Philadelphia School of Circus is Hosting Their Inaugural World Circus Celebration With Performances, Classes, and More

Ever wanted to be apart of the circus but those dreams didn’t pan out? Well, now here’s your chance to try your skill at circus arts or just bring your family and friends out for a day of activities, performances and more.

On Saturday April 20th from 11 am to 8 pm, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts will be hosting their inaugural World Circus Celebration. The festivities will take place at the region’s “big top” called Circus Campus, at 6452 Greene Street, in West Mount Airy, with free parking on site. The entire World Circus Day event is free for entry and observation, and includes several free circus workshops and experiences throughout the day from community partners, such as Circadium, Trenton Circus Squad, and more.

All ages are welcome to this all-day festival which will feature classes, demonstrations and performances for kids to adults, newbies to those with experience, and everyone in between. Activities will include Youth Trampoline, Family Intro to Circus, German Wheel, Pole Taster, Upside-Down, Inside Out, Aerial Playground, Skills offered will include Tippy Lyra, Teardrop, Ladder, Cube, Single Point Lyra, Dance Trapeze, and more.

Performances will include PSCA’s Youth Troupe and Trenton Circus Squad featuring young acrobats, jugglers and unicyclists from the Philly and Trenton areas. The World Circus Day Celebration will culminate at 8:00pm with a pay-what-you-can “Spectacular Staff” circus show featuring professional artists from our faculty.

“We’re always proud to be part of this international celebration, and this year we’re opening our doors for free community workshops,” says PSCA Executive Director Kitsie O’Neill. “It’s really an opportunity for more people to experience the fun and challenge of participating in circus arts.”

“We’re especially excited to break out some special apparatus that we don’t get to use every day, like the Aerial Teardrop and the German Wheel,” says PSCA Head Coach Rachel Lancaster.

RSVP and tickets are available now at phillycircus dot com/upcoming-shows-events

Activities will include:

11:00am
Youth Trampoline (ages 6-17) ($10)

Coach Charlie will show you the basics of our trampoline! Learn to jump and drop in several high flying poses. Open to all skill levels.

12:00pm
Family Intro to Circus (age 6 and up) (NO CHARGE)

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages…Join us for our Intro to Circus Workshop Open House! This 1 hour sample class provides a fearless opportunity to try out the sling, fabric, static trapeze, tight wire, and juggling with other brand-new beginners. Ages 6 – 106, spectators welcome!

1:00pm
Performances (NO CHARGE)

Performances by the PSCA Youth Troupe & Trenton Circus Squad (all ages) (FREE) Circus performers can be kids! Check out these talented young acrobats, jugglers, and unicyclists from both the Philadelphia and Trenton areas.

2:00pm
German Wheel (16+) ($45)

Learn how to rock and roll your way upside down in our Intro to German Wheel class!

2:00pm
Pole Taster (18+) (NO CHARGE)

Have you been interested in trying pole classes? Here’s your chance! This class is specifically designed for people who have never done a pole class before. Pole does require skin-to-pole contact, so shorts are recommended. No lotion or jewelry.

3:00pm
Upside-Down, Inside Out with Jeremy Cline (18+) ($35)

Using movements from capoeira, breaking, contact improvisation, and contemporary dance, you will learn how to add creativity and flow to your acrobatic routine, smoothly transitioning from floor to air to standing. Workshop one focuses on solo material and workshop two will be with a partner. Please bring long sleeves, pants, and athletic shoes for this workshop.

3:00pm
Aerial Playground (18+) ($45)

This workshop is for our intermediate level aerial students. The playground will consist of aerial equipment that is not typically used in our regular classes. This time is for you to explore and put your existing aerial knowledge to use as you interact with different equipment. Equipment may include: Tippy Lyra, Teardrop, Ladder, Cube, Single Point Lyra, and Dance Trapeze. Coaches will be on-site.

8:00pm
Spectacular World Circus Show

The World Circus Day Celebration will culminate at 8:00pm with a pay-what-you-can “Spectacular Staff” circus show featuring professional artists from our faculty, including:

Rachel Lancaster, Aerial Cube
Melissa Mellon, Flying Lollipop
Lesley Berkowitz-Zak, Trapeze
Lesley Berkowitz-Zak, Trapeze
Leah Owen-Oliner, Silks
Alison Gerber – Lyra
Josie Sepel & Jack Kavanagh – Rope
Bethany McPherson – Tightwire
Michelle Barnett – Lyra
Shira Prusky – Lyra and acrobatics