Sua Pyro Poi Dancers
as interviewed by DJ Gool for Bisoul Promotions

Sua' (Basque for fire) is a group of people who met coincidentally with one thing in common: the poi, "poi" being the Maori word for "ball on a cord”, used by the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand to increase flexibility and strength in their hands and arms, as well as improving co-ordination.

Wahine (female) dancers performed the Maori Poi, a dance performed with balls attached to flax strings, and swung rhythmically. The Poi dance was originally used by the Maori women for keeping their hands flexible for weaving and by the men for strength and co-ordination required during battle. Poi were also used as a training aid for other ancient weapons like the Mere or Patu (short club).

Nowadays, the poi have been modified to fire, UV and anything else that gives the illusion of trails of light when swung around.

Even though each of us got introduced to the poi at different times and in different ways, we all share the same "feel" for it, the sheer grace and energy of the poi, that got us hooked at an instant glance. The very ability of being able to forget one's surroundings and being absorbed, as it were, into the music and the movement, is the power of this fire art.

The group itself, came into existence accidentally. All of us were unaware that there were others, who danced with the poi too, until we all met at a barbeque in Ghajn Tuffieha, which is still the place where one can find us daily on a summer's evening. It was there where we decided to team up and begin performing professionally for local bands, dance parties and other events requesting pyrotechnics and UV light shows. Yet another quality of the poi – that it can be applied to any atmosphere and be enjoyed by people of all ages and lifestyles.

At the moment, we are busy learning other pyrotechnics, such as the staff (a long batton) and the devil sticks (the juggling of a small batton, using two sticks to control it). Hopefully, these other arts will be incorporated in our future shows.

SUA' would like to remind people not to try any of this at home. As easy and attractive as it looks, it is dangerous. The firepoi consist of special wick and not any fuel can be used, since certain fuels are toxic and may easily get out of control. Even the speed at which the poi is swung, is not a joke, and we guarantee that if at some point you will hit yourself, it hurts!!!!

For further information and bookings, please contact us on:
Easther:     99838461
Allistair:     79312744
Kathleen:   99890885
Kiera:        99809931
Email:        sua_pyro@yahoo.com 

The above is SUA’s press file. As they say the poi can be applied to any atmosphere and enjoyed by people of all lifestyles.

In fact, at GENETIKA the poi shall work its magic to musical rhythms in a diversity ranging from Metal to IDM, Punk to PsyTrance, Psychobilly to EBM. In fact Bisoul is intrigued at how SUA’ is able to adopt such a flexibility…..

The poi generally, is swung to the beat of the music, whether that being fast or slow. Plus the use of different equipment provides a different atmosphere. For more tribal music, we usually use the firepoi, but then for an electro party, we use the UV glowpoi. And since the group itself listens to a variety of music, it helps being able to move to the rhythm and feel the vibe. 

So how long has it been since SUA’s inception, and why a Spanish (Basque) name for a New Zealandish (Maori) art?

Sua’ got together in around June 2003, as mentioned before we met on the beach, and from there we started contacting each other whenever one of us got a gig.
As for the name Sua’, we were previously known as Catch-a-Fire, but due disagreements with one of the members, the group got dissolved, and we were back at the beginning. We had been trying to find a name which was catchy, yet simple and preferably in another language, to give it a more exotic “feel”.
Whilst abroad in the Basque country, we met several fire jugglers, of which one had a dog named Sua’. This dog literally loved the poi, she would run up and down, and in between them, whenever someone was doing them.
I guess the name is sort of a tribute to this dog and the Basque country itself, to remember its freedom and positive energy… also since it was exactly the type of name we were looking for.  

Finally, may I ask about other successful performances in which the group has participated to date….. 

•       Anime 2003 (with the band Cyberia)
•       Tribu 2003/2004
•       Several parties at Belmar, Armier 2003
•       Independence day 2003
•       Beer festival 2003 (with the bands Tribali and Spooky Monkey)
•       Reggae and R’n’B night at Angelo’s restaurant, Bugibba 2003
•       University beer festival 2003 (with band Kalamazoo)
•       Reclaim the world 2003 (with bands Particle Blue, Dripht and Congo Bon Chik)
•       Uprising jam boat party 2003 (with bands Tribali and Kalamazoo)
•       Uprising jam new years eve at Razzett L-Abjad 2003/2004 (with bands Tribali and Kalamazoo)
•       “Subway we Love you” event for Malta Skaters United 2004
•       Particle Blue album launch 2004
•       + various private performances over 2003/2004

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