Ali, Caroleeena and Jewels, pictured, are three of the organizers of the Hoop Convergence. On April 12-16, 2008, The Hoop Convergence will become the first-ever conference to celebrate hooping. Its mission is to unite hoopers from communities nationwide to present their experience in areas such as hoop crafting, movement techniques, performance, costuming, healing, teaching methods and community building projects. The lineup of Hoop Convergence instructors includes Hoopaliscious, Julia "Jewels"Hartsell, Spiral, Stefan Pildes, Caroleeena, Kara Spencer, Ali Cat, Annie Weinhart, Revolva, Ammon and Marria of the Boston Hoop Troop, Ariana and Laura of Hooping Harmony, Christine and Patika of Ember*Ellas, Tracy Oliveta, Ted Brancu and more.

The Hoop Convergence runs from Saturday, April 12 through Wednesday, April 16, at a cost of $350 for the entire event and $250 for 3 days worth. What does the registration fee include? Jewels told Hooping.org, "The $350 includes workshops, forums and events for five days. There will be a few communal meals included, but mostly the fees will go towards renting several venues for workshops, forums, discussions and jams. We've also hired musicians for multiple hoop jams and we're hoping to be able to re-invest any profits into a possible future Hoop Convergence. I trust that each participant will receive a great return in the form of diversified knowledge for their investment in co-creating the Convergence."

Asking what the situation is with lodging for the event, she explained, "I have reserved cabins in a retreat center/camp facility that has a variety of bunking options. The center induces a sweet nostalgia of summer camp, but luckily we'll be meeting prior to mosquito and poison ivy season! As this retreat center is located on 165 acres of rolling hardwood forests, there are also some beautiful camping options for those who enjoy being closer to nature too. Of course, there are hotels in the area for those who desire a private or more luxurious retreat. There are also many local hoopers who may be willing to host guests. We believe there will be options for individuals on every budget with varying needs and preferences."

If you're not interested in business, teaching or performing, what can the average hooper hope to gain from attending the Hoop Convergence? Caroleeena explained, "Everyone who attends will leave a better hooper. The coolest thing about this Convergence is that hoopers from all over will be coming to share their hoop specialties. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the best teachers in the country and concentrate on a variety of different skills in one central location, skills that will greatly improve every hoop dancer’s dance. More than technique, every hooper will also learn about presentation, make-up, costuming – things that are just plain fun! We will also focus on service though. We will identify ways to foster hooping in our communities and community with our hooping. We will create an intention and follow it through in such a way that we utilize hooping to heal the world."

On June 26th through the 28th, 2008, The Hoop Path crew gets intensive in Carrboro as well. The HP Retreat is a weekend of events for hoopers sponsored by The Hoop Path tribe. Jon Baxter (pictured) told Hooping.org, "While the Convergence offers a variety of teachers and styles, at the Hoop Path weekend the Hoop Path instructors will be the only ones teaching and they'll be teaching the Hoop Path way." Their retreat last year was well received and the second two-and-a-half day event is already sold out with 80 hoopers in attendance. The cost of the Hoop Path Retreat is $100 for those who have been to a HoopPath Workshop before, no matter where or when, and $125 for those blazing a new trail on the Hoop Path for the first time.

Coming in September, The Westcoast Hoopcamp Retreat 2008 is officially open for registration. Organizer Heather Troy (pictured) of MoveHoops.com told Hooping.org, "Over the course of three days this September you will have the opportunity to participate in inspiring hoop workshops led by pioneering performers, instructors, and entrepreneurs, each of whom have made amazing contributions to the art of hoop dance. We currently have 10 confirmed attendees with space for more than fifty more and I'm sure these will go quickly." We're sure they will too with the roster of instructors she has put together. Anah "Hoopaliscious" Reichenbach, Anne Humphreys, Jon Baxter and Beth Williams of The Hoop Path, Annie Weinert, Bunny Hoop Star from Sydney, Australia, Candice Schutter and Jasmine Patten of the The whirlyGirlz, Christabel "Hoopgirl" Zamor, Hannah and Kamala Mathis of Fire Groove, Erin Shredder, Rayna McInturf, Stefan Pildes, Spiral and more.

The West Coast Hoopcamp Retreat, September 26-28, 2008 runs from 3pm Friday to 3pm Sunday in Santa Cruz, California. "We will have exclusive use of a 300 acre retreat center nestled in the redwoods only 10 miles from the ocean. Accommodations will be in rustic cabins with all amenities each with a private bath for 60 plus guests, up to 90. We'll have access to a huge dining room/great hall available for meals, hoopjams and workshops along with other hoop dance workshop space and lots of the great outdoors. There's a heated pool, tennis courts, hiking trails and an outdoor amphitheater in the redwoods with a fire pit for evening bonfires. It's all happening for a $480 registration fee.

Whether you're going to Carrboro or Santa Cruz for a hooping intensive, you can always have a hooping intensive of your very own by blocking out the time and giving yourself the space in your life to focus on the hoop. Hooping.org wishes the Hooping Convergence, The Hoop Path Retreat and the Westcoast Hoop Camp Retreat the very best with their events this year. In fact, we may even be seeing you at one or two of them ourselves.