Trapeze Classes in South Austin

Since September 1st Trapeze Experience has been running trapeze classes at the Soccer Zone in South Austin. It's a nice facility for trapeze because it's indoors, although I do wish it was closer for us North Austin folks. For people who are interested in trying circus arts, flying trapeze is a fun and safe way to start. Beginners always wear a safety line and start with a very basic position called "knee hang". Once the "knee hang" is mastered, the individual has a chance to be caught by the catcher from the knee hang position.

It appears that the company is changing ownership after January 1st. Before January 1st, the website for information is http://www.trapeze-experience.com/. After January 1st, the website will be http://www.trapezeaustin.com/

I definitely want to stop by and try trapeze again. I had a blast doing flying trapeze in Jamaica many years ago. Here are a couple of photos. Sorry about the poor quality but these were taken quite a few years ago with a film point and shoot and then scanned (before digital was very available). If I remember correctly, I was doing a split catch in both photos.

Austin Shrine Circus

The Ben Hur Shriners are bringing the Shrine Circus to Austin in January. The performances will be at the Cedar Park Event Center (good news for those of us who live North) on January 16-18, 2010. I've never seen the Shrine Circus before but the website description makes it sound very good. They list Flying Trapeze, aerialists, jugglers and animals as some of the acts. I don't yet know what the photography policy is but I'm hoping they allow non-flash photos so I can have fun taking pictures like I did at Ringling Brothers.

For more information, here is the Shrine Circus Website: http://www.austincircus.com/
Tickets are already on sale. For more information see the Cedar Park Center website: http://www.cedarparkcenter.com/

Reminder - Cirque Du Soleil tickets on Sale today!

Tickets for Cirque Du Soleil's Alegria go on sale to the general public today, Dec 4th, at 10:00am. Alegria will be at the Cedar Park Event Center from February 17-20, 2010. Yay! It's great to have Cirque back in the Austin area.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the Cedar Park Event Center box office.

Blue Lapis Light

Blue Lapis Light is a site specific aerial dance group with a studio in South Austin. I have the bad luck of continually missing their performances but I often check their website to see what's coming up. They teach ongoing classes at their studio (unfortunately, I live too far away to attend a class) and they also teach private lessons. It's always been a dream of mine to try aerial silks so one of these days, I definitely want to go to their studio for a private so I can give it a try and take some photos.

I just noticed on their website that they are offering aerial dance workshops for most Sundays in December. If you are interested here's the link:
http://www.bluelapislight.org/classes.html

My Favorite Photo from Level 6 State

This is my favorite photo from the shots I took at Level 6 State in November. I like how the hair gives a sense of motion. www.flickr.com/photos/flipimages

Level 6 State at Capital Gymnastics

Level 6 State Championships were held at Capital Gymnastics on November 21-22. I enjoyed watching and taking pictures for awhile. The new facility is awesome! Too bad they don't have adult classes - well maybe it's a good thing (I don't really need to know if I can still do a full-in on the trampoline or not). Everyone we talked to was very nice and I'll definitely go to future meets at the gym.

Cirque Shanghai Bai Xi - Review

I saw Cirque Shanghai last Thursday at the Paramount Theatre. The acrobatics were impressive but I feel that the show was somewhat flat and mechanical. The performers didn't have the same charisma that we saw at Cirque Mechanics in October. On the bright side, there were some good acrobatics and a variety of acts. Some of the acts that stood out are: Diablo, Hat Juggling, Slack line, Contortion, Spanish Web, and Hoop Diving. A couple of the acts were almost like copies of Cirque Du Soleil but not quite as engaging. For example the Cube Act (very similar to Misha's act in Alegria and later Mystere but without the aerial part) and the Hand 2 Hand act was similar to Mystere's Hand 2 Hand but not quite as solid or dramatic.

There were a couple of performers that did a good job of connecting with the audience. I don't know their names but the performer in the jug act (he had heavy jugs that he tossed around and juggled) and one of the performers in the hat juggling act. Also, the Slack Line performer was entertaining and had the crowd interested.

Even though I emailed in advance and was told "non flash photography" would be okay, I was still stopped when I walked in the door with my camera. I guess the policy was actually "no photography at all". Oh well, sometimes these things happen and I still enjoyed the show.

I can't wait for Cirque Du Soleil Alegria in Cedar Park!

Lynn