Meet Abbigail Arevalo | Professional LED and Fire Hula Hoop Performer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Abbigail Arevalo and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Abbigail, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
“The greatest shapers don’t stop at introducing originality into the world. They create cultures that unleash originality in others.” Adam M. Gant, Originals: How Noncomformists Move the World. The most influential book that I read as an artist and entrepreneur is Originals by Adam Gant. When I first started out as a hula hoop performance artist, I had a vision that was not understood or seen before in my area. I had a hard time finding clients to hire me for my work and I never knew why because I thought I had something really valuable to offer. This book taught me the biggest lesson in looking for clients and working with people who want to go against what the “trends” are by rebelling enough to establish their own. These are early adopters for shaping a culture I want to work around as a professional LED hula hoop and Fire Hula Hoop performer. In my case, it was hula hoop entertainment. Who knew go go LED hula hoop dancing was a thing for nightclubs? Or Hula Hoop Fire Dancing casually outside at a 5 star Italian restaurant was doable? This book taught me how someone who is risky enough to be original can help create something unapologetically unique with other creatives and impact entire cultures! Once a symbolic fire starts, everyone wants a piece of what was originally rejected because now it has been engraved in an industry and is in style. What a powerful thought when someone is just forming foundations for a business!
Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I started hula hoop dancing in 2014 and I became a professional L.E.D multi Hula Hoop and Fire Hula Hoop performer in West Palm Beach, FL in 2017. I started my profession after I quit my 9-5 retail job after my boss denied me a trip to see my family for Christmas. At the time, I was mad, rebelled by buying my second LED hoop and decided I wanted to be a professional hula hoop performer! By luck, I walked into a nightclub, Pawn Shop Lounge, and within 5 minutes the owner asked me to perform exclusively three nights a week because he loved what I did! It was unbelievable! My dream came true! For two years I was there and in that time I built up my cliental. Eventually, I became a “on call” performer for Pawn Shop Lounge and gained residencies in other places like the Loft and Petanque. I’ve performed festivals like Burning Man, Hulaween, EDC, and Groove Cruise. Before COVID, I would pick a city to travel in and I would perform at a nightclub or a cool venue! My plans to perform and travel is not limited in the least! Of course now, I still maintain a rotating cliental with amazing clients in my area. My biggest challenge has been learning how to survive in some industries. When I performed at Pawn Shop Lounge, I wore anything I wanted to and I was the only performer so I made all the rules. When I started to work for big entertainment companies, I had to learn fast about hair, makeup, and costuming. I had to take judgement from other performance artists as an amateur. I had to learn everything about entertainment direction. It’s a big entertainment world outside of my little bubble of West Palm Beach and there can be a lot of ego to navigate because some industries are very competitive and cutthroat. There’s always something new to learn as I grow and I am thankful for those that guide me with compassion and empathy as I navigate new niches in entertainment! In addition to performing, I created a 12 module semester by semester Ecourse that teaches performance artists how to be successful called Abyssal Performance School! It is meant to help jumpstart talented artists manifest dreams and learn all things practical about establishing a performance arts business plan. I had to go through a lot on my journey to learn the ins and out and it brings me satisfaction to inspire and guide talented people that have no clue and deserve to reach their potential. The journey of a hula hooper is really magical and I am thankful every day for the amazing creatives, clients, entertainment companies, venues, performers and more that have helped create such a stellar experience. Some of the best memories of my life come from my hula hoop journey. Importantly, I am so thankful for the people in the crowd that “woah” and “wow” and are truly entertained by what I’ve worked really hard to provide for them!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As for nature adventures, I would take her to see Loggerhead Marine Life Hospital to learn about the native wildlife and see a real sea turtle hospital in action. I would take her on a nice paddle board adventure to peanut island to snorkel around all the beautiful reefs. Of course, I would swing by Field of Greens on the Island to get us acai bowls and I would take her to the beach for a picnic to soak up the sun! As for going out, if you’re my best friend, we’re out EVERYWHERE. In fact, we may hit every spot in one night because I have a favorite bartender in each bar on clematis and I love all the unique things each venue has to offer! I suggest getting a cocktail at the Canopy Hotel Rooftop at sunset overlooking the entire city. Another amazing rooftop bar is at the Ben hotel. I would suggest my favorite Saturday night hangout spot, which is a Petanque Kitchen and Bar in Northwood, for some french bohemian vibes and house music! If you want something chill, I would suggest going to Lost Weekend to shoot some pool and have a beer. If you want some 90s retro vibes go dancing at Respectables. If you want to switch it up to Hip Hop, I would suggest going to Pawn Shop Night Club to have a drink, read some books from the library, and go dancing!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve had many amazing performance artists that have networked me into amazing opportunities worldwide and amazing clients that have given me the freedom to express my art from day one as a professional. A person in particular recently that has been an enrichment of inspiration and support is my talent agent and fellow performer colleague, Tim Jarret aka Flame Thrower Entertainment. He has been an amazing agent because he really loves what I do, believes in me, and wants to share what I do with others! He’s a great friend along my performance arts journey of 5 years, too. Importantly, I have watched him grow and it inspires me how artist dreams do come true! If you want cool entertainment, check him out!!
Website: www.abyssalhoops.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abyssal_hoops/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbyssalHoops
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQr3-aMy4ZIDVSEuodG9SSA
Other: https://abyssalperformanceschool.thinkific.com/courses/abyssalperformanceschool
Image Credits
Sage Pacetti GatoNova GatoShoot J&GEntertainment
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
