Blog

Fedhooper Love!

Noelle Powers — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:57:09 +0000

Baltimore residents may recognize this background as the view from Federal Hill over the Inner Harbor, along with three charming and love-filled hoopers enjoying an afternoon of hooping fun in the sun! Federal Hill is a sweet spot to hoop, and it’s so very close to both the Visionary Art Museum and the Trapeze school, two radically fun places to check out while in town. Thanks, Meredith, for sharing such a quintessential B’more Hooper shot!

Baby~Toddle Hoopers

Noelle Powers — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:53:42 +0000

While it’ll usually take a person that’s been alive a handful of years (if not 6 or 7+ years) to get the swing of the revolution around the waist, it’s really never too early to introduce the ring of wonder & joy to your little ones, provided that they are toddling around a bit and you can monitor them to keep the hoop out of their mouths. Stick with light, small hoops for your super-youngsters. Be careful also for dangerous connection points on the cheap, store-bought hoops as they are often held together by staples beneath the sticker that reads the brand name. Help them play with their hoops by holding them up for them to walk or crawl through, using them as a hole for tossing a ball (I like to call this game ‘hoopetball’), or place hoop/s on the ground to jump in and out (’hoopscotch’). Alternately, you yourself can hoop in front of them on your torso, arms, and neck as a funny & spectacular site to behold. If you’ve got a grumpy or tearful toddler on your hands, hooplay can be a very transfixing and pleasant distraction. Hoop on witchur baby self!

Reversing Your Spin

Noelle Powers — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:34:34 +0000

Whether in a structured hooping class or on your own hooping journey, I highly recommend making it a point to reverse your direction of spin as often as you can, with the goal (in mind and body) of being completely ambi-hoopstrous at some point in time. Just like it is a lot easier to learn a new language as a child than it is as an adult, if you start hooping in your non-dominant direction earlier rather than later in your practice, both your body and brain will thank you for it. Your body will appreciate the advanced coordination and symmetrical development that ambi-hooping provides. Your brain will grow leaps and bounds with the heightened levels of bilateral brain hemisphere stimulation that comes from going both ways. Whether to help your flow, dance, “breaks,” or trick execution, being able to spin both ways is critical to taking your hooping abilities to the next level. Furthermore, it’ll help you be both a better student AND teacher, if, no matter who you’re hooping with, you’re able to ‘go with their flow.’

Hoopin, Beatboxin, Bellydancin…

Noelle Powers — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:29:37 +0000

Tonight (Friday the 13th!) at the Palace of Wonders! comes another fabulously-faux-French cabaret hosted by the one and only Monsieur Paco. Also starring hooper Strange Powers, bellydancer Ariel, beatboxer the Bow-legged Gorilla, and burlesque starlet Sable Sincyr. A night not to be missed! Show at 10pm. Cover at 10 dollars. Bring your friends!

Hoopin’ at the Palace!

Noelle Powers — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:34:23 +0000

Tonight, June 5th, brings yet another fun-filled edition of the Dutch Oven at the Palace of Wonders, brought to you by the L’il Dutch, and her sweety sidekick MC Gary Gutter. Come out and watch my Strange Hooping Powers, in addition to the divine Lily Stark White, the debut of Poppy La Rouge, and of course the creator of the night and keeper of all things Tiki, L’il Dutch herself. Doors at 6, show at 9pm, $10.

Hoopnotica Love

Noelle Powers — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:17:48 +0000

This month I was fortunate to meet and hoop with the lovely Rayna McInturf of Los Angeles’ Hoopnotica fame in my home city of Baltimore. It was awesome to get to spend time with such flowing and renowned hoopdancer as Rayna. Beginning this Thursday at Studio Edge in Mount Washington, I will be combining my own hooping curriculum and style with that of Hoopnotica’s in a new series of classes. Check back soon or email me for more details!

Tonight at the Palace!

Noelle Powers — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:12:16 +0000

Check out two of my brand new shiny acts: a whacky new solo hooping creation that’ll put a crinkle in your chaps, and a delightful & danceful duet sans hoop with the inimitable Paco Fish (aka Monsieur Paco for the night). Vive La Decedence at the Palace of Wonders begins at 10pm tonight! Along with juggling, aerial arts, boy-lesque, hand-balancing, and french tickling, this will surely to be a night to remember~

Parent-Child Hoop Class 4.13.08

Noelle Powers — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:43:11 +0000

I am happy to be offering my first formal parent & child hooping class at this year’s Ladyfest Baltimore! As part of Sunday’s Feminist Family Indoor Picnic, our hooping class will cover such topics as: basic hooping fundamentals, how to happily hoop-bond with your youngsters, several games and tricks that utilize the hoop as a prop, and the overall significance and fun of cross-generational hooping! All children with accompanying parents are welcome, however attendees under 6 or 7 years old may end up using the hoop in different ways than the instruction will be focused, therefore extra-watchful eyes are requested for for the 5 and under crowd. The Indoor picnic which includes hooping, live music, crafts, and of course- food(!), will take place between 11:30 and 1:30 pm, on Sunday the 13th of April @ 264o St. Paul Street, 21218. Cost: donations much appreciated. Please email me with any questions or concerns to hoopingpowers@gmail.com.

Love B’more Fundraiser 3.15.08

Noelle Powers — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:32:20 +0000

Come support the rad folks of Fluid Movement at the upcoming Love Parade fund raiser…Fluid Movement will be parading their LOVE in this April’s Transmodern Art Festival! Join myself, hooper Strange Powers, DJ Jason , Jehnna the bellydancer, and Paco Fish as the Cupid MC of the night this Saturday at the 14K Cabaret in downtown Baltimore. Not only will we be there to entertain you, but you can entertain us with your Karaoke skills to boot! A night not to be missed. $12. All proceeds benefit the production of the LOVE PARADE. Show your B’more love. Doors at 9pm.

New Series starts 2.24 & 2.25!

Noelle Powers — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:32:32 +0000

Howdy Hoopers and Hoopers-2-be! After an amazing turnout for the first series of hoop classes at 2640 St.Paul Street, I am beginning another two 6-week sessions kicking off tomorrow (Sunday the 24th) and the following evening (Monday the 25th). Sundays from 12 to 1:15pm will be beginner Level 1 classes, and Mondays from 5:30-6:45pm will be beginner Level 2 classes. Please call or email me if you are unsure of what level class to attend. As always, I am also available for one-on-one instruction, parties, performances, and hoop sales.

Beginner Level 1 Hooping~ Sundays from 12 noon to 1:15pm, ***February 24-April 6, with NO CLASS the week of March 23rd***
Where: 2640 St.Paul Street (St. John’s Church Community Space), Baltimore 21218
How & How Much: Hoops provided for practice, and available for purchase. No experience necessary! Wear comfortable clothes; cotton=good, not too baggy, preferably no big necklaces, and bring water along to stay hydrated! $72 for the six week session. Drop-Ins okay, but full-registration recommended for optimal learning~ +$2/class for drop-in rate. Each class builds on the last over the six week session. Please email me to ensure a spot.
More location info: www.redemmas.com/2640

Beginner Level 2 Hoopdance~ Mondays from 5:30-6:45pm ***February 25-April 7, with NO CLASS the week of March 3***
Where: 2640 St. Paul Street (St. John’s Church Community Space), Baltimore 21218
How & How Much: Hoops provided, but folks are welcome to bring their own if they like! Bring water & a desire to move! $72/six weeks. Drop-Ins permitted, but each class will build on the last. Fluidity and furtherance of techniques from Level 1 class emphasized, focus on travel, levels, combinations, and individual skill-building of our unique hoopdance styles. Please email me to ensure a spot.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any additional questions. Hope to hoop with many of you this week & beyond!