WEEK A: Monday, July 31 – Friday, August 4, 2023
IMMERSION:
Fabric Sequencing 101: A Guide to Aerial Act Creation – Intermediate
9:00 AM – 12 PM. Week A.
Ages 13+. $350. FFP Studio 2.
Prerequisites: Participants must be able to safely invert off the ground. must be similar with foundational skills; catchers/ frog pose, foot locks/ keys, hip key and s-wraps.
In this workshop students will learn the theory behind basic aerial silks techniques to create seamless transitions. Through technique drills, games and music driven play, students will explore how to link tricks together and create their first aerial act.
WEEK B: Monday, Aug. 7 – Friday, Aug. 11, 2023
Straddle Up! The Breakdown – Beginner thru Advanced
1:00-2:30 pm. Week B.
Ages 13+. $175. Dairy Gordon.
The ever-elusive straddle-up inversion slowing down your progression? Are you a beginner struggling to get into an inversion without jumping from the ground? Or have you been training in aerial arts for months or even years but still struggle with doing two or three straddle-ups in a row? Then this workshop is for you! This workshop will familiarize students with the major muscle groups needed to safely invert, exercises to condition them and drills to develop straddle up proficiency. Participants will learn how to identify common pitfalls and to safely and effectively perform inversions. Crossback straddle will also be covered in this class.
Roll-Up Clinic: Aerial Straps – Advanced
5:30-7:00pm. Week B.
Ages 16+. $175. FFP Studio 2.
Prerequisites: Participants must be able to do 3 leg lifts above 90 degrees.
Designed for students who are just starting out on their roll-up journey, or the more experienced student who desires consistent roll-ups. This workshop will introduce students to drills that lead to roll-up success! Angel roll-ups will also be covered.
Veronica Blair started her acrobatic career at the age of 14 with Make*A*Circus, a community based circus. In addition she trained Chinese Acrobatics under Master Lu Yi with the San Francisco Youth Circus. Her first professional performance was at the age of 17, making her one of the youngest professional African-American trapeze artists in the U.S. Shortly after, Veronica was personally selected by Cedric Walker, the founder of Universoul Circus, as a single trapeze artist. Under Mr. Walker’s supervision, Veronica rapidly developed as an aerialist, and was the show’s resident aerialist for 5 years. Veronica has since performed with several other renowned groups and productions around the globe such as AntiGravity, Universal Studios Japan and Warner Bros. Music. She has been a part of Germany’s most successful circus show, “AFRIKA! AFRIKA!”, and was the lead aerialist in KAMAU’s “BooDha” music video with over 100k views on YouTube. Expanding her portfolio beyond performing, Veronica launched the development of “The Uncle Junior Project” in 2010. The ongoing documentary shines a light on the careers of African-American circus performers, including Emanual “Uncle Junior” Ruffin who remained largely uncredited for his contributions to American Circus until after his death. In 2017 she was invited to speak at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival about her experience as producer and director of “The Uncle Junior Project”, and served as organizer and moderator on a panel highlighting the African-American circus experience. She’s also worked with the African-American Art and Culture Complex to stage Entrapment to Entertainment: A Celebration of Blacks in American Circus, a three month exhibition that ran from October, 2013 – January 2014 with over 1,000 attendees.
