PHOENIX — Hoop dance is coming back to the Heard Museum. Dancers from all over the world will make their way to Phoenix to compete.
Beany John is one of the competitors in the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest.
"Hoop dancing is a healing dance. It's healing that is done through storytelling. Done through dance," John said.
She’s Plains Cree and Taino. She and her family have traveled from Canada to participate in the competition..
"I'm so excited to be back this year and I've just been working really really hard on just dancing and performing," John added.
Competition organizer Mike Webb noted this is the ultimate competition for these athletes. More than 100 competitors will dance in this year's event.
"The hoop dancers compete all year in different competitions but end up here in February to be titled the world champion," Webb said.
This is an event the Heard Museum has been putting on for more than 30 years.
John, like many other competitors, has been practicing her routine. She’s hoping to come out on top this year. In 2022, she took second place and said she hopes to win the championship this year.
Originally, hoop dance was only for men, but recently more women have been hoop dancing. John is one of those trailblazers.
"I was really really shy when I was younger and hoop dancing allowed me to have that expression,” she explained.
The event is open to everyone of all ages. During the competition, dancers will show their skills, artistry, and creativity and display their unique cultures.
"You have the song which is the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Then you have the different stories that are happening, and every single hoop dancer has a different story," John said.
Showmanship is part of it too. Getting the crowd excited, exchanging energy, and hopefully impressing the judges at the end of the day.
"When you get down there it's all about telling that story. It's all about showing your style and playing with the audience as much as possible. There's nothing like the championship," John concluded.
There will be dancers of all ages. There are multiple categories. The competition runs through Feb. 17 and 18 at the Heard Museum Campus.
General entry is 8:30 a.m. and tickets range from $10 to $25. For more information visit https://heard.org/event/world-championship-hoop-dance-contest/.
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