CircX VorteX: June 2010

Sunday, June 20, 2010

That Damned Band is playing now. They are bohemian...theatrical...gypsy.... My son says it's an Austin hippie kind of music. Kids are hula hooping...adults are clapping and dancing. And over my shoulder, inside the cafe, Topher Sipes (tophersipes.com) is drawing a digital portrait of a beautiful young lady. I think perhaps I might get my portrait made later.

Earlier, my daughter Luna had her face painted by Melissa (Melissa and her mom have a lot of cool products at www.thelunarflame.com) and then I let her paint my body....well, not my whole body...just the top part that wasn't inside my dress. Pictures will follow tomorrow. I either have to go dance or get my portrait made now!

Well, now my daughter, Lyllith, is ready to start lessons on the silks to be an aerialist; my daughter, Luna, has decided that she MUST perform at the next CircX; and I've gotten information on where to take belly dancing lessons. So, more than just an evening of entertainment and enjoyment, we've all decided to expand our horizons.

Luna Tart is singing now....she's transformed herself beautifully and entertains adults just as well as she entertains children! Truly a charismatic and magnetic performer. The woman knows how to engage an audience whether they're 5 or 55!

There is much merriment and laughter here. Everyone is having a wonderful time.

Next up is Baru - she's a belly dancer, but she's doing fire dancing tonight - she looks like Cleopatra. I can't seem to take pictures at night, so you'll have to check the official Vortex page to see pics of the evening's activities.

Oh cool! Andy and Miriam are going to do a duet on the silks -- if you've never seen aerialists perform, you're missing out. They are truly amazing -- it's a beautiful performance that also demonstrates crazy strength. This routine is like a tango, but in the air. So cool! There are no words.....wow.....

Now Bethany Sumersizzle is on the silks --- her first performance as an aerialist and she's doing a fantastic job!

These aerialists perform over 6 feet above a wooden platform and there are no nets...no harnesses...no pads...nothing but the performer and the silks. Not only is it a beautiful performance and demonstration of strength, it is also an unbelievable demonstration of courage.

Andy is about to start on the lyra --- that's like a metal hula hoop that hangs several feet off the ground. The feats of strength and the beauty of the performance is amazing. This promises to be a truly memorable performance.

Lots of kids, now some dogs, people everywhere, and the belly dancers have arrived. The place is really filling up, but there's still plenty of room for everybody!

I had to take a break for a phone call, but the belly dancers are on now and they're fantastic! The internet connection here is too slow for me to upload pictures, but I'll put them up tomorrow.

Attic Ted is performing now......I feel a little bit like I'm in "Tommy"....or maybe the "Yellow Submarine." It's a bit of a surreal experience.

A man just showed up in a Q-tip marching band hat and there are kids and hula hoops everywhere. Painted people abound and every type of hat is welcome. Attic Ted is playing an electric organ and his partner is playing the cello. We have apparently entered an alternate universe....but one where everyone is having a fantastic time!

Five...six...seven...eight....everybody's looking great! Laura Freeman has all the kids here singing, dancing, touching their toes, spinning, tying their shoes, stomping their feet! Even Hulla Baloola is out there dancing! I don't know who's having more fun -- the kids, or all the adults watching them!

So much fun! People are drinking, eating, getting Italian ices, singing, getting painted - a wonderful time is being had by all!

Holy smokes! These are the cutest kids ever! If you're not here, you are so totally missing out! This is so much fun for the whole family! And the Theremin is one of the coolest instruments I've every seen played.

Now Miriam is telling stories....a Father's Day story. Fabulous!

Oh wow! Nobodobodon & Jago are about to play the Theremin! You might never have heard of the instrument, but if you've ever watched sci fi, you've heard it. It the totally cool-weird-woo-woo sound in all the Star Trek episodes I was forced to watch as a child.

Everybody has antibodies......according to Yippee Kai Yay!

There's juggling and hula hooping hilarity occurring in the yard -- everyone should come join in!

Shiro and Melissa (mother and daughter) are playing the Sanshin and Dundunba --- awesome music!

Come on out - you can run away with the circus without going any farther than East Austin!!!

Yippee Kai Yay has a papier mache' penguin who lives with him :o) The songs are great and the kids are having a wonderful time! Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs and come on out! Juggling is next....and then a mother-daughter musical act! You don't want to miss the fun!
(I'm currently a frustrated blogger because I can't get any pictures to upload!!! Grrrr!)

Father's Day Carnival

Things are about to get cranked up here at the Vortex! Hullaba Loola, the hoola hooping clown is about to start! There's lots of space for parking and lots of space in the yard for moms, dads and the kiddos. Next is the one man band Yippi Kai Yay! Come enjoy this family friendly event and celebrate dad today!

Monday, June 7, 2010

CircX VorteX & Father's Day Family Carnival, June 20th, 2010

CircX VorteX
Presents
A Special Father’s Day Family Carnival &
CircX VorteX: FREE Circus 4 the People

When: June 20th, 2010 4:30pm-1:00am
Father’s Day Carnival 4:30pm-8:00pm
CircX VorteX 8:00pm-1:00am
Where: VORTEX (2307 Manor Rd., Austin, TX 78722) in East Austin
Admission: FREE with suggested donation of $10-$30
http://vortexrepertory.blogspot.com/

Bring the whole family to the VORTEX’s special Father’s Day Family Carnival. Fun for all ages! Enjoy family performances, such as father and son and mother and daughter duet musical acts, puppet shows, and hula-hooping clowns. Wacky activities include: water balloon toss, Ruta Maya coffee-bean sack race, arts & crafts, and much, much more - the perfect way for the whole family to enjoy Father’s Day, together.

As the Carnival comes to an end, the circus will stampede into The VORTEX Yard for the evening’s performance event, CircX VorteX.

CircX VorteX is a new circus arts collective, based out of East Austin’s newest circus arts hub, The VORTEX. CircX VorteX is a FREE event, run entirely from funds donated by gracious patrons. Audiences are encouraged to participate with the circus by dressing in costume, bringing their hula-hoops, and supporting local artists and vendors.

The CircX VorteX stage will host live musical acts, such as That Damned Band, shadow puppetry, fire arts, and aerial silk & lyra performances by Sky Candy Aerial Collective. The VORTEX Yard will be jam-packed with vendors and interactive activities. Stay all night – The VORTEX Café will be serving beer & wine and food through the entire event.

Producer & Volunteer Coordinator: Jessica Ryan at VortexRep@gmail.com
Stage Manager: Leaha Jones

4:30pm Gates Open for the Father's Day Family Carnival
Hosted By MC Mr. Gage