St. John’s International CircusFest September 25th-27th

Circus News

Circus From the Edge of the World– St. John’s International CircusFest September 25th-27th

The Third Annual St. John’s International CircusFest takes place September 25-27, 2020. Traditionally, the Festival occurs in coastal St John’s, situated in Newfoundland, Canada. This year it will be a melange of in person/live shows and digital gatherings hosted by Wonderbolt Circus–but they are invested in keeping you connected to their unique place in the world and to providing a mapped procession as well as virtual buddy walks through the town during the Festival. There will be online industry panels, keynote speakers and workshops open to the public for those who would like to delve into Canadian circus, and pop up shows in the town itself.

Festival founder Anahereo Doelle has kept the Festival free and open to the public this year for a reason, stating “I wanted the festival to be accessible and to create an opportunity to all come together, even if it’s virtually. I wanted to create a platform where we can all be gather through panels, workshops and keynote speakers and celebrate all things circus.” Visit CircusTalk News each day of the Festival (September 25th-27th) for updates and videos.

The Line-up

The program of the virtual festival is available on St. John’s International CircusFest website and here on CircusTalk. 
Friday, September 25th
  • Workshop: Advanced Handstands with Olaf Triebel–10:00am – 12:00pm EDT. Organized and presented by En Piste.
  • ​Pitch Sessions with Q&A–2:00pm – 3:30pm EDT-A series of pitch sessions of circus companies followed by a Q&A. Brought to you by MICC and moderated by Ruth Wikler.
  • ​5@Cirque Icebreaker–5:00pm – 6:30pm EDT-A lively zoom session for circus professionals to raise a digital glass. Hosted by Krin Haglund with animated break out rooms and activities with select circus performers. Organized and presented by MICC and En Piste.
Saturday, September 26th
  • Keynote Presentation with Q&A: Olympic Gold Medalist, Sylvie Fréchette–10:00am – 11:00am EDT. Facilitated by Parise Mongrain. Organized and presented by En Piste and CQRTD.
  • Conditioning Exercises for Aerialists with Rachel Walker–12:00pm – 1:00pm EDT
  • ​Workshop: Beginner/Intermediate Handstands with Olaf Triebel–12:00pm – 1:30pm EDT. Organized and presented by En Piste.
  • Panel: Developing the Circus Industry in Canada and Rebuilding Our Sector–2:00pm – 3:30pm EDT. What are the greatest challenges and opportunities for our sector at this moment? An interactive panel moderated by Emmanuel Bochud.
  • Digital Buddy Walks–5:00pm – 7:00pm EDT (or at a time that suits your needs!). Take a personalized digital tour of St. John’s and get to know a fellow artist on the walk with a special surprise at the end!
Sunday, September 27th
  • Keynote Presentation with Q+A: Matthew Jessner–10:00am – 11:00am EDT. Moderated by Jesko von den Steinen.
  • Workshop: Do-It-Yourself Prop Making with Joseph Culpepper–10:00am – 12:00pm EDT. Organized and presented by En Piste.
  • ​Presentation on Female Performers in Circus History and Q&A–12:00pm – 1:00pm EDT. Join Finnish Circus Star and Historian, Pauliina Räsänen, for a fascinating lesson on women in circus.
  • Panel: Social Circus in our Current Reality–2:00pm – 3:30pm EDT. How can social circus play a positive role in the world today? How can digital tools support the work of social circus? An interactive panel with lots of fun activities. Moderated by Angola Murdoch and Lacy Alana.
  • Festival Closing Celebration!–3:30pm – 4:00pm EDT
Online Anytime Highlights
  • Digital Cabaret–Hosted by Les Deux de Pique and featuring artists from The 7 Fingers and other world class circus acts.
  • ​Highlights of the 2020 Graduates of the National Circus School (ENC) and the Quebec Circus School (ECQ)
  • ​Family Fun Day Videos

Daily Updates

Sunday, September 27th

Featured: Tam and Phil of Deux de Piques

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And now for some closing remarks! Congratulations St. Johns on a successful Festival #3!

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Saturday, September 26th

Featured: Flip FabriQue‘s Bruno Gagnon

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Featured: Short Round Production‘s show Filament 

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Last but not least–The Edge of the World Digital Cabaret!

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Friday, September 25th

Things kicks off today with a flurry of workshops and sessions. Do you prefer a handstand workshop, a pitch session or an icebreaker?

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Related content: Recreating the Magic: Saint John’s Second International Circus Festival, Meet the Circus Festival: St. John’s International Circus Festival

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