Adam Busch is a Los Angeles-based fire performer and the founder of Radiate Fire Dancing.

In this Q&A, you’ll learn more about the world of fire dancing, Adam’s journey in the art form, and what goes into creating his performances.

Introduction



How did you get into fire dancing?

I was first introduced to fire dancing at Burning Man in 2012. For six years, I watched others perform at festivals, private parties, and Burning Man itself, fascinated but not yet compelled to try it. That changed when a friend showed me a trick with what would become my favorite prop—the rope dart. The trick involved wrapping the rope around my neck and swinging it. Rope dart is an ancient Chinese martial arts weapon consisting of a 10-11 foot rope with a weight (or sometimes a knife) at the end. That demonstration sparked my interest.

Before fire dancing, I was heavily into skateboarding. While it’s not a performance art, skateboarding taught me a lot about style, grace, and body movement. This understanding translated seamlessly into fire dancing. Once I learned that first trick, I was hooked. I started practicing with a homemade prop—tennis balls tied to a rope—and was encouraged by friends who were already fire dancing. For the first couple of years, it was just a fun, casual hobby.

Over time, I became more proficient and started traveling to meet other fire dancers. I attended festivals where we taught each other tricks and practiced late into the night. One highlight was performing at Fire Drums, a fire dancing festival focused on community, education, and fun. My first year at Fire Drums was also my first real step into the broader fire dancing community, meeting people from all over California.

California is a hotbed for fire dancing, partly because of its proximity to Burning Man, which is a major influence in the modern fire dancing scene. While fire dancing has deep cultural roots in Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, and other traditions, the contemporary style seen at festivals and events has its own unique flair. By my second year at Fire Drums, I performed as part of a duet in the festival showcase. We created a synchronized routine with rope darts that involved wrapping each other with fire, showcasing tricks not often seen. The performance was exhilarating and earned us recognition within the community.

Since then, I’ve performed at festivals like Envision (Costa Rica), Lucidity (Santa Barbara), and Lightning in a Bottle (near Bakersfield). These festivals are well-known in the culture, and performing at them has been a significant achievement in my fire dancing journey.


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What is fire dancing?

At its core, fire dancing is about creating movement with fire as a prop. The style varies depending on the individual and their influences, ranging from modern dance and hip-hop to martial arts. Fire dancing also involves learning tricks and developing unique movement patterns.

There are numerous props used in fire dancing, including:

● Staff-based props: Staff, contact staff, multi-staff and dragon staff.
● Rope-based props: Poi, rope dart, whips, meteor dart, and puppy hammer.
● Fixed-Props: Fans, parasols, fire wings, gun-spinning, palm torches
● Fire Eating & Breathing

Each prop requires its own skill set, and some props emphasize one-handed techniques, while others require props in both hands. This diversity allows fire dancers to develop highly individualized styles.

The experience of fire dancing is often described as “flow.” It’s similar to the feeling of surfing or skiing—when you’re fully immersed in the movement, with no distractions. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, your body moves instinctively, and you’re simply in the moment. It’s both meditative and exhilarating.

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Is it scary?

Initially, yes. Fire dancing has a learning curve. Most people practice with unlit props for months before introducing fire. When you first add fire, it can be overwhelming. Movements you’ve practiced suddenly feel harder because the presence of fire triggers a primal reaction. However, with consistent practice, the fear diminishes, and confidence grows.

Burns are a risk, but experienced fire dancers take precautions, such as wearing natural fibers like cotton, which are less likely to melt onto the skin. Safety is a top priority. We always have a “safety” nearby with a fire blanket or extinguisher, ready to act if needed. Over time, fire dancers learn to trust their abilities and work through the fear, which becomes less daunting with practice.
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Does fire dancing feel good?

Absolutely! Fire dancing is thrilling. There’s something uniquely satisfying about controlling such a dangerous element. After a good spin, the adrenaline rush can last for hours. It’s a physically demanding but deeply rewarding activity that’s both energizing and meditative.

For me, fire dancing is one of the few activities where I can be entirely substance-free at a party and still have the time of my life. It’s like doing short sprints—your heart races, and you’re completely immersed in the moment. The feeling of flow is indescribable.


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How does someone get into fire dancing?

Despite being a niche art form, fire dancing has a global community. In most major cities, you can find fire dancers hosting local “jams,” where they gather to practice, teach, and connect. If you’re interested, start by following fire dancers on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok. Many post tutorials, and you can find Facebook groups to help you locate a local community.

Beginners are always welcome, and experienced practitioners are usually supportive and excited to see new people trying it. As long as you approach it safely and responsibly, fire dancing is a fantastic way to make friends, learn new skills, and become part of a vibrant community.


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Where do you perform?

I’m a Los Angeles-based fire performer for my performance brand Radiate Fire Dancing, and I perform professionally and recreationally. Professionally, I perform at private parties, weddings, product launches, fundraisers, and other events. Typically, these performances are 10-15 minute showcases designed to captivate audiences.

Recreationally, I love attending fire jams or spinning with friends in places like Costa Rica’s beaches, the California deserts, or major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Traveling with my props and connecting with fire dancers worldwide is one of my favorite aspects of this art form.