ACT OUT OPENING: The Actors Gymnasium Circus in Progress 5/18 Only #circus

The Actors Gymnasium Announces Circus in Progress Performers

The Actors Gymnasium announces performance acts for its May 18th show, Circus in Progress: An Evening of Daring New Work. We've long been fans of the fantastic circus work and aerial arts at The Actors Gymnasium.   Their two show only spring showcase looks to be stellar.   Check out some of our highly recommended favs in the circus arts world--Dean Evans (solo clown), Jill Heyser (trapeze), Willem McGowan (diabolo juggling).      Chicago theatre and circus lovers of all ages delight in this popular sneak peek at some of Chicago's most exciting new works of circus art.  This cabaret style performance series focuses on the development of new acts, showcasing many Chicagoland area circus and variety arts professionals as well as advanced students from The Actors Gymnasium's classes.    Further performer announcements will continue throughout May through the company's social media, but the following acts are confirmed: Dean Evans (solo clown), Anna Hartje (contortion), Jill Heyser (trapeze), Willem McGowan (diabolo juggling), Rackim Ramsey (lyra),  The Actors Gymnasium Intermediate Aerial Class (rope & harness w/ silks), The Actors Gymnasium Teen Ensemble (silks w/ straps), Vox 3 (acapella choral song), Andi Wywiorski (lyra), Aerial Dance Chicago (sling), Kevin Brown and Jason Hanggi of Be The Groove (percussion). Tickets can be purchased through event's facebook page or through www.actorsgymnasium.com. There are a limited number of tickets available for each performance and tickets are first come, first served. Check early for the best selection. Tickets are available online only.  Once online sales are closed, 1.5 hours prior to the show start time, the on location box office will be open.  For group reservations and general questions call 847-328-2795.     Two Performances Only!  This one day only event performs on May 18, 2013 with shows at 4:30 & 7:30 pm.    The Actors Gymnasium is located at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston, Illinois - just off of the Noyes purple line 'L' stop. For additional information on The Actors Gymnasium's innovative programming, please visit www.actorsgymnasium.com or call (847)328-2795.

Circus in Progress Spring 2013 trailer About The Actors Gymnasium The Actors Gymnasium is dedicated to bringing a new physicality to the American Theatre. Encouraging ground-breaking theatrical exploration, The Actors Gymnasium teaches circus arts, physical theatre and multi-disciplinary performance to children and adults; produces original, daring works of circus-theatre; and serves as a talent resource, providing performance opportunities to our students and innovative professional event entertainment for a wider audience.  At The Actors Gymnasium, people Learn To Fly - physically, emotionally, intellectually and creatively.

The Actors Gymnasium  at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center 927 Noyes Street ~ Evanston, Illinois 60201~ (p) 847-328-2795 ~ (f) 847-328-3495

Midnight Circus Rocks the Parks Photo Filled Feature #photos

Midnight Circus is a Chi-town favorite and we've been fans for decades.   They performed in Daley Plaza as a centerpiece of Chicagoween for years.   Check out some of our past, photo filled coverage here.    Back in the day, Midnight Circus founders Julie and Jeff worked on a movie, with Dug (my location sound engineer husband), and we've enjoyed checking out their work ever since.

Now the next generation is taking to the stage, too.   Jeff and Julie have a son who is now rockin' the hat tricks, clowning and partner acro.   We hope to interview them soon for our ongoing video series on How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create.

My daughter was in awe of the girl on Spanish Web who seemed to be all about being mighty, just like Sagezilla.   Sage started learning Spanish web herself last year, and lyra, too, like the tiny but mighty kid on the hoop.







The juggling/acro duo was quite fun.



And the adults were digging this one even more than the kids!

Circus GangNam Style!

Midnight Circus did a colorful, creative mix of classic circus arts and the latest YouTube sensation.




Come check 'em out and don't put off getting tickets.   All of these shows have been selling out.   Proceeds benefit the Chicago Park District!    How cool is that?!   You can be well entertained and help out an amazing, underfunded, Chicago resource at the same time.   

Click here for more details and to order your tickets.

Shows run every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 21st and rotate to different parks.   Click here for the schedule.

CHI, IL LIVE CIRCUS-SAVE THE DATES-Cirque Shanghai Year of the Dragon

ChiIL Live Shows original Cirque Shanghai shots from 2011
 
"CIRQUE SHANGHAI: YEAR OF THE DRAGON"
COMES TO NAVY PIER PEPSI SKYLINE STAGE
MAY 24 - SEPTEMBER 3

MAYDAY...MAYDAY...Tickets Go On Sale Tuesday, May 1 at 10 a.m.
  
Cirque Shanghai returns to Chicago's Navy Pier this summer with a magnificent new show "Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon" beginning Thursday, May 24, 2012.  The production will run through September 3, 2012 (Labor Day), rain or shine, at the Navy Pier Pepsi Skyline Stage, the 1,500-seat, canopied, open-air theater on Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.

Tickets will go on-sale Tuesday, May 1 at 10 a.m. and will be available via Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com/shanghai.

"Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon" is a spectacle for audiences of all ages, featuring performers direct from China who are leaders in their craft of tumbling, juggling, balancing and more. This year's production features an incredible line up of awe-inspiring acts, including favorites such as Bike Balances and Hoop Diving, as well as an all-new Group Chair Stack, Teeterboard act and the Wheel of Death.

China's finest daredevil motorcycle troupe, "Imperial Thunder," returns with not two, not four, but five motorcyclists riding at break-neck speed within a steel globe - more than ever before in this death-defying feat.

Directed by Miao Miao Chen, "Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon" is presented in this exclusive U.S. engagement by Navy Pier in conjunction with International Special Attractions, Ltd. (ISA) production headquarters in Shanghai, China.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND TICKET INFORMATION

"Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon" will perform May 24 - Sept. 3, with regular run performances as follows:

Wednesday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m.
Thursday at 2 and 8 p.m.
Friday at 2, 7 and 9 p.m.
Saturday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m.
Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m.

There will be additional performances on Sunday, May 27 at 8 p.m., Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day) at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesday, July 3 at 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 3 (Labor Day) at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Tickets are $15.50 - $29.50 and will be available by calling 800-745-3000 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com/shanghai. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available by calling GroupTix at 773.327.3778 or visiting www.grouptix.net.