Circus maximus : You’ll flip for these acrobatic classes.
Martina Sheehan
Tue, 26 May 2009
When Cirque Shanghai’s nimble acrobats dazzle crowds at Navy Pier starting Wednesday 3, they’ll undoubtedly make their head-over-heels contortions and gravity-defying aerial feats look as simple and effortless as tying a pair of shoe-laces. But how about a little respect? For a taste of the blood, sweat and tears that went into those acts—as well as some of the others in town this season—try re-creating them yourself with a little help from some local circus-arts instructors.
If you aspire to tie yourself into pretzel knots like Cirque Shanghai: Bright Spirit performers (Navy Pier’s Pepsi Skyline Stage Wed 3–Sept 7, see Cirqueing his duties)…
Sign up for one of Acrofabulous’s private aerial acrobatic classes. Instructor James Schubert, a national competition gold-winner in sports acrobatics, can show you everything from Lyra aerial hoops and the diabolo Chinese yo-yo to static trapeze, Spanish web rope twists and plate spinning. Just don’t try this at home. Kids classes are also available (locations vary; 773-988-5606, robot-frog.com); $65 per hour for up to three students.
If you enjoy the old-school charm of the Zoppé Family Circus (in Addison Jul 22–26 and Des Plaines Aug 21–23; zoppe.net)…
Learn good old-fashioned circus-arts basics at the Actors Gymnasium in Evanston. If you can’t even muster the flexibility for a downward dog in yoga class, fear not—no acrobatic experience is required for the beginner class. Instead, you’ll clown around with unicycling, juggling, stilt walking and tightrope walking and even learn a little trapeze. The summer session runs Jun 17–Aug 5. Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St, suite #104, Evanston (847-328-2795, actorsgymnasium.com); $210.
If you like the drama of the UniverSoul Circus’s Wheel of Death (Washington Park Sept 23–Oct 18; universoulcircus.com)…
The wheel of steel that UniverSoul’s acrobats spryly climb on, over and through as it rotates on its axis is nothing to trifle with, but CircEsteem’s new Gym Wheel class offers a saner alternative. Instructor Wolfgang Bientzle, a Gym Wheel world champion and former Cirque du Soleil performer, will have you on a roll. Bonus: Tackling the wheel is a total-body workout. Summer session is now in progress; drop-in classes are available. 1400 W Devon Ave, #331 (312-731-4242, circesteem.org); eight weeks for $180, drop-in $30.
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