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Permalink Reply by Tink in Tokyo on April 4, 2011 at 7:45am

We switch up music without any stress - usually by shouting across the field "Hey, can I change the music?" to whoever's iPod is currently playing and that question is always answered "Yes, sure!" No need to be precious about music; it's all good.

 

Hoops are pretty much common property - we each have our own, of course, but they get shared freely and loaned to strangers who come to hoop with us. Last jam, I brought 20 hoops and they were all in use several times through the day. I ended up bringing two strays home with my pack that day; I'll bring them back next time and whoever they belong to will reclaim them.

 

We also share picnic snacks, or make communal runs to the vending machine or kiosks for drinks and food and whatever. 

 

I guess we are pretty friendly and trusting with one another. There are maybe 12-20 hoopers in our core group and dozens more than come depending on their whim. Plus lots of passersby who give it a try.

 

For LED hoops, we are more careful about exclusivity, but the LEDs don't come out to play too often at regular jams. Of course performance hoops stay at home where they will not get dirty or damaged.

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Permalink Reply by kimani l♥vs on April 4, 2011 at 8:47am

myself and another girl started the hoop jams about 4 or 5 months ago (AND THEY JUST KEEP GROWING) Fortunately most of the people that come to do flow at the hoop jams are all vegas burners and its a huge circle of friends already. Although I am just now meeting most of them u can see the common courtesy that comes with the hoops (and other flow toys) that people bring. Some times we have a LOT of kids and families that wonder by and join in, it does make me a bit nervous then because its outsiders joining the group that may not necessarily have ANY COURTESY whatsoever.  in that case Id like to think that most of the people are looking out for each others things and making sure all property ends up in the right persons hand. :)

As so for the music, every time i post a hoop jam, i try to include music from all genres, years, styles, artists, etc. stick some stuff on their that is pretty popular to everyone - with  my best educated guess :).

  i always ask people what they would like to listen to - send as many requests as possible.  ( if i dont have it, ill find a way to get it :) or have them send me the audio file...

its a great way to build up a good music collection everyone will enjoy, maybe they wont like the first song but they could like the next ten. i love when people want to play their music - it forces me to explore the hoop more, id like to think everyone likes hearing different tunes every one in a while :) i really encourage people to throw their ipods/iphones on their as much as possible :) or send those requests in , lol.

 

HAPPY HOOPING!!!!!

 

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Permalink Reply by GroovinMeGzz on April 4, 2011 at 9:14am

I think the toughest thing about hosting jams in the PDX area is the fact that SO many hoopers make and sell their own hoops and teach their own classes.Oh the unwritten rules of keeping everyone happy. :)

 

How I've made peace with everyone is, we ask who is interested in selling their hoops or gear during the organization process therefore anyone who WANTS to set up their stuff can, and at the jam I set up a table for everyone's business cards, flyers and any advertising they want to do.

 

At the World Hoop Day events which are HUGE what we've done in the  past is if someone asks if YOU sell or make hoops, then they are your lead and its fair game. We just make sure that everyone is selling their hoops for about the same price.

 

Another interesting rule is paying attention to which hoopers are there to bliss out on their own time and hoopers who are there to help you learn new moves, new tricks and to socialize. I've had a hooper be rude to me in the past because I was asking them a quick question on how to perfect a grip during a jump through. It really hurt my feelings but over time I've realized she may have just wanted to bliss out and meant no offense.

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Permalink Reply by Scunshine on April 4, 2011 at 10:17am

That's another thing I'm curious about. What would be a good way for someone to indicate that they're there to just bliss out? I love teaching people moves but lately I haven't gotten much hoop time to myself so the jams are the only place I get my fix lol. I was thinking of starting early with 15-30 minutes dedicated to learning something, where different people can take turns sharing tricks, but would it seem to overly formal?

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Permalink Reply by doc on April 4, 2011 at 12:23pm

i try to set up the music usually before our hoop jams start...sometimes running over to change playlists here and there. never had a complaint about the tunes...and i play everything.

basically the doors open are from 7-10pm, brings you own toys or use some of ours, byob but be adults about it (kids do show up sometimes), sometimes people do brings snacks/food and we just keep all that in our lobby, music is always on (if you dont like it...burn me something you like...and if i like it too we will play it), go outside to smoke, ect ect.

i do tend to "bliss out" (i love that term hehe) at my hoop jams and even when ill go to my friends jams in stl...im usually so happy to be hooping around other hoopers lol. it does bug me a bit when people will stop someone while they are hooping to ask them a hoop question...i tend to wait till i see the hoop go down lol. as far as using others hoops i tend to have around 20 hoops that are out for anyone to use at our jams...along with minis, sock poi, and some juggling stuff...but i also have my own pile of hoops that are just mine and are usually bungee balled together and near my camera so most get the idea....close friends use some of mine...if someone just walked over and picked one up yes id say something but more like "oh did you need to use a hoop? lets find you a good fit" and take them over to the community hoops. as far as "trick time" like the first 30 mins or so...at my jams people come and go so it would be hard to do...plus it always seems like over half the people at my jams are teaching somebody something....while a couple are blissed out taking some video lol. LEDs if they come out its more towards the end of the jam so we dont have to turn all the lights back on.

we try to keep it light at our jams...come in and spin or just relax and hang out with friends...maybe some dennys or bdubs after :-)

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Permalink Reply by Siren of the Circle* on April 5, 2011 at 7:29am

Caroleeena has a fabulous journal entry on creating a hoop jam & proper hoop jam ettiquette =)

http://www.hoopcity.ca/profiles/blogs/raleigh-hoop-jam-and-drum

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Somebody on April 5, 2011 at 9:58am

I don't know if this applies really, but I know it has pissed off hoopers I've come in contact with. Is asking someone how they did a trick wrong? Usually, I'll wait until someone exhausts their spinning, go up to them and say something along the lines of "you are beautiful to watch, thanks for sharing your dance. I especially liked the move around your legs, would you teach it to me?" I understand there are competitive hoopers out there, but I wasn't trying to mock their style, their trick, or anything else without permission. Sometimes I even know the trick well, and I ask it as an ice breaker to make new friends. Is there some kind of etiquette I'm missing? I love LOVE LOVE sharing tricks and knowledge with my hoop friends, so I don't think it's rude, esp. if I wait until their flow has expired. *shrugs*.
I've also had a problem meeting up with new hoopers at a local festival and jamming out. It's all friendly until I get caught up in my flow, spinning blissed out. Maybe jealousy is a factor, but, I in NO WAY am trying to "outdo" someone. When the beat catches you, your movement can be unpredictable. Then when I'm done with my flow/spin, I try to start a conversation and get the cold shoulder! What's up with that? It's only happened with two people, but I have to wonder if I'm wrong for spinning in a group? I"m not the greatest, but have been hooping for years now. I am starting to wonder if I am causing people discouragement or something... which I find a bit odd, cause i'm more than willing to share EVERYTHING I know.
Anyone have any tips for unwritten rules for meeting new hoopers or impromptu festi hoop jams?

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Permalink Reply by Taylien on April 5, 2011 at 10:42am

I don't think there is anything wrong with asking how to do a trick! Part of hooping is the COMMUNITY, and because each hooper has their own style, I feel like it's not really as competative as other hobbies. We're all doing the same tricks, but we all execute them differently. I mean, if you don't learn that trick from the hooper you asked about it, you'll learn it somewhere else... So I think asking about tricks is a great ice breaker. I haven't had any negative responses in my experience.
As far as blissing out, that's something that happens when the moment is just right, so don't feel bad for doing it! Just because you may be more experienced with hooping doesn't mean you're showing off, just that you're enjoying yourself! Other hoopers should understand. I don't think you've done anything offensive,I think you might have just jammed with some hoopers who weren't too sure of things yet, yknow?

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Permalink Reply by spin gypsy of Centric Hoops* on April 5, 2011 at 11:39am

I was hooping at a festival one time and I ran into a girl I has only met once at a previous fest.  For some reason hooping with her and possibly the song at the moment, really made me release and I was just jammin' out and pulling off all kinds of moves.  Later I felt  kind of bad and wondered if she felt like I was trying to out do her, but then was like oh well I had a great time, so I wasn't too worried about it.  I think sometimes our egos get in the way of us realizing exactly what blissing out or finding flow and whatnot is about; finding our true inner beat!!  And there ain't nothing wrong with that!!

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Somebody on April 5, 2011 at 1:13pm

Sweet, this whole time I thought it was me being rude in some unknown way! *whew*

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Permalink Reply by spin gypsy of Centric Hoops* on April 5, 2011 at 11:32am

I know that my personal feelings are if I bring extra hoops to a jam, that pretty much means anyone can use them and not ask first.  They are there for people to use!!

 

Other than that, I think that if a jam is located in a building that, even if it is free, you should donate atleast a few bucks to the jam coordinator.  I am not worried about the money or anything, but it is awesome when people can help out a bit.

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Permalink Reply by Kristiana Hoopstar Floyd on April 5, 2011 at 4:42pm

usually if someone wants to hear something, we wait til the song that is playing is over, and then they can play what they want.

if there are requests out the wazoo, then basically each is allowed a song before the switch. but usually, its good to hoop to dif kinds of music, it kinda forces you to try other styles of dancing and speed.

also, i think most hoops at a hoop jam are for the sharing, unless it look like a special hoop, (led, or aluminum) then its probably safe to ask.

but really, i see hoop jams kinda how raves used to be, we all hug, and are excited to share this love of dance with each other. its all about cheering each other on and sharing hoops and tips and music :)

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