THE HEARD MUSEUM ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HOOP DANCE CONTEST
The Heard Museum Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest combines artistry, sheer athleticism and cultural traditions to create a unique competition
Top American Indian and Canadian First Nation hoop dancers compete for the prestigious title of world champion during the two-day event every February.
It’s one of Indian Country’s most unique sports – the dazzling performances of the men and women who compete for the chance to call himself or herself the World Champion Hoop Dancer.
The Jay Kahn Memorial Fund sponsors the youth competition prizes and the Arizona Commission on the Arts is a supporter of the contest.
Photo:The Heard Museum Annual World Championship Hoop Dance ContesIt’s one of Indian Country’s most unique sports – the dazzling performances of the men and women who compete for the chance to call himself or herself the World Champion Hoop Dancer.
The Jay Kahn Memorial Fund sponsors the youth competition prizes and the Arizona Commission on the Arts is a supporter of the contest.
Some of the legendary competitors are Derrick Suwaima Davis (Hopi/Choctaw) of Old Oraibi, Arizona, who has captured multi world titles, Brian Hammill (Ho Chunk), of New River, Arizona, and Charles Denny (Chippewa/Cree/Ute) from Fort Duchesne, Utah, Alex Wells (Lil Wat First Nation) of Morley, Alberta, Canada; and Lowery Begay (Diné) from Jonesborough, Tennessee, and the sisters Waskwane and Beedoskah Stonefish (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa) of Suttons Bay, Michigan. Both women and men compete on an equal field for the title. Other categories of competition include Tiny Tot (under 5 years), Youth (5 to 12), Teen (13 to 17) and Senior (40 and older).
For many years, the intertribal hoop dance has expanded to incorporate new and creative designs and extremely intricate footwork. Each dancer presents a unique variation of the intertribal hoop dance, weaving in aspects of his or her distinct tradition and culture. Individual routines are presented using as few as four to as many as 50 hoops, which are manipulated to create a variety of designs including animals, butterflies and globes.
Dancers are judged on a slate of five skills – precision, timing/rhythm, showmanship, creativeness and speed. In recent years, younger competitors have incorporated modern dance steps like hip-hop into their routines.
Since 1929, the Heard Museum has educated visitors from around the world about the art and cultures of Native people of the Southwest. With more than 38,500 artifacts in its permanent collection, an education center and award-winning Shop and café, the Heard remains committed to being a place of learning, discovery and unforgettable experiences.
It’s easy to get to the Heard Museum and to events via light rail in Phoenix. Look for the Heard Museum parking signs along Central Avenue, take the light rail to the Encanto Station and avoid having to locate a parking spot. Or use Park and Ride lots all along the Light Rail route.
For more information visit http://heard.org/hoop
