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A first for the BIPOC circus community in Philly
The new Black Circus Week leaps into Cannonball
An Nichols
I am incredibly excited for Black Circus Week underneath the Cannonball Umbrella for Philly Fringe Festival the week of September 6-11. As someone who teaches bellydance and performs improv at Ren Faires, I have been circus adjacent for 15 years. Although I frequently encounter Black women in the circus arts throughout Philadelphia, I rarely see them consistently in public performance venues including the circus-themed shows in Atlantic City, the spooky circus venues in outer Philadelphia, or the touring companies like Cirque du Soleil.
Scarcity of Black artists
Alyssa Bigbee, one of the two co-organizers for Black Circus Week, and Ari Salaam, one of the visiting Black Circus performers, echoed experiences similar to mine. Alyssa, a native Philadelphian, shared that “Growing up, the only time I was able to see Black circus artists was whenever Universoul circus would come to Philly.” As a result, she established the Rebel Arts gymnastics center in Kensington to make circus arts “accessible to all.” Ari, who founded ANKOLE Circus to support the queer circus community, co-signed this sentiment. “The circus world is very diverse and full of so many talented people yet unfortunately, like in so many other spaces, BIPOC identities are underrepresented. It's challenging for circus arts to be obtainable in our communities and professionals do not get hired as often nor receive their deserved salary compared to their white-bodied colleagues.”
This year’s Black Circus Week not only showcases Black artists, it provides a space for panels and collaborations. Co-organizers Bigbee and Zelos Marchandt received 30 applications from throughout the United States including Virginia, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio, Louisiana, South Carolina, California, and Colorado.
Shows to watch out for
I am incredibly excited for the diverse offerings, especially the Black Circus After Dark on September 9; the free Black Circus Family Extravaganza and Cookout on September 8; and the creation of new acts in SMASH! Black Circus Edition on September 11.
However, don’t just limit yourself to the week of September 6: two incredibly charismatic BIPOC artists’ shows occur after Black Circus Week, including Micah Lat’s Mouth Rot and Lynne Streeter’s family-oriented Feeling all the Feelings.
So, if you’re interested in aerial, dance, acrobatics, and all things circus, come out and support these amazing artists and their vision. As Alyssa Bigbee stated, we need all to “see the importance of spaces for underrepresented and underappreciated groups.”
What, When, Where
Black Circus Week. Presented by Cannonball Festival. September 6-11, 2024. Free. cannonballfestival.org/blackcircusweek.
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