com/BlinglingBros
Brian Neller - Poi & Double Staff - A World Apart (Aus)
Brian has has the pleasure to learn from, teach alongside and perform with some of the best object manipulators and fire performers around the world. Returning from a journey through 12 countries over the last two years since running away to the once standing CircoArts in Christchurch he is back home in NZ to share the experience gathered the world around.
Coming together with Gina Mcgrath (USA) just before UTS will see A World Apart formed. The beginning of our performance / teaching partnership. We are the hosts for Objectify, one of the four spinning festivals in this part of the world (Under The Spinfluence, Circulation, Spin Festival & Objectify) So much quality in this part of the world!!!
Very much looking forward to being at Under the Spinfluence. I miss everyone. It will be good to be home. I will be teaching a range of Poi / Double Staff workshops. Come and play!
Gina Mcgrath - Fans, Poi, Double Staff - A World Apart (Aus)
I have been involved with object manipulation and flow arts for about three years now and have always been interested in artist pursuits. Heading over from Cincinnati, Ohio, where a large uprising of exceptional flow artists has sparked my interest to travel & play I will be bringing with me a personal blend of American tech.
Playing classical music since I was in primary school and self learning how to play guitar instilled a profound respect for independent practice and determination. Losing my co-creative outlet after graduation, I found flow arts and threw myself into them with as much passion as I held for creating music with others.
I started my journey with hoop which brought me quickly to wii hoops. Those were a bit difficult so I moved to poi. I fell in love. My new years resolution 2011 was to spin poi everyday. Best idea ever. Within four months I was performing with Nocturnal Arts Fire Tribe. Poi brought me into the community more-so than any of the other prop, exposing me to more styles thus inspiring me to pick up more props. I became interested in double staff after realizing the beauty and versatility of static props. After a well placed heckle I discovered fans and I couldn't be more ecstatic!
The flow arts community and Burning Man has created the opportunity to be in this part of the world. I am beside myself in gratitude, excitement, and inspiration for this opportunity to co-create and grow with such a talented bunch, while I share my passion and love with the world.
Playing classical music since I was in primary school and self learning how to play guitar instilled a profound respect for independent practice and determination. Losing my co-creative outlet after graduation, I found flow arts and threw myself into them with as much passion as I held for creating music with others.
I started my journey with hoop which brought me quickly to wii hoops. Those were a bit difficult so I moved to poi. I fell in love. My new years resolution 2011 was to spin poi everyday. Best idea ever. Within four months I was performing with Nocturnal Arts Fire Tribe. Poi brought me into the community more-so than any of the other prop, exposing me to more styles thus inspiring me to pick up more props. I became interested in double staff after realizing the beauty and versatility of static props. After a well placed heckle I discovered fans and I couldn't be more ecstatic!
The flow arts community and Burning Man has created the opportunity to be in this part of the world. I am beside myself in gratitude, excitement, and inspiration for this opportunity to co-create and grow with such a talented bunch, while I share my passion and love with the world.
Reece Dunn - Dragon Staff, Contact - Australian Fire and Circus Communities (Aus)
I discovered the flow arts ten years ago and I’ve never looked back since. Five years ago I helped establish and perform with Soulfire Studios, in which my inner fire ninja Ashinobi comes out to play. My performances have included several years at Rainbow Serpent Festival, Eclipse, World’s Largest Toga Party, Earth Frequency and many other weird and wonderful places. Recently I’ve started two side projects which include DragonFlow and Australian Fire-Circus Communities.
DragonFlow is my vision for future performances by engaging audiences into storyline elements exploring the many possibilities that fire theatre has to offer. It also offers an opportunity to integrate my other hidden talents and explore other interesting characters (watch out for the kooky Dubcrutch at the festival) Australian Fire-Circus Communities has been a recent project in which my aim is to support the development of these communities and give a voice to our interrelated artforms.
Based on my own philosophy of open-based learning and influenced by the gifting culture I’ve been teaching many years in the varied fire arts in communities in Gold Coast and Brisbane.. However, I’m renowed for teaching dragonstaff in which I can not only teach the technical aspects but important elements of body movement as well. My other workshop will include beginner/intermediate contact staff, which was my very first prop that I learnt all these years ago.
DragonFlow is my vision for future performances by engaging audiences into storyline elements exploring the many possibilities that fire theatre has to offer. It also offers an opportunity to integrate my other hidden talents and explore other interesting characters (watch out for the kooky Dubcrutch at the festival) Australian Fire-Circus Communities has been a recent project in which my aim is to support the development of these communities and give a voice to our interrelated artforms.
Based on my own philosophy of open-based learning and influenced by the gifting culture I’ve been teaching many years in the varied fire arts in communities in Gold Coast and Brisbane.. However, I’m renowed for teaching dragonstaff in which I can not only teach the technical aspects but important elements of body movement as well. My other workshop will include beginner/intermediate contact staff, which was my very first prop that I learnt all these years ago.
Josie Jupiter - Hoop, Partner Poi - Puzzle Dust Circus (Aus)
Josie Jupiter is flying over from Ozzy to join us at this years Under The Spinfluence! As well as mindblowing duo performance she will be teaching workshops in partner poi and power hooping - skills, drills, flips and tricks! (both intermediate workshops).
Josie runs Puzzle Dust Circus in Australia and teaches Hoop Dance, Fire Twirling and Circus workshops across Melbourne and on the Gold Coast. Josie has been Fire Twirling for over 10 years. In 2008 she discovered Hoop Dance and quickly became addicted to this new style of hula hooping which uses larger, heavier hoops and offers both meditative and fitness benefits.
Spinnovation NZ (Dargaville) - Circus Kumarani (Dargaville)
Talented bro's from France Mat and Jo have performed and taught at festivals all over the world. They have been performing and teaching circus for over 9 years, beginning in circus school in France. They now teach at Circus Kumarani in Dargaville (NZ).
Mat and Jo have a vision to share and grow community and circus spirit through their fire performing and workshops for all ages and abilities in various circus arts. This year at Spinfluence they will be offering workshops in Juggling (balls 3,4,5,6) Clubs passing (3,4,5,6,7,8) and Diabolo (1,2)
Mat and Jo have a vision to share and grow community and circus spirit through their fire performing and workshops for all ages and abilities in various circus arts. This year at Spinfluence they will be offering workshops in Juggling (balls 3,4,5,6) Clubs passing (3,4,5,6,7,8) and Diabolo (1,2)
Andrea Knox - Aerial Dance / Flyweight Chains - http://tanglepoint.co.nz
We are very lucky to have Andrea on the instructors for this year - and she will be bringing apparatus she has developed herself - flyweight chains!
Andrea is an aerial dancer with a particular interest in exploring new apparatus and new ways of moving when physics changes. What happens if you are effectively ten times lighter? How does movement change when you swing, spin, jump? How do you dance with a set of physical rules that are out of the ordinary?
Andrea began learning aerial circus in 2002, and has worked extensively with Empress Stiltdance, performing and developing stilt dance and aerial dance works in New Zealand, Australia, and Asia.
Independently of Empress, Andrea has performed at corporate events festivals, and the 2013 Golden Carnie Awards. Andrea is also a trustee and one of the founders of the Wellington Circus Trust.
In recent years, Andrea has been teaching and performing a new apparatus that she developed: flyweight chains, which she will bring to the festival. She also works with aerial tissu (fabric), and low flying trapeze, with a focus on exploring the dance aspects of these apparatus.
Andrea is an aerial dancer with a particular interest in exploring new apparatus and new ways of moving when physics changes. What happens if you are effectively ten times lighter? How does movement change when you swing, spin, jump? How do you dance with a set of physical rules that are out of the ordinary?
Andrea began learning aerial circus in 2002, and has worked extensively with Empress Stiltdance, performing and developing stilt dance and aerial dance works in New Zealand, Australia, and Asia.
Independently of Empress, Andrea has performed at corporate events festivals, and the 2013 Golden Carnie Awards. Andrea is also a trustee and one of the founders of the Wellington Circus Trust.
In recent years, Andrea has been teaching and performing a new apparatus that she developed: flyweight chains, which she will bring to the festival. She also works with aerial tissu (fabric), and low flying trapeze, with a focus on exploring the dance aspects of these apparatus.
Mark Treloar (Aus)
Mark Treloar has been interested in the circus arts for as long as he can remember. He was inspired by fire at a full moon party in Thailand five years ago and has been a full time poi spinner since then.
Mark resides in the artistic epicentre of Byron Bay, Australia, and has helped forge together Byron Bays Fire FX. His passion resides in the techy aspects of Poi, partner poi, and photography of the artistic geometry poi creates.
Mark will be teaching workshops in poi, and partner poi at this event
Mark resides in the artistic epicentre of Byron Bay, Australia, and has helped forge together Byron Bays Fire FX. His passion resides in the techy aspects of Poi, partner poi, and photography of the artistic geometry poi creates.
Mark will be teaching workshops in poi, and partner poi at this event
The Firebugs - Multi Prop Workshops and Fireshow - http://www.thefirebugs.com/ (Dunedin)
We have the pleasure of the multi-prop legends from Dunedin joining us this year! Workshops to include (but not exhaustive of) rope dart, whips and things you have probably never seen! The firebugs will also be performing their fireshow for you lucky people on the Friday evening.
The FireBugs are a Dunedin based award winning theatre Production Company that was formed in 2012. Formed from a large collaboration of national and international performers, the FireBugs have had between 4 and 14 years’ experience performing around the country and the world and are now working together to create unique shows around New Zealand.
Some of their recent work includes; performing on Breakfast TV 09/04/13, a sell-out season at the Dunedin Fringe Festival getting nominated for both best event production and best community involvement, performing at the 2013 Luminate festival (Takaka), producing the 2012 Te Ana Rock Art Trust Matariki celebration, and winning best outdoor production in the 2012 Dunedin Fringe Festival.
Their performers utilise a large array of costumes and props including; whips, staffs, fans, hoops, squoops, aerial silks, dragon staff, rope dart, buugeng, meteor, music, swords, poi, stilts, clubs and many more. Our creative performers all have several years’ experience teaching their arts and provide fun and structured classes for beginners to the experienced.
The FireBugs are a Dunedin based award winning theatre Production Company that was formed in 2012. Formed from a large collaboration of national and international performers, the FireBugs have had between 4 and 14 years’ experience performing around the country and the world and are now working together to create unique shows around New Zealand.
Some of their recent work includes; performing on Breakfast TV 09/04/13, a sell-out season at the Dunedin Fringe Festival getting nominated for both best event production and best community involvement, performing at the 2013 Luminate festival (Takaka), producing the 2012 Te Ana Rock Art Trust Matariki celebration, and winning best outdoor production in the 2012 Dunedin Fringe Festival.
Their performers utilise a large array of costumes and props including; whips, staffs, fans, hoops, squoops, aerial silks, dragon staff, rope dart, buugeng, meteor, music, swords, poi, stilts, clubs and many more. Our creative performers all have several years’ experience teaching their arts and provide fun and structured classes for beginners to the experienced.
Jaine Mieka - Aerials - Lyra and Trapeze
Jaine is a circus artist specialising in Tissu, Lyra, doubles aerials (lyra and trapeze) and hula hoops. She loves dynamic and exciting tricks and also enjoys using her contemporary dance background to bring new and creative movement qualities to her craft. Since beginning her training in 2011 Jaine has toured Australia and New Zealand with big top circus companies Ashton Entertainment and Circus Aotearoa, she has enjoyed performing a diverse range of aerial and ground based acts including tissu, lyra, trapeze, web, hula hoops and shoulder perch. She has also worked with the Christchurch Circus trust and as a freelance performer throughout NZ.
At UTS festival Jaine will be teaching aerial workshops which will cater for beginners and cover safe basic aerial practice and creative exploration of basic movement qualities and shapes. There will also be intermediate classes for those already comfortable in the air which will allow the participants to expand their movement vocabulary and develop creativity within it through the use of choreographic techniques.
At UTS festival Jaine will be teaching aerial workshops which will cater for beginners and cover safe basic aerial practice and creative exploration of basic movement qualities and shapes. There will also be intermediate classes for those already comfortable in the air which will allow the participants to expand their movement vocabulary and develop creativity within it through the use of choreographic techniques.
Frenchy - Director, Hoopdance and Fire - www.frenchyproductions.com (UK)
'Frenchy' - Miss Claire French - originally from Manchester in the UK, is the director and site manager for 'Under The Spinfluence'. She will be teaching advanced hoopdance workshop 'release your inner ninja' and Mcing and performing throughout the weekend. An international Fire and LED Performer, Director and Producer, Choreographer,
Event Organiser, Youth Worker, Workshop Leader, Hoop Dance Teacher, Hoop Maker,
Community Artist, Street Performer, Interactive Stilt Walker and Arts Practitioner with over 15 years experience of performing and running events and working with hard to reach young people in social services and 10 years experience of Circus, Fire Arts and Manipulation.
Frenchy has travelled the world for her work including the UK, Europe, the USA, New Zealand and
Australia. Contracts have included Festa del Fuoco (international fire festival in Italy), Circulation (New Zealand circus festival), Glastonbury Festival (biggest UK arts and culture festival), The Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Scotland
- largest arts festival in the world), and Burning Man (USA temporary community
festival. She is currently based in Wellington, New Zealand.
Event Organiser, Youth Worker, Workshop Leader, Hoop Dance Teacher, Hoop Maker,
Community Artist, Street Performer, Interactive Stilt Walker and Arts Practitioner with over 15 years experience of performing and running events and working with hard to reach young people in social services and 10 years experience of Circus, Fire Arts and Manipulation.
Frenchy has travelled the world for her work including the UK, Europe, the USA, New Zealand and
Australia. Contracts have included Festa del Fuoco (international fire festival in Italy), Circulation (New Zealand circus festival), Glastonbury Festival (biggest UK arts and culture festival), The Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Scotland
- largest arts festival in the world), and Burning Man (USA temporary community
festival. She is currently based in Wellington, New Zealand.
Rohana Weaver - Artistic Director, Fans-Tech & Dance and Character Performance
Rohana is Artistic Director for Under the Spinfluence this year and will also be MCing and performing over the weekend and running workshops in Fans- tech and dance and character performance.
Rohana has over 10 years experience as a visual artist, sculptor, costume maker, installation artist, fire performer, interactive stilt and character performer, choreographer and event co-ordinator and has run workshops in art and performance for festivals and community groups from Kaitangata to Stromboli, Italy.
Rohana has worked a variety of roles all over the world including collaborative scenography, tech support and performer and workshop host at Teatro del Fuoco and Festa del Fuoco di Stromboli ( International Fire Dancing Festivals in Stromboli and Sicily, Italy), Installation, decor, performer and workshops at festivals in New Zealand such as Circulation Circus Festival, Hoopfest, Under the Spinfluence Circus Festival, Kiwiburn Festival, Luminate Festival, Taranaki Festival of Lights and Rhythm and Vines to name a few. She has also performed for community and private events throughout New Zealand and has exhibited art work in NZ, Australia, Scotland, Italy and the UK.
Rohana has over 10 years experience as a visual artist, sculptor, costume maker, installation artist, fire performer, interactive stilt and character performer, choreographer and event co-ordinator and has run workshops in art and performance for festivals and community groups from Kaitangata to Stromboli, Italy.
Rohana has worked a variety of roles all over the world including collaborative scenography, tech support and performer and workshop host at Teatro del Fuoco and Festa del Fuoco di Stromboli ( International Fire Dancing Festivals in Stromboli and Sicily, Italy), Installation, decor, performer and workshops at festivals in New Zealand such as Circulation Circus Festival, Hoopfest, Under the Spinfluence Circus Festival, Kiwiburn Festival, Luminate Festival, Taranaki Festival of Lights and Rhythm and Vines to name a few. She has also performed for community and private events throughout New Zealand and has exhibited art work in NZ, Australia, Scotland, Italy and the UK.
Emma Necus - Assistant Director/Ticketing & Accommodation Goddess (Fans/Stilts/Fire)
Emma is assistant director for Under the Spinfluence and also organizing all your accommodation and ticketing needs. She will also be MC'ing and supporting workshops and performers over the weekend. Emma is passionate about community and supporting local home grown events and artists. She is one of the organizing crew for Kiwiburn, New Zealand's regional burning man event and co-coordinated The Flaming Juggle Poi Toy Zone for Luminate 2013. She has both performed in and co-ordinated a range of shows of varying sizes in New Zealand and the UK including community and private performances with poi, fans and stilts
Benjamin Hinch - Festival Designer - Poi and Flairing
Benjamin Hinch commented in summer 2011 that he would love to have a circus festival called 'Under The Spinfluence' the following September his dream was realised and his clever name was turned into a reality. Benji is also the designer behind the amazing UTS logo and promotion material.
As workshop co-ordinator at last years event Benji will be focusing this year on teaching poi and flare (the art of bottle spinning) and performing at the festival.
Winning 'Best New Comer' at the Kiwiburn Fire Idol (KIwiburn 2012), Benji is an amazing performer who still remembers what its like to be a beginner. He prides himself on being still able to explain the beginners tricks in a way that can be understood and unintimidating.
Benji has been spinning bottles for almost ten years, he has worked in cocktail bars, and has developed the freestyle flair-dance in ways rarely seen elsewhere in the world where flair remains a fairly rigid and solely Cocktail Bar activity.
Benji also runs the Circus and Performance Skills Club (C.A.P.S) at Victoria University in Wellington.
As workshop co-ordinator at last years event Benji will be focusing this year on teaching poi and flare (the art of bottle spinning) and performing at the festival.
Winning 'Best New Comer' at the Kiwiburn Fire Idol (KIwiburn 2012), Benji is an amazing performer who still remembers what its like to be a beginner. He prides himself on being still able to explain the beginners tricks in a way that can be understood and unintimidating.
Benji has been spinning bottles for almost ten years, he has worked in cocktail bars, and has developed the freestyle flair-dance in ways rarely seen elsewhere in the world where flair remains a fairly rigid and solely Cocktail Bar activity.
Benji also runs the Circus and Performance Skills Club (C.A.P.S) at Victoria University in Wellington.
Ryn Hooligan - Hoopdance - http://www.rynhooligan.co.nz/
Ryn is co-founder, organiser and website builder of the NZ Hoopfest in Wellington. We have the pleasure of her skills, enthusiasm and passion at this years UTS! As well as performing Ryn will be teaching hoop and is organising the dance party with Aaron.
Ryn is a multi-disciplined props enthusiast. Her favourite prop by far is the hoop. Ryn began hooping three years ago and quickly became obsessed (her poi got quite lonely). She has had the opportunity to teach and perform at events such as Luminate and NZ Hoopfest. Ryn emphasises flow and transition and kick-ass tricks in her teaching and is super excited about teaching newly-designed workshops at UTS! Her personal hooping style is dynamic, involving many breaks, jumps and isolations and she is currently working on bringing more contrast into her hooping. Ryn is obsessed with hoop-geek videos on Youtube, and is looking forward to geeking out with you in person!
Ryn is a multi-disciplined props enthusiast. Her favourite prop by far is the hoop. Ryn began hooping three years ago and quickly became obsessed (her poi got quite lonely). She has had the opportunity to teach and perform at events such as Luminate and NZ Hoopfest. Ryn emphasises flow and transition and kick-ass tricks in her teaching and is super excited about teaching newly-designed workshops at UTS! Her personal hooping style is dynamic, involving many breaks, jumps and isolations and she is currently working on bringing more contrast into her hooping. Ryn is obsessed with hoop-geek videos on Youtube, and is looking forward to geeking out with you in person!
Anna Cruse - Adagio - Silver Circle Community Circus (Auckland)
Probably one of the most unlikely acrobatics instructors you'll ever meet. Anna has decided to learn acrobalacing in her middle age and post a crippling spine injury and subsequent surgery. Her attitude is: "If I can do it, anyone can!"
Having over 25 years of contact martial arts experience, including many years teaching and performing armed and unarmed martial arts and stage combat, medieval dancing and other performance arts, Anna moved into the magical world of circus, bellydance, burlesque and cabaret and currently co-ordinates the Silver Circle community circus based in Auckland City.
The living heart of Silver Circle is a weekly, donation-only, acrobatics training which, from humble beginnings of keen enthusiasts watching YouTube and saying "We can do that!", has grown into a vibrant community of acrobalancing, aerials, and stunt lifting and has spawned some very promising acrobatic talents. Silver Circle also have a number of associated professional circus, burlesque and cabaret performers who regularly attend to share their talents, recruit for shows and attract a steady number of people wanting to run off with the circus.
The class is a fun, physical, down-to-earth, and hopefully challenging, introduction to adagio / acrobalancing / partner acrobatics and how to keep yourself safe while doing it.
Having a real understanding and experience of peoples' different strengths and weaknesses, at all ages and levels of fitness and confidence, Anna will show you a variety of stunts to try so that you will definitely have something you want to show off at your next social engagement.
Having over 25 years of contact martial arts experience, including many years teaching and performing armed and unarmed martial arts and stage combat, medieval dancing and other performance arts, Anna moved into the magical world of circus, bellydance, burlesque and cabaret and currently co-ordinates the Silver Circle community circus based in Auckland City.
The living heart of Silver Circle is a weekly, donation-only, acrobatics training which, from humble beginnings of keen enthusiasts watching YouTube and saying "We can do that!", has grown into a vibrant community of acrobalancing, aerials, and stunt lifting and has spawned some very promising acrobatic talents. Silver Circle also have a number of associated professional circus, burlesque and cabaret performers who regularly attend to share their talents, recruit for shows and attract a steady number of people wanting to run off with the circus.
The class is a fun, physical, down-to-earth, and hopefully challenging, introduction to adagio / acrobalancing / partner acrobatics and how to keep yourself safe while doing it.
Having a real understanding and experience of peoples' different strengths and weaknesses, at all ages and levels of fitness and confidence, Anna will show you a variety of stunts to try so that you will definitely have something you want to show off at your next social engagement.
Jessie Carson - Aerials - Christchruch Circus Centre
Jessie Carson specializes in trapeze, tissu and doubles aerials. She has previously taught aerials for The Body Festival, Circulation and The Christchurch Circus Centre where she taught adult, kids and teens aerials. She has been to the Tasmanian Circus Festival earlier this year where she trained with amazing performers in an intensive training program. She has also performed for events such as The Festival of Transitional Architecture and through the Christchurch Circus Centre. Jessie is keen to share her skills and love for aerials in this years Under The Spinfluence.
Greg and Beth - Intermediate Partner Balance
We have the pleasure of Greg and Beth supporting Anna's acro workshops this year. For those looking for more advanced moves and pushing it forward. All eyes to this pair! They will also be performing their mind-blowing acro in the instructors show.
Beth comes from a competitive trampolining background and is just as comfortable upside down as most people are upside up. Greg is a circus generalist who quickly applied his balancing skills and coordination to partner balance. Both of them are relatively new to the discipline but have trained very hard and learnt a lot from some of New-Zealands most talented duos. They have performed and taught partner balance workshops notably at Prana festival, Luminate festival and Titirangi festival of music. In their workshop you will learn safe progressions towards more daring intermediate partner balance moves, these will include lifts, tosses and hand-to-hand balance.
Ryan - Ultimate Poi Geekery - Double Staff - Poi Computer Game!
Ryan is a Christchurch based technically minded performance artist. At Under the Spinfluence he will be teaching a poi workshop on poi legwork (under the legs movements), beginner poi throws, and a workshop on double staff/baton manipulation. Most of all, he hopes to inspire others by sharing his passion and knowledge of the art. The first workshop will cover poi and leg movement timing and space, ways to integrate legwork into flow, and some different types of poi throws. The second workshop will cover double staff grips and hand positions, tips when playing, and as many different patterns as possible!
Having had a wonderful summer festival season at Circulation 2012, Luminate 2013 and Autumn Areana 2013, Ryan can't wait to geek out with friends and meet new enthusiastic and wonderful people at Under the Spinfluence.
Ryan is also working on a computer based poi game, which he will make available for play at Under the Spinfluence 2013. His current interests include poi, body movement, photography, choreography, real-time computer art and tai chi chaun.
Having had a wonderful summer festival season at Circulation 2012, Luminate 2013 and Autumn Areana 2013, Ryan can't wait to geek out with friends and meet new enthusiastic and wonderful people at Under the Spinfluence.
Ryan is also working on a computer based poi game, which he will make available for play at Under the Spinfluence 2013. His current interests include poi, body movement, photography, choreography, real-time computer art and tai chi chaun.
Lisa Máia Ambrose - Belly Dance - Ylimayu Dance
Lisa Máia Ambrose has been Dancing Tribal and Fusion (inclusive of Circus Fusion) Styles of Dance for five years and has taken to it with an undying zest, fascination for the ancient and antique cultures and influences that create and evolve our modern dance styles today.
She has held seminars and classes in Argentina and Peru and around New Zealand, in Improvisational Tribal Styles. She now lives in Takaka, teaching and forming a troupe there.
Her most recent project Ylimayu Dance strives to unite performers and continue to evolve the dance, nurturing a dynamic and inspired approach, a continuation of the evolution of the dance and study of its roots, integrating Narrative, Props and theatre.
She's excited to come teach this massively amazing bunch of Circus performers and Novices to layer Belly Dance and Schmoozing into performance, particularly with the use of Props/Toys, to create a dynamic and layered performance.
She has held seminars and classes in Argentina and Peru and around New Zealand, in Improvisational Tribal Styles. She now lives in Takaka, teaching and forming a troupe there.
Her most recent project Ylimayu Dance strives to unite performers and continue to evolve the dance, nurturing a dynamic and inspired approach, a continuation of the evolution of the dance and study of its roots, integrating Narrative, Props and theatre.
She's excited to come teach this massively amazing bunch of Circus performers and Novices to layer Belly Dance and Schmoozing into performance, particularly with the use of Props/Toys, to create a dynamic and layered performance.
Tess Munro Pedreros - Aerials / Peace Hoop
After an impromptu flamenco performance in a crowded Spanish restaurant at the age of two, Tess started dance classes and has been performing ever since. Never satisfied with a single style she trained in ballet, latin american & ballroom, gymnastics,competitive aerobics, hip hop, ice skating, flamenco, contemporary dance and choreography as well as karate, kungfu, tai chi and qi gong.
She now draws on all these forms along with her extensive acting experience to create unique aerial acts. Her performances are always innovative, taking a traditional circus apparatus and using it in a new way, or combining apparatus to create something that has never been seen before. Blending circus with a mixture of theatre, dance and more, Tess enjoys creating performances that tell stories in the air.
She has trained, performed, taught and directed in Chile, China, the USA, Nepal and New Zealand. At Under the Spinfluence Tess will be teaching workshops on her bespoke apparatus, the Aerial Peace Hoop. The workshops will encourage participants to explore, developing their own unique way of working with the apparatus.
She now draws on all these forms along with her extensive acting experience to create unique aerial acts. Her performances are always innovative, taking a traditional circus apparatus and using it in a new way, or combining apparatus to create something that has never been seen before. Blending circus with a mixture of theatre, dance and more, Tess enjoys creating performances that tell stories in the air.
She has trained, performed, taught and directed in Chile, China, the USA, Nepal and New Zealand. At Under the Spinfluence Tess will be teaching workshops on her bespoke apparatus, the Aerial Peace Hoop. The workshops will encourage participants to explore, developing their own unique way of working with the apparatus.
Alanna Krause - Yoga
Alanna was trained and certified as a yoga teacher in India, and has taught and practiced all over the world, including Europe, Asia, and the US. Her style is hatha/vinyasa, adaptable to a range of yoga experience levels. She has a lighthearted approach to yoga, to make it enjoyable and approachable to all, while incorporating yoga philosophy in a practical way.
Alanna was behind the Yoga Stops Traffick initiative, raising money and awareness through yoga to combat human trafficking in India. She is also involved in Off the Mat Into the World NZ, whose mission is to harness the power of yoga to inspire activism and ignite grassroots social change.
MUSIC LINEUP - Saturday Evening
Taikoza - Traditional Taiko Drumming - www.taikoza.org.nz
Click here for their demo video...
Taikoza are a traditional Taiko performance group based in Wellington. They will be wowing the Spinfluence masses with their epic performance on Saturday evening.
Taiko drumming is a form of traditional Japanese drumming characterised by strong bass tone, dynamic choreography and powerful rhythem. Taiko drumming is an essential part of matsuri (Japanese style festivals). The rhythm forms the heart beat of the festival and can draw in crowds from afar.
Taiko drumming is a form of traditional Japanese drumming characterised by strong bass tone, dynamic choreography and powerful rhythem. Taiko drumming is an essential part of matsuri (Japanese style festivals). The rhythm forms the heart beat of the festival and can draw in crowds from afar.
Sweetbix - DJ set
"With one foot in the future, and the other foot in the past. Sweetbix has a sound which is oddly present.
No stranger to festivals, Sweetbix is back to move your dancing feet.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Get ready to Geek out on the Dance Floor."
(((OM - DJ Set
Hello, my name Oliver Macro and I don't really enjoy writing bio's.
I am a multi-faceted entity who shall under the pseudonym '(((OM', for you be performing an array of auditory goodness with the intention of making you move your physical being in an improvisational way with the collective, thereby instigating the phenomenon commonly referred to as a 'dance floor'.
Expect righteous rhythms, badass bass bits, and surrealist psychedelic sound effects, married with quite plausibly an utterly bizarre sense of humour.
See ya'll at the hoedown!
Benjamin Embers - Facebook Page
Benjamin Embers is a semi-singer-songwriter from wellington NZ, he has been playing guitar for almost seven years, and writing songs for almost as long. From story tale ballads to instrumental percussive guitar madness, his sound wanders ponderously through genres and styles, but has a folky, ben harper style melancholy and his poignant lyricism is his greatest strength.
Rohana Weaver - Folk, Jazz Blues
Rohana Weaver will be melding folk, jazz, and blues into an genre bending acoustic set of covers and originals.