Welcome to IanMichaelSmith.com. The virtual host of Ian's teaching and artistic and endeavors.
Here you will find links to several of the top Bay Area fire dance performance troupes and information on Ian's Bay Area fire dance classes and nation wide workshop schedule and modern dance performances

Upcoming Instruction

All-Level Poi Drop-In Class

Wednesdays 7:00pm - 8:30pm at Prop Box Studio at the Vulcan 4401 San Leandro St. #5 (or 925 45th Ave); Oakland, CA.

An ongoing, drop-in, poi class that happens right before the Vulcan Spin and Juggle Jam. This class focuses on Ian's approach to spinning poi, which includes integration of the whole body, an emphasis on timing, learning by concepts and expanding those concepts to help improvisation. Each class is $15.

Ian teaches workshops at Fire Drums

May 6 - May 9, 2010 in the Santa Cruz mountains

Ian will be teaching a Poi dance workshops and a three dimensional spinning workshop. Check the a target="_blank" href="http://firedrums.org">website for more details

Upcoming Fire Shows

Ian performs at the Flow Show

April 16th & 17th, 2010 at CounterPulse

What happens when object manipulation is taken out of the circus, out of the dance club? This showcase will take the flow arts out of their typical settings and nobody really knows what will happen. Featuring flow artists on hoop, poi, staff, fans, balls and maybe some other stuff too.

Ian will be performing a hoop duet with Brecken Rivara, a poi duet with Bliss Butterfly, and a group piece with the Vulcan Crew


Upcoming Dance Shows

Capacitor performs at the Oakland Museum Opening

May 2nd, 2010.

Capacitor will perform pieces from their previous performance "The Perfect Flower". For more information click here

Capacitor performs at "Wild Dancing West"

June 11th-12, 2010; Albuquerque, NM at N4th Theater

Capacitor will perform pieces from their previous performance "The Perfect Flower" and preview some material from their new show "the Ocean Project". For more information click here

Capacitor performs at Burning Man Festival

aug 30 - sept 6, 2010, Black Rock City, NV at Center Camp

We will perform our more daring and experimental peices suited for the Burning Man crowd. For more information click here

Instructional Poi DVD

Ian was one of the writers of this intermediate Poi instructional DVD.
You can purchase this DVD from him for $25 with free shipping while supplies last.
Contact Ian if interested.

"Poi Technique combines revolutionary poi instruction and inspirational performances. Join the Vulcan Crew for tips on becoming an advanced poi spinner, including explicit instruction on flowers, stalls, linear isolations/extensions and hybrids. Featuring performances of internationally renowned poi artists including Yuta, Chris Rovo, Arashi, Andy Haus, Ronan McLoughlin, Ian Michael Smith, and Zan."
Subtitled in Spanish and French