I learned my lesson in January, though, and I am taking it super-easy this time, instead of continuing to try to work and teach hoop classes and do most of what I would normally do… and that time, the kidney infection wiped me out for the better part of two months.

My lovely friends Lola and Andi will be teaching class for me this week, and next week classes are already cancelled as I had booked them off for vacation. I’m not entirely sure if the Portland trip will happen, depends on how I’m feeling in a few days of complete bed rest… but another week of laying low at home probably wouldn’t hurt either.

Hopefully all will be back to normal (or close to it) by the time the Jazz Fest free weekend at David Lam Park happens - playing in the park by the Roundhouse to the sounds of amazing live jazz has always been one of the highlights of my year!

Off to drink more water, glub!

The doors open at 2pm on Friday, at the WISE hall in East Vancouver… and we go hard, and strong, and fast, and crazy, and OMG FUN.. until sometime late Sunday night!

For all the location and price detais, the main website is here, and the non-Flash version is right over here.

I’ll be teaching one workshop each day:

Friday 6-7pm Poi style hooping
Saturday 5-6pm Self-tosses and partner passing
Sunday 1-2pm Beginner on-body hooping

.. and vending every day, selling naked hoops ($20 for my regular tubing, $10 for older/unusual tubing) and decorated but scratch n dented hoops ($20 and below), AND vinyl and prism tapes so you can customize your own!

If you have friends who aren’t into skill toys (yet!), bring them to the all-aged Gala show on Saturday night, 7:30-10:30pm at the Rio theatre on Broadway at Commercial - this $15 show will blow your mind! Many of the instructors who are teaching workshops all weekend are also pro performers, and will be showcasing their talents at the Rio. For a more casual scene, check out the Renegade show at the WISE hall on Friday night - think Open Mic for skill toy performers! The WISE hall will be all-ages during the daytime workshops, but will become 19+ at 9pm for the Renegade show and the remainder of the night.

I really really really hope you will come out and support this festival - the crew that I’ve been working with to organize the event are some of Vancouver’s most dedicated hoopers and jugglers, and the passion we feel for our flow, juggle, and spinning toys will hopefully shine through in this event!

Come play!