As part of the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) kickoff at the Woolwich Memorial Centre last week, three young men were on hand to perform for the crowd using poi balls and a diabolo.
EDSS students Austin Wilson and Terrence Lubberts along with their friend Joel Steinmann performed tricks they all had learned from their high school drama teacher DJ Carroll.
“He got us into this during his Grade 11 magic unit,” said Wilson who along with Steinmann performs with poi balls. “We were all brought together by Mr. Carroll who thought our skills would look good for a show.”
Poi spinning is a skill toy where a ball is fixed to a length of cord or chain so that it can be swung in circular patterns. Poi was originally one of the traditional performance styles of M?ori people in New Zealand. Over the years it developed into a core of the prop manipulation community and has developed a wide range of moves, styles and variations.
“I see it as a form of juggling where I swing the balls around and do various tricks with them,” said Wilson.
For his part, Lubberts uses a diabolo, which is a juggling prop consisting of a spool that is whirled and tossed on a string tied to two sticks held one in each hand. A huge variety of tricks are possible using the sticks, string and various body parts.
“The idea is to keep the diabolo on the string while it spins and to keep it balanced while performing tricks,” said Lubberts.
Last week, at RAK, was the first time the trio had performed together and they received some good reviews from their audience as they weaved in and out during the performance allowing each of them to be the focus of the show. The trio used glow-in-the-dark props which they said added to the show.
“I had a few people come up to me and ask where they could buy the diabolo and could they try it out,” said Lubberts.
The guys worked at their skills throughout the summer perfecting their moves and tricks and now that they have had their first performance they are starting to think about doing other shows together.
“I have thought about going out and busking so that is something we could all try one day,” said Lubberts.
Wilson is content right now to just advance his skill level with the poi balls and is looking to purchase poi he can set on fire, which he said would make for a more dynamic show.
“I am hoping to have the fire poi skills down pat for the Robin in the Hood festival coming this June,” said Wilson. “Regardless of what we do, the three of us are having fun.”
