Win Free Tickets--CircEsteem's Spring Circus Is Nearly Here #Giveaway

Enter at the bottom of this post for your chance to win 4 FREE tickets.

We love circus arts.   The colorful fun, high flying trapeze & silks & lyra people, belly busting--laugh inducing clowns, Chinese Pole climbers, acrobats, jugglers, gym wheel, and other mad skills make the circus one of our favorite types of shows.   My own kids, now 9 & 11, have been very involved with CircEsteem for two years and have advanced to their pre-team, learned to juggle, and taken classes in aerial arts (Spanish web, lyra, silks, trapeze), Chinese Pole, and basic "Saturday circus buffet"--a smorgasbord of skills.     

We highly recommend checkin' out their summer camp, and classes.   They also run great birthday parties!

CircEsteem has 6 performances of their big, annual spring show starting May 11th (Sagezilla's birthday).    Click here for all the details and to reserve your tickets in advance!

Advanced tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids and can be purchased online. Special reserved front row seats are $35. Limited reserved parking is available for $20.

Join us for a Benefit Reception on Friday May 11th at 6:00 pm.  Proceeds from the benefit will help underwrite CircEsteem's Scholarship Fund.

For more info visit www.CircEsteem.org   
Click here to purchase tickets.  


Check out CircEsteem on ChiIL Mama's YouTube Channel here for 8 original videos, including live show footage and our interview with CircEsteem's Executive Director, Maribeth Joy, below.






Enter here for your chance to win a free family 4 pack of tixs to your choice of shows!

 *Wait for Rafflecopter to load up right here (if you've gone through RSS feed or are scrolling down the blog and don't see it, click on the actual page title and it should pop right up).   Entries are free n easy.   Winning rocks!   

CircEsteem's Summer Camp Early Bird Registration Ends TODAY!

 

Reminder:  CircEsteem's Summer Camp Early Bird Registration Ends TODAY! 
 
Two ways to receive the early bird registration discount:
Drop off your registration form and payment at CircEsteem at 4730 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago before 8 PM today.

Mail in your registration form and payment today (must be postmarked March 1st).

Payment must be made in full. After Care fees and other add-ons are not eligible for
10% discount. 

Take advantage of other Summer Camp discounts...

 Sign up for 1 week or all 7!
$260 per week-Discounts and scholarships available!
Each week concludes with a show for friends and family.  

Multi-Week Discount: Sign up for 2 or more weeks of camp and take $10 off per week.

Refer-A-Friend: Register with a friend who is new to CircEsteem and you receive a FREE CircEsteem t-shirt for each child.     

About CircEsteem Inc.

CircEsteem is a non profit youth circus with a mission of uniting youth from diverse racial, cultural and economic backgrounds and building self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice of circus arts. 


*Reminder:   New CircEsteem spring class sessions start next week!  Check out ChiIL Mama's prior coverage for details.    Highly recommended!
    
CircEsteem Inc.
at Alternatives Inc.
4730 N. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, Illinois 60640
312 731 HAHA

Act Out: Top Theatre Picks-Lost & Found at Actors Gymnasium

Gala Fundraiser at Actor's Gymnasium-opening night of Lost & Found 2012

Lost & Found: A Recycled Circus

Back by popular demand!
February 11 – March 11, 2012

"This production will charm, warm and wow you…sly and nuanced clowning…wordless,  impressive poetry" - Chicago Theatre Blog. 
 
"Director Lawrence DiStasi showcases a wry sense of humor and some superb acrobatics in this quirky Actors Gymnasium show" "Recommended"  - Chicago Reader.




We had the great pleasure of checking out opening night of Lost & Found at The Actors Gymnasium last Saturday.   The caliber of their circus arts is truly top notch.  This colorful extravaganza combines all of our favorite elements--aerial acts, steampunkery, a funky, rag tag band of urchins playing instruments and making mischief, a love triangle, technology as art, low tech fun, recycled and upcycled outfits, drums and toys.  We'll be returning to catch the show again with the kids as soon as possible.  Lost and Found is highly recommended, family friendly fun for all ages.   We were quite impressed with the cast, and the cast off set dressings.  We're also enamored with Co-Artistic Director, Lawrence E. DiStasi's statement about the show.   He says:

I didn't used to like old things.  They kind of depressed me.  But now, when someone takes an old chair or something, a thing that has managed, against all odds, to survive the world for many years, and they give it a little careful attention-I think it's incredibly moving.  And these things have so much personality.  It's almost like they're alive.  Like people.   They have souls in a way.  Unfortunately most of the stuff we all bring into our lives is disposable.  And things that are made to be thrown away, are sad company.  It's so hard to stay away from them, but who needs that kind of sadness?   Anyway, I think there is treasure in our garbage-in what we throw away, and overlook.   And those people we throw away and overlook too.  There is magic in our trash.  And probably our future there too.

ChiIL Mama has potential video interviews in the works with the Artistic Directory and also actor/Chicago Dad, David Catlin, who plays alongside both of his daughters in the show.   Saylor, who is 9 and in 4th grade, went to preschool with ChiIL Mama's Sage.   Saylor's younger sister, Emerson, is a 6 year old first grader and Lost & Found 2012 is her first circus show!   So check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We have lots of exciting things in store.


The Opening Night Gala was lots of fun, too.   We saw a zillion familiar faces including our past video interview subject, Director-David Kersnar, who can be seen HERE. (in his fabulous "Ernie & Bert style bed interview" with Mark Messing) on the set of Goodnight Moon.

We also sat next to an accomplished aerialist, whom we photographed and chatted with in the past, when she played Alice in Lookingglass' last remount of their namesake story.  We also saw familiar faces from CircEsteem, including Will, a talented high school senior, who plays the lead juggler in Lost & Found.   We highly recommend checking it out.

Lost & Found gets ChiIL Mama's GRRREAT GREEN SEAL OF APPROVAL:   99% Recycled! - Costumes, props and set pieces used in this show are re-purposed, recycled, found-object art.

Last year's runaway hit, Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus returns to The Actors Gymnasium! A collaborative original work by Co-Artistic Directors Larry DiStasi and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, together with an amazing team of designers and performers, this circus production explores the world of second-hand treasure. Cast-off junk and cast-off characters are saved in this show and given thrilling, new life. Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus features aerial acrobatics, live music, and magical, found-object invention. 


Click here for The Actor's Gym's main site for ticket ordering info and more.

Order Tickets HERE before it's sold out!!

Shows run every Friday through Sunday till March 11th.
The Actors Gymnasium
927 Noyes St
Evanston, IL 60201


Recommended for ages 5 and up.   
Adults $15
Students with ID and kids under 13 are $10

 Check out ChiILMama's past coverage here.

CircEsteem Spring Classes & Summer Camp Registration Is Open Now

Are you inspired by Cirque du Soleil's Quidam and awesome local aerial arts like El Circo Cheapo at Aloft and Lost and Found at Actor's Gym?

Did you know CircEsteem now has toddler and adult classes too?! 

CircusTots

Parent-Tot Circus – MON: 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. $150 per session
Pre-requisite: None; Appropriate Age: 2-3 years old
**NEW** Parent-child bonding with a circus twist. Children and parents alike build strength, coordination, flexibility and memories that will last a lifetime.
Instructor: TBA

CircusTots – WED: 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. $150 per session
Pre-requisite: None; Appropriate Age: 3-5 years old
**NEW** An exciting way for children to increase motor skills while having fun and reinforcing good classroom behavior. Classes include fun games to encourage focus and strength as well as basic circus skills to work on coordination and balance.
Instructor: TBA
Classes will start on March 5 (and March 7), 2012. 

Adult aerial class (Mondays from 6 - 7:15) and adult wheel class (Wednesdays from 7:30 - 8:45)
 

CircEsteem's Spring Session of circus classes start March 5th. Register now to ensure a spot in Saturday Circus Classes.  The 9:00 a.m. Chinese Pole is already full.   All students participating in the Spring Session will perform in the 11th Annual Spring Circus on May 11-12 and 19-20th.  

To sign up for classes, click here to go to CircEsteem's main site.
 
Register now and 
save!! 

We've been regulars at CircEsteem since fall of 2010 and the kids both LOVE it.   Highly recommended.  We'll have loads of CircEsteem photos and videos to share throughout 2012.   Check out our YouTube Channel for our past CircEsteem show clips.

CircEsteem's Summer Camp is now open for registration!   
 
Early Bird Discount: Pay no registration fee AND take off 10% when you
register and pay by March 1. 
 
Multi-Week Discount: Sign up for 2 or more weeks of camp and take 10% off per week. 
 
Refer-A-Friend: Register a friend who is new to CircEsteem and you receive a FREE CircEsteem t-shirt for each friend.   
   

                                                    

Early Bird Offer Expires March 1, 2012


Sign up for 1 week or all 7--
$260 per week with discounts and scholarships available!
  Each week concludes with a show for friends and family.  To download camp info and registration forms click here. 






Join the CircEsteem Family
!

Check out ChiIL Mama's own video interview with CircEsteem's Executive Director, Maribeth Joy.

About CircEsteem Inc.



CircEsteem is a non profit youth circus with a mission of uniting youth from diverse racial, cultural and economic backgrounds and building self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice of circus arts. 
 


To learn more about CircEsteem from the perspective of a graduate, watch a short video here.

Join the CircEsteem Family from Fig Media on Vimeo.

 
  
                                                                                             
CircEsteem Inc.
at Alternatives Inc.

4730 N. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, Illinois 60640
312 
CircEsteem Website
731 HAHA

CircEsteem-One Day Circus Workshops for The Whole Family Start This Weekend!

For full screen and other options, dbl click the slide show

Check out CircEsteem's artistic directors Carlo & Orlene performing at Brilliant Corners with Zoppe Family Circus (including world famous foot juggling)

Then check out several CircEsteem instructors who perform with Chicago's own El Circo Cheapo... Dizzy Lizzy Gifford, the hooper and the juggler in jammies, Brian P. Dailey.

THE MAGIC CITY TENT AT BRILLIANT CORNERS OF POPULAR AMUSEMENT SLIDE SHOW INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ACTS IN REVERSE ORDER:

El Circo Cheapo Cabaret

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus

George Orange

A Taste of Zoppé

We're thrilled to announce two new upcoming opportunities for your whole family to join the circus.

1. Workshop Sundays — Series "kicks off" this weekend with a 2-hour Intro to Foot Juggling
2. Winter Circus Camp — School Break + Circus Fun = No Boredom

Workshop Sundays Foot Juggling for All Ages — 6.NOV: 10 am – 12 pm, Carlo/Orlene Gentile Chinese Pole for All — 13.NOV: 10 am – 12 pm, Carlo/Orlene Gentile Hula Hoops – kids — 20.NOV: 10 am – 12 pm, Lizzy Gifford Hula Hoops – adults — 20.NOV: 1 – 3 pm, Lizzy Gifford Introduction To Clowning – adults — 4.DEC: 9 am – 4 pm, Anthony Courser Clowning For Kids: Get Your Silly On! — 11.DEC: 9 am-12 pm, Anthony Courser Stilt Walking for Families — 11.DEC: 1-4 pm, Colin Creveling Class size is extremely limited (usually 6-8 slots).  All workshops require Pre-Registration.  Download Registration Form.  View Full Workshop Details & Descriptions.

You don't want to miss our Intro to Foot Juggling this Sunday, November 6. Open to all ages, shapes, and sizes.

No one in the Midwest, and only a few people in North America, do (much less teach) foot juggling. Try your hand (foot, actually) at this ancient Chinese art which originated as an exercise to increase soldiers' foot speed. Orlene & Carlo learned antipodism at its source: Wuqiao, China—hailed as the Birthplace of Acrobatics. Interestingly, the Chinese government thinks that they studied foot juggling in China for 9 months because they're spies. They escaped unscathed. However, months after they left, their coach was beaten by State Police. More on that and other anecdotes from time spent living life inside the World Leader of Internet Censorship for those who register.

Gentile Foot Jugglers on YouTube.

Winter Circus Camp

We are now taking reservations for Winter Circus Camp. Camp will run 9a–4p December 26-30, 2011.

Like our Summer Circus Camp, Winter Circus Camp is a fun, safe, supportive and place for children 7– 14 to explore the magical and inclusive world of the Circus.

Skills taught may include: trapeze, tumbling, partner acrobatics, clowning, juggling, stilt walking, rolling globe, tight wire, or rolla bolla.

The week will culminate with a show open to family and friends.

See you at the Circus!

Carlo & Orlene Gentile, Artistic Directors

CircEsteem, The Chicago Youth Circus

4730 N Sheridan Road • Chicago, IL 60640

+1 312 731 4242 • artdir@circesteem.org

Register Now for our Fall Session 2 Classes & Workshops — Circus for the entire family!

Stilt Walking • Pole Climbing • Foot Juggling • Clowning • Trapeze • Tight Wire More Info

CircEsteem… celebrating 10 years of uniting youth from diverse backgrounds and building self esteem.