circus harmony logo
Flying, Flora and More!  

 

For Immediate Release!

Contact: Jessica Hentoff: 314-226-3633

 

IVOR DAVID BALDING  
David Balding and Jessica Hentoff earlier this year.

It is with tremendous sorrow that we announce the passing of Ivor Daivd Balding, founder and artistic director of Circus Flora.  Not only did David create Circus Flora, he was the person who asked Circus Harmony director, Jessica Hentoff, to start teaching in St. Louis and to form the St. Louis Arches. So, in a very real way, Circus Harmony would not be here if it were not for David. In the words of Jessica who worked with him for 28 years, "It's not the life you make for yourself, it's the life that your living makes for others that matters most.  David's vision of a traditional one-ring circus with animals, great acts and a true feeling of family both in the ring and and on the back lot of the tent, made Circus Flora the best circus in America to see and be a part of.  It had a profound impact not just on the thousands of people who came to see the show but on the artits--- very much including all of the St. Louis Arches--- who got to perform there.  David was a bridge who connected many people. David was a friend, a colleague and one of the most important people in my life."

 

Jessica Hentoff and David Balding on Circus Flora  in the 1990s.
You can learn more about David's life and legacy in the NY Times, St. Louis Post-Dispatch , on the Circus Flora website and on NPR. Tentmaster, Eric Jaeger, summed David up the best: "He was my friend, he believed in animals in the circus and he was passionate about the art of the circus." A memorial service will be held at the Circus Flora tent, behind Powell Symphony Hall on Monday, Memorial Day, May 26 starting at 11 AM and will be open to the public. 

 

HandleBar Patio Party to Fuel Flight 

 

This Saturday, May 24, join us for a fun, foodie chance to support your local flying children. HandleBar  at 4127 Manchester is having a party for and with us. There will be great Russian food, cool drink specials and two shows by our gravity defying students. Come eat, drink and be entertained while you support the Circus Harmony Flying Trapeze Center's new Flying Arches--- our soon-to-be youth circus flying trapeze troupe! Party starts at 6 PM with shows at 7 and 8 PM.  HandleBar is owned by the courageous and creative Tatyana Telnikova who is a great supporter of local arts, artists and children.  

 

This is going to be FUN!

 

Hope to see you at Circus Harmony's 

Patio Party at the HandleBar 

 
ST. LOUIS ARCHES IN CIRCUS FLORA
flora arches best
St. Louis Arches at Circus Flora, 2010
photo by Jessica Hentoff
The St. Louis Arches are excited to make their annual appearance and to take their place on the circus chess board as pawns in this year's production of Circus Flora, The Pawn. Come see circus and chess combine in an exciting tale of romance and adventure with camels, horses, acrobats (that's us), wire-walkers (that's the Flying Wallendas) and more! We are especially thrilled to tell you that St. Louis Arches alum Claire Kuciejczyk-Kernan  will be debuting her daring, daunting, single tapeze act this year!!! 
Get your tickets now at www.circusflora.org !  
 
COME FLY--- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
elle on board
Elliana, one of our flying coaches, 
waiting for you on the take-off platform 
The Circus Harmony Flying Trapeze Center is up and running under the train shed at Union Station! We have classes and pay-per-swing opportunities seven days a week! See our schedule at www.trapezestl.com. You have just until May 31 to use promo code mayintro to buy your classes and get 10% off. Buy a bunch of classes now at the introductory rate and fly all summer! (Note: this is a great deal for a 10 pack and you can share the pack with other people!) 

We have had some great press. West End Word did a great story that we hope you will read. Follow the links on our media page to see video  KSDK's Heidi Glaus and others flying. But, really, YOU need to experience this for yourself.
 
PNC ARTS ALIVE TAKE FLIGHT!

Circus Harmony  is thrilled to be a recipient of the a PNC Arts Alive grant for 2014! PNC Take Flight will support:
  •  Friday Fly Nights with great pay-per-swing dsocunts so everyone can see  how it feels to fly every Friday in July and August
  • Sunday Fun Days with free juggling lessons every Sunday in August
  • Flying Arches, Circus Harmony's soon-to-be youth flying trapeze team
  • Joyful Jugglers, our soon-to-be youth juggling troupe
The PNC Arts Alive grants are based on PNC Foundaiton's belief that "engagement in the arts enriches lives and builds stronger, more vibrant communities." We appreciate the chance to give the St. Louis community opprtunities to engage in circus arts! Keep an eye on our website  for details coming soon on PNC Arts Alive Take Flight!
 
PEACE THROUGH PYRAMIDS IN ISRAEL!
Galilee Arches 2012
Galilee Arches, America, 2012

The St. Louis Arches, Circus Harmony's diverse youth circus torupe,  and the Galilee Circus, a Jewish/Arab youth circus from the Galilee Foundation for Value Education have been combining to form the Galilee Arches since 2007. These ordinary young people have done extraordinary work showing the world what is possible when you focus on what you can do together instead of on what sets you apart. 
tel aviv pyramid
Galilee Arches, Israel, 2007
In the words of Rabbi Marc Rosenstein after our first shows in Israel in 2007: " I think many who saw the shows felt the same tears in their eyes maybe out of the feeling one is seeing a vision of something that we all long for... the total obliteration of barriers, whether social, economic or gravitational."
 
We are committed to going but we still need your help--- we need $4,000 more to pay for our journey. You can donate directly and securely 
Peace through Pyramids! Harmony through Handsprings! 
Joy through Juggling!
 
YOUR CHILD CAN BE THE NEXT CIRCUS STAR!
summer camp
Circus Harmony has the most unique summer camps in St. Louis! Our Circus Performance Camps are held in two week sessions. The first week, students learn a wide variety of circus arts and the second week they get to be part of an actual circus show in the circus ring at City Museum every day! Take one, two or all four sessions and learn something new every time. These camps are for students aged 8 -18, beginner through advanced. We also offer a half day camp for youngsters aged 5-8.  
GET MORE INFO OR REGISTER AT:
 
UNIQUE UNICYCLING OPPORTUNITY

Starting this fall, Circus Harmony will be forming unicycle clubs at several locations throughout the metropolitan area. Stay tuned to this newsletter, our website, Facebook and Twitter pages to be the first to know!
 
 
 

To keep up with the latest news on where to catch the flyng children,

special offers and awesome opportunities, we hope you: 

 

Visit us: on our website
Like us: on Facebook
Follow us: on Twitter
Watch us: on YouTube 
 

OUR MISSION

Circus Harmony teaches the art of life through circus education. We work to build character and expand community for youth of all ages, cultures, abilities and backgrounds. Through teaching and performance of circus skills, we help people defy gravity, soar with confidence, and leap over social barriers, all at the same time.

 
OUR SPONSORS 
We are very grateful for the support of the City Museum, Regional Arts Commission, Daughters of Charity Foundation of St. Louis, Youthbridge Community Center Foundation, PNC Arts Alive, Missouri Arts Council, Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation, Boeing Employee Community Fund, Trio Foundation of St. Louis, Cardinals Care, Arts & Education Council of St. Louis, DCA Family Foundation, Staenberg Family Foundation, Kranzberg Family Foundation, Saigh Foundation, Build-A-Bear Foundation, Fox Family Foundation, Lubin Green Foundation, Philpott Family Foundation, Clifford Willard Gaylord Foundation, Macy's Foundation, StlSLOUP, Bommarito Automotive Group, Big Shark Bicycle Works, Goudurix, Cirque Du Soleil, Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey, American Youth Circus Organization, Brentwood Minuteman Press, Stahl & Ponder, Circus Fans of America, Circus4Youth and people like you! 
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FLYING CHILDREN: