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Our Mission: Circus Day Foundation teaches the art of life through circus education. We work to build character and expand community for youth of all ages, cultures, abilities and backgrounds. Through the teaching and performance of circus arts, we help people defy gravity, soar with confidence, and leap over social barriers, all at the same time.
Our Methods:
Circus Day Foundation is a non-profit social circus organization that uses circus arts to motivate social change. By inspiring individuals and connecting communities with our circus education and entertainment programs, we have a positive impact on the St. Louis area and beyond.
Our programs teach valuable life skills like perseverance, focus, and teamwork. Learning circus with others teaches trust, responsibility and cooperation. Perhaps the most important experience we give our participants is the opportunity to meet and interact with children from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds than their own.
We believe the path to peace is a path of cooperation and communication. Teaching children from different neighborhoods how to stand on each other’s shoulders may seem like a strange way to take this path. But it’s the technique we use! The Circus Day Foundation promotes peace though pyramids, joy though juggling and harmony through handsprings. |
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News from the Circus Day Foundation
CIRCUS HARMONY: ESPRESSIVO
First Movement, Fortissimo, Glissando and now...Espressivo! Don’t miss the
marvelous multi-cultural music and
sensational circus acts that are the
zenith of our performing year at the
Circus Day Foundation. Shows this
year are Friday through Sunday
November 16, 17 and 18. This is our
one full-length production of the year
where our best new acts work to
wonderful live music from the Circus
Harmony Band under the direction of
Adam Rugo. New guest musicians this
year include Irish fiddling prodigy,
Raphael Makarewicz and famed
Flamenco guitarist, Liam Christy.
Tickets on sale now! |
Show Info:
Friday, November 16th
7pm
Saturday, November 17th
2pm & 7pm
Sunday, November 18th
1pm & 5pm
$15 Adults
$10 Children and Seniors
For tickets & Information:
314.436.7676
www.circusday.org |
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314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org
| Tumbling Times |
Page 2 |
Fall 2007 |
Letter from the Artistic/Executive Director
The past six months have been amazingly full. Our end of year class shows. Circus Flora in St. Louis, Circus Flora in Nantucket. The American Youth Circus Festival. The incredible shows put on by our campers. And Israel. Israel.
When was it that we realized we were doing something totally extraordinary? At the airport, leaving St. Louis? On the plane, as we crossed the Atlantic? In the parking lot, where we first met the children of the Galilee Circus? During our first days of practicing together? The first show at the kibbutz? In the Dead Sea? At the Tomb of the Holy Sepulcher? On top of Masada? There was the first show in the Arab village that moved all the grown-ups to tears. That moment when it was clear that these children from Israel and America, from Jewish and Arab and Black and white neighborhoods and cultures had transcended all that and created something so wondrous that it touched the hearts of all who saw it. But for me, the moment, the defining moment, was the show we did at Bet Kessler, the home for people with cerebral palsy. It brought me back to the first traveling youth circus I was a part of, The Circus Kingdom. We were a group of youth circus performers from throughout the country, brought together by Rev. David Harris. Every town we played in, we also did a show for people who could not come to us–a senior citizens’ home, a prison, a home for the mentally ill. The show we did at Bet Kessler brought me back to those roots.
To be in the circus is to give. It is not the tricks you do. It is what you give. To those you perform with and to your audience. It was the moment that these children, together, gave this gift of themselves to the people at Bet Kessler. For me, this was the defining moment.
I wish you could have been there to see the faces–of the audience and of the performers.
This is the power of the circus and this is why the work we do at the Circus Day Foundation is so important. Circus really can help save the world. Read on. Join us. Help us.
Shalom,
Jessica Hentoff
Artistic/Executive Director
Galilee Arches at Bet Kessler
Super Circus Birthday Parties
For the young and the young at heart, Circus Day Foundation presents the most unique party in St. Louis: your guests will have the opportunity to learn circus skills from real circus performers in a one hour circus workshop at City Museum. Party also includes a place to have your cake (you supply food, drinks and paper products) and open presents plus time to explore the unexpected at City Museum. Cost is $250 for up to 10 people and $20 for each additional participant. To reserve call 314-436-7676 and learn how to truly be the life of the party!
HR>
Trout for New Year’s?
The St. Louis Arches have been invited to help ring in the New Year at the YMCA’s Trout Lodge near Potosi, Missouri. This family-friendly resort is famous for their themed activities. This past summer they had Super Hero Saturdays and Safari Sundays. For the New Year’s vacation weekend, the theme is Under the Big Top. The Arches will provide entertainment and circus workshops at the Lodge from Dec. 29 Ð Jan. 1. Come join us for a weekend of circus fun and fireworks! Visit www.ymcaoftheozarks.org for more information. We’d love to see you there!
314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org
| Tumbling Times | Page 3 | Fall 2007 |
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Elliaire Duet
Iking’s Side Somersault Over
Controlled Chaos
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What Is Normal?
Normal is the college town in Illinois which hosted the 4th biennial American Youth Circus Festival. Youth circus performers and teachers from across the country gathered for four days of workshops, shows and fellowship. Circus Day brought twenty students, three teachers, two administrators and one baby to the Festival.
Our students partook of workshops in Contortion, Flying Trapeze, Russian Swing, Power Tumbling and more. They also presented several acts in the two gala performances at the Festival. Our teachers led workshops in Minitrampoline, Magic, and How to Write A Press Release.
There was a nightly pool party with other youth circus troupes in the hotel each night with surely the most creative aquatic play in the pool’s history. For more information on the American Youth Circus Festival visit www.americanyouthcircus.org. We are proud members of the American Youth Circus Organization
Alexandra and Renaldo
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314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org
| Tumbling Times | Page 4 | Fall 2007 |
>World Peace Though Youth
Circus: the Galilee Arches
314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org
| Tumbling Times | Page 5 | Fall 2007 |
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World Peace Though Youth
Circus: the Galilee Arches
We did it! Eleven youth circus performers, two teaching artists, one parent and one mentor went to Israel for two weeks this summer to promote Peace Through Pyramids and Harmony Through Handsprings.
The St. Louis Arches joined forces with Jewish/Arab youth troupe the Galilee Circus and the Galilee Arches were born. This remarkable collaboration between the two youth circus troupes from America’s Circus Day Foundation and Israel’s Galilee Foundation for Value Education was everything we hoped it would be and more.
We performed for more than 2500 people in 10 different shows throughout Israel including stops in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Mitzpah Ramon and Yokneam. We slept in a Bedouin tent, waded in the Jordan River, scaled Masada, swam in the Dead Sea and showed the world that that it really doesn’t matter where you are from or what your background is, it is who YOU are and what YOU do that makes a difference. This cross-cultural, country-connecting social circus project demonstrated in a breath-taking way what can happen when people of different nationalities and backgrounds build something together. These are only children–but they have a lot to teach the rest of the world. You can read about our adventures at www.circusday.org by linking to our blog or one of the articles written about this ground-breaking, bridge-building project.
The next chapter will be to bring members of the Galilee Circus here to America next summer in celebration of Israel’s 60th Anniversary. If you or someone you know would like to help us in this endeavor, please contact Jessica Hentoff at 314-436-7676.
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Mary Engelbreit Commemorative Poster
The Circus Day Foundation is honored that renowned St. Louis artist, Mary Engelbreit designed a commemorative poster of our Arches to Israel project. The poster in Mary’s inimitable style features youth circus performers and the phrases Harmony through Handsprings and Joy through Juggling along with the names St. Louis Arches and Galilee Circus and Israel 2007. The poster is available to order through our website or by calling 314-436-7676. Cost for the 11 X 17 poster is $10 unframed and $75 matted and framed. Proceeds from the sale of the poster will go towards the making of a documentary about the adventure.
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314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org
| Tumbling Times | Page 6 | Fall 2007 |
Circus Flora Provides
Opportunities
Circus Day Foundation’s advanced students once again had the unrivalled opportunity to perform with Circus Flora in June. Circus Day’s St. Louis Arches presented their dynamic 15 person tumbling and minitrampoline act. Two of our students, Claire Kuciejczyk-Kernan and Rosie Eastman, appeared with Sasha Nevidonski in his Silks on Horseback act, in an act he choreographed just for them. In our ongoing collaboration with Circus Flora and Therapeutic Horsemanship, the Ianna Spirit Riders, under the direction of Jenn Buck, wowed audiences with their equestrian acrobatics.
In August, the Ianna Spirit Riders and five other members of the St. Louis Arches joined Circus
Flora for several performances on the island of Nantucket. Circus Day is honored that their students are considered such an integral part of this world-class performing ensemble. |
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Circus to Come to You!
Circus Day Foundation’s exciting youth circus performers have been seen around town this year at:
- Conway Elementary School
- Buzz Westfall Plaza
- New Town
- Chesterfield Mall
- Heritage Freedom Festival in O'Fallon
- Fair Saint Louis
- Southern Growth Policies Board 2007 Conference Conway, Highland, Buder and Gotsch Schools
- Principia College
- Flower Festival at Christ Church
- Family Safety Festival at Alton Memorial Hospital
- Midwest Regional Assoc. for Healthcare Philanthropy
- Better Family Life Rally
- Chase Park Plaza Starlight Ballroom
- Southwestern Illinois College
- Art in the Limelight Festival at Ladue High School
- St Louis Regional Bicycle Swap and Meet at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, IL
- Arthritis Foundation presents Cabin Fever Weekend
- Grandparents Day at Buder Elementary
- Hooked on Health Fair at the America's Center
You can make your day a circus day by booking us for your next special event. Just call the friendly folks at 314-645-4445.
We have also helped teach the art of life through circus education at the following locations:
- American Youth Circus Festival
- Interchange
- Circus Flora's Community Circus Camp
- Gateway Kids World Summer Camp
- COCA Urban Arts Program
- PAKT Community Resources Center
- Hawthorne Children's Psychiatric Center
- Upward Bound from Minnesota and Oklahoma
- College School Summer Circus Program
- Girl Scout Troupe 909's Circus Workshop
- AAA Kentucky Einence School
- JB Marine Soccer Circus Party
- St. Cecilia's Enrichment Program
- Innsbrook Resort Summer Camp Program
Call us at 314-436-7676 and we can teach your group a few tricks, as well. We can arrange workshops in a wide variety of circus skills at City Museum or to come to you.
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314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org
| Tumbling Times | Page 7 | Fall 2007 |
Taste of Circus
Mini-Classes
For those not ready to make the commitment of our regular 15-week circus classes, we offer Taste of Circus Mini-Classes. Three weeks for just $45 to see if you are ready to run away and join the circus without leaving home.
For info or to register , visit our classes page or call 314.436.7676
Simply Circus Training System
Over the past several years Steve Santos and his crew at Simply Circus has developed an advancement system for learning circus arts that they hope will one day become the standard for the whole of the circus industry. While at the American Youth Circus Festival, Circus Day’s staff got a first hand look at the curriculum and training system devised by Steve Santos and his team at Simply Circus. All of us were amazed and impressed by its thoroughness and understanding of progressions.
While the folks at Simply Circus feel that this system still has a long way to go, they are now taking the next step in their journey and for the first time having an outside group test their system. We are very excited that Simply Circus has chosen Circus Day Foundation as their first partner to test the system. |
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Seeing Double
 The Incomparable Iking Bateman, one of the St. Louis Arches, has attained an acrobatic achievement reached by few others in the circus word: The Double Backward Somersault. Without the aid of a trampolette or spring floor, Iking is able to realize this terrific turning tumble simply by the power of his body and mind. He was aided in this amazing accomplishment by special guest circus coach, Warren Bacon. Warren, who was himself a competitive gymnast and professional circus performer said, “Accomplishing the impossible must be made habit. What is habit must be made easy. What is easy must be made beautiful. Thank you Iking for making it real.”
| Wish List
Camera and monitor system
Locking Cabinets for books, DVDs and video
Computers
Office Supplies
Postal Supplies
Juggling Supplies
Unicycles
Carpet runners
15 passenger van
Costumes and tights
Digital Camcorder
Blank VHS tapes and DVDs
Ballet and Acrobatic Shoes
Suitcases, Trunks and Musical Instrument Cases
Three-Ring Binders |
THE PERFECT GIFT gift card
40% OFF
Entire custom framing order
The Great Frame Up
Dierberg’s West Oak Shopping Center
Mon-Sat 10-6pm/Sun 12-4
314-432-8333’HNot Valid With Any Other Offers. Present Card At Time Of
Not Valid With Any Other Offers. Present Card At Time Of Purchase
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314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org
| Tumbling Times | Page 8 | Fall 2007 |
Circus Day Foundation would like to thank the following for supporting us:
314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org
