By Natalie McFancy
There is something wonderful about the idea that a group of people, strangers, friends, acquaintances from all walks of life can get together on a given day and time and hula hoop, spin, dance, etc. and within a few hours part ways and continue with their daily lives.
Friday October 5, 2012 I joined the Prospect Park LED Hoop Jam that meets every Friday in Prospect park from 8pm-11pm (weather permitting) and I was happy to find a nice group of people, a small music player with portable speakers, a couple blankets on the ground, a photographer, and a pile of hoops. They weren’t surprised at all that I walked up with my hoops, not really saying “hello,” as it was dark and difficult to see if I knew anyone, tossed down my bag onto one of the blankets turned on my hoop and started dancing.
Allisun from Brooklyn is the facilitator of this local jam and she says she has been organizing the LED Hoop Jam since August. She has previously coordinated day jams in Prospect Park for two years. She thinks it will continue until the weather gets too cold.
What will the Prospect Park hoopers do when the weather gets cold? This is a common issue for those of us who need space to practice and play with our craft.
There are hoop jams that happen indoors but they require a lot more commitment from those “in charge.” Space costs money and coordinating it involves limited time frames and faith that the event will be well enough attended to make it worth the time, money, and other logistics.
Every second Sunday of the month there is a Hoop Mediation Jam at Brooklyn Lyceum. The cost is $7 for 5-8pm and there is usually a DJ. I personally have not made it to one of these yet but it is highly recommended by those who are regulars. I have even heard it is the best indoor hoop jam in the city. The special thing about this jam is that there is no talking within the spin area. The next Meditation Hoop Jam will be Nov 11 and all information can be found within the Facebook Group: “Open Space Meditation Spin Jam”.
So, how does one find these jams? I have been making an effort to get them up on the TrooHoops home page but your best resource is Facebook. There are several groups that post regular or sporadic jams all over the city: “NYC HOOPING:)”,”Central Park Spin Jam”, “The Floasis @ HQ”, and many more you can find through simply joining these groups and networking. I encourage you to post your local jams on the TrooHoops home page and post them on Facebook.
I had a wonderful time with Allisun and the Prospect Park hoopers, made some new friends, hugged my old friends, and warmed my heart via hoop dance. As we go into the winter months I will definitely find myself at more of these indoor jams for my weekly hoop fix.
