The Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival Returns This Summer
Performers from Across the Globe Come Together in Chicago for 13 World-Class Shows
Apr 14, 2015, 11:53 ET
CHICAGO, April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- This June 17-21, the Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival will present the nation's most comprehensive celebration of circus arts. Last year's inaugural festival entertained 5,000 visitors with ground-breaking performances and showcases from Europe, Canada and the United States.
This year, the festival consists of 13 different shows for a total of 30 performances, spanning across three venues across the city, including the Athenaeum Theatre, Chopin Theatre and Wrigley Square in Millennium Park. The lineup includes world-class performances by troupes from Sweden, Finland, England, Australia and the United States and includes adult as well as family shows.
"When Americans think of the circus, they picture animals parading around a ring, white face clowns wearing big shoes, acrobats wearing rainbow spandex. The contemporary circus we are sharing is much different – intimate in its presentation, it strives to provoke feeling through gravity-defying aerials and intense acrobatics," says Matt Roben, Festival co-founder and executive director. "We couldn't be more excited to bring the best contemporary circus performances to Chicago for a second time."
Contemporary circuses focus on performances that require a wide-range of skills to connect and engage with the audience on an intellectual and visceral level. These types of performances are gaining popularity in the states through showcases like the Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival.
Throughout the week of the festival, skill based master classes and professional development discussions are available for beginner and experienced circus artists. Various discussion panels and audience talk backs will be open to the general public with many contemporary circus performance topics being covered.
Performances and Schedule
Press Preview
The Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival will kick off the 2015 season with a press preview of its program. The one hour performance peeks into what the 2015 line-up has to offer. This is open to press, all pass holders, presenters, and by special invitation to local area non-profit organizations.
Location: Athenaeum Theatre
Performance Dates:
June 17 – 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Pedal Punk
Presented by Cirque Mechanics (U.S.)
Location: Athenaeum Theatre
Performance Dates:
June 19 – 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
June 20 – 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
June 21 – 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The Submarine Show
Created by Emmy Award Winner, Slater Penney and former Cirque Du Soleil performer, Jaron Hollander (U.S.)
Location: Athenaeum's Black Box Theatre
Performance Dates:
June 19 – 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
June 20 – 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
June 21 – 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Smashed
Presented by Gandini Juggling (England)
Location: Athenaeum Theatre
Performance Dates:
June 17 – 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
June 18 – 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
June 20 – 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Tossed & Found
Presented by Peter Davison (U.S.)
Location: Chopin Theatre
Performance Dates:
June 18 – 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
June 20 – 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
June 21 – 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
PLD
Presented by Company McQuiggs (U.S.)
Location: Athenaeum's Black Box Theatre
Performance Dates:
June 18 – 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
June 20 – 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
June 21 – 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Knee Deep
Presented by Casus Circus (Australia)
Location: Athenaeum Theatre
Performance Dates:
June 18 – 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.
June 20 – 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
June 21 – 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Suhde
Presented by Katerina Repponen and Pasi Nousiainen (Finland)
Location: Chopin Theatre
Performance Dates:
June 19 – 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
June 20 – 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
June 21 – 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
The Girlie Show Live
Presented by Bearded Lady Productions (U.S.)
Location: Chopin Theatre
Performance Dates:
June 18 – 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.
June 19 – 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.
June 20 – 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Third Coast Cabaret
Hosted by New York's Bindlestiff Family Cirkus (U.S.)
Location: Athenaeum Theatre
Performance Dates:
June 19 – 10:00 - 11:55 p.m.
June 20 – 10:00 - 11:55 p.m.
AYCO Youth Showcase
Presented by American Youth Circus Organization (U.S.)
Location: Athenaeum Theatre
Performance Date: June 21 – 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Magmanus Show*
Presented by Magmanus Company (Sweden)
Location: Wrigley Square, Millennium Park
Performance Dates:
June 17 – 12:00-1:00 p.m.
June 18 – 12:00-1:00 p.m.
June 19 – 12:00-1:00 p.m.
To view a sneak peak of all the acts on YouTube, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXw14ZSmwa4
Tickets and Passes for the 2015 Festival
Tickets are now on sale starting at $22.00 and festival packages are also available, starting at $150.00. Special early bird pricing is available for purchases made before May 1. To purchase ticket and for more information visit, ChicagoCircusFest.com/tickets
*Free admission for The Magmanus Show performing at Wrigley Square in Millennium Park.
Locations
Athenaeum Theatre will host performances on both their main stage and black box (studio 3) theaters. The theater is located at 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657. For parking and directions please call 773-935-6875 or visit: AthenaeumTheatre.org.
Chopin Theatre is located at 1543 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60642. For parking and directions please call 773-278-1500 or visit: ChopinTheatre.com.
Wrigley Square is located in the northwest section of Chicago's Millennium Park near the corner of Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street.
About Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival
The mission of the Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival (CCCF) is to celebrate and encourage the development of contemporary circus performance in America through an annual circus festival in Chicago and, in the process, promote Chicago as the center for contemporary circus in America.
CCCF encourages American artists to explore what the world of circus is in other countries and develop a deeper artistic process. By attending professional development workshops and seminars, the level of professionalism, skills and business understanding will help the artist to compete in the global marketplace. CCCF inspires to encourage an appreciation of all arts through the discovery of contemporary circus. This will ultimately lead audiences and artists to search out and support a greater variety of arts, be it classical or modern art, dance, music, theater, or cinema. For more information, visit ChicagoCircusFest.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Anna Tzinares
Zeno Group for CCCF
312-321-4860
[email protected]
SOURCE Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival