FireLion

PandaLion is a partner acro duo here in Chicago made up of FireLion (Robert Bershadsky) and Amanda Rodriguez (Panda). Performing together since 2021 PandaLion brings a mix of acroyoga, partner acrobatics, and dance lifts to the circus/fire world. For the Equinox Fest, we are honored to teach a beginner acro yoga class as well as a dance lifts class for more creative partner fun!

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Intro to AcroYoga
Pre-requisites:
- Belly full of laughter
- Will to learn
(Come alone or w/ a partner!! We will all work together)
Intro to AcroYoga will cover basic concepts of acro yoga and partner connections/movement. We will cover positive pressure (push) negative pressure (pull) ATB (Alignment, Tightness, Balance). The goal of this class is for students to go home with exercises that help tune into your body and a partners body. Whether it's the beginning of your new acro yoga passion, a way to get into partner dance or just play with other people and have fun! This class is for every body!!

Dance Acro
Pre-requisites:
- Yoga or movement practice
- Some acroyoga, partner acro, dance, or gymnastics knowledge is helpful but not necessary
- A partner is not required but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
For the Dance Lifts class, we will work on fun, easy-to-achieve, standing acro positions but with a focus on transitions and flowyness, with an emphasis on the entrance and exit! Please come warmed up and ready to groove! For this class we will try and work with designated groups/partners for consistent growth in our progressions 💜

Cryptid Kid

Cryptid Kid is a dancer who fell in love with the weird world of sideshow, and for the past five years has thrilled audiences with fire manipulation, sword swallowing, angle grinding, human pincushion, whip cracking, and hook suspension. As a member of Chicago's rock and roll dance troupe, The Vaudettes, they dance and perform sideshow acts on TV and on stages from Chicago to Mexico. They are skilled in multiple forms of fire manipulation, including fire breathing and eating, and serve on the board of the Full Moon Jam Foundation, the hub of Chicago's fire spinning community.

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Fan Choreography

A fan class teaching 30 seconds of choreography. Intermediate level skill with fans of any style is recommended, but anyone who enjoys moving to music is welcome! Please bring your own fans, none will be available.

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Level 2 Fire Safety Training

Level 2 training expands on the core concepts of Level 1 training and fosters a deeper understanding of fire safety. It will cover more information on equipment, extinguisher classifications, fuel science, fuel properties, safety philosophy, professional performance development, contracting & permitting. Anyone interested in professional performing, organizing your own events, or becoming an organizer of the Full Moon Jam is encouraged to attend.

Fire Flower

Nancy (Fire Flower) is a lover of many forms of art and movement. She is a poet, yoga teacher, and sometimes a photographer. She loves other art forms, but fire is what truly lights up her soul! She began performing with fire at age 14 with her fire batons and never lost her passion for the flames. She is a multi-prop performer using batons, Levi wand, dragon staff, fans, and more. Learning new props is always a part of her world and she lives for creative exploration. She also performs with flow props including silk fans, LED batons, and more.

She is an Organizer for the Chicago Full Moon Jam, helping to share the art of fire flow with thousands of people. She performs at the Full Moon Jam events and teaches fire safety to fire performers. Bringing new people into the world of fire is a source of joy! She believes that we all have a creative spirit within us, we just need to embrace it.

Her full-time career is in fitness and wellness, currently managing a hot exercise and yoga studio. Nancy performs at fire jams, festivals, parades as well as private events. Her performances are dynamic and mesmerizing! She is continually grateful for every opportunity to intrigue and inspire!

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CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Yoga Fusion: Flexibility, Balance & Focus
This class combines movements from Yoga, Pilates, and Barre to create a fun, flowing practice. You’ll flow continuously through strong sequences as you push the edge of your balance and flexibility. Learn how to incorporate these movements and postures into your flow performance. Discover how connecting with your breath can create focus on the mat, in your performances, and in your life. Bring your own mat.

Intro to Double Staff/Batons Spins & Tosses
Learn traditional baton spins and finger spins. Combine these with simple double-staff moves for a unique flow. Discover the tricks to toss and catch flawlessly. Many of the techniques can also apply to other props, such as staff or even dragon staff. Bring your own double staff if you can, but some practice props will be available.

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Intro to Fire Safety

Everything you need to know to start fire spinning! Level 1 training intends to give a solid base for participating in the Full Moon Jam, and give a background for safe, private, outdoor, small prop fire spinning. This training will cover equipment, clothing, fuel, safetying, extinguishing fire, and more! Anyone that takes this class will be permitted to spin fire at the Full Moon Jam!

Sire

With a decade of mesmerizing flow artistry under their belt, Sire is a seasoned organizer and past festival curator. As a passionate advocate for the flow arts community, they bring their wealth of experience to empower others through captivating workshops. Get ready to ignite your passion and unleash your creativity with Sire!

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CLASS DESCRIPTION
Intro to Contact Staff

Step into the mesmerizing world of contact staff, a flow art that combines fluid movement with seamless staff manipulation. In this beginner class, you’ll learn the foundational techniques of contact staff, focusing on balance, body rolls, and continuous motion. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how to move with the staff, allowing it to glide effortlessly across your body. No prior experience is needed—just bring your enthusiasm and curiosity!

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Intro to Rope Dart

Dive into the dynamic world of the rope dart, an ancient Chinese martial arts weapon celebrated for its elegance and versatility. This beginner class focuses on mastering key concepts like slack control for smooth, controlled movement, basic and complex shots, and the use of empty knots to enhance your technique and creativity. No prior experience is necessary—this class is perfect for anyone starting rope dart or looking to level up their skills.

Panda

Panda (Amanda Rodriguez) has a mixed circus background starting with flow arts back in 2015, and progressing to fire performing in 2018. This love of flow led to other movement-based disciplines such as yoga and rock climbing and eventually aerial arts (sling, split silks, lyra, and trapeze) and partner acro in 2020. With the help of her best friend and trusted acro partner Lion (Robert Bershadsky) the two debuted their first acro performance in 2022 as PandaLion. Truthfully, once the can of circus worms is opened there is no going back- so it's no surprise her skill set has grown to include tumbling, tight wire, rolla bolla, stilt walking, German wheel, clowning, and other prop manipulation such as juggling, flower sticks, spinning plates, and diablo. Panda currently teaches circus arts at CircEsteem, a non-profit organization for underserved youth across the city of Chicago, and Circus Kazoo, a vibrant and growing circus gym in Grayslake, IL.

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Intro to Dragon Staff

In this class we will break down the chi roll, cheating death, and a few other beginner tricks with the goal of putting them together to music. We hope to have props available for people to borrow for class but it is advised that you bring your own dragon staff.​​

Austen Cloud

Austen has been an avid lover of all flow arts since 2014 and is deeply passionate about teaching and performing. His biggest passion is The Kinetic Alphabet, a notation system designed to make choreography more accessible and communicable. He hopes to foster a culture of group collaboration so that flow arts techniques can expand and reach a higher level of appreciation and widespread involvement.

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Advanced Double-Staves

In this class, we'll cover the basics of using a staff on a grid. We'll learn about the four modes (TS, TO, SS, SO) and the three planes (wall, wheel, floor), as well as the two basic types of motions (Isolation and Antispin). We'll spend most of the class focusing on negative space and how to use it in staff work. By the end of the class, students will be able to perform some basic isolation and anti-spin moves with double staves while making use of negative space. This class is a great foundation for learning either VTG or The Kinetic Alphabet.

Carissa

Carissa is a certified personal trainer, aerial coach, and performer. Carissa is the owner of Circus Inspired Fitness. Her business travels to schools, park districts, festivals, and more to spread the joy of circus arts. Carissa has taught at festivals such as Sonic Bloom, PlayThink, and Rock and Flow. She has performed fire, LED, and aerial during Sonic Bloom, PlayThink, Frostbite, showcases, and more. Through circus arts, she aims to help others' mental health, confidence, and strength grow.

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Intro & Advanced Hooping

Foot hula hooping! Gain balance and new movement into your flow. In the intro class, we will explore the foundations of foot hooping. In the advanced class, we will cover foundations as well as combos incorporating other parts of our body.

Illinois "Noisy" Smyth

John Cantin (Illinois "Noisy" Smythe) started cracking whips in 2020, picking it up as the ultimate "social distancing" activity. With over 25 years of experience as a martial arts instructor, John excels at breaking down the motions of whip cracking into understandable and safe bites. In 2024 he traveled to Los Angeles to compete in the LA WhipCon.

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Whip Cracking 101
Looking for something new and unique to add to your repertoire? The sound of the whip has captivated man for thousands of years. In this class, you will learn how to safely crack a whip and harness the power of the sound barrier! If time and space allow for it we will also teach basic self-held cutting techniques.

Whips will be provided, but if you have your own, please bring it. Note that any whip you bring will be inspected before class and, depending on the quality, may be rejected.

Loose-fitting long pants, long sleeve shirts, and wide-brimmed hats are recommended for this class. Safety glasses will be provided and will be required.

RjRiot

RjRiot has been hula hooping for twelve years now. Starting as an avid dancer and building from on-body to off-body hooping. They have since moved into other flow art forms such as Double staffs, fans, and anything else they can use for playful flow. They believe that flow arts are a way for humans to connect physically to our world.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Body Movement Play

This class helps loosen up anyone who feels as if they are out of place, needs to stim in a social setting or get to know others. Very much like the days of being a little kid in gym class, the goal of this movement class is to shake off the feelings of “socially acceptable behavior”. This is for anyone and requires no props. Consent is key in this class! Sometimes being excited can lead to overwhelming others. Remember to respect yourself and those around you.

Intro to Fans

Whether you have never picked up fans before or if you have been doing it for some time, my classes are collaborative! My goal as a teacher is to help navigate you through basic tricks and stack them into cohesive choreography that you can apply to your everyday flow.

Eric Sipos

Eric Sipos first began juggling 23 years ago and currently coaches at Aloft Circus Arts in Chicago.

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Intro to Juggling
Learn how to juggle! An introductory workshop that teaches the fundamentals of the cascade juggling pattern and juggling basics. Juggling balls are available for use.

Advanced Juggling - Half Mess and Less + Partner Passing
This intermediate workshop covers patterns that are used as building blocks towards creating ""mess"" patterns. Prerequisites include the cascade in both directions. Juggling balls are available for use.

BeLove

BeLove has been spinning multiple props for almost 10 years but they specialize in poi/juggling and love to play with anything on fire! They are offering an intermediate-> advanced 2 poi 1 hand course. It will start with how to hold your poi in one hand and introduce tricks such as Superman, fantastic four, the hulk, rodeo, Wizard Whip and other on the body 2 poi 1 hands moves that are super satisfying to do!
 

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Intro to Flow

This workshop teaches beginners some fundamentals, things to think about, and drills to help them move forward in their flow journey. Poi/rope dart would be the preferred prop to bring (because that's what BeLove will be demonstrating) but what is taught can translate to all props. Practice poi will be available.​

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Advance Poi - 2 Poi 1 Hand

The people who would benefit most from this class are poi spinners who have a basic understanding of plane control and are able to do a horizontal corkscrew but anyone is welcome! No matter your skill level you will learn a few new concepts and grow in your poi journey. It would be best if you had your own poi and that your poi has handles and not loops. A limited amount of sock poi will be available for use during the workshop.

James C. LMT

James Cole LMT is bringing their expertise in self-care to the flow arts camp out. With a background in massage therapy and a dedication to self-care, injury prevention, and treatment, James is excited to lead a hands-on workshop focused on body maintenance when working in and learning about flow. Join them as they share empowering practices designed to nurture the body, and treat common ailments associated with flow arts performing. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a seasoned practitioner and elevate your self-care routine at the Full Moon Jam Flow Fest!

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Massage Self-Care

Join James C. LMT at the Flow Arts Festival for an enlightening workshop that combines the wisdom of Chinese medicine with practical self-care techniques. In this class, James will delve into the nature of pain, exploring how it manifests in the body and how to address it effectively. Drawing on principles of Chinese medicine, participants will gain insight into the body’s energy channels and learn how to promote balance and well-being through self-massage techniques.

But that’s not all – James will also cover essential warm-up exercises and body mechanics to prevent injuries commonly associated with flow arts. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or new to the practice, this workshop offers valuable knowledge and hands-on skills to enhance your flow arts journey and prioritize your physical well-being.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from James, a seasoned practitioner and passionate advocate for holistic self-care. Come hang out and take a step towards a healthier, more vibrant flow arts practice!

Mimic

​Mimic loves to spin the less popular, kinda silly weird props. They started with staff, fell in love with poi, then branched out to Levi wand, buugeng, triads, and any funky prop they can borrow at a fire circle. Join her to set the basics, add on the technical skills, and put it all into a flow!

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Intro to Levi Wand
Take your vertical float to rotating flowers, perches to traps and slides, body rocking to halos, and leg tipping. Contact wanding comes with plenty of body motion it's a great way to add dance into your flow!

Joe Yonek

Joe is both a certified AcroYogaMTL teacher and a 500-hour certified yoga instructor and has been teaching both since 2011. His additional interests have had him traveling and studying Buddhism, Taoism, shamanism, various forms of energy work, and Thai Bodywork. Joe graduated from professional circus school in 2016 and spends his time pursuing his passions not just as a ground acrobat, but as a circus aerialist, hand balancer, and a cyr wheel artist. He was part of the 2016 Team USA competing in the Cyr Wheel World Championship and finished second in the 2017 USA National Championship.

Joe founded and has operated AcroCamp since 2012. It is the oldest AcroYoga and acrobatics festival outside of Europe. He teaches from the perspective that learning should be fun and that we should focus more of our energy on what makes us feel good. His classes are typically filled with a great deal of laughter and joy even while students are meeting new and exciting challenges. Joe teaches his classes to challenge his students to expand beyond what they think is possible. Expect to laugh, to play, to meet new people, and to be challenged. He will strengthen your confidence and show you the world from a different perspective.

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Daily Yoga

Center yourself and build calm, strength, flexibility, and mobility while exploring and cultivating deeper ways to use your body.

Aimee Bass

Aimee Bass has over 20 years of experience as a percussionist, drum circle facilitator, and teaching artist. She brings rhythms of the world to folks of all ages at live performances, interactive events, schools, festivals, theater, and spectacles.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Intro to Drumming
This workshop will help you find your groove for the Full Moon Jam and any drum circles. No experience is necessary. We'll play some universal rhythms on a variety of percussion instruments. You will learn the basics of djembe playing and how to add your own unique expression. A set of dundun bass drums will be available for you to try as well. Bring a djembe if you have one, but any other drums are welcome including frame drums, doumbeks, and more. There will be some extra drums and percussion available for you to play.

iat

iat is a mysterious individual who has traveled wide and far spreading joy and chaos.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Intro to Didgeridoo
All skill levels are welcome!
In this course you will:
- Learn to toot, drone, & intone.
- Make rhythms using articulated, diaphragmatic, & glottal stops.
- Learn the basics of circular breathing.
- Create a foundation of skills & familiarity upon which to build afterward.
Practice dijeridoos are provided (& can be purchased after the workshop.)

TimeLord

Devin has been a FMJ organizer and a Lakes of Fire Fire Arts Safety Team Lead since 2013. His past projects include Art Night Chicago, Night Magic Designs, and FIGMENT Chicago’s Imagine series. In 2016, he led the crew that built GARDON! The Great and Terrible – a giant 30-foot climbable, interactive, fire-breathing dragon that met its doom in a fiery blaze of glory. In 2017, he joined the Flow Arts Institute crew as a Fire Safety Lead at Kinetic Fire in Ohio, became a Day-of-Show Producer at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and is a Board Member and Event Lead for the Full Moon Jam Foundation.

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Community Empowerment / Guardian Training

The purpose of this training is to provide guidance to the organizers, volunteers, and stewards of events. The training will cover various bystander intervention techniques, conflict resolution, and how to remain calm and establish a safety perimeter in an emergency. It will cover how to provide a sense of community, and how to encourage volunteers to be a readily available source of communication between the attendees and the organizers. Anyone interested in hosting their own events is encouraged to attend!

Cameron Robert - DJ

Cameron Robert (DJ Roscoe), a dynamic force in Chicago's electronic music scene for the past two years. With a penchant for blending deep house, disco, tech house, and sometimes French house & Indie, Roscoe crafts immersive sonic experiences that transcend traditional boundaries.

Drawing inspiration from a background in performance art, Roscoe weaves a unique narrative through their sets, fueled by the profound connection to music discovered during their time as a performer. This fusion of art forms results in a DJ style that goes beyond the beats, creating an atmospheric journey for their audience.

While Roscoe thrives in the underground scene, delivering pulsating sets at unconventional venues, they've also ventured into new territories. Co-producing a drag brunch show on NorthHalsted, Roscoe brings their signature sound to a broader audience, infusing daytime vibes with the same energy that fuels the darker corners of the city's nightlife.

With a commitment to pushing musical boundaries and a passion for the intersection of performance art and electronic beats, DJ Roscoe continues to leave an indelible mark on Chicago's diverse and vibrant music landscape.

Conbot - DJ

Con_bot (he/they) is a musician, DJ, and producer. They specialize in House and Garage, but enjoy weaving through Pop, Hip-Hop, Breakbeats, and more, all the while telling a warm and upbeat story with their sets. A long time Burner, they have played Lakes of Fire multiple times and many Burner parties as well as Ecstatic Dance and maintained a mainstay spot in the 2022 Rewind event series.

https://soundcloud.com/con_bot

miihaū - DJ

A DJ, dancer, producer, photographer, filmmaker, flow artist, and all around autodidact with a dash of ADD and a heaping helping of caffeine, miihaū is a multitalented artist that draws inspiration from many different facets of life. If you happen to run into him outside of music or flow arts, he's just as likely to be scaling up a mountain as he is snowboarding down it.

Ichabod

Ichabod’s journey began in the dimly lit clubs & warehouses of Chicago, where he honed his craft developing a signature sound blending thumping basslines with intricate rhythms. His sets are a testament to his deep understanding of both the genre & the crowd, seamlessly weaving together pulsating beats with euphoric melodies that captivate & energize.

He/Him

Drake Blade

Drake Blade is a fire spinner & firesmith based in the Chicago Suburbs. Introduced to fire 3 years ago, Drake fell in love with the art; making his own staff for the retreat that started his journey. Between repair work on other's props and building his own; Drake has done firesmith work for a number of fire performers both in the Chicago scene and abroad. Drake can regularly be seen at the Jams with staff, sword, and shovel.

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Prop Building and Wicking

A beginner-friendly conversation on the process of both making basic stick-based props (basic staff, sword, and other similar styles) and wicking various props. Good for those looking to make or work on their own props; or just curious about what goes into the process. No experience or props are necessary; ways to take notes a plus.

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