100 hoop fun-raiser | recap

Month 4 Day who-can-keep-count-anymore of quarantine and, despite continued chaos, we have seen a lot positive change in the past few months and have witnessed the incredible creativity and adaptability of the human spirit and ability. We have seen amazing developments on the virtual stage and impressive innovation from remote creatives. Many of us are still stuck inside or confined to a different way of living than we previously knew, yet still we see people rising to the occasion and finding ways to still share art, creativity, and generosity. 

eji experiences has been happy and proud to provide artists and do-gooders a platform to be able to share art and generosity with many different communities. Just last week, we were able to do this with the 100Hoop Fun-Raiser! 

Teaming up with Pangea Playhouse artist and global activist, Tisha Marina, the 100Hoop Fun-Raiser was a community performance event (hosted via Zoom) with all funds going directly to providing free hoops to young people in LA County and Navajo Nation. The show featured many different artists sharing their talents from poetry to fire spinning to hoop dancing. It was a wonderful experience in which many of the artists expressed the importance of hooping or dancing in their lives and how happy they were to be able to not only perform during these uncertain times, but also be part of an event that allows the youth to benefit from movement the way that they did. 

As has become common with eji experiences online events, people in the audience were full of energy and positivity. The platform provided over 50 households the opportunity to actively enjoy a variety show while being part of a good cause. Throughout the event they were able to learn about the history of the hoop, the impact it has had on the different performers, and even witness the production of the first of the hoops being made by our lovely host, Tisha. 

All in all, it was a wholesome event and was so heartwarming to see people still want to give back during these uncertain times, and as an event producer it is a humbling honor to be able to give a platform to events that support art and good causes. 

It seems that virtual events are here to stay, and I cannot wait to see the performances of our upcoming artists and all of the creative and innovative ideas for the virtual stage from other creatives. During these times, I think it is important to acknowledge all that is scary and difficult around us, but hold space for the unexpected positive outcomes as well. 

As the late great Fred Rogers famously commented, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. '”