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Where: Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
More Information: heard.org/event/world-championship-hoop-dance-contest
WANT TO COMPETE?
For dancers interested in competing, contestant registration is open through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12. Applications can be completed at heard.org/hoop-dance-contest-registration-form.
The Heard Museum will host the 34th Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest this month.
Dozens of the top Indigenous hoop dancers will compete at the Museum’s Libby Amphitheater for world champion titles and prizes totaling $25,000 across multiple age divisions. The event goes from Saturday, Feb. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Museum, located at 2301 N. Central Ave., in Phoenix.
“We’re honored to host this spectacular event, which combines artistry, athleticism, tradition and suspense for an unforgettable weekend of fellowship and competition,” David M. Roche, Heard Museum CEO, shared in a press release. “The art of hoop dance honors cultural traditions shared by multiple Indigenous communities, and we’re excited to welcome those community members to show off their talents to the Valley.”
The annual contest is recognized as the premier competition for the art of hoop dance throughout North America. The form was popularized by Tony Whitecloud (Jemez Pueblo) whose touring program inspired future generations of dancers. With roots in healing ceremonies, traditions, and practices, today’s hoop dance is shared as an artistic expression to honor Indigenous traditions throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Over the years, as the hoop dance community has grown, dancers have incorporated new and creative designs in their regalia and intricate footwork in their dancing while still respecting the fundamentals of the form, the Museum explains. Dancers compete on an equal field, with individual routines featuring as few as four to as many as 50 hoops, which are manipulated to create various formations such as animals, insects, and globes.
Dancers are judged on a slate of five skills: precision, timing/rhythm, showmanship, creativity, and speed. Contestants compete in one of five divisions: tiny tots (age 5 and younger), youth (6-12), teen (13-17), adult (18-39), and senior (40 and older).
A collective prize pool of $25,000 will be awarded to winners across divisions, and victors in each division can claim the honor of being the world champion.
