This Week — 10 December 2021

If you’re not a fan of new year’s resolutions, how about an end-of-year resolution? With so many options below, it’s easy to support local circus before 2021 is through. Take a class, buy a gift, attend a show, or throw things at jugglers (I mean… with jugglers).

EDUCATION

December 11

Enjoy a virtual workshop presented by Hamiltonian Artists professional development workshop series. Artist CVs and Bios will be led by Courtney Childress, cofounder of yours mine & ours gallery in the Lower East Side. This workshop covers the ‘simple’ (aka horrendously difficult for most of us) task of writing CVs and bios for websites, shows, grants and open calls. Learn the formulas for these crucial elements to help you succeed at all levels of your artistic practice. This event begins at 11 a.m. EST. Register for free at this link.

GIFT GUIDE

Studies show that giving money to local artists during the holidays (and throughout the year) vastly expands their opportunities to pay rent, feed themselves, and produce more of the spectacular art we love — whereas padding the pockets of billionaires just makes everyone a little more glum. Visit our gift guide for an exquisite selection of one-of-a-kind treasures for your loved ones. Here are a few DMV highlights:

Shawn G. Hart‘s gorgeous art prints, umbrellas and coloring books honoring the burlesque legend Josephine Baker. Website Etsy
Handmade woodworking built by juggling mastermind CDH Creations. Bottle openers, tables and wall art inspired by anime, circus and more. Etsy Facebook
Elegant and delicious cakes for your holiday party or circus rager by BCakes, expertly baked and decorated by Monarca in Flight owner B. Keith Ryder. Website
Circus playing cards, tarot decks, apparel and more designed by hand balancer Rachel Hipszer. Etsy

LIVE SHOWS

***Stay safe, and know before you go! Be sure to check out each venue’s Covid safety regulations prior to attending in-person events.
December 17

The Naughty Not Nice Holiday Burlesque Show will enchant you with eight extraordinary performers bringing glitz, glamour and sass to your holiday season. Presented by Billie Bleu Productions. Doors open at 8 p.m. for a 9 p.m. show. at The Crown in Baltimore. Snag tickets at this link.

December 17 & 18

Flushing (Make Room for Someone Else) is a show devised by Linda Parris-Bailey and Eric Bass, performed at Baltimore Theatre Project at 8 p.m. (12/17) and 2 p.m./8 p.m. (12/18). This work-in-process centers on the theme of transitions, of passing the baton onto the next generation. How do we let go and move on? How do those stepping in create their own path? Told through puppetry and song, this piece investigates the inevitability of time and change, and how we all grow and evolve. Get tickets at this link.

January 7 & 8

Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club is one of those genre-defying events we can’t resist including in a circus round-up. Featuring seven heavily staged bouts awash with cartoon-like violence and below-the-belt humor, this production answers the burning question: Who would win in a fight, Dr. Frankenfurter or Dr. Phil? With a secret roster of fighters sure to elicit gasps and guffaws, you won’t want to miss this raucous night of fun. Two shows per night — 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the GALA Hispanic Theatre in Columbia Heights (also appearing at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore 1/14 and 1/15). Tickets.

APPLICATIONS

Circus artists who identify as persons of color living in the U.S. can now apply for CSAW‘s January $1,000 microgrant, as well as the $5,000 tuition grant to be used for any circus education related expenses. The deadline for both grants is Dec. 15. Find more information at this link.
Circadium is now accepting applications for Fall 2022 students. Visit this link to fill out the application for this three-year program, designed to bolster your movement and performance skills and prepare you for a professional career in circus arts The deadline to apply is January 31, 2022.

GATHERINGS

December 10

The UMD Juggling Club will meet in the Art/Sociology building from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, their last meeting of the year, to resume with the spring semester in late January. All are welcome to attend. Join the club’s Facebook group for updates.

December 12

Jugglers and flow artists have been meeting semi-regularly at Malcolm X Park in DC on Sunday afternoons (around 4 p.m.). Send unofficial organizer Dzhoy a message on Instagram if you’re thinking about heading over.

December 15

The Baltimore Jugglers will meet from 6:30-9 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at Locust Point Recreation Center. Join the Baltimore Jugglers page on Facebook for the latest updates.

December 16

The Fairfax Jugglers will meet on Thursdays from 7:30-10 p.m. in the Key Middle School cafeteria. Visitors must wear masks and sign a liability waiver.