From April 25-27, I witnessed Ottawa’s first ever Aerial Circus Festival at the LabO Theatre located on the ground floor of the Ottawa Art Gallery (10 Daly Ave.). You had me at Aerial Circus. What a spring treat!
These immensely talented local aerial and circus artists celebrated creativity, skill, and connection in this contemporary Canadian circus space using aerial silks, ropes, poles, hoops, and even a cube. Picture yourself at an intimate Cirque Du Soleil where you are up close and personal with the artists.
Melissa Landry, one of the festival’s organizers, was beaming throughout the weekend. All performances were sold out and a great audience energy could be felt throughout the shows.
Ottawa Aerial Circus Festival. Photo by Stephen Bierbrier.
Friday’s Dreamscroller: Up Late Circus Clickbait evening performance was an aerial circus comedy that mashed-up the dreamy magic of circus aerialists with society’s non-stop late-night scrolling on our devices.
Saturday’s Cutthroat Circus for Cats was a whole different adults-only circus animal. Eight seasoned performers showed off their incredible talents with a few improv twists to really make them sweat, including last-minute changes to their music playlists, and unexpected prop additions. Me-ow!
Sunday afternoon’s festival showcase gave an opportunity for families to come out with the little ones and take it all in. Wonderful aerial performances included winners of Saturday afternoon’s competition show. I am sure there are now a few new sign ups for circus summer camp!
The weekend also had hands-on training for circus newbies including hula hooping led by one of the festival’s organizers Renée-Claude Goulet, levitation/flow wand, circus, and acrobatics workshops, as well as more advanced programming for those who can already fly (i.e. dynamic movements in aerials). There was even a yoga practice for circus artists led by yogi Rob Ayanrosi.
Don’t miss out on next year’s festival. Tickets will go fast.
For more information, go to the festival website or email ottawaaerialcircusfest@gmail.com.
