My Blog

ISLETON CRAWDAD FESTIVAL 2007 6/16/07

Pete — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:20:19 GMT

As usual got there early; 10:30am, the two music stages were already in gear. One had rock playing the other blues. The best stuff was yet to come (dance wise); cajun/zydeco. One of the stages had a wooden dance floor setup (unshaded, darn) the other was dance in the middle of the street (plenty of shady trees on the side though) Bales of hay for sitting were plenty through out both stages. The wooden dance floor one had a very long shade tent setup next to it; excellent. When I dance canjun/zydeco I just don't dance; ie: when somebody says the run, they either mean jog, run or sprint. Well I always sprint when I dance, even when I am dancing slow. A tall slender women who I shared many a dance commented; such energy! as we were pressed together going full bore. this is from a gal that mentioned to me she goes on 4 hour bike rides; she has plenty energy herself. There is something quite spiritual when my partners body is pressing next to mine and we are both moving with intense energy to the music; like two leaves that are stuck and blowing together in an intensed storm. the beauty of it all is it is all mutally controlled; the dance we are performing. Well after about 6 hours of straight dancing I left only because I had a page (I had missed it) I had to respond to and take care of.

Spring Training Joaquine Miller Park Oakland 6/3/07

Pete — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 22:58:41 GMT

I like many others were confused as to where exactly at the park the event was to be held. The posting mentioned the Ampitheatre, but according to the park rangers there was not a sanctioned function happening. Just trying to find the Ampitheater was hard and time consuming. Saw lost people driving/walking. It turns out the Spring training was just below the Ampitheater; big stone stairs let to it, beautiful man-made waterfall complete with pools. It reminded of Maui's 7 pools site. The D.J.'s had setup in front of the big fountain and the folks arriving gathered by the grass area next to it. Lots of hoopers showed up and pretty soon many hoops were whirling to the music. I got throughly filled with the spirit and danced and hooped and had so much fun.

Berkeley world music festival 6/2,3/07

Pete — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 22:43:09 GMT

Parked on Ashby/Telegraph put on my skates and scooted down to Peoples Park. The Balkan brass band; Brass Menazeri was playing and a few dancers were moving. Joined in and I have to admit I had to let me spirit move me; the music wasn't exactly very dancy, at least I though. the 2nd band, a moroccan was easier to move to. The 3rd band Samba Ngo (African/Congolese) was just awesome dancing music. By end of the concert I was pretty wiped out so I just walked back to my car.

Simi Valley Cajun, Creole festival 5/26,27

Pete — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:42:19 GMT

The drive down 5 was pleasant enough; cruise control, good sounds and the wonderful feeling I had knowing I would be soon dancing away on a shaded outdoor wooden dance floor; 2700' Checked into my hotel; Staybridge suites in Chatsworth, located a few miles away from Simi. They had a free breakfast in the lobby every morning; eggs, sausage, waffles (you pour the batter and make them yourself), fruit, pastry etc. A short time later I was at pool side along with my hoop and ipod. I soaked a bit in the spa and did some yoga and hooping on the deck. Later on I went to get oriented with the area, never had been in this part of the woods. The next mid-morning I headed to the festival. I parked right across the street from the park in the amtrak parking. There were already a large line of people waiting to get in( they already had their tickets) I bought my ticket and waited in line. I placed my yoga mat on the ground and relaxed in line. Well soon we started pouring into the venue. I got a real good seat next to the dance floor. With my cooler filled with ice, gatoraid and bottled water, I was set to do some serious exercise (dance). For the next 8 hours I proceeded to dance, dance ,dance. I was told at the end of the event that 18 thousand people showed up. So many in fact that I left my hoop in the car simply because I did not want some stupid kid running up to me while I was hooping and getting wacked on the face with it. I loved the whole experience and plan to come back next year. My only criticism is the absence of any real 'canjun' bands. As usual this festival had 'zydeco' bands. Don't get me wrong, I love zydeco but I also love Cajun and I do not hear them often enough.

S.F. Civic Center Hooping 5/20/07

Pete — Mon, 21 May 2007 21:03:08 GMT

Well today was the Bay to Breakers and the group met at the Civic Center. Took Bart and got off at Civic Center. Met Philo and very soon I took possesion of the hoop he made for me. I loved the way the colors turned out. I was very impressed with the music setup Philo has. I received some tips on hooping from some of the BAH people there. It all was such a wonderful experience. I can't wait to attend another Sunday session.

Campbell boogie on the bayou festival Sat 5/19/07

Pete — Mon, 21 May 2007 20:52:25 GMT

Attended the festival for the first time. I got there early so as to get a close parking. I walked around and lord and behold there was a shop; with African merchandise that was selling hoops. the owner said her husband made them. I bought one and spent the rest of the day; dancing and hooping; hooping and dancing. repeat over and over. I was the only person at the festival that had a hoop and it was kind of strange. First of all I was in Campbell with is next to San Jose and there were a lot of 'Vatos' around, so when walking around I wondered when one of the vatos would say something. As usual I had an awesome time dancing and now with the hooping it is like icing on the cake.

Ordered Hoop today!!

Pete — Wed, 09 May 2007 21:25:50 GMT

Well today 5/9/07 I emailed an order for a Hoop at philo@hooping.org I mentioned I can go pick it up.

Harbin Soak and Sun

Pete — Tue, 08 May 2007 18:01:01 GMT

After yesterday's marathon dancing and hooping at the 2007 S.F. How weird fair, I decided to just drive up to Harbin and relax a bit. Well not totally, I walked quite a bit, did some power yoga, did a massage and a watsu and danced a bunch. I did lay out and enjoyed the 90 degree + weather in the shade of course.

S.F. How Weird Festival

Pete — Tue, 08 May 2007 17:54:15 GMT

So much energy everywhere is how I can describe the fair. Plenty of music stages, I danced non-stop, well almost. I would dance at a stage then dance my way to another stage and dance again. I just kept repeating the process. I was dressed in black jeans, a bright red shirt and a red mardi gras mask that has black feathers. I also did quit a bit of hooping thanks to a few people that were kind enough to lend me one. This was my first time hooping and I loved it. I am going to buy my own real soon. I want to be able to dance and hoop with the same intensity as when I only dance. I know it will take a lot of fun and practice.