Register to reserve your spot
Registration is open & space is limited. Reserve your early bird ticket today!
DANCE-BASED FIRE DANCE RETREAT
APRIL 20-26 2025
Join ex Cirque du Soleil Fire Performer & Coach Srikanta Barefoot & his classically trained partner Jen for the fundamentals of dance-based fire dance.
Ready to take your performance to the next level?
This is the event for you!
Discover Sommières!
Sommières is a commune in the Gard department in southern France, located at the border with the Hérault department. It lies 22 km from Nîmes, 28 km from Montpellier. Wikipedia
Join us for adventure & fun in Sommières France!
ABOUT THE RETREAT FORMAT
This event is catered to those interested in improving their performance and creating (or perfecting) their own fire dance or LED choreography.
Dance-based fire dance techniques are presented in the poi and staff workshops to assist students in harmonising prop and body movement. Theatrical workshops, choreography workshops, creation time and one on one time with Jen and Srikanta provide the basis for creating and refining choreography.
Concepts highlighted during the week include:
- Stage Presence
- Choreography and Act Building
- Creative and Dramatic Choices- dare!
- Maximizing effect: How to get a response from your public
- Optimizing your training
- Improvisation- Freedom of Movement/ Expression
- Bringing out your own style
- Advanced Fueling and Fire Safety Techniques
- Research techniques in act creation
- Tips & insights from seasoned pros
TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULE
Sunday April 20th
5:30-7:00 pm Student orientation & apéro !
7:30pm Dinner
Monday – Friday
9:30-10 am: warm up, stretching and body movement
10 am- noon: Poi & staff workshops
12:30pm Lunch
1pm- 3pm: Open studio space (or free time to enjoy Sommieres)
3pm-7pm pm: Choreography and theatrical workshops, individual & small group coaching
7:30pm Dinner
*In addition to this action-packed daily routine, the group sets out to explore the village, the river and the temple-ruin-like Carrière du Bon Temps.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Jen & Srikanta Barefoot
Srikanta was the first Contemporary Fire Dancer featured by the Cirque du Soleil (2007-2010), performing over 700 shows using fire poi, fire staff, double fire staff & double fire swords. He has 20 years of experience fire dancing including his position of Fire Dancing Coach and Lead Fire Dancer for Cirque Du Soleil.
As the founder of dance-based fire dance, Srikanta is passionate about combining fire dance techniques with stage presence, story, full body movement & dance! He has taught poi & staff workshops at locations worldwide since 2003 and has created an Instructional Video Series called Dancing with the Fire Staff to help students learn fire dancing.
Jen has a background in ballet & contemporary dance. She has been an integral part of Srikanta’s teaching since 2011. She continues to refine both their contemporary style of fire dance and the way it’s taught.
The two combine fire dance technique with martial arts, acrobatics & dance in their shows as well as in their instructional classes.
OTHER EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK:
Instructor Presentations (yes, we’re performing for you!) & Performance Concepts Discussion
Student Presentations (optional) & constructive feedback
Fire sessions at the Carrier du Bon Temps: a great opportunity to try out your new moves on fire!
Double staff & dragon staff instruction as per special requests from 2025 retreat participants.
Check out the Saturday morning market in the village
Register to reserve your spot
Registration is open & space is limited. Reserve your early bird ticket today!
START & END TIMES
The April 2025 Fire Dance Retreat runs from Sunday April 20 to Saturday April 26.
Orientation begins at 5:30pm on Sunday (arrive as early as 4pm).
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS INCLUDED
In an 18th-century stone building, this low-key hotel aimed at groups is a 4-minute walk from shopping and dining in the town center & a 6-minute walk from the hilltop Château de Sommières. It is run by an association committed to social and environmental responsibility and is likely the coolest place to stay in Sommières.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner is provided for all retreat participants from dinner on Sunday April 20 to Breakfast on Saturday April 26.
*As space is limited at this venue we will also be housing students at similar accommodations nearby
PREPARING FOR THE EVENT
Once you’ve registered we’ll send you an info pack with lots of useful info to help you to prepare for the event. For example:
You will need to bring your own poi & staff or alternatively, you can benefit from a participant discount and free delivery when ordering from the Fusion Arts Shop. Please place your orders before March 15.
Tips on what to bring to make the most of your experience and so on.
PRICING
SUPER Early Bird Tickets – Before September 15 2024 :
800€
Early Bird Tickets– Before January 15 2025 :
1000€
Standard Tickets– After January 15 2025 :
1200€
*We offer an option which allows you to bring non-workshop participants at a 30% discount in case you’d like to bring your child, partner or best friend. Aside from the workshops, non-workshop participants enjoy all the same amenities, accommodation, meals and activities than the standard group. More info on the enrollment/ ticket page.
*We offer an option for workshop participants (usually locals) who want to participate in the workshops and activities but who do not require accommodation & meals. More info on the enrollment/ ticket page.
Register to reserve your spot
Registration is open & space is limited. Reserve your early bird ticket today!
