This Week — 8 October 2021

The circus world is abuzz with thrilling new offerings in print, on stage, in our hearts and (just as importantly) in our wallets. Look no further for excellent opportunities to SUPPORT LOCAL CIRCUS.

CIRCUS BOOKS BY CIRCUS FOLKS

Jugga Spin Jaxx Discovers His Hidden Talent, a children’s book by the DMV’s own C.A. Matt, is now available on digital shelves. Order the softcover or e-book here! Also, check out the Jugga Spin website for a great selection of juggling lifestyle apparel.
Former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown Rich Potter has created a beautiful coffee-table book titled Cirkus in Quarantine: A Book of Live Art. This collection of hand-drawn and painted artwork is a testament to the perseverance of circus arts through the pandemic, as it joyously portrays the weekly roster of Bindlestiff Family Cirkus’s live-streamed open stage variety shows in 2019 and 2020. Order a copy — and perhaps some extra visual art perks — by donating to the book’s IndieGoGo campaign here.

SOLIDARITY

The Local 22 chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees — aka the stagehands who do miraculous behind-the-scenes work across the city — authorized a strike yesterday morning in pursuit of a fair labor contract with the Kennedy Center that includes stipulations for staffing levels, wages and overtime pay (see WaPo article). This movement is important because:

Shows can’t happen without stagehands (with the Kennedy Center’s scheduled production of the Tony-award-winning Hadestown currently in jeopardy).
The plight of stagehands overlaps with the plight of all performing artists in their reasonable demand of living wages for the professional and culture-shifting work that they do every day.
Esteemed art houses and organizations with grand reputations frequently hide behind their big names to exploit artists, employees and staff at all levels. When we as artists or consumers stand in solidarity with technical crews and administrative workers, we fight this broader battle for the good of arts everywhere.

If you’re interested in supporting IATSE members during this difficult time, fill out the mutual aid form at this link.

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.***
October 9

Gwynne Flanagan and Elise Sipos will perform their elegant, hilarious and genre-defying 25-minute circus show as Forever Marzipan at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the Fairfax Fall Festival. See the full schedule here.

October 9 – 24

The Maryland Renaissance Festival returns on Saturdays and Sundays, with the line-up of performers as stellar as always at this completely outdoor event in Crownsville/Annapolis. Get tickets and check out this weekend’s schedule at this link.

October 16

Monarca in Flight in Falls Church presents Neon Dreams and Monochrome Nightmares at 2:30 p.m., an in-person showcase featuring students and staff performing jaw-dropping aerial routines.

October 27 – November 7

BrouHaHa by Happenstance Theater returns to the Baltimore Theatre Project to delight audiences with an existential, apocalyptic work of ensemble comedy genius. This production takes cues from Fellini’s La Strada, Bergman’s The Seventh Seal, and the works of Samuel Beckett. Get tickets at this link.

November 11

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti Art School returns to the Creative Alliance in Baltimore at 7 p.m. This unique evening of community art slash performance spotlights fabulous burlesque performer Bebe Bardot as the muse for your own drawings. Sip on a delicious cocktail as you create your masterpiece. Remember to bring your own drawing materials and cash tips for the model. Get tickets at this link.

November 18 – January 9

Omnium: A Bold New Circus lands in Tysons III for a long run of shows under the big top featuring a diverse and multi-abled cast of circus artists performing in an accessible environment. This production emerged in quarantine as a critically acclaimed virtual spectacle. The live version will offer ADA seating, audio description, braille and large print programs, integrated ASL interpreters, a calming area in the lobby, STEAM based study guides and more! Get tickets at this link.

GALAS

October 16

Support the life-changing educational work of Circus Smirkus at their virtual gala, featuring performances and testimonies to this organization’s amazing programming starting at 7 p.m. Bid on their silent auction at this link, and get tickets here.

November 13

The 2021 Circadium Gala will be an in-person spectacle to behold this year, with proceeds supporting the first and only diploma-granting institution of higher education for circus artists in the United States. Visit this link to donate and get a ticket. If you can make it to Philly, look forward to an action-packed evening including live performances on the ground and in the air accompanied by the West Philly Orchestra from 7-10 p.m. If you can’t make it in person, consider participating in the online silent auction happening live during the gala.

EDUCATION

October 18

Listen to a free discussion hosted by the American Circus Alliance between a second-generation circus performer and a professional rigger for insight into aerial rigging from the performer’s perspective. This conversation will explore how to develop mutual trust between performers and riggers to create an innovative and fun working environment promoting ‘safe danger.’ Register at this link.

CONFERENCES

October 9-10

EdCon 2021, produced by American Circus Educators, will provide a full weekend of online learning and connection for circus educators. The line-up includes virtual presentations, workshops, discussions and social events. Visit this link to secure early bird registration by September 18. Attendees must be members of ACE or AYCO — membership is available at a sliding scale at the above link.

GATHERINGS

October 13

The Baltimore Jugglers will meet from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Locus Point Recreation Center. Assuming good weather, the gathering will begin outside and then head indoors when it gets dark. Join the Baltimore Jugglers page on Facebook for the most up-to-date information about future meetings.
The UMD Juggling Club will meet outdoors on McKeldin Mall from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. All are welcome to attend. Join the club’s Facebook group for updates throughout the semester.

October 14

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. If you would like to help with the club’s newly required insurance expenses, email bsperling@cox.net.

APPLICATIONS

Circus artists who identify as persons of color living in the U.S. can now apply for CSAW‘s November $1,000 microgrant. You can also consider applying for the upcoming tuition grant ($5,000), which can be used for any circus education related expenses. Find more information at this link. The deadline to apply for the microgrant is October 15, but a new grant will be available every month for the next year.