History

Staci "Misti" Cooper moved to Boise in 2002 and as a way of meeting new people – at least the kind of people that she wanted to meet – she taught a community education class for beginning poi."Poi" is the Maori word for "ball". The Poi dance was originally used by the Maori women for keeping their hands flexible for weaving and by the men for strength and coordination required during battle.

Carissa "Glitter" DeGuzman was one of the people that enrolled in that class along with Amy "Cookie" Johnston and Lisa "Whisky" Brady. The Fire Kittens were born.

In 2003, Linda "Frisky" Whittig started showing up for the weekly classes the Kittens were teaching. When they realized she was there for good, they adopted her as the newest member.

In the spring of 2006, two Kittens, Amy Johnston and Lisa Brady, retired from the group. In 2008, Linda Whittig also retired. Staci and Carissa still remain, picking up Staci "Velvet" Sant as honorary kitten.

Summer is our busy time, with performances several times a month. We dance at a lot of private parties - everything from backyard bbq's to wedding receptions - as well as bigger public shows (including the Women in the Arts Celebration and at venues such as the Big Easy, Rose Room, Blues Bouquet and the Torch 2), festivals (Country Fair, Esthetic Evolution and Burning Man) and occasionally renegade fire in downtown Boise on 8th Street on Saturday nights. Stop by our camp at Burning Man this year!