You’ve seen them dance and spin their hoops, staff, fans and poi across the stage and  in the streets of Portland for the past four years. Whether lit with fire or LED the Dark Follies flow artists know how to mesmerize and entertain an audience.   Now they will share their art with you! We are happy to offer two workshops for beginner and more advanced flow artists plus an evening show where you can enjoy the flow talents of Amelio Bedelio, Kait-ma,  Dark Follies and other local flow performers.

10:00 – 12:00 – Start the Flow beginner flow arts workshop with Amelio Bedelio

12:30 – 3:00 – From Flow to Show performance workshop with Kait-Ma ***

7:30 PM – Flow Showcase featuring Kait-Ma, Amelio Bedelio, Dark Follies and other local flow artists

***The first four students to register for the From Flow to Show workshop will be offered a spot in the evening flow showcase!

Registration information is at the bottom of the page.

Start the Flow:

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

What is flow?  Can anyone do it?  Join the amazing Ameilo Bedelio for an introduction to flow workshop. Designed for the total beginner (yes, anyone can learn flow) but also engaging for those experienced artists who may want to learn a new flow technique, during this playful and fun workshop you will learn what flow is and the basics of two types of flow arts:  the hula hoop and poi.  She will also cover:

• What is flow?
• What other flow tools are out there?
• How to choose the right on for you.
• Where and how to connect with other flow artists.
• A fun choreography that you can take home to practice.

Equipment: Hoops will be available for purchase but hoops will be provided for use during the workshop.   Sock poi will be used for the poi portion of the class.  Instructions on how to create sock poi (it’s easy and inexpensive) will be emailed to the student upon registration Workshop Cost: $45 —–

Amelio Bedeliois a player for life, flow artist extraordinaire, pro hula hooper and all around goofball. She’s been “doin’ the hula hoop” for five years now, and dabbles in other playful tools such as poi, contact staff, rope dart, buugeng, wand, and beanbags. She also teaches Yoga and Hoopdance throughout New England and beyond, and can be found healing others through Thai Yoga bodywork when she’s not manipulating objects.

From Flow to Show!

12:30 – 3:00 PM

How do you take  those amazing flow skills that you have worked so hard to perfect and move them onto the stage? How can you create a performance that an audience will find entertaining and that you will also enjoy doing? In this Flow to Show workshop, Kait-ma takes you through the steps of how to choreograph a flow performance that will utilize your hard earned skills and turn them into a show stopping piece. She will cover such topics as:

• Choosing your music and telling your story
• Costuming and showmanship
• Meditative movement- finding and developing personal imagery
• How to use stillness, repetition, and pauses to build momentum.
• Using your assets- where to place those jaw dropping moves for best effect.
• Audience engagement – how to grab their attention and keep it.
• Musicality. What is it and why does it matter?

This workshop is designed for the intermediate to advanced flow artist who has a minimum of basic skill in their flow art. Class size is limited so that students can have adequate space to work with their equipment and that they may receive the focused attention of the instructor. The goal of this workshop is to help you learn to bring out the best in yourself as a movement artist and performer. By sharing our knowledge and resources, we can cultivate shared expression and professionalism in our flow and fire communities.  You will come away from this workshop feeling empowered, energized and prepared to take your art to the next level.

Workshop Cost: $55

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Kait-Ma – Kait-Ma has been mesmerizing audiences since 2003 with her elegant fire and dance performances using sword, staff, hoop, fans, and more.  She captures the essence of ancient fire ritual using the styles of modern and flamenco dance, fusion and ATS bellydance, and performance art.  Kait-Ma has performed at festivals, fairs, and private and public gatherings; notable past events include Sunday River New Year’s Eve, Port City Music Hall, BelTek Festival, and Dark Follies First Friday Artwalk summertime series.  FMI: www.kait-ma.com

Flow Showcase

7:30 PM (doors at 7:00)

We are proud to present an evening of stunning flow performances featuring Kait-ma and Amelio Bedelio!  Joining them will be  Dark Follies and other local flow performers.   Hoops, poi, juggling, dance and live music by the Dark Follies Orchestra!

Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Workshop attendees receive a 20% discount on their ticket purchase.

Workshop Registration:

Workshop registration and advance ticket sales are closes.  Tickets are available for purchase at the door.