Fireworks - The Crew

The Specialists in the Spectacular

The Fireworks crew of performers have been working together for over 10 years. They are highly skilled, experienced, versatile and compliment each other perfectly no matter what's on the bill. Our attention to detail and flexibility enables us to seamlessly merge into your own event concepts.

Come and meet the Fireworks crew and see the amazing acts they perform. Some of the exciting acts on offer:

Fire breathers, Fire eaters and Fire manipulators.

Fire dancers in fire twirling (Poi, Staff, Batons), Belly dance and African dance.

Fire circus and traditional circus in Devil sticks, juggling and Hula hoops.

Fortune tellers and Henna Tattooists.

Candle contortionists.

Freak show Angle grinder and Bed of Nail acts.

African and Arabic percussionists.

Fireworks displays and pyrotechnic show effects.

Why not join our Facebook Fans site and a leave a message for the Fireworks crew. Follow the link to become a member, leave comments, post photos and see what we get up to back stage.

Our My Space site is jam packed with photos, videos and features our newsletter Incendiary in the blog section.

Djinn a.k.a. Chris Ellis is co-founder, producer and one of the principal performers of Fireworks Dance Company. Over the past decade and more he has gained the trust and respect of the industry elite, executing safe and innovative performances which have redefined fire as an art-form and made a vast profile for the company in Australia and internationally. As a multi-skilled and highly respected Fire artist and dare-devil, he has become known for his ingenuity in many dangerous mediums, not only for his skill as a performer but also the many elaborate props and fire and pyrotechnic effects that appear in Firework's shows.

Djinn's range of skills include:

Fire breather and Fire swallower

Fire Poi dancer

Single and double Fire staff dancer

Body transfer and manipulator (Fakir)

Pyrotechnician and effects consultant

Angle grinding artist

Bed of Nails practitioner

Vyvyan a.k.a. Kerri Neven is co-founder and artistic director of Fireworks, primarily responsible for much of the dynamic look and feel of our company. Vyvyan has a sassy personality and rhythmic style that entrances all who watch. Her unique selection of fire and circus skills make her Australia's most prolific and acclaimed female fire performer. Vyvyan is also one of Melbourne's top circus trainers with many credits to her name including tutoring for Circus Oz, Melbourne University and the Victorian Education Department.

Vyvyan's many talents include:

Fire breather and Fire swallower

Fire Poi dancer

Single and double Fire staff dancer

Contact and devil-sticks juggler

Fire hula-hoop and

Stilt-walker

MC and mime artist

Fortune teller

Zefirah a.k.a. Melissa Pym is an exotic and fiery dancer who possesses a passion for world dance and middle eastern belly dance in particular. Through innovation and creativity she has become one of Australia's most unique and sought after performers with an eclectic blend of cross-cultural dance spanning 20 years. Her extensive training includes African, Hip Hop, Bollywood, Salsa, Jazz and Flamenco. Zefirah's signature dance style is Belly dance and her flaming swords and hypnotic hips have been known to cause a sweat.

These are some of Zefirah's talents:

Fire swallower

Fire Poi dancer

Single and double Fire staff dancer

Fire Belly and African dancer

Bollywood fusion Belly dance

Body transfer and manipulator (Fakir)

Fire sword dancer

Burlesque artist

The ancient arts of Contortion and Chinese Candle Dance continue to confound and amaze audiences, as they have for a millennia. Beauty, flexibility and control collaborate to deliver a hypnotic and awe inspiring performance. Hailing from the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Bec Cooen and Pippin Aitken have both performed nationally and internationally for many years and work together in perfect symmetry.

Fireworks has the privilege of working with the best percussion talent that Australia can provide. One Skin provides the groove that makes a 'Pyrorhythmic' show an experience to remember. The group carries pounding, multi-layered tribal rhythms that when combined with fire, create an experience that is both deliciously primal and unforgettable!

One skin is a unique blend of Arabic, West African and Latino beats and together they merge a number of cultures from around the world to create a unique sound, reflecting the wide cultural diversity that exists in Australia today.

Overseeing the explosives end of things is the illustrious Miss B a.k.a. Anna O'Donnell, who's a born pyro if there ever was one. If you see a bang, flash or fire ball during a show it'll be Miss B pushing the buttons and controlling the ensuing planned mayhem. But when she's on site she rules the roost, so do what she says or you'll find out what the B stands for.

Sultry stage hand and occasional door bitch to boot, Gem pie a.k.a. Gemma Hook helps make the magic happen back stage. If it all goes wrong, and it never has, Gemma is there on the spot in the knick of time to save the day. From preparing the stage to controlling a rowdy crowd we can always depend on the Pie to turn a difficult job into pyro heaven.

This is the nerve-centre for sounds of 'The Secret Cabaret' and many other Fireworks productions. DJ Sach's original funky mix of eastern beats, brain-bug samples and break-beat grooves help style many of the unique shows that captivate our audiences. With a large profile in the Australian Hip Hop scene, his recent projects include founding 'The Street Science Institute' and collaborating with 'Extrasperamental Records' on Frequency Feedback.

"Everyone is still talking about the performance. In the words of one of my teenage sons, 'That was totally awesome!' Keep up the good work and we will remember you! God bless" - Karen Elkington (Major), Salvation Army 2009

"I finally got a chance to send my deep appreciation of the beautiful performance staged by Zefirah, the icing of the cake of the evening. We all immensely enjoyed Zefirah’s performance. Her performance in the backyard with the soft lighting and background fires added a sense of mystique and excitement with every aspect of her routine. We were all enthralled throughout her performance. Her belly dance was also a true sense of art, unlike any other belly dance seen so far.
Zefirah combines belly dance and fire in such intriguing and interesting execution that is so mesmerizing to the audience.
Her performance has left an indelible impression on all present and I truly appreciated her performance not just as a dance
but as a true form of art. “Thank you” Zefirah and keep up the wonderful work. You will be highly recommended.
Your new-found fan - Dina Kriticos 2009

"On behalf of our community, i would like to express my sincere thanks for your generous support for bushfire affected people. Your quick response and eagerness to help was heartening to witness and has provided much-needed hope to all involved." - Cr Mary Lalios Mayor, City of Whittlesea 2009

"Well words can not describe how fantastic, entertaining and amazing Zefirah’s show was. Zefirah was lovely and extremely professional in every way. I am so glad we found you and absolutely shocked the pants of the guests at our wedding in a good way. Each and every person that attended our wedding has said that the show was AMAZING!!!!! People stood up and every single person was clapping away not to mention the standing ovation at the end of the show.
We thank you Zefirah for a job well done!!!!!! Kindest Regards." - Fiona and Nick 2009

"Melbourne's Tjoni Johansen from FireWorks Dance Company, who has been professionally fire twirling for two years, had the crowd in the palm of her hand as she danced and twirled with fire sticks, all to the sounds of Beechworth's drumming circle." - Beechworth News November 2007

"Most people would say playing with fire equals danger but imagine spectacles using fire, creatively and safely to create that ultimate thrill for your event. FireWorks Dance Company performs dangerous but illustrious acts to make any event a daring and hot one." - Main Event magazine 2007

"Way back in 2006, I met you at the Party Pacifica at Knox Ozone in Wantirna. I was photographing the event for the local Newspaper. The Fire performance was magnificent." - Rob Carew - Knox Leader photographer. 2006

"Thank you for your fantastic performance at the Melbourne 2005 Deaflympics Opening Ceremony. We very much appreciate your hard work, commitment, positive attitude, how well you worked along side other groups and how well you worked with a large group of children. It was a pleasure to work with you and i look forward to doing so again in the future."- Andrew Lopez, Out There Productions 2005

"The boxing match inspired fire twirling act was the climax of the show (The Secret Cabaret). Vyvyan and Djinn, of Australia's most respected fire performance troupe, battled it out for glory, outdoing each other with daring, dexterity, and of course, flames. Amazingly, this visual feast was conducted entirely indoors beneath the huge ceilings of Wesley Anne." - Melbourne Times 2004

"They boast a hot act few can hold a torch to." - Herald Sun 2004

"A heady mix of danger, artistry and freakishness" - The Age 2003

"We would like to thank you for your recent performance at our Bella Italia Festival. The enthusiasm and flexibility with which all conducted themselves on the day were indeed, much appreciated. Bella Italia was a pilot event for Crown's promenade and the energy you injected into the festival reinforced how vital live entertainment is at an event of this calibre."- Fiona Scott, Crown Casino 2001

"Chris and Kerri, co-founders of FireWorks Dance Company, are experts when it comes to playing with fire - literally. They eat fire, breathe fire, twirl fire and manipulate fire so that it looks like their bodies are alight." - Port Phillip Leader 2001

Thank you to all of our friends, fans and supporters. We appreciate all of your help and encouragement and thank you for all of your beautiful gifts and look forward to continuing healthy and successful business relationships and friendships with all of you!

Thank you...

Dina Kriticos - The beautiful red crystal flowers.
Bosch power tools - Angle Grinding equipment.
Sixteen Ellis Street - Brut champagne, Rhododendrons and yummy chocolates.
Bruce Groundwater - Photography services.
David Caird - Photography services.
Timothy Burgess - Photography services.
Tjoni Johansen - Costume Design.