Hooperville

Hooping in the Summer Sun

Erika — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:40:14 +0000

Hoop Classes at the Splendorporium

Beginner Flow

Whether you are new to hooping or already have some beginner moves under your belt, this class will give you the skills and confidence to make whatever you do in the hoop seamless and rewarding. We will cover basic beginner hooping moves, while also exploring with our arms, legs, and torsos. Focus will be on linking moves together and flowing from one move to the next. This is the perfect class for brand new students looking to really jump into the world of hooping or for students who have already taken a class or workshop from me and wanting to hone their skills and add fluidity to their moves. Hoops will be provided.

When: Monday nights from 6:30 – 7:45. . June 21 – August 2, NO CLASS JULY 5.

Intermediate Hoop Pizazz!

In this class we will focus on adding some real pizazz to your hooping. Focus will be on transitions, incorporating angles, and learning how to move the hoop on new planes of the body. We will also put a new spin on the hooping fundamentals, working with hand hooping, reversals, and waist hooping. This class will give you plenty of new things to work on if you have already taken Beginner Flow or if you have been in love with your hoop for the past few months.

When: Monday Nights 7:30 -8:45. June 21 – August 2. NO CLASS JULY 5.

Where: Both classes will be held at Splendorporium, located at 3421 SE 21st Ave Portland, OR 97202

Cost: Early Bird Special! $72 for either 6 class series if you register before June 14!

$90 for either 6 class series if you register after June 14, or $17 to drop-in.

Registration: Please visit the on-line store to sign up for either of these classes. If you would like to drop-in, you are welcome to do so, however, space is limited. Please send an email to mayorofhooperville@gmail.com in order to check availability.

High School Hooptopia

admin — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:53:55 +0000

Last Wednesday I was invited to the site of the formal Marshall High School for an event called Life Day. A retiring teacher decided to plan an event to bring a variety of speakers to the school to give her students an idea of things that they would not learn in school, but would need to know once they left. There was a lawyer, a police officer, a banker, a personal trainer, and many other serious professionals. I wasn’t exactly sure how I got included, but she invited me to come and be the fun activity at the end of the day. There was absolutely no way I was going to turn this opportunity down. So I went with my car full of hoops and a feeling like I was contributing to something really important. How would I connect hooping to life outside of high school and what could I tell these kids about what I had learned since graduating myself?I got there and everyone was so nice and helpful from the moment I arrived. Betty, the woman who invited me, met me at the entrance of the school, hopped into my car, and showed me exactly where I needed to go. She helped me carry the hoops into the gym. There was even someone waiting there to help me set up my microphone. Moments later, the students began to arrive. About 120 of them. I knew that I was outnumbered. I mean, I’ve got a ton of hula hoops. More than most people, but 120 would never have even fit into my car. So that meant that they had to divide into groups and share. Each group was about 12 kids and a teacher. I’ve always thought sharing was an important component to hooping, and I was glad to have that lesson included in the days event. However, I was a little wary of just how 6 people to a hoop would go . . . I did a short performance for them and then invited them to try out some hooping. It was unlike any class I had ever taught because there was no way I was going to be able to give each person the attention they needed to feel successful hooping. I could tell some kids weren’t really into it, but most of them were having a great time. The gym was chaotic, but there was joy in the air. One by one, I taught a few basic moves to the group. As the moves got a little more complicated, I decided to go around and check out the different groups. Even though I couldn’t really connect with everyone, I wasn’t sure if they were able to get one move of another, I had to let go of my need to control and just participate as I could. What I found was so inspiring. Teachers and students alike were having a ball. They weren’t just hooping or doing what I had told them, they had moved onto making up their own games and moves. Taking turns with the hoop, they were all entertaining each other playing and laughing. It was so cool! It was like they didn’t really need me there, the hoops had been the catalyst for opening up these individuals to being creative and letting go. And as a result, the instructor, me, was actually able to learn from them. Some tricks they made up I had never even seen before. I saw that they were just letting go and letting the hoop take them wherever they wanted and I had to do the same. It was incredible. Yes, there were the few kids, too terrified to get in on the fun because they were so afraid of what people thought. But I was delighted that they were not the norm. I called them all together for the last time and told them how grateful I had been to witness this high school hooptopia that had been created. I reminded them that life can get difficult, but it’s important to remember to play and not take ourselves too seriously. I hope they remember that day as a reminder of the importance of that message. I know that I always will. For someone who has made it her mission to spread hooping joy far and wide, it was amazing to have just fallen into an experience like that. To be reminded just how wonderful hoops can be and how many things they have to teach us. You don’t always have to be in control, sometimes, most times, it’s better just to be in the flow of the hoop. Several students helped gather the hoops and take them to my car. Always a bonus because I just about always have to lug those hoops myself. When I walked through the halls, the students thanked me for being there and told me how much fun they had. I was so surprised. Teenagers, who are so frequently totally wrapped up in themselves, taking the time to express genuine gratitude towards me and what I brought to them with my hoops. It was a wonderful feeling and a wonderful day to be the Mayor of Hooperville.

Magic in the Air

admin — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:22:55 +0000

Yesterday I was at New Seasons. I had just parked my car and noticed a mother and her two kids sitting on the sidewalk. She said to her son, “I guess we’re going to have to go inside and get you some ice cream to soothe your mouth.” I thought what a fantastic excuse to get ice cream. I’d never heard anything like that from a mother to a child before. Usually it’s kids trying to figure out how they can get some ice cream. It put a smile on my face. As I got out of the car and passed by, the little girl, dressed in a sparkly princess dress let out a sudden GASP! I turned quickly towards her and noticed a small piece of paper floating in the air away from her little hands. Springing to action, I caught the paper floating by. It was a sticker that said Amazing written in glitter. I gave it back to her and with an even larger smile on my face continued walking into the store thinking despite all of the things that are wrong in this world, there are small moments like these that make you feel so good. And I felt an overwhelming urge to share that moment and many others with the world.Perhaps I will write in my blog more.Until next time,Yours Truly,the Mayor of Hooperville

Hooptastic Beginner 1 Workshop

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:26:19 +0000

Having fun with hoops is what this class is all about! We will cover basic waist hooping and then move on to hooping tricks and games that build strength and encourage creativity. You and your kids will amaze your friends with what you can do with a hoop! No experience necessary. Hoops will be provided.

When: This one-time workshop will be held on on Saturday, June 26 from 10:30am to 12:30pm.
Where: Dance Studio at the Multnomah Art Center.

This same workshop will be offered a second time this summer on August 14 from 10:30 to 12:30pm.
Cost: Please call 503.823.2787 to register.

Hooptastic Beginner 2 Workshop

admin — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:27:01 +0000

Now that you’ve gotten a taste for what can be done with a hoop, let’s take it to the next level! This workshop will offer a short review of the moves we learned in the Hooptastic Beginner 1 workshops offered previously, and then add a few more tricks to your repertoire. Focus will be on hand hooping, tosses, reversals, transitions between on and off the body moves, and having fun, of course. As always, hoops and happy instruction will be provided.

When: This one-time workshop will be held from 10:30am to 12:30pm on Saturday, July 17.
Where: Dance Studio at the Multnomah Art Center
Cost: Please call 503.823.2787 to register.

Private Classes and Lessons

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:28:27 +0000

Want to learn to hoop and can’t find something that fits your schedule? Perhaps private one on one lessons that fit your schedule are what you need.

Got a few friends or co-workers interested in hooping, why not schedule some private classes after work or during your lunch break? I’ll bring the hoops and instruction to you! Be a ring leader, get together a group of ten or more people and you’ll get a FREE HOOP!

Give a call or send an email to the Mayor to check availability. 503.867.9988 or mayorofhooperville@gmail.com

Tying up the Loose Ends

admin — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:23:19 +0000

Well, the clock is ticking down and the time for adventure is soon approaching. I’m getting pretty excited to set sail for adventure and to just see where the road takes us. I’m still in the middle of packing the last few pairs of sparkly leg warmers, colorful tights, and camping gear. But tomorrow is the final day and I think that it’ll be a reasonable pace instead of a crazy cram session before the actual departure. This is the first trip I’ve taken in a good, long while where I’ve actually packed several days before leaving. It feels good.

I don’t have as many events planned as I had originally hoped for, which means that this will truly be an adventure. There will be times that the mood strikes me to just pull on over to the side of the road or to the center of town and just get out some hoops and see what happens. Sales or not, I’m sure to brighten some people’s days, teach some people that they can actually hulahoop even if they couldn’t before, and, something that I enjoy just as much, if not more, showing people that there is such thing as the Mayor of Hooperville. That you can have a hoop business, and you can create your own fun, colorful place in this crazy world.

Well, that’s the news for now hoop lovers. I am looking very forward to sharing this adventure as it unfolds. Until next time . . .

Yours Truly,

the Mayor of Hooperville

Hooping Adventure here we come!

admin — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:06:14 +0000

Hello hoop lovers! I am so excited to be here and to share my love of hooping and my hooping adventure with you.

On the 10th of March, my hooping partner in crime, Andy (you may have met him before, he runs the Hooperville Feedstore here in town) and I are going to fly to Baltimore, Maryland where we will pick up our Hoopmobile and begin what we are calling The Hoop-de-Loop Tour of 2008. How long will we be gone? We’re not sure. Where will we go? We’re not entirely sure of that either. But if you are reading this and would like for us to swing by your town, or maybe your cousin’s town, or maybe your best friend’s birthday party, or maybe this huge event you’ve coordinated in your office, well, by all means, just send over an email and we will do our very best to bring a hoopin’ good time.

For the next couple of months, I plan on keeping you all updated with what’s happening, where we’ve been hooping and who we’ve hooped with by continuing to check in here. This is my first blog experience, so I’m hoping to learn very soon how to post photos and videos, so you can get the real scoop on the Hoop-de-Loop Tour. But for now I will just welcome you and hope that you are getting as excited as we are.

Hope you come on back and see us now, ya hear?

Happy Hooping,

the Mayor of Hooperville

Entertainer Spotlight: Erika Fey, Mayor of Hooperville

admin — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 05:33:51 +0000

Walk About – More Than Fun

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 05:34:57 +0000