Music festival offers more than just music

By Bryan Cisler

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Fans looking to take a break from the music at this weekend’s Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival at Clinton Park will have many other activities to fill their time.

One of the most popular sideshows at Wakarusa is the Kaivalya Hoop Dancers. Kaivalya teaches classes during the day to anybody wanting to learn more about hoop dancing with a hula hoop.

Laura Blakeman, one of the performers for Kaivalya, said hoop dancing is growing in popularity.

“There has been a resurgence in hoop dancing and it really is sweeping the nation right now in terms of fitness classes, dance classes,” Blakeman said. “A lot of performers are coming out of it too.”

She said the sport was very cardiovascular and it required a lot of fine tuned motor skills to be able to manipulate the objects.

Last year Kaivalya had between 50 and 75 people at their workshops. The Boulder, Co., based group has had kids as young as 7 and adults in their mid 50’s come to their hoop dancing classes. Many people come to the workshops with little knowledge of hoop dancing.

“It is fun to teach the people who are picking up the hoop for the first time because it is accessible and everyone can leave the class learning at least one trick or flashy move,” Blakeman said. “It is pretty empowering for people.”

This year Kaivalya will also be adding a class to teach Poi, a form of juggling with a ball at the end of a rope. The group will conduct their classes in the morning and afternoons during Wakarusa.

Kaivalya will also have hoops to sell, and Alicia Jones, a hoop dancer, says that beginners should buy bigger hoops that are easier to use because they don’t have as many rotations. At night the hoop dancers will go on stage and perform 25-30 minute hoop dancing fire shows.

“People love the fire,” Blakeman said, “It brings in a whole different kind of energy.”

Food for Posters

Conscious Alliance, a non profit organization, will be at Wakarusa and is encouraging people to bring non perishable food items. In exchange each person will receive a free poster by Table2Press. The food will benefit the Ballard Center in Lawrence. The group hopes to bring in 5,000 pounds of food this year.

The Drum Circle

Anybody with a drum or beat maker and a love for music are encouraged on Sunday morning to head down to the Sun Down Stage to participate in the drum circle. Drummers can follow the beat of others or create their own. This year officials at Wakarusa hope to attract more than 1,000 participants.

Tasha Riggins, a Wakarusa worker, said the drum circle was one of the highlights of Wakarusa.

“It is a time for people to come together and make a little music on their own,” Riggins said.

Disc Golf

For the past four years disc golf has been one of the more popular activities at Wakarusa. This year Clinton Lake will offer new shots and different courses for its challengers. Disc Golf is free to play and participants can bring their own discs or buy them at the park.

— Edited by Mandy Earles

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Advertisement