Here for over 2 weeks now in JAPAN - doing a ton of performing. We did 6 shows in Tochigi, JAPAN which is north of Tokyo up in the forest near hot springs. We performed at GRANDSOUL - a Happiness Retirement University - a retreat space for Japanese elders to do workshops, hot springs, and have evening entertainment. I've been performing musik and fire / LED hoop with HINOTORi - a fire troupe including my friend Echo who has been hosting me here. I also did a bit of hoop workshopping there too!






Right now I'm writing from a house near the festival - Hikari Masturi (translated Light Festival) - it's an eclectic smallish art festival held at an old elementary school - I'm performing 2 nights here - looking forward to it!

After this we go to Osaka and Kyoto for a short visit - then to Mt. Fugi - performing a River Blessing Ceremony (Hinotori Fire Show) -

then to Sado Island - home of the KODO drummers - and home of Earth Celebration Festival - a huge event! then ... finally HOME! to my doggieee, piano students, and HOOPCLASSES --
which i just updated online! Please join me!

I've been doing a lot of personal practice this summer and learned a number of new things that I'm excited to work on and further develop in the Fall. I took some Balinese dance classes in Ubud when I was there - and am enjoying exploring much more arm / hand movement to improve my hoopdancing. Also getting back into fire hooping has been fun - I made a new hoop before I left with a tubing that I'm very happy with - it's lighter and zippy - working great!

Hanging out with Deanne from HOOPLOVERS TOKYO was a blast - We hoop-geeked for 2 days together - and she's coming to perform with me here at Hikari Matsuri - I've been filming shows with my fisheye HD Go HERO Cam - great image - but terrible audio - which is unfortunate -
I want to post some video things - but the audio quality is a bit of a bummer -

I've been posting pictures of summer on my personal Facebook - I haven't posted as much at HOOPCiRCLE facebook - because I want to keep it all hoop-related - My travels have certainly been a mix of everything - so ... Please feel free to friend request me at my personal FB page - (with a message if you don't mind) - I try to keep my friend count somewhat manageable --

OKAY! MUCH MUCH MUCH HOOPLOVE TO EVERYONE!!!!