BRATTLEBORO-The New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) has announced the launching of the second annual Vermont Circus Festival, which it says will “transform Brattleboro into a vibrant celebration of circus arts” from Nov. 1–8.
Advance pass tickets are on sale, offering a package of discounts on shows and workshops.
The Vermont Circus Festival is a regional event with an international draw framed around circus performances, workshops, and activities in Brattleboro and expanding to Putney.
“By sharing the magic of this art form, NECCA aims to strengthen community connections, inspire creativity, and bring cultural and economic vibrancy to the region,” organizers said in a news release.
This year’s festival kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 1, with a free community circus day, featuring circus classes for youth, adults, and Silver 60+, as well as a free family circus show at the NECCA Trapezium.
Throughout the week, eight different circus shows will offer a variety of entertainment — including the one man show Happy to Be Here! by former Ringling Bros. star Jan Damm, The Pieces by the Aloft Circus ensemble that organizers say “wowed” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a stage show by Circus Smirkus’ youth troupe, and the open stage Beta Night, when surprises are to be expected from visiting performers.
One of many new engagements this year is a circus-themed storytelling event in collaboration with The Moth Community Program and Retreat Farm. True stories about circus adventures and life-changing opportunities will be developed during a Moth Community Program workshop and performed on Wednesday, Nov. 4, as part of the festival.
There will be more than 60 workshops in everything from mime to flying trapeze, low wire to aerial silks, offered to students of all levels and ages.
The festival is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Brattleboro Town Arts Fund.
For more information, contact NECCA at info@necenterforcircusarts.org and view the calendar of events and ticket sales at necenterforcircusarts.org.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.