Pacific Fire is a NorthWest regional Flow Arts gathering. Our focus is fire-dancing: poi, staff, hoops, fans, whips, object manipulation, or anything that gets you to a state of flow!
Pacific Fire Gathering captures the magical element of Flow. Nestled into a venue of incredible natural beauty and set on the forest and beach of the Pacific Ocean, our connection to the energies of the natural world is palpable at this intimate festival. Our community of flow and movement artists is closely connected, yet openly welcoming at the same time. The festival is small enough to feel like we’re all one family. By day, over 100 workshops take place around the main lodge, on a bluff overlooking the ocean. When the sun sets, participants gather to watch and co-create performance showcases for both fire and non-fire acts. At night, the fire circle burns bright within a staff’s throw of the beach while the sounds of breaking waves mix with our own musical performer’s creations. Sit in the teahouse at the edge of the circle and watch your friends spin as you sip Oolong and contemplate the true meaning of Flow. Pacific Fire is a festival like no other.
Our mission is:
1. to Build Community
2. to Learn and Share Knowledge
3. to Broaden and Interconnect the Spectrum of Flow Arts Culture.
We are open to all skill levels, from beginner to expert and everyone in between. But we are not open to spectators; you must participate in the fun to belong here!
This year for our first annual Instructor of the Year contest, the Festival directors nominated several outstanding instructors who are pushing the boundaries of teaching and skill excellence.
Morgan Goldberg
Taught at:
Kinetic Fire, FireDrums, Pacific Fire Gathering
What’s your secret power?
I have the ability to transform into an excited and playful child. This brings joy, laughter, and playfulness to all around me. Frustration and apathy disappear as people get re-infused with child-like creative energy and fun.
When you aren’t a flow superhero, what is your Clark Kent alias?
Circus Teacher and Performer.
What are your main classes?
Head to Toe: Full Body Contact StaffIn this workshop we explore pathways where the staff travels down the full body. We will work upwards starting with drills for the feet and legs, breaking down the parts of longer pathways. This class helps you understand the lower body pathways the way we do the upper body and how to link them together.
Staff DanceThis workshop will cover the building blocks of staff spinning as well as basic contact. We will not only learn different ways to move the staff around your body like anti-spin, extension, etc., we will also explore how to move our bodies through space with our prop. We will explore stances, footwork and turning. This workshop will give you the tools to have freer movement, clean transitions and use your whole body.
Additional Teaching:
Mad Skillz Vancouver, The European Juggling Convention, The Oregon Country Fair, Portland Public Schools, North West Regional Libraries.
FacebookThe Flow FactoryMotion Magic
Tyler Spades
Taught at:
FLAME, Campfire, FireDrums, Pacific Fire Gathering
Tyler has been incredibly influential and widely respected within the Flow Arts across the country. Both FLAME and Campfire wanted to nominate him to represent their festivals. However, Pacific Fire Gathering is his home festival and reserved first bid for his nomination.
What’s your secret power?
Fire Ninja Skillz!
I was trained by the great masters of Mt. Angelroll as a young boy and raised to be a powerful ninja of the forest.
I use my powers to do good; inspiring and encouraging other potential ninjas everywhere I travel.
If your heart is true and your intentions are pure, I will train you in the great art of FLOWWWWW.
When you aren’t a flow superhero, what is your Clark Kent alias?
I’m always in the FLOW!
I chose my path as a PROFESSIONAL FIRE DANCER which earns me just about enough money to go to Burning Man and eat burritos.
I’ve worked in video production all my life, but have focused primarily on teaching and performing in the last year.
I’m excited to also be continuing my career as a circus activist this January in INDIA with Performers Without Borders on a 4-month tour teaching disadvantaged kids circus arts!
Additional Teaching:
1/13/15 – Start of 5-class Basic Contact Staff series: Portland, OR.
2/4/15 – Contact Staff for All Levels Workshop: Tucson, AZ.
2/6/15 – 2/8/15 – Gem and Jam Festival: Tucson, AZ.
3/12/15 – 3/15/15 – Spin In’ a Prop Gathering 2015: Seal Rock, OR.
4/3/15 – 4/5/15 – FLOWSTORM 2015: Cedar Creek, TX.
4/9/15-/4/12/15 – FLAME Festival: LaFayette, GA.
5/9/15 – Willamette Valley Music Festival: Eugene, OR.
5/28/15-5/31/15 – Firedrums: Sierras, CA.
6/01/15-8/1/15 – Motion Magic after-school circus classes for Elementary Students.
6/4/15-6/7/15 – Camp Fire Festival: Clarks Grove, MN.
6/12/15-6/13/15 – What The Festival: Wolf Run Ranch, OR.
7/10/15-7/12/15 – Oregon Country Fair: Veneta, OR.
9/11/15-9/13/15 – Narwhale 3D: Rancho Relaxo, OR.
9/17/15-9/20/15 – Pacific Fire Gathering: Tillamook, OR.
10/16/15-10/18/15 – Flow Down Fire Festival: Paw Paw, IL.
10/19/15 – Performers Without Borders Fundraiser Workshop: Chicago, IL.
10/23/15-10/25/15 – Florida Flow Fest: Lake Worth, FL.
Kevin Axtell
Taught at:
Kinetic Fire, Campfire, FireDrums, Pacific Fire Gathering
What’s your secret power?
My superpower is paying attention 100%
When you aren’t a flow superhero, what is your Clark Kent alias?
I am Kevin Axtell. I have no Alias – I am always super.
What are your main classes?
FIREWALKING
Club Manipulation
Developing Character for Performance
Additional Teaching:
Ignight, Lucidity, Mexico
I am stoked to be nominated – but do not feel I should be in the running for the winner given my close involvment with FAI in general and therefore will not be included in the voting.