BIPOC QUEER CIRCUS SHOW @ Cannonball Philly Fringe Festival!

For Immediate Release

A Queer Black Owned Business Empowering their Community through Circus Arts

Runs Monday September 15th – Tuesday September 16th, 2025 at 7:30pm at Christ Church Neighborhood House.

Media photos for download: [official production flyer] [3 media flyers for print] [Youtube Link to Video Reel]

PHILADELPHIA, PA: They’re back! For the 2nd Annual International Black + Indigenous Circus Week, ANKOLE – a BIPOC Queer Circus Arts and Wellness Community, debuts their newest work NFRW/T (pronounced “ne-fer-u” or “ne-fer-et”) (adj. Egyptian for good/beautiful/perfect) with an all Agender and Transgender cast. NFRW/T speaks to our Mind, Body and Spirit by gathering cultural traditions from around the world to share our connection with one another and our connection to Nature.

“Our love for Circus + Performing Arts allows us to find an inner place of solace, freedom and authentic expression. There are still very few studios, auditions, gigs, and venue spaces that fully understand and accept not only our identities, but the stories we share. Every production we create utilizes the arts as a means for healing and advocacy to empower and uplift our Community. Our existence will no longer be ignored…our truths no longer silenced.” ~ ANKOLE

NFRW/T explained…

A Circus Arts production that honors our Ancestors’ Spirituality, where the duality of feminine and masculine energies presents itself in elements of nature, originating in Egypt since 3150 BC before European colonization sought to eradicate and discredit our culture. NFRW/T proves that Nature should be revered and our connection to this duality aka “Queerness” or “Gender Expansiveness” is our return to Source Energy. Artists embody these elements by performing Circus Aerial Arts and Dance set to Afro-Diasporic music including Afrobeats, Vogue, Waacking, and House.

Tickets to NFRW/T are currently on sale by visiting https://phillyfringe.org/events/nfrw-t/. General Admission is $25. Pay-What-You-Can options start at $5. More information on ANKOLE can be found by visiting the website: www.ankolecircus.org and via Instagram: @ankolecircus.

Service Details

ANKOLE presents

NFRW/T (pronounced “ne-fer-u” or “ne-fer-et”) (adj. Egyptian for good/beautiful/perfect)

Monday September 15th, 2025 @ 7:30pm and Tuesday September 16th, 2025 @ 7:30pm @ Christ Church Neighborhood House – 20 N American St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 | Tickets $25 or Pay-What-You-Can-Tickets starting cost $5

Tickets available at https://phillyfringe.org/events/nfrw-t/

Cast:

Ari (they/we)

CEO/Founder/Artistic Director of ANKOLE Inc. 501c3. Ari is a native of Turtle Island, Lenape Territory aka the boogey-down Bronx. They own a clinical mental-health private practice as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist, supporting LGBTQIAP+ youth and young adults. They’ve been a professional dancer for over 20yrs and a Circus Aerial Arts instructor and performer for 13yrs. They are honored and blessed to use their wisdom to create a platform for their Community to receive professional Circus training and performance opportunities in a safe, affirming and loving environment.

Dez (no pronouns) – IG @dezthejoy

Dez is a movement artist, cultural practitioner, and punk born and raised in NYC. In just a short time of becoming a dance artist, Dez has made strides in the underground competitive circuit, making top brackets in NYC, Atlanta, San Jose CA, Chicago, and Philadelphia in 1-on-1 Waacking Dance Battle categories. Dez’ credits include Princess Lockerooo and the Fabulous Waack Dancers, Keep Rising to the Top Dance Company, and ANKOLE Circus. Dez is the founder of Punk Something, a hub where new-generation Waack dancers can build community, sharpen their skills, and gain visibility by competing together in street dance battles and partaking in the NYC club scene (IG @punksomethingnyc). Dez is currently an Activist-in-Residence fellow at The LGBT Center, focusing their project on cultivating self-confidence and self-expression within Queer communities.

Han (they/he) – IG @greenteabrowneyes

Han is a multi-disciplinary artist focused on writing, music, theater and TV/Film. As a narrative story-teller, they write lyrics for independent recording artists and have their own music available to stream across many platforms under the name, “PROBABLY Hb”. Han currently performs and acts in improv comedy shows, sketch comedy shows, poetry shows, short films, and plays. They recently managed two Off-Broadway theatrical productions: Chanteuse and Goldilocks Has??s. You can catch them back up dancing throughout the year for the I.Den.t.T project as well as making and starring in music videos.

Pharaoh (all pronouns) – IG @pharaohunitus

“The Texan Sun’s Son,” Pharoah holds a background in acrobatics, cheerleading, dance, film, and fashion design. They are currently involved in the NYC Ballroom scene wearing many hats, but most importantly being a parent to many and a natural born leader for the BIPOC Queer Community. A classically trained singer and self-taught pianist, they enjoy playing and singing tunes from The Wiz especially Home by Diana Ross. Pharaoh is a proud child of a deaf mom, learning ASL as their first language. When not sharing their plethora of talents, they own their own private practice as a nationally certified ASL instructor.

Sheanni (she/her) – IG @artbysheanni

CEO/Founder of RAART MEDIA LLC – a creative agency and media house specializing in storytelling that centers underrepresented voices especially within Queer, Trans and Black&Brown communities. Rooted in advocacy, innovation and artistic excellence, we produce bold digital content, visual design, branding, and multimedia experiences that challenge the norm and elevate culture. Whether it’s a grassroots campaign, a full brand identity, or a short film that needs to speak to the soul—RAART brings radical honesty and radical art together. We collaborate with organizations, artists, and visionaries who aren’t afraid to push boundaries and speak with purpose.

ANKOLE’s Mission Statement: To provide a safe and supportive environment for the Queer Circus Community highlighting Intersex, Two Spirit and Gender-Expansive identities. Our core values are centered around self-love, empowerment and social justice to combat the challenges imposed by mainstream society’s heteronormative culture. We teach classes, offer paid performance opportunities and volunteer in local advocacy events.