Hula Dancers FAQ
Here are some answers to common questions, and some more specifics about what we do.
- How many dancers are availalbe?
- What are your costumes like?
- What kind of music will you dance to?
- What kind of hula do you do?
- How long are the shows?
- Will you interact with the audience?
- What are your rates? I can't seem to find them anywhere on the website?
- How far in advance do I need to book?
- What's the best way to contact you with my questions?
How many dancers are available?
We do small intimate shows with just one dancer, or larger shows with 2 or 3 dancers. You can also include up to 6 fire dancers in your show for a really memorable performance!
What are your costumes like?
We have a variety of costumes, from majestic raffia skirts to simple sarongs and coconut bras. Take a look at our photo gallery for examples.
What kind of music will you dance to?
We perform to so many different types of music, and generally tailor the show to the audience. We can use slow and pretty Hawaiian music, upbeat Tahitian drumming, modern music and everything in between! Our music styles are so varied that we don't perform to a live band - it would be really tough to find a band that could produce all the different sounds we like to move to.
What kind of hula do you do?
~ Hula Kahiko: Traditional, or ancient, form of Hawaiian dance developed in the Hawaiian islands by the original Polynesians settlers. This style of hula was traditionally danced in ceremony or as an offering, typically performed to mele (chants) accompanied by pahu, or drums of various sizes and types. It is a powerful, vigorous style of dance usually depicting Hawaiian legends, exploits of past royalty or the beauty of nature.
~ Hula 'Auana: Modern form of hula characterized by more fluid, graceful motions based on or inspired by their roots in hula kahiko. It is a less formal style of dance in which the dancers interact more closely with the audience, performed to singing and the playing of string instruments or even (these days) to modern music.
~ Ote'a: The famous hip-shaking dance of Tahiti performed to the syncopated rhythm of wooden to'ere and other drums. It is a very vigorous style of dance characterized by fast, sharp-moving hips and still upper bodies. The ote'a is the traditional dance o fTahiti, and probably the most spectacular dance of all of Polynesia, with its elaborate costumes, synchronization and poise of the dancers.
~ Aparima: Also known as the "Tahitian hula." The word aparima means the kiss of the hands, or to tell a story with the hands. It is generally slower and more melodic than the drum-dominated Ote’a, and performed to music and singing. It is usually performed in pareu.
~ Ahuroa: A slower paced form of the Tahitian Aparima. It is traditionally danced in an ahu purotu, or a long missionary dress, to slow, melodic songs depicting love stories, legends, and more.
How long are the shows?
We can do a 15 minute, 30 minute or 45 minute show. We recommend that you book at least 2 dancers for a show that is 30 minutes or more. This way, you can be sure to see lots of different dances, styles, and costumes.
Will you interact with the audience?
Absolutely! We love to get people up dancing with us, and we love to give short dance lessons to anyone who is willing to try. Be sure to let us know who the guest of honor is so we can make sure to get them up on stage! If you do NOT want the dancers to interact with the audience that's fine too, but please let us know ahead of time.
What are your rates? I can't seem to find them anywhere on the website?
Our rates are based on the number of dancers you book and vary depending on theme, city, and number of sets. Our shows start at $175 for a short, in-town solo show and the prices go up from there, with the elaborateness and size of the show.
To get a customized rate-quote, fill out our rate request form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
How far in advance do I need to book?
We start booking more than a month in advance, but we can often handle requests for just a few days away. To get your first choice of times, it's best to give 3-4 weeks lead-time. Our busiest times are Friday and Saturday evenings. Later nights and weeknights tend to be a bit more open.
Call us at (510) 367-4517 or fill out the rate request form to find out our availability.
What's the best way to contact you with my questions?
We are in the office during business hours most days. The best way to reach us is by phone at (510) 367-4517 or via email at info@firepixie.com. We try to respond as soon as we can, but we're generally a little quicker at returning phone calls than emails. If you don't hear from us in a day or two, please feel free to call again - we're probably swamped!