Happy World Circus Day! Circus is a force for good internationally, but we are especially enamored with the uniqueness, diversity and community right here in DC. Celebrate by entering to win tickets to see A Simple Space by Gravity & Other Myths at the Strathmore 4/26 or 4/27. Click here for Facebook entry details (it’s super simple!) or read the instructions below to enter via email. Visit our linktree to see the ‘list version’ of this email.

Photo by Luca Rossato (c) 2014. https://flic.kr/p/jhkUsv https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

TICKET GIVEAWAY April 26-27 Win two (2) tickets to see Gravity & Other Myths: A Simple Space at Strathmore on 4/26 or 4/27. Just complete these three steps and you’ll be entered. Follow Strathmore on Facebook. If you don’t do Facebook, sign up for their listserv. Sign up for the Circus District listserv here. Comment ‘Listo!’ under this post, or in an email to circusdistrict@gmail.com. BONUS ENTRY: Tag a circus friend in the comments of the FB post, or refer a friend to the Circus District listserv. Rules: Maximum two (2) entries per person through a personal profile. ‘Pages’ do not count as entries. Two winners will be selected by a random drawing, with each winner receiving a pair of tickets to the show. Tickets will be held at the box office in your name, are not transferable and do not hold cash value. Giveaway ends on April 22, and winners will be notified no later than April 24. If you can no longer attend the performance, we will choose another winner from the remaining entries.

CIRCUS SHOWS April 15 Yennega Circus of Burkina Faso is performing Journee Mondiale du Cirque, a special World Circus Day production with a livestream available for U.S. viewers at noon eastern time. Tickets are available at this link. April 20  UpSpring Aerial Lab and Kundalika present a preview of Elemental: An Exploration of Earth’s (Im)Balance Through Aerial Dance and Music at Joe’s Movement Emporium at 8 p.m. Kundalika blends Indian classical melody with other musical traditions as a backdrop for UpSpring’s aerial arts. This experience gives you a sneak peek into the progress toward this piece exploring how people are experiencing climate change. Get tickets at this link. April 21-22 University of Maryland’s Gymkana gymnastics troupe presents their Home Show at the Xfinity Center, starting at 7 p.m. both nights. Get tickets to see the hard work and talent of these students in action, from expertly timed hoop-jumping to spectacular aerial and acrobatic maneuvers. April 22-23 Flamenco dancer Yolit Yospe-Kachlon and aerialist Gwynne Flanagan join forces to present ¡Porque sí! at Theater J. This acrobatic, rhythmic, ecstatic production sold out quickly last time, so don’t miss your chance to see this riveting reboot. Buy tickets at this link. April 23 Enjoy juggling, comedy and daredevil stunts by the iconic duo The Passing Zone at GMU Center for the Arts at 4 p.m. Arrive 45 minutes prior to the performance for an interactive juggling demonstration. Get tickets at this link. May 20 Visiting artist Luther Bangert presents his solo juggling show Distillations at 7 p.m. at Rhizome DC. This show explores the ground state of the juggling universe, portraying the transformations that happen as the horizontal informs the vertical, and vice versa. Luther’s expressive style draws on dance and martial arts. He has performed internationally and was a longtime penpal/friend of Eric Carle’s. This is an outdoor event, with opening acts by multidisciplinary artists Claire Alrich and Kate Macyshyn. Get tickets at this link.

FESTIVALS May 5-7 The University of Maryland will host the Congress of Jugglers. This three-day festival is open to everyone. Enjoy games, workshops, fire jams and a free show on Saturday evening, plus open juggling all weekend at Ritchie Coliseum. More details are available on their event page.

BURLESQUE SHOWS April 20 Dive into a ‘nine course feast’ of burlesque acts during DishAbille, a tantalizing offering at Crazy Aunt Helen’s starting at 8 p.m. Executive Chef London St. Juniper will guide you through the evening. While the show is food themed, dinner and drinks are sold separately from your ticket price. Snag your plate at this link. April 21 You will never see your old chemistry textbook the same way after Noble (G)Asses, a burlesque and variety tribute to the periodic table. With acts by Rosie Beret, Bearcat Betty, Poppy La Fae and more, don’t miss this extremely scientific seduction at Bier Baron Tavern. Get tickets at this link. May 5 The Sweet Spot Burlesque will visit the Howard Theatre for an 8 p.m. show. This show frequently evolves and changes to bring you fresh acts, from variety to comedy to burlesque. Get tickets at this link. May 6  Comixxx: A Tippitywitchet Collection is a scintillating evening of nerdlesque and variety celebration in honor of Free Comic Book Day. This show will delight comic book collectors, burlesque fans, and the high percentage of people who fit into both of those categories. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for this 8 p.m. show at ArtFarm Annapolis. Get tickets at this link.

EDUCATION April 22 In the Dark Circus Arts presents a wonderful opportunity for families to experience circus performance and education at Enchanted Circus: Performance and Children’s Workshop. Enjoy a 40-minute circus performance followed by a one-hour workshop for children of all ages at Mobtown Ballroom. Kids and adults are encouraged to dress up to fit the fantastical, mythical theme. The 3-5 p.m. showing includes the hands-on workshop, while the 7 p.m. event is just the show. Get tickets at this link. Dody DiSanto offers a monthly drop-in clinic from 10 a.m.-Noon at the Center for Movement Theatre. This class helps you stay primed for your movement practice and performance through exercises meant to strengthen your balance, coordination and ensemble cohesion. See more class listings – including summer intensives – at this link. May 6 Get your floor work in shape with Mx. Kitty Kai at Burlesque Floor Werk, a class exploring leg circles, drop splits, and other transitions between standing, floor work and back again. This class takes place at Dance Exchange in Takoma Park at 6:15 p.m. Proof of vaccination including at least one booster shot is required. Get tickets at this link. June 5-9 Circadium in Philadelphia is offering a weeklong summer circus intensive. This program is for students 16 and older, with the curriculum modeled after a typical week in Circadium’s professional degree program. Training in aerial, acrobatics and juggling is accompanied by circus, theatre, dance and artistic creation classes. This is designed for intermediate and advanced students, and a coach recommendation letter is required. Sign up at this link. June 15-18 Take a variety of great classes in aerial arts, acro, movement, rigging and more during C4 Circus Workshop Weekend 2023 at Monarca in Flight. Some classes have prerequisite skills, while others are open to all levels. See the list of workshops and instructors at this link.

APPLY APPLY TODAY! April 16 Deadline The Cannonball Festival is an artist-run and community-curated festival providing substantial support for creatives as they bring their ideas to the Fringe Festival stages of Philadelphia this September. Visit this link to apply and choose the production or stipend track that’s right for you. Circus Students Around the World (CSAW) is offering a new grant for new work by circus artists of color at the Cannonball Festival. This $5,600 award will culminate in an opportunity to perform your work sometime between September 7-24, 2023. Visit this link to learn more and apply.

JOBS New York City Bindlestiff Family Cirkus is looking for a Marketing, Communications and Media Manager who lives within 70 miles of the NYC metro area. This is a part time position requiring a combination of remote and in-person work. Preference for folks who have experience working with performing arts non-profits. Find out more at this link. Spring & Summer Scorpio Entertainment is hiring event assistants to work various gigs throughout the spring and summer. Job duties include event setup/breakdown, guest check-in, and lending a hand wherever it is needed. Ideal candidates are quick on their feet and able to lift 25-45 pounds. Most event locations are metro accessible. Having a car is helpful, but not required. Pay is $18-28/hour. Visit this link to apply. Ongoing Activate Entertainment is casting artists and creatives for current and future projects. Current roles include ground circus acts, dancers, musicians/singers and other special talents that don’t require aerial rigging. Visit this link to apply.

GATHERINGS April 16 Circus folks will meet at Malcolm X Park at 4 p.m. Join the Sunday Circus Facebook group for updates.  April 19 & 21 The UMD Juggling Club will meet on McKeldin Mall (or in the Art/Sociology Building in cold/rain) from 4-6 p.m. Join their Facebook group for updates. April 20 The Fairfax Jugglers will meet on Thursday from 7:30-10 p.m. in the Key Middle School Cafeteria.  April 29 The extraordinary community organizers behind Irresistible Revolution will be hosting their April [FUN]draiser at the Olde City Garden from 5-10 p.m. Enjoy an animal flow class led by Kai Hall, music from local DJs, and a fire circle run by Sam Stevens of Sunset & Chill. Registration is free, but a $25 donation is encouraged. Visit this link for tickets. This event will help support their future productions. June 1-5 Beauty in the Backyard presents The Chrysalis, a five-day outdoor retreat featuring live music, flow arts jams, yoga classes, potlucks and more. Choose tent camping, glamping or a cabin for your stay at Roots to Sky Sanctuary in Oakland, Maryland. Get tickets at this link.