I was curious if anyone had any ideas on places I could work for my stay so I would have more time to practice my juggling? I am aware of WWOOF, and of a few intentional communities in the US, but I was curious if anyone had any better ideas? Thank you all so much for your time and help!

Hi! I’m an aerialist for fun and have been interested in rigging etc. because i like physics and would love to work in circus or travel w a circus but think performing professionally would be too much on me physically. If you work rigging for a studio, show or traveling group I would love to know how you learned and got into it, certifications needed etc etc :) thank you!

By request in a previous post, here are my thoughts on the reimagined Ringling after seeing today’s performance.

The Good: It goes without saying that there are some incredibly talented people on tour. The show features all manner of disciplines including trapeze, aerials, highwire, teeterboard, BMX, etc.

Music acts are performed on stage with choreography as opposed to being played by a band. This made sense with the new approach and was very enjoyable.

The robot dog Bailey was met with mixed reactions. I have never witnessed hundreds of people mass-discussing something all at once, which was bizarre. Despite this I am interested to see what can be done with similar technology, as Feld Entertainment has used puppets and animatronics in some of its other shows.

The Bad: For a show focused on human talent, it’s incredibly disappointing to see the removal of arena clowns and ringmaster. There are several show guides and physical comedians which are entertaining in their own right, but it mostly felt like a hollow attempt to distance the new show from its past.

The stage direction is somewhat confusing. During the BMX stunts, a Chinese pole act was taking place on the opposite side of the arena. As someone else recently mentioned in this subreddit the circular overhead screens were missing, which would have been nice as I could barely see it from the lower level.

The sound was a bit muffled, which often confused the audience resulting in lukewarm responses. I have no experience with entertaining but I imagine that can be a real confidence killer.

The Ugly: No complaints whatsoever on the costumes or set design. I am a big fan of the geometric, primary color theme. Red and blue are iconic colors for Ringling that are reflected heavily here.

Other notes: I attended Sunday’s performance midday and some friends attended in the evening, the arena was less than half full on both occasions. Historically our city has produced a good turnout. I am unsure if this decline in attendance is due to the retirement of traditional acts, loss of relevance, cost, or other factors. The show will be in town this weekend and the following with approximately two shows daily Friday-Sunday, so maybe the others will fair a bit better.

Our friend’s six year old daughter was attending for the first time and lost interest several acts in, they did not return after intermission.

Conclusion: Like many others I am left feeling a bit mixed. The performers were excellent, but the show itself needs work in several areas.

Ringling may have a difficult time living up to the expectations of longtime fans and retaining first-timers after the revival tour. I will be returning when and if it is renewed, but my friends and their daughter may not.

Needless to say, it is vital for Feld Entertainment to be receptive to feedback if they hope to remain relevant and continue turning an audience.

Tomorrow I will be seeing the reimagined Ringling, and a few questions have been on my mind:

• Ringling has had to deal with the difficult situation of appealing to both new and dedicated fans. After the excitement of the show emerging from retirement wears off, will it remain viable?

• What is the likelihood of Ringling bringing back domesticated animals and traditional clowns to appease dedicated fans?

• How can the show reinvent itself to attract new fans?

Hello,

My boyfriend is part of the circus scene and works events doing juggling, fire, unicycling etc.

He loves all things circus, it’s his life, but he also has plenty of money to buy everything he wants and so I’m really struggling with wanting to get him a nice personal Christmas gift, but I have no idea about this world and what would be good.. he also works for a circus equipment brand so he can get most of his gear cheap and buys pretty much whatever he wants in regards to this.

He loves his light up LED juggling clubs so I was thinking something funky, but still no closer to a present…

Any ideas or advice from similar folk?

I did gymnastics for 12 years and would like to use the innate skills I got from that for something I enjoy more, and I’ve been looking into arial arts now. Specifically, I want to try the flying trapeze; however, I am finding it difficult to find a place that teaches it. I live in southeastern Virginia (US) and it looks like the closest gym to me that even has the apparatus is 5 hours away in Washington DC. I’m turning eighteen in a week, and around this time next year I’m going to be moving out, but I planned on moving to Richmond, which is still 2hrs away from DC. It feels dumb to drive that far to try a single class. Are there any sort of camps or anything I could go to to learn trapeze, or is there anyone from my area that knows of a place that teaches it? I’d be willing to travel a bit for some sort of summer camp or beginner’s training program, but I can’t find much info on anything.

I'm definitely not well-off, but want to take my mother and siblings to the circus. I mostly care about a seat with a good view for my party of four. I don't need VIP seats, but am not trying to get the worst seats in the house either. Any advice on where to sit? The show is at Citi Field. I worked as staff at a Cirque du Soleil show at Citi Field a few years ago, but it's probably a different layout of course.

I'll probably be looking into Groupon and other places for a good deal as well, but I'm not tied to that.

Also, does anyone know how the Big Apple Circus show compares to the Hermanos Vazquez show? Both are in NYC now.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Some bloke posted a TON of circus and circus teaching resources to Researchgate. These are full books and what look like really well done in-service training handouts. Check them out before they are gone. I don't do all of the things, but these have been really helpful so far for the circus things I do.

Introduction to Rigging: Aerialist Essentials is a rigging 101 in a book. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384293183_Introduction_to_Rigging_Aerialist_Essentials

32 Aerial Projects to Make at Home is a book on how to build safe equipment as a DIY'er. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384293419_32_Aerial_Projects_to_make_at_home

The Mat Bible is an extensive document on mats and risk management https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343921929_The_Mat_Bible

Circus Rescues is a document on how to perform emergency rescues in studios and theaters https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385710267_Circus_Rescues

(PDF) Hand Balancing Equipment

(PDF) Chair Balancing Chair specifications and Chair stacking skill guide

(PDF) Latex Balloon Alternatives (this is how I found them)

(PDF) Trampoline

(PDF) Stiltwalking

(PDF) Rola Bola

(PDF) Rolling Barrels and Rolling Globes

(PDF) Tightwire (includes how to make wire props / fans / shoes)

I just saw the current tour of RBBB having previously seen it in March. The giant circular overhead screens were missing from the set, and several performers were missing. Does anyone know what's going on with the show? Illness or injury, budget cutbacks, or any other explanation?

So,

This has been a thought that's been around for a long time now. Currently, there quite a few ways my life could go and I'm thinking circus life could be the way to go. In a timeline where everything goes right, I'll get the trainee job I'm going for, do an access course and go to university. Hopefully, I can find the time to practice something and get into a good circus.

Is there a good chance for multiple jobs in circus or do I need to go back to the drawing board? Thank you.

This is my second suspension, and combining my contortion with it makes my heart flutter.

I want an aerial pretzel. I tried reaching out to some local metal fabricators who don’t really have experience making aerial materials. Any online shops that would do this?

Hey all! Im turning 18 this month, been on my own for nearly 3 years, and spontaneously got myself circus equipment during covid. I take full classes and am mostly self taught in lyre, hammock, silks, fire spinning, acro, and a few others. Im looking for a circus group, preferably one that travels, to join.

If there are any circus groups out there willing to take in a rogue who literally cut off her family to enjoy her life doing what she loves, Id love any information.