Posts Tagged ‘Dance Videos’
Hip The Hoopla: Hoopspiration, Election, & App News
Hip The Hoopla News & Notes:
1. Hoopspiration: Tyler Alexander‘s example of “Dance-Flow-Lines” Tues. 11/5 6:30pm Hip The Hoopla class theme. http://youtu.be/KvA6sw0Gbkw
2. Happy Hoop Pic Election Day, lol (please vote for mine-click on picture link below ♥)
Or visit asap: http://www.homeofpoi.com/competition/view_all_entries.php/34_1674
3. Woohoop! So happy the MindBody App for droids is up & running!! Now even easier to register, pay, order, gift, etc–on your phone–Hip The Hoopla awesomeness,if you so choose 🙂 https://www.mindbodyonline.com/apps/connect
More info on Hip The Hoopla www.HipTheHoopla.com
Please “Like” On Facebook: www.facebook.com/HipTheHoopla
Che@HipTheHoopla.com 303-980-6295
So You Want To Perform-Tips To Know
Performing-“What do I Charge?”
by Ché Rippinger
Congratulations…You just got asked to perform at your first gig. Now What?!
We had this discussion in our belly dance group. Here’s a direct bit, that may be a little hard to hear, from one of my belly dance teachers: she recommended not performing, until you have the chops (professional know how) to charge the professional going rate. One of the reasons for this, is that often the client doesn’t know your skills, and just thinks they got you for a way better price than someone else. My seasoned teacher makes her living from this and was undercut, and subsequently cancelled for a gig, by a newbie. It set off a hailstorm of information on how to prevent this.
Here are some nutshell tips to consider for “going pro.”
There is a going rate that is generally the industry standard. It’s good to know so you can charge that, when you are ready. It’s also important so that our community continues to back itself with the actions of all who are in it.
That said, we all have to start somewhere. There are a lot of showcases/charitable events where we can begin to lend our skills and perform for free while we get better. The pros even do these, too! It’s a great place to work on new material, or try different styles.
You may want to take into account:
~The size of the event, who is putting it on (big corporate or small mom & pop shop), are they charging for the event (ticket sales=covering costs+profit).
~Are they budgeting for other normal things (i.e. you should get paid then too!).
~What you need to do to prep for it (travel, time, choreographed staging with costume, or “ambient” performing — some call this “noodling”, fyi).
~Are you teaching and talking?
~Are you promoting their stuff?
If budget is an issue with a potential client, you may get the “It’s great exposure for your business,” and “we really can’t pay you” , “we don’t have a budget for this,” lines/aka “excuses” a lot. Excellent advice I got, if not “paid” with money: Make sure there is an exchange of energy…what do they have to offer you: a gift certificate, lots of advertising of you on their social media, merchandise, or at the very least being able to bring your biz cards and sell your ware too (merchandise & services you have: hoops, clothes, jewelry, lessons, etc.).
And finally, you’ve heard it in other businesses, and it’s true here: get a contract! This is so important and many of us are initially uncomfortable with doing this. That is, until you get burned once or twice. Look at it this way: With a contract, expectations are met with a happy experience for both parties. Another recommendation from a pro: get 1/2 of your money up front as a “cancellation fee”-as you don’t take other gigs when booked.
There are other groups with contracts out there for the various performing available. A great resource helpful for all types of performers is Tim Marston’s “How To Sell Your Act”.
If you do regularly perform, a great sign of professionalism is having insurance. It’s also a great selling point, too! And if you dance with fire, it’s a necessity–along with an experienced fire “safety”(a knowledgeable person who is trained to help observe, prevent and deal with any threatening mishaps).
Whatever you do, even if it’s just amongst friends, keep it professional, upbeat and positive. Everyone has a camera and a computer. And it’s great to recommend others in the performance community, too. Courtesy has a way of coming back around. Whether you are well-seasoned or just getting your feet wet, good luck out there!
~Ché Rippinger is a professional performer, instructor, and hoop maker with Hip The Hoopla www.HipTheHoopla.com. She is also a social media marketing and P.R. trainer and business consultant with Elevated Color www.elevatedcolor/marketing. Call or e-mail for more info and to book a class, appointment or private consultation. 303-980-6295 Che@HipTheHoopla.com. Please check out more information and “like” us: www.facebook.com/HipTheHoopla .
JULY Hip The Hoopla Summer Classes/Hoops/SUPER Specials/Performances
JULY 2013 Hip The Hoopla Classes:
7/2, 6*, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, & 30
**Classes Tues. 6:30pm & Sat. 10am.**
(Saturday 7/6 class is 9:45am-10:45am)
♥SUPER Summer JULY Special: Hoop ALL OF JULY for just $60! (That’s less than $7 a class!!! Save up to $75!!!)
♥”BRING A New FRIEND and they can try class for $10″ (RSVP encouraged!)♥
♥ **HOOP LOVE UNLIMITED SUMMER SALE!** 30 days for YOU for only $60-UNLIMITED ($135 value-save $75! Good for 30 days from purchase date)
♥$60 for a 2 HOUR Private Hoop Session! (Please add $10 for Studio rental or travel fees–Save $20+)
+CELEBRATE SUMMER!! Custom Hoops, Classes, Private lessons, Coaching, Performing, Merch, Gift Certificates, etc.
+Personal coaching sessions available (phone or in person!)
…RSVP your classes AND order your custom hoops now 303-980-6295, Che@HipTheHoopla.com or on Facebook! ♥
♥ More Hip The Hoopla info at www.HipTheHoopla.com ♥ and www.facebook.com/HipTheHoopla (please “like” 🙂
ONE Gathering – Helping a Great Cause
Hip The Hoopla is performing
and helping support a wonderful group:
The Stronghold Society
Artists, Dancers, Drummers, Hoopers, Spinners, Humans: Please come join us at the ONE GATHERING Sat. July 6th at the Denver Skatepark (20th & Little Raven). Rock band Trickshot will be playing at 11:15am & Hip The Hoopla* performs with them. Elevated Color did the banners.
Free-benefit supporting the Stronghold Society is why we’ll all be there ♥ www.StrongholdSociety.org (check them out and learn and help, no matter where you are 🙂 )
*Please note: Hip The Hoopla class will be :15 EARLIER from 9:45am-10:45am on Sat. 7/6 at Red Elephant Workshop.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/154394748083964/
RSVP for class on Facebook, e-mail or call: www.facebook.com/HipTheHoopla, Che@HipTheHoopla.com, 303-980-6295
And keep up with more hooping info at www.HipTheHoopla.com
Blessings ♥ ~Ché Rippinger, Chief Hooping Officer
Please visit www.ElevatedColor.com for more info on printing, color management, services, products and social media assistance for your business.
Success in Chest Hooping: Tips And Tricks
Many people find chest hooping challenging. In a recent comment on Facebook, a hooper commented: “I swear, learning to chest/shoulder hoop is going to be the death of me.” Hope not, but here are some helpful…
Hip The Hoopla tips, tricks and techniques to get you more successfully hooping on your chest, quicker!
Three tips (plus some other helpful hints, too) I use in my Hip The Hoopla class, will help — and FYI, most of my beginners even get it pretty quickly (and a performance video example below):
1. Begin in your warm up with chest isolation movement–without your hoop. Good positions for this are either seated cross legged, or standing with knees in a good bend (abs in, head & spine lifted, pelvis tucked in & under). I like to place hands on upper thighs and use them to push into my maximum chest extension. Move/slide/hit each position: front, right, back, left a few times. Then smooth it out into a solid circle…with your sternum (bottom center of front ribs) leading the movement & connect the points. Speed the chest rotations up and then repeat and reverse that in the other direction (make sure to keep your shoulders parallel to the ground–they are not part of the chest isolation).
2. Start spinning your hoop above your sternum with your arms up and out of your hoop and just get the chest isolation going (while turning!).
3. TURN in the direction you hoop is spinning (and keep turning!). This is not only one of my favorite “recovery” methods to get the hoop back up the body (gravity makes it easy to move it down), it combines well with the other two basics:
Speed up your hoop (not waist/hip) “rotations” or “beats” as I call them–as you are focusing on using two contact points, ie., ‘front/back’, ‘side/side’, etc.
And Duck in (with a little speed wind up).
Important Distinction: When you are hooping on your core (waist/hips) you are NOT circling your body to get the hoop moving. (Way too much work…but if you really want to, knock yourself out!) Just a simple forward & back, or side to side motion will do.
…But…When you are chest hooping (above the breast line), you ARE rotating your chest!
When you want to get your shoulders inside the hoop with your chest hooping, your shoulders will be doing an alternating shoulder shrug (right shoulder up towards right ear, left shoulder to left ear). The shoulder shrug is done–WITH the chest rotations–help keep the hoop up on the chest. (Keep turning!)
When you have chest hooping you can challenge yourself to 1. Not turn with your hoop 2. Chest hoop on your knees (on a soft surface or with knee pads if you can), or 3. Seated (cross legged or seated on your knees).
Helpful tip: Definitely consider what hoop size you use. If you are working with a smaller lighter hoop, chest hooping may be way more challenging for you than trying with a bigger heavier one. (Smaller hoop=you need to go faster/speed up, Bigger hoop=slower so you can catch up/recover more easily)
Getting specific information like this, is just one of the many reasons having a good class or teacher is really important. We can give you great hoop and technique advice, for your particular needs. And we can help you with ideas in the moment, based on what you are doing. You can tweak, correct, practice and get the moves quicker and with greater success and happiness.
With Hip The Hoopla, I like to teach with laughter and joy. That usually makes even challenging or frustrating things much easier to get!
***ALSO, please remember in your hoop practice (and as a metaphor for life):
You don’t have to get 100 of anything in a row for you to have the move. One or two successful rotations really do count when it comes to muscle memory and brain success 🙂 Keep practicing!!!
Thank you Rachyl Frank for your inspiration 🙂
♥Hoop love & blessings ♥
~Ché Rippinger, head hoopstress at Hip The Hoopla based in Denver, Colorado
Please contact for classes, coaching, hoops & performances. 303-980-6295 Che@HipTheHoopla.com www.facebook.com/HipTheHoopla www.HipTheHoopla.com
Here’s two video channels to see Hip The Hoopla in action (more performance and tutorial videos soon): www.youtube/HipTheHoopla and www.youtube/ToucheToon
And here is a video example of my chest hooping from one performance (chest hooping at about :46 and 1:12)
Che Rippinger of Hip The Hoopla performing-example of chest hooping
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP9AaDxjIfY
June Hip The Hoopla Schedule, Specials + Performances
June is Heating Up with Hip The Hoopla!
Whoo-Fire-Hoop! Che Rippinger of Hip The Hoopla fire hooping at The Spin Summit 2013. Amazing professional photography by Don Searle Photography (This album on Facebook)
JUNE 2013 Hip The Hoopla Classes:
6/1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25 & 29**Classes Tues. 6:30pm & Sat. 10am.** (Several fathers enjoy Hip The Hoopla classes-how about bringing yours to a class?)
SUPER Summer June Specials:
♥Hoop ALL OF JUNE for just $50! (That’s about $5 a class!!! Save up to $85!!!)
♥Drop In and TRY: “BRING A FRIEND for $10” (you and a friend can come for $10 each, save $5 each!) (RSVP encouraged!)♥
♥ **HOOP LOVE UNLIMITED SUMMER SALE!** 30 days for YOU for only $60-UNLIMITED ($135 value-save $75! Good for 30 days from purchase date & you can ALSO Bring A friend for $10 per class!)
+CELEBRATE SUMMER!! Custom Hoops, Classes, Private lessons, Coaching, Performing, Merch, Gift Certificates, etc.
+Personal coaching sessions available (phone or in person!)
…RSVP your classes AND order your custom hoops now! ♥
**Please RSVP to guarantee your Hip The Hoopla class spot. Private lessons and coaching are available, too.
If you need a custom hand-made professional (hula) hoop, please call or e-mail to order (303-980-6295 & Che@HipTheHoopla.com).
More info on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HipTheHoopla
And visit Things That Glow to see the Hip The Hoopla hoops selection in stock! Things That Glow 918 W 8th Ave, Denver CO 80204, 303-751-GLOW.
Upcoming Performances:
♥ Che Performing at Lannie’s Caberet
Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 8pm
Ché of Hip The Hoopla joins the stage lineup with Belle Diva Dance. Come one come all to our “Mythic Summer Circus” at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret! June 19th 8 PM, tix only $12.00! It will be EPIC!
Ché was recently seen in Bellies on Fire! And Boulder Creek Festival after the Boulder Boulder.
Please “Like,” visit often & recommend Hip The Hoopla on Facebook for schedule, updates, news and cool videos. http://www.facebook.com/HipTheHoopla
Also find us on Yelp! http://www.yelp.com/biz/hip-the-hoopla-denver
…and LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/hip-the-hoopla
…and YouTube http://www.youtube.com/ToucheToon
…and another one on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/ToucheToon
…and Pinterest http://pinterest.com/hipthehoopla/
…and Twitter http://twitter.com/hipthehoopla
Recommendations & testimonials are very appreciated. ~Thank You 🙂
We appreciate your interaction and connectivity!
♥ ♥ ♥
2013 is such a great year to Get Your Hoop On!!!
♥ June 2013 Hip The Hoopla ♥ www.facebook.com/events/312088945592725/
Shimmy, Shake And Slide with Hip The Hoopla
♥ Happy Hip Shakin’ Weekend! ♥
Shake your moneymaker with Hip The Hoopla 4/27 at 10am class (Theme: “Shimmy, Shake and Slide”…In honor of the Elevation Belly Dance Festival weekend), at Red Elephant Workshop: 214 Sante Fe Drive, Denver, CO.
Class Schedule ♥ Class information
RSVP your class spot: Che@HipTheHoopla.com or 303-980-6295 or on Facebook.
And come out with us and TRICKSHOT @ Rodzilla’s Roadhouse, 4/26/13, 9pm-1am ♥
NEXT Week is SPIN SUMMIT! Here’s your link to register NOW:
http://thespinsummit2013-HipTheHoopla.eventbrite.com/
Hip The Hoopla Performing at StarFest
“Super Trooper Hooper” Ché Ripinger
of
Hip The Hoopla Performing at StarFest
Friday, April 19, 2013 at 9pm with Champion for the Denver Digifest Kickoff party. Ché was also interviewed by FOX31 KDVR.com in Denver and Examiner.com
Stay for the whole StarFest extravaganza or at least check out
Sunday, 4/21 her hubby Bill Owen of Elevated Color will present: “Getting Found In Web Searches” there, from 1-2pm at the Marriott DTC (4900 S. Syracuse St., Denver), Digifest 1 Room.
Click Here for more Digifest Party Info
There is a phone app with the entire fab schedule (including Stan Lee-creator of Spider Man!!) Already met a real Oompa Loompa – Deep Roy at the Press Party 🙂
~Ché Rippinger has been a cartoonist for over 20 years with Touché! Cartoons, as well as the teacher, performer, coach and hoop-maker of Hip The Hoopla-humorous hoop dance fitness. For more info, please call 303-980-6295 or e-mail Che@HipTheHoopla.com.
Improve Your Skills–Take a Workshop!
Want to fuel your creativity or jump your skills to a new level?
There are many training options…
1. Take a workshop!
Many instructors travel around. Find them, connect with them and see what their schedule is. If you’re not on it, reach out and offer to help host them in your town. You get so much out of in-person instruction and connect with your fellow friends and peer community.
Recent Example: Vivian Spiral’s “Dancing on The Edge: Wheels, Rolls, Traces and Spirals” held at the Boulder Circus Center in Boulder, Colorado. 
2. Go to a conference/retreat/camp.
This may be as simple as a one day excursion or a week or more of intense learning. Travel may be involved, unless you’re lucky to have it in your neck of the woods. You may have an excuse to plan a vacation getaway halfway across the globe to expand your horizons. Or even in your own backyard.
Example: The Spin Summit, Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 2-5, 2013. Click here to register! 
3. Learn Virtually.
From YouTube videos to dvds to personal coaching via Skype, there are many ways to connect with some phenomenal teachers all over the world. Prices range, but spending a little more on personal tutoring can make all the difference in catapulting your know-how.
Examples: www.YouTube/TheSpinSummit and
www.YouTube/ToucheToon and www.YouTube/HipTheHoopla
Whatever your path to learning, the key is to take any steps to get there. You can find what works best for you by trying something and seeing if you like it. Hoop On!!
~Ché Rippinger is the owner, instructor and performer of Hip The Hoopla—humorous hoop dance fitness. She offers group and private classes, coaching, thoughtful critiques, performance tips, custom made professional hoops, jewelry and costuming. For more updates and “hoopspiration,” please follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/HipTheHoopla, (and Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn, too!).
