hi Constance,

i can't really help you much except to reassure you that you're not alone when it comes to lack of hoop space and funds for pricey hoop weekends.

it's not too too cold here, but it's often very wet, and there aren't a lot of covered public spaces. apartments are expensive, so anything affordable is tiny and often with a low ceiling. (i'm apartment hunting now, so this is at the front of my mind.)

the only advice i can think of for creating hoop community is to get out there with your hoop. if there are any clubs or concerts where there might be enough space to hoop, bring your hoop. people will start asking about it and getting interested and you can recruit them for your very own hoop community. :)

good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of hooping!

i hear you as far as lack of space in the winter. when i recieved my first hoop from a friend, i was living manhattan. there was a tiny square in my living room and bedroom in the middle where i could waist hoop very carefully. then i moved back to buffalo ny (in winter of course!) and i didnt really start to advance beyond waist hooping until that spring. lack of space is not condusive to the exploration needed. don't be frustrated if you don't have space to learn much this winter. use what you got and get really good at waist/hip hooping and hand hooping. you have to have those things under your belt before you can do more advanced things anyways

i dont know much about any events local to you... but if you can't find hoopers... make em! i got a few good friends hooked, as well as started holding jams/lessons in a local park. buffalo was only kind of receptive to this, but it was good to get out and get people hooping. i mostly hooped by myself tho with a big stack of hoops. this is not a winter soloution tho :P

do you have a gym membership? most gyms have studio space for yoga classes etc that you can use when they're not signed out. local dance studios might also receptive to this, for a fee, unless you're tight with them

Thanks you guys.
I hear ya about the Nurses not wanting to hoop - I worked at a hospital for years, and those nurses, who weren't afraid to save lives, WERE kinda chicken about anything "out of the ordinary" - AND they were not too healthy either.
What I'm hearing here, is that I may haveta make my own hooping friends. Well, I am totally game for that.
I have two hurdles to overcome,and I am sure that, eventually, I can.
First - I can't really HOOP yet. I mean, right now, I look kinda goofy. I'm not concerned though. I practice only a little each day, but I'll get there, and as soon as I can look even REMOTELY competent, (I'm not even talking fancy tricks or anything), I'll venture out and see if I can get someone to join me.
Second - I have yet to find the proper materials around here to make hoops, and I know I'll have to have some extra's at first.
I know that eventually, I'll find what I need, even if it's mail-order materials, so I'm not too worried about that either.

One thing that's weird is that I'm 47 years old, and I KNOW none of my girlfriends are gonna go for it. They have more excuses than I have hair as to why they can't get off the couch. I'm thinking that many younger women are gonna wonder if, seeing me, it's not COOL to hoop, because it's obviously an Old Lady's activity, or something...
You know, just trying to guess what I'll be facing when I start hoopin in public and trying to get people interested in having some fun.
Of course, the GOOD thing'll be that, as an older squatty woman, I am completely non-threatening looking. It's not like my super-hottie looks will scare anyone away or intimidate anyone! hah!!!

So, all in good time, I guess.
As for hooping at my gym...
I have thought of that. I am a little shy right now, because I look so uncoordinated, and the gym and it's staff and customers are not exactly the most diverse or friendly group of people, but I am seriously considering it.
At night, after 10pm, the aerobics room is empty. I think I might try it. GOSH - I would love all that space and those mirrors!