Cultural Hoop Dancing

Alex will share Eagle Dance, Native Flute, Hoop Dance with Histories, Ceremonial purposes. He will offer a Hoop Dance Workshop followed by Audience demo/participation.

TRAILER

Project Created by: Alex through Lil'wat Nation, Mount Currie

Performance type: This work is built for out-doors or alternate venues

How do you define this work: Cultural presentation

Alex Wells, a three-time world champion hoop dancer who hails from the Lil’wat Nation north of Whistler. His energetic dance uses up to 22 hoops and is a magical visual display laden with symbolism and meaning, telling a story of the creation of life. Hoop dancing takes discipline and patience to master, as it is one of the most difficult and advanced dance styles.

First Nations Dance and Cultural traditions such as hoop dancing, has been his family’s way of life for Alex and his brothers, who were brought up through many years of cultural ceremonies and gatherings.

While traveling across North America since childhood, competing in First Nation's dance competitions, hoop dancing has led Alex into making his passion and talent, a professional business, and a way of life.

Alex has also taken part in many world indigenous cultural events throughout the last few decades, giving him the natural ability to teach the cultural dances, step by step, to his daughter, Amber (seen in last video fancy dancing) and family members, as to pass this traditional along to the next generation.

Length of performance: 60 minutes

Audience type: Children/Family

General Technical Requirements: Sound System, Change Room

Required amount of time for tech set up: 45 min to 1 hour to prepare and dress in regalia

Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 1

Number of Support Staff on Tour: 1

Availabilities: 2025 Spring season, 2025/26 Season, and 2026/27 Season

Alex Wells

Native Thunder Productions

Alex Wells is from the Lil’wat Nation, Mount Currie, BC, Canada.

First Nations Dance and Cultural traditions such as hoop dancing, has been his family’s way of life for Alex and his brothers, who were brought up through many years of cultural ceremonies and gatherings.

While traveling across North America since
childhood, competing in First Nation's dance competitions, hoop dancing has led Alex into making his passion and talent, a professional business, and a way of life.

Alex has also taken part in many world indigenous cultural events throughout the last few decades, giving him the natural ability to teach the cultural dances, step by step, to his daughter, Amber (seen in last video fancy dancing) and family members, as to pass this traditional along to the next generation.

Alex would love to share with you and your guest this wonderful First Nations tradition of hoop dancing to your next event!

Performance History & Upcoming Performances

Alex Wells, has traveled across North America a three-time world champion hoop dancer who hails from the Lil’wat Nation north of Whistler. His energetic dance used up to 22 hoops and was a magical visual display laden with symbolism and meaning, telling a story of the creation of life. Hoop dancing takes discipline and patience to master, as it is one of the most difficult and advanced dance styles. His travels began in childhood. While competing in First Nation's dance competitions, hoop dancing has led Alex into making his passion and talent, a professional business, and a way of life.

Project Details

Outreach Activities

Hoop Dance Workshop followed by Audience demo/participation. Curator, Adam Manson, will facilitate conversation with the audience after the presentation.

Contact information

alex_wells@live.ca

Website