In a mesmerizing display of artistry and innovation, Firedanz, the brainchild of visionary creator Alana Hubbard,owner of Alura Entertainment LLC, has taken the entertainment world by storm, captivating audiences with its explosive fusion of fire dancing and traditional dance forms. The journey of Firedanz towards the pinnacle of success reached new heights with a breakout gig on New Year’s Eve, where Hubbard, alongside her fire assistant Alana #2 (Whittingham), Jodi Kovar, and her children Mason and Mariana Hubbard, set the stage on fire as they were featured as an opening act for the renowned singer, Uncle Kracker.
The electrifying performance at New Year’s Eve marked a turning point for Firedanz, propelling Hubbard and her talented team into the spotlight and garnering accolades for their mesmerizing blend of fire manipulation, dance, and storytelling. With a team of over 50 cast members across Florida, Hubbard’s vision of creating a unique and immersive entertainment company with multi-talented circus performers, flow artists, fire dancers and more. They also provide lessons to help cultivate and grow the arts with children and adults alike. Their performance experience came to life in a blaze of creativity and passion. Jodi Kovar is the lead performer in the Miami office, Ash Flows is the lead performer in Melbourne. In Tampa, the beautiful Dani Kay is the lead. Moving up to St. Augustine resides Alura’s event manager and performer Katie Brown, and in Jacksonville there is a team of elite flow artists that take the lead including the multi-talented Jessica Madden (Cinder) as well as Mary Forrest, Catherine Tiswell, Tyler Neumann & Amnon Rattray. In Orlando, Johnny Macapagal lights up the stage as lead.
Adding to the allure of Firedanz is Emily Conti, the multifaceted manager of Alura Entertainment, who not only oversees the operations of the company but also shined as a model, fire performer during Miami Swim Week 2024 and co-host of the prestigious Miami LUXY Awards with Alana. They also strutted down the runway in bikinis and performed with fire at Miami Swim Week together.
Photo Courtesy: Ben Lester BB_13MEDIA
Conti’s dynamic stage presence, creative prowess and role as “The Handler” have further elevated the profile of Firedanz, and Alura Entertainment infusing each performance with a touch of elegance and sophistication that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression. She also encourages physical fitness and health as a trainer and yoga instructor.
How did this all begin? In a serendipitous fusion of talents and passions, Alana, a lifelong seasoned dancer and performer, crossed paths with Austin Wood, a fire dancer, leading to the creation of Firedanz and Alura Entertainment. Alana’s journey began at the age of two at Verne Fowler dance school in New Jersey, where she honed her skills alongside actress Brittany Murphy. Venturing into off-Broadway performances and competitive cheerleading, Alana’s passion for dance and the arts blossomed.
The year 2017 marked a pivotal turn in her career as she delved into the world of circus arts, specializing in aerial silks and Lyra. Meanwhile, on the shores of Hawaii, a chance encounter set the stage for Austin, the former Marine’s unexpected foray into the realm of fire dancing.
Following an invitation to a drum circle campfire in the mountains of Oahu, he met Danny, now known as Lucky, found himself captivated by the mesmerizing movements of a seasoned fire flow artist and immediately began training with him. Gifted a fire staff and mentored by Lucky, the handsome veteran immersed himself in this captivating art form, seeking solace and self-expression of fire arts on the beaches of Hawaii, and they even performed in the “Wild Thoughts” by DJ Khaled music video.
By 2021, Alana had retired from Mother Hubbard Photography and moved to Orlando, where she encountered Austin Wood, whose artistry ignited a new spark within her and she quickly learned to flow with fire with him. Inspired by the movie, “The Greatest Showman” and the performers at EDCO, a vision for Alura Entertainment was born.
As their paths intertwined, Alana and Austin shared a passion for performance and fire arts, and it laid the foundation for a unique collaboration. They traveled the country performing, modeling and doing freelance social media work. With Alura Entertainment poised to illuminate stages with their dynamic blend of dance and fire, the future promises a spectacle of creativity and artistry unlike any other.
Photo Courtesy: Ben Lester BB_13MEDIA
Following the success of their breakout gig on New Year’s Eve, Firedanz continued to make waves in the entertainment industry, performing for a stellar lineup of acclaimed artists, including Bad Bunny, Tory Lanez, Lil Durk, and Joey Fatone, as well as performing around the country and the world, regularly performing and modeling in Medellin, Colombia as well. Hubbard’s visionary fusion of fire dancing and dance traditions, coupled with the exceptional talents of her circus cast, has solidified Firedanz’s reputation as a groundbreaking and innovative form of entertainment that pushes the boundaries of artistic expression.
Recently, Alana & Emily modeled and performed for CDCD productions at Miami Swim Week 2024 and when Candice Christian and her team saw Hubbard and Conti perform, they immediately offered her a collaboration to bring Firedanz and circus arts to the fashion world at New York Fashion Week on September 8th in the world’s first circus runway show. Alana also met and collaborated with Army Ranger Veteran, Joel Roselle and helped form PeaceKeeper Protection, a veteran owned security nonprofit that will provide security for this event. They will again dazzle audiences with their unique blend of creativity and artistry. They will also be featuring some of the industry’s most innovative designers and performers,including Alana and her daughter Mariana Hubbard who will be designing a fire safe line of costumes. Alura Entertainment is the next generation’s Barnum & Bailey and is redefining the circus and fashion runway experience and offer spectators a sensory journey unlike any other.
Photo Courtesy: Ben Lester BB_13MEDIA
Through their unwavering commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and creating immersive experiences that resonate with audiences, Alana and her team continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the nation. With each fiery performance, Firedanz invites spectators to embark on a transformative journey of discovery, exploration, and wonder, transcending the confines of traditional performance art and ushering in a new era of innovation and creativity. Alana is even legally changing her name to Alura Bailey Wynn and is holding a “ Cirque Funeral” for herself on October 10th at Cabana Live! in Sanford, Florida.
In a world where creativity knows no bounds, Firedanz stands as a testament to the transformative power of artistic expression and the limitless possibilities of creative collaboration. Alura Entertainment and CDCD Productions embody the spirit of innovation and excellence, by creating the world’s first circus runway show at NYFW and inviting audiences to experience the magic and wonder of their groundbreaking fusion and witness the birth of a new era in entertainment.
Published By: Aize Perez
