The Story of Phoenix Portinari

The story of Phoenix Portinari is one woven with a lifelong fascination for martial arts, the thrill of performance, and the mesmerizing dance of fire.

From his early mastery of Karate at age four, expanding into Kung-fu, Hapkido, Aikido, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jujitsu, and Capoeira by his twenties, to his adventurous childhood exploring the wilderness of Minnesota, where evenings were spent spinning glowing embers on handcrafted staffs under the starlit sky, the path to Phoenix Fire Props was ignited early.

The moment Phoenix encountered flow arts at a festival, it was an undeniable spark! His first experience with a fire staff in the summer of 2008 sparked an immediate obsession, leading him to create his own props before the year’s end.

Driven by both a deep love for the craft and the necessity born from the economic downturn of 2009, Phoenix began handcrafting the props he needed but couldn’t afford. Soon, fellow performers recognized the quality and began requesting his creations. Undeterred by the challenging economic climate, Phoenix embraced his entrepreneurial spirit, transforming his van into a mobile workshop and embarking on a nationwide journey of vending props and captivating audiences with his performances. The ensuing three years were an incredible adventure, honing his skills through gigs and street performances across iconic cities like San Francisco, Austin, Minneapolis, and countless towns in between.

This unique journey fuels his unwavering commitment to affordability. Phoenix understands firsthand the challenges performers face in gaining recognition and making a living, and believes that access to top-tier props shouldn’t be another hurdle. That’s why Phoenix Fire Props is dedicated to equipping every performer with the highest caliber tools imaginable, offered at the most accessible prices available anywhere!