It’s that time of the year again. The Bellingham Circus Guild is back in action. If you have never heard of this event, it’s a collection of professional and hobby circus artists performing as aerialists, stilters, clowns, myth makers, jugglers, acrobats, theatricalists and so much more. Their routines are based on European performance techniques and vintage circus performances. Think Cirque de Soliel meets steampunk, and you get the idea.
The Guild performs a special show called Vaudevillingham on the 15th every month at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. This monthlyuncensored variety show is their fundraiser. Performers will be able to try out their new material, inspire creativity, and encourage new performers, as they never perform the same show twice. Here you will find a variety of aerial, dance, music, magic, theater, juggling, burlesque, comedy and more. Vaudevillingham is an all-volunteer show, meaning all of the money raised during the event will support the circus arts in Whatcom County.
Another event that is being offered this year is a fantastic fire show, sure to be a big hit. The Inflammable Circus will be performed May 24 at 7 p.m. and May 25 at 12 p.m. The beer garden opens for the first hour and then the show follows. This is their second annual fire-show-circus-fundraiser with a variety of performances the circus has created for Whatcom County. A few weeks after this heat-filled event, there is a benefit for the Jewel of Magic, Crystal Sinclair. Escaping Death: A Circus Variety Show for all ages on June 7th at 6:30 p.m.
Performance is not all that’s available at the Bellingham Circus Guild, they also offer a variety of classes for all ages. Circus Arts Playshop is an accessible afterschool program for children between the ages of 8 and 12 to practice the arts that were developed by circus and vaudevillian artists. Held on Mondays, it’s a great way for kiddos to learn something new. These workshops include slackrope, tightrope, trapeze, acro-balance, juggling, tumbling, clowning and unicycling. The Guild also offers private lessons on Aerial Fabric, solo or group Aerial Instruction, and a Circus Arts Kids’ Camp. For more information on any of these classes visit their website online at bellinghamcircusguild.com.
Juggle Club is also available to jugglers of all ages. The club meets weekly to make friends, create a community, and of course, juggle. It is every Monday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Cirque Lab or Boulevard Park depending on the weather. If you want to become a part of the circus, there are many volunteer opportunities available at the Bellingham Circus Guild that place you directly in the middle of all the action. See these opportunities on their website.
If performing and teaching aren’t enough, you can have the circus come to you. Through the Guild website, Whatcom locals can connect to the individualperformers in each show about private appearances. After sending your information into the Guild, the professional you’d like to hire will respond with information, availability and fees.
After you watch one of the Guild’s amazing shows, you may be inspired to take a class and learn a new skill. Make time in the next two months to see a show.
The Cirque Lab
1401 6th Street, Suite 102, Bellingham
bellinghamcircusguild.com
