The Heard Museum’s annual Hoop Dance Contest will be delivered as a pre-recorded online event on Saturday, Feb. 13.

Scott Sixkiller Sinquah (Gila River Pima/Hopi), the 2020 Adult World Champion in The Heard Museum’s 30th Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest, performs. This year’s event will be pre-recorded and you can watch it online on Feb. 13 (photo by Platt Photography).

This event was moved to a virtual format because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dan Hagerty, director of Strategic Programming at the Heard Museum, said given the impact the pandemic is making around the world, “most especially the devastating toll it is taking on many American Indian and First Nations communities,” it was important to not hold it as the usual in-person event. Hagerty added he and the Heard Museum team are “excited to invite competitors from around the U.S. and Canada” to participate in the event. He said they look forward to hosting the event on the museum’s campus next year.

There will be prizes for first, second and third place dancers in these age divisions: Youth (6-12 years old); Teen (13 to 17 years old); Adult (ages 18 to 39) and Senior (for ages 40 and older). Also, a cash prize of $350 in each age division also will be given for a “Viewer’s Choice.” Online voting is going to be held the week prior to the virtual event.

To learn more, visit heard.org/event/hoop.