THE BALLOON MAN

High-Flying, Bendy Aussies Bring Unique Circus Act Stateside


 

By Alli Ligget • College Times
Published: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Scottsdale, Az---The Australian circus is coming to town, and it will be far from a Ringling Bros. affair. 
All the way from the land down under comes Circa, a large-scale circus production starring acrobats who lift and throw each other, dance and perform to music by bands such as Radiohead.

The show is internationally recognized as one of Australia’s most innovative new circus companies. Circa is a blend of bodies, light, sound and new media synchronized to a hip soundtrack. The troupe has seven members who will perform acrobatics and tumbling, dance moves contortions and more at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on March 16 and 17.

Circa is a Cirque du Soleil-style show is full of intense, dynamic and very physical aerobatics, said Cory Baker, director of the Scottsdale Center for the Arts.

“I saw them a few years ago and was blown away,” Baker said, adding she has seen the group perform at various international festivals. “They’re huge in Australia but they really don’t come to the US that often.”

Baker said she was impressed by the acrobatic feats as well as the soundtrack of the show.

“There’s a hip-ness factor to it,” she said. “They really do dance and play hip, cool, young music. I wanted to get the albums after seeing it.”

The center will host two Circa performances, one for kids and one for adults.

Baker said the kids’ show is more family oriented and fast-paced. The only difference in the adult show is one provocative piece.  “It’s sexy,” she said.

Baker thinks Circa may have an affect on the circus culture in the United States.