Two really fun optional circus events coming right up! Read on to find out more!
(1) We have once again been invited to present a show outdoors on stage at the Herberger Theater in downtown Phoenix. This is one in the series of “performance pop-ups” on Saturday evenings throughout the year.
Students from all our classes are invited to participate. Students get to meet circus students and coaches from other schools and join in circus skill displays. This is an optional activity and beginners and advanced students are all welcome. The show is free to the public so invite friends and family to the circus!
Date and Time: Saturday November 30, please arrive no later than 5PM. Show is at 6PM
Location: 222 E Monroe St Phoenix 85004 (Note: parking downtown can be challenging. Leave lots of time to figure that out and walk over to the east lawn of the theater property)
What to wear: there will be PYCA t-shirts for sale ($20) and some to borrow. Students should wear comfortable, stretchy pants/shorts/leggings such as they normally wear for practice. Having layers in case it is cold is helpful.
How to sign up: use this google form to indicate that you intend to participate and which acts your student would like to be in. Kids should only participate in acts that they feel comfortable in and will enjoy. The show runs like an elaborate version of the “show off” all our students are accustomed to having at the end of every class in which performing is done in groups. Kids will be limited to one manipulation/juggling skill and one balancing/acrobatic skill- with a few exceptions based on the needs of the particular show and a student’s skill level. Use this list as a guide to make it easier before going to the google form.
Acrobatic/balancing acts:
Stilt-walking, Unicycling, Tight-wire, Rola bola, Rolling Globe, Tumbling/partner acrobatics, Mini-trampoline
Manipulation/juggling acts:
Ball juggling, Clubs, Flower Sticks, Poi, Plate-spinning, Hoops, Staff, Rings
(2) Parade in Tempe on Saturday November 23
We have also been invited to add to the circus theme for the Down’s Syndrome Network (DSN) when their families and friends take part in the ASU homecoming parade on Saturday November 23. “We have over 1,200 people with Down syndrome and their loved ones create walk teams and we “walk” a half mile in the ASU homecoming parade as the grand finale. We are cheered on by thousands of spectators and land at our big tent for games and food, etc. Here’s a link to learn more: https://dsnetworkaz.org/events/walk24/” We are looking for circus kids to walk on stilts for the whole half-mile parade route (with parent accompaniment), or ride a unicycle, or juggle. Our circus arts public participation area will be open after the parade at the Down’s Syndrome portion of the block party and everyone is welcome to drop by and show off their skills at that.
Call time is 8:30 AM. Many of us should be ready to greet all the DSN participants when they start arriving by 9:00. Parade launches at 9:30 and is over by 10:00. If you want to stay for some of the block party, it runs from about 10:00-1:00PM.
Location: parade staging area is near the red star on the map (at University and Myrtle)
Parking – check map for available parking structures and lots. All parking is free up to about an hour before game time (about 12:30PM). The closest lot to the parade launch is Myrtle Ave parking structure.
Parade route – travel along University Ave from Myrtle to McAllister (where the DSN block party is – blue heart on map)
Register with DSN – everyone who registers to walk in the parade on the PYCA “team” gets a free t-shirt to wear during the parade! If you register, you can also obtain donations for the Downs Syndrome Network. If you are not wearing a parade shirt from DSN, please wear a PYCA t-shirt.
Notify PYCA – To make sure we (PYCA) know you are planning to be part of our team – use this google form and let us know how you plan to participate. (Stilt-walking, juggling, unicycling or just walking!). All stilt-walkers need to have a parent accompany them on the parade.
I hope many of you will be able to join us for these fun events. If you have questions, you can respond here. Keep my number handy as well (480-444-8617)
Cheers, Jens