Registration opens Saturday, Jan 31 at 10:00 AM CET
Set your alarms for the Early Bird discount (Limited to first 8 spots!)
Fire Dance Retreat Portugal 2026
Join Jen & Srikanta—former Cirque du Soleil fire dancer and coach—for a total immersion. This retreat is not just a juggling workshop; it is an exploration of Dance-Based Fire Dance…
Ready to take your performance to the next level?
This is the event for you!
Note: This video features highlights from our annual retreats in France. While the 2026 edition takes us to the beautiful landscapes of Portugal, the spirit of training, community, and DBFD artistry remains the same.
Discover Silves!
Join us in the heart of the Algarve. Silves offers a landscape of red earth and golden light—the perfect backdrop for an intensive week of movement and fire.
Registration opens Saturday, Jan 31 at 10:00 AM CET
Set your alarms for the Early Bird discount (Limited to first 8 spots!)
Register to reserve your spot
Registration is open & space is limited.
Reserve your early bird ticket before February 15th!
ABOUT THE RETREAT FORMAT
Whether you are picking up a prop for the first time or you are a seasoned professional looking to refine a stage act, this retreat is for you. With three instructors on-site, we provide personalized coaching tailored to your specific pace and goals.
- Beginners: Build a solid foundation with safe, graceful body mechanics.
- Advanced: Challenge your boundaries and master complex transitions & choreography.
DANCE-BASED FIRE DANCE (DBFD)
Go beyond the object. Our curriculum bridges the gap between dance technique, theater, and object manipulation. By focusing on stage presence, momentum transfer, and musicality, we ensure the dancer—not just the prop—is the focal point of the performance.
This retreat is designed for artists ready to perfect their own fire or LED choreography. Through POI and STAFF workshops, we present our signatory DBFD method to harmonize the body and prop.
- Artistic Mastery: Stage Presence, Musicality & Dramatic Choice—Dare!
- Prop Specialization: Harmonizing body movement with Fire Staff, Poi (+ another props or technique which particpants choose).
- Choreography: Act Building, Research Techniques & Creative Expression.
- Performance Strategy: Maximizing Public Impact & Improvisation.
- Professional Standards: Advanced Fueling, Fire Safety & Training Optimization.
- Personal Coaching: Dedicated creation time and 1-on-1 feedback with Jen, Srikanta & Christophe.
TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULE
Sunday May 3rd
- 7 pm Welcome Happy Hour !
- 8 pm Dinner & LED jam
Monday – Friday
- 9am – 12pm: Workshops
- 12pm – 2pm: Break
- 2pm – 5pm: Open Studio & Workshops
- 8 pm Dinner, Fire & LED jams
Saturday May 9th
- Farewell lunch at Monica’s
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
OTHER EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK:
- Visiting Silves Castle, museum and Europe’s most beautiful beach!
- Fire jams: a great opportunity to try out your new moves on fire!
- Student Presentations (optional) & constructive feedback
- Instruction with a BONUS “mystery prop or technique” as per YOUR requests when you register (ie. Dragon staff, partner poi, etc).
- BONUS lunch at Monica’s house on Saturday May 9th!
Registration opens Saturday, Jan 31 at 10:00 AM CET
Set your alarms for the Early Bird discount (Limited to first 8 spots!)
Register to reserve your spot
Registration is open & space is limited.
Reserve your early bird ticket before February 15th!
SCHEDULE & LOGISTICS
- Dates: Sunday, May 3 – Saturday, May 9, 202
- Start: Welcome Happy Hour & Orientation at 7pm, Sunday, May 3.
- End: Official check-out on Saturday, May 9 (11:00am – tbc).
- Community Lunch: Our local student/artist, Monica, has kindly invited the group for a farewell lunch at her home on May 9th. Please plan to stay until the afternoon if you can!
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
- Included: On-site accommodation, daily breakfast, and daily dinner.
- Not Included: Daily lunches (giving you the freedom to explore local Portuguese cafes).
- Opening Night: A special Welcome Dinner is included on Sunday evening.
PREPARING FOR YOUR JOURNEY
Once you’ve registered, we will send you a comprehensive info pack to help you prepare. This includes:
- Gear & Equipment: You may bring your own props, or enjoy a participant discount with free delivery when ordering from the Fusion Arts Shop. (Orders must be placed before March 15).
- Packing List: Expert tips on clothing, safety gear, and essentials to make the most of your experience.
- Travel Coordination: Advice on arrival times and local transport to the venue.
MASTER THE FOUNDATIONS
Arrive at the retreat with confidence. Learn basic and intermediate fire staff techniques directly from ex-Cirque du Soleil coach Srikanta Barefoot through our online instructional series:
- 16 Instructional Chapters
- 4 Choreography Segments
- 9 Inspirational Artist Profiles
Start learning today: Dancing with the Fire Staff is available for streaming & download here.
Registration opens Saturday, Jan 31 at 10:00 AM CET
Set your alarms for the Early Bird discount (Limited to first 8 spots!)
Register to reserve your spot
Registration is open & space is limited.
Reserve your early bird ticket before February 15th!
PRICING
- Early Bird – Until February 15 (First 8 spots): 999€
- Standard Tickets – Until April 1: 1199€
- Last Minute Tickets – After April 1, 2026: 1399€
*We offer a Companion Pass (30% discount) for partners or friends. Includes accommodation, breakfast, dinner, and excursions (excludes workshops).
Local Artist Pass (Workshop Only):
- Designed for those living in the Algarve who wish to join our community without onsite lodging. Includes:
- Full access to all DBFD training sessions and evening fire jams.
- Opening Night: Welcome Apéro and Dinner on Sunday, May 3rd.
- All adventure and cultural expeditions throughout the week.
- Note: Daily breakfast, lunch, and standard dinners are not included.
READY TO JOIN US?
Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your artistry in the golden light of the Algarve. Spaces are limited to ensure personalized coaching for every participant.
Registration opens January 31st at 10 am CET
