Category: Here & Now

This Week — 25 February 2022

Published on by christiankloc

This weekend is rife with amazing live shows to check out in Baltimore and Tysons. Round up your favorite circus people and hit the big top!

LIVE SHOWS

***Be sure to check out each venue’s Covid safety regulations prior to attending in-person events.

February 25-27

  • The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will provide the riveting live soundtrack to Troupe Vertigo‘s latest creation, España and Beyond! See fabulous feats of acrobatics and aerial artistry in this beautiful production, set to Shchedrin’s re-imagining of Bizet’s Carmen. Show times are 8 p.m. (2/25 & 2/26) and 3 p.m. (2/27). You can also watch a virtual livestream of the Saturday show. Get tickets here.
  • Witness a triumphant reimagining of the mythological tale of Eurydice at Songs From the UnderWorld, created by Baltimore artist ellen cherry. This show opens with a Jim Henson Foundation-sponsored work of puppetry by Anna Fitzgerald, and follows with multimedia storytelling inspired by ellen cherry’s recovery from a car wreck a few years ago. Show times are 8 p.m. (2/25 & 2/26) and 3 p.m. (2/27). Get tickets at this link.

February 26

March 10

April 3 – second show added!

FILM

March 14 – April 16

APPLICATIONS

  • Dance Place currently has an open call for local artists identifying within the vast spectrum of ‘disabled.’ This program will consider applicants for a paid one-week residency, providing 40 hours of rehearsal time, a $4k honorarium and a $1k accessibility stipend. The residency runs from June 19-24. Visit this link for more information.
  • Circus artists who identify as persons of color living in the U.S. can now apply for CSAW‘s April $1,000 microgrant. The deadline is March 15. Find more information at this link.
  • If you’re interested in applying to a circus school in the U.S. or abroad, check out CSAW’s application mastersheet, with a comprehensive list of deadlines and school ambassadors, who are available to answer your questions and guide you through the selection process. Whether you’re currently applying to schools or considering applying in a year or two, this list is an invaluable resource.

GATHERINGS

February 25 & March 2

March 3

  • 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. 

Photo by Christian Kloc © 2011.

This Week — 18 February 2022

Published on by christiankloc

Whether you’re ready for a night on the town or an evening at home with a cup of tea, the Circus District has offerings to keep you entertained, informed and engaged.

SUPPORT

February 19

LIVE SHOWS

***Be sure to check out each venue’s Covid safety regulations prior to attending in-person events.

February 25-27

  • Witness a triumphant reimagining of the mythological tale of Eurydice at Songs From the UnderWorld, created by Baltimore artist ellen cherry. This show opens with a Jim Henson Foundation-sponsored work of puppetry by Anna Fitzgerald, and follows with multimedia storytelling inspired by ellen cherry’s recovery from a car wreck a few years ago. Show times are 8 p.m. (2/25 & 2/26) and 3 p.m. (2/27). Get tickets at this link.

February 26

April 3 – second show added!

NEWS

  • Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) is putting great ideas into action. Artists in New York can apply for a guaranteed $1,000 income per month for 18 months, with 2,400 spots available in the program. CRNY Is also setting up an Artist Employment Program, which partners with various organizations to provide solid employment to artists ($65k per year + benefits!), allowing creatives to fully devote themselves to their craft.
  • This program stems from the not-so-revolutionary idea that if you provide for the most basic needs of individuals, they can prioritize acquiring gigs, creating valuable work, educating themselves, and building generational wealth. It’s important to think about the power of a guaranteed income when we evaluate the institutional support for artists in our region. While grant programs and residencies enable some growth in the creative sector, guaranteed income can remove many barriers to entry/continuance for artists to survive and thrive in our communities.

GATHERINGS – VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON

February 18 & 23

February 23

  • The District Rope Group will hold a Virtual Rope Jam via Zoom from 8-10 p.m. This is a great place to share your skills, ask questions, and suggest topics for discussion/education. You are welcome to join this gathering however you feel comfortable (camera/audio on or off), but recording of any kind is not permitted. RSVP by joining the group and responding to the Facebook event page.

February 24

  • 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. 

EDUCATION

March 13

APPLICATIONS

  • Circus artists who identify as persons of color living in the U.S. can now apply for CSAW‘s April $1,000 microgrant. The deadline is March 15. Find more information at this link.
  • If you’re interested in applying to a circus school in the U.S. or abroad, check out CSAW’s application mastersheet, with a comprehensive list of deadlines and school ambassadors, who are available to answer your questions and guide you through the selection process. Whether you’re currently applying to schools or considering applying in a year or two, this list is an invaluable resource.

NYC HAPPENINGS

Through February 19

  • Delve into 4,000 years of juggling history through the innovative and playful mind of Jay Gilligan in his show REFLEX, presented by Hideaway Circus. This intimate show uses unique props, inventions and robots to reveal a mesmerizing world of object manipulation. Appearing at Theater Mitu580, with tickets at this link.

Through March 6

  • We are over the moon to report that Happenstance Theater is debuting their show BAROCOCO at 59E59 Theaters in Manhattan. This production transports you to the late Baroque era and its lavishly adorned characters whose lifestyles are on the brink of extinction, told through exquisite physical comedy and seamless ensemble work. Get tickets at this link.

Photo by DirkJan Ranzijn © 2010 https://flic.kr/p/anfc7e https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/

This Week — 11 February 2022

Published on by christiankloc

We’re excited to be plotting our course for the new year. 2022 brings familiar challenges, but we also hope it brings you some inspiration to try something new and engage with the vibrant artists and communities that make the DMV a beautiful and enriching place to live. As usual, keep us informed by emailing circusdistrict@gmail.com with your local circus intel! And keep the content flowing by sponsoring us on Patreon.

LIVE SHOWS

***Be sure to check out each venue’s Covid safety regulations prior to attending in-person events.

February 12

  • The Library Tavern will host The Adult Section: A Burlesque and Variety Dinner Show, with a dinner of Persian dishes at 6 p.m. followed by an 8 p.m. show. Excellent for a date night or a friends’ excursion, the line-up includes ‘Token Block Guy’ Saymo Saymo, burlesque superstar Ginger Jameson, ex-Ringling clown Jim Dandy and the endlessly charming Delilah Dentata. Get tickets at this link.

February 25-27

  • Witness a triumphant reimagining of the mythological tale of Eurydice at Songs From the UnderWorld, created by Baltimore artist ellen cherry. This show opens with a Jim Henson Foundation-sponsored work of puppetry by Anna Fitzgerald, and follows with multimedia storytelling inspired by ellen cherry’s recovery from a car wreck a few years ago. Show times are 8 p.m. (2/25 & 2/26) and 3 p.m. (2/27). Get tickets at this link.

February 26

April 3

FILM

  • Hiko in Tonga has been listed as a ‘Best of the Fest’ pick for the Golden Gate International Film Festival this year. This film by Paprika Leaverton chronicles the vanishing culture of Polynesian women jugglers in the Kingdom of Tonga. Visit this link and click on ‘Buy Tickets’ at the top of the page to receive a barcode to screen the film. The virtual screening is available through February 14, and a portion of tickets sales will go toward Tongan tsunami relief.

APPLICATIONS

  • Circus artists who identify as persons of color living in the U.S. can now apply for CSAW‘s March $1,000 microgrant. The deadline is Feb. 15. Find more information at this link.

GATHERINGS – VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON

February 11 & 16

February 17

  • 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. 

February 23

  • The District Rope Group will hold a Virtual Rope Jam via Zoom from 8-10 p.m. This is a great place to share your skills, ask questions, and suggest topics for discussion/education. You are welcome to join this gathering however you feel comfortable (camera/audio on or off), but recording of any kind is not permitted. RSVP by joining the group and responding to the Facebook event page.

EDUCATION

NYC HAPPENINGS

Take a road trip (or snag an Amtrak ticket) to visit our ‘upstairs neighbor’ and enjoy these excellent shows!

Through February 19

  • Delve into 4,000 years of juggling history through the innovative and playful mind of Jay Gilligan in his show REFLEX, presented by Hideaway Circus. This intimate show uses unique props, inventions and robots to reveal a mesmerizing world of object manipulation. Appearing at Theater Mitu580, with tickets at this link.

Through March 6

  • We are over the moon to report that Happenstance Theater is debuting their show BAROCOCO at 59E59 Theaters in Manhattan. This production transports you to the late Baroque era and its lavishly adorned characters whose lifestyles are on the brink of extinction, told through exquisite physical comedy and seamless ensemble work. Get tickets at this link.

Photo by Andrew Nash © 2014. https://flic.kr/p/kTv4eV  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

This Week — 10 December 2021

Published on by christiankloc

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

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

December 12

December 15

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. 

Photo by Tim Ellis © 2009. https://flic.kr/p/5m9upE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/

This Week — 3 December 2021

Published on by christiankloc

Where would we be without local artists? Those who dedicate their lives to performing, creating, building and reimagining our lives in countless ways. Whether they’re making handmade art or delectable edible creations, we love to support local artists during the holidays — and make it a habit that carries us through a year of gratitude and fulfillment. Check out our gift guide for your one-stop circus creator shopping list.

IN MEMORIAM

December 4

  • Celebrate the life of Monarca in Flight owner, aerialist, artist and educator Acoatzin Torres at the Parish Hall of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Annandale from 5-7 p.m. If you can’t be there in person, watch via a Facebook live stream at this link. Guests are encouraged to wear bright, colorful clothing, and to share their remembrances, as they also catch glimpses of the energy, joy and beauty Acoatzin brought to this world through photographs, videos, mementos and stories.

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

ONLINE EVENTS

December 4

  • If you missed the Gold Over America Tour during its trek across the U.S., fear not! The show will be livestreamed at 4 p.m. EST. This show explores empowerment, social media, mental health and positive body image in a series of electrifying gymnastics routines. Buy a general admission ticket for 24 hours of video playback, or purchase a VIP ticket for access to a chatroom with Simone Biles and others. Get tickets at this link.

December 5

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 4

  • The Adult Section at Library Tavern DC is excited to share their next installment of dinner theater, with sensational performances by Tempete LaCoeur, Jim Dandy, Eva Mystique and Delilah Dentata. A dinner of Persian dishes (included in your ticket price) will be served from 6:30-8 p.m., followed immediately thereafter by the show. Get tickets at this link.

December 17

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.

APPLICATIONS

  • The Atlas Intersections Festival will return to H Street from February 24 to March 6, 2022, presenting an array of performances that explore the ideas and issues of our time. Categories include movement, sound, story and family performances. Apply by December 10 at 5 p.m. As a former producer of an Intersections show, I highly recommend this festival to anyone seeking an opportunity to mount their work in a circus-friendly environment that covers many of your major costs. View the application 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. 
  • Circus artists who identify as persons of color living in the U.S. can now apply for CSAW‘s January $1,000 microgrant (deadline is Dec. 15). 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.

GATHERINGS

December 5

December 8 & 10

December 9

  • 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. 

This Week — 26 November 2021

Published on by christiankloc

At this time of year (and all year long, actually), we’re thankful for you, our readers, for putting our words into action at every turn. An extra-special shout-out to our Patreon sponsors, who help us conquer our web hosting bills while also dreaming about another year rich with community circus content.

IN MEMORIAM

December 4

  • Celebrate the life of Monarca in Flight owner, aerialist, artist and educator Acoatzin Torres at the Parish Hall of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Annandale from 5-7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear bright, colorful clothing, and to share their remembrances, as they also catch glimpses of the energy, joy and beauty Acoatzin brought to this world through photographs, videos, mementos and stories.

LIVE BURLESQUE 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 1

December 4

  • The Adult Section at Library Tavern DC is excited to share their next installment of dinner theater, with sensational performances by Tempete LaCoeur, Jim Dandy, Eva Mystique and Delilah Dentata. A dinner of Persian dishes (included in your ticket price) will be served from 6:30-8 p.m., followed immediately thereafter by the show. Get tickets at this link.

December 17

GIVING TUESDAY

November 30

ONLINE EVENTS

December 4

  • If you missed the Gold Over America Tour during its trek across the U.S., fear not! The show will be livestreamed at 4 p.m. EST. This show goes far beyond an exhibition of elite gymnastics, delving into themes of empowerment, social media, mental health and positive body image in a series of electrifying routines. Buy a general admission ticket for 24 hours of video playback, or purchase a VIP ticket for access to a chatroom with Simone Biles and others. Get tickets at this link.

APPLICATIONS

  • The Atlas Intersections Festival will return to H Street from February 24 to March 6, 2022, presenting an array of performances that explore the ideas and issues of our time. Categories include movement, sound, story and family performances. Apply by December 10 at 5 p.m. As a former producer of an Intersections show, I highly recommend this festival to anyone seeking an opportunity to mount their work in a circus-friendly environment that covers many of your major costs. View the application 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. 
  • Circus artists who identify as persons of color living in the U.S. can now apply for CSAW‘s January $1,000 microgrant (deadline is Dec. 15). 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.

GATHERINGS

November 28

December 1

December 2

  • 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.