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May 24, 2012

Minnesota in Photos: Dancing with the Spin Collective

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The sun is setting on Lake Superior as members of the Spin Collective dancers soak small kevlar orbs in fuel and set them afire. Then, wielding them at the end of chains or long metal arms, they begin twirling the orbs in what's called a poi dance.

Denise Cooper

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Spin Collective member Denise Hooper practices near Park Point along the shore of Lake Superior Tuesday evening, May 8, in Duluth, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR News) link to this photo

Preparing for practice

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Spin Collective members prepare for practice Tuesday evening near Park Point along the shore of Lake Superior Tuesday evening in Duluth, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR News) link to this photo

Spin Collective members

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Spin Collective members Jayme Hudson (left), Denise Hooper (center) and Jillian Forte (right) practice near Park Point along the shore of Lake Superior Tuesday evening in Duluth, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR News) link to this photo

Aleasha Hladik

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DULUTH, Minn. — Spin Collective member Aleasha Hladilek practices hooping near Park Point along the shore of Lake Superior Tuesday evening in Duluth, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR News) link to this photo

Lights in the darkness

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DULUTH, Minn. — Spin Collective member Denise Hooper practices near Park Point along the shore of Lake Superior Tuesday evening in Duluth, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR News) link to this photo

Preparing a flame

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DULUTH, Minn. — Spin Collective member Aleasha Hladilek prepares to put a flaming bowl on her head while practicing near Park Point along the shore of Lake Superior Tuesday evening in Duluth, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR News) link to this photo

Bouncing flames off the shoulder

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DULUTH, Minn. — A flaming weight bounces off Spin Collective member Aleasha Hladilek's shoulder while she practices hooping near Park Point along the shore of Lake Superior Tuesday evening in Duluth, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR News) link to this photo

Flaming sword

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DULUTH, Minn. — Spin Collective member Bailey Woodruff practices with a flaming sword on her head near Park Point along the shore of Lake Superior Tuesday evening in Duluth, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR News) link to this photo

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