2014 BACAfest
A Modern Circus Arts Variety Show

This was the official site for the 2014 BACA (Bay Area Circus Arts Festival)
Content is from the site's 2014 archived pages as well as other outside sources.

In 2018 the BACAfest had returned in a different format. Called the EAST BAY JAM (Juggling And More), it was still a free, family and beginner-friendly event with informal activities, workshops and lessons of all kinds.

FRIDAY, OCT 3 5pm - Midnight | SATURDAY, OCT 4 9am - Midnight | SUNDAY, OCT 5 10am - 5pm

Art-In-Motion
A Modern Circus Arts Variety Show

We wish to express our appreciation for an important sponsor without whom this event would not have been possible. The dog lovers among us know GoodNightDog.com as a source for luxury dog beds graced with designer fabrics and elegant simplicity. These are suitable for both very large dogs and very small pups. The sweepstakes items are some of the latest bed designs. All our Bay Area dogs are deserving of these gorgeous beds, so please remember that the next time you look at your dog's current sleeping arrangements. You can enter the sweepstakes at their booth or at the main ticket booth.

SATURDAY, OCT 4, 7:30PM

Do NOT miss the main event! Our performers have been featured in Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers, the Pickle Family Circus, TED Talks, on the Tonight Show and America’s Got Talent. This is serious talent in a great show and for a great cause – proceeds will benefit Maya Lin School, an arts-integrated and inquiry-based learning school in Alameda. Enjoy the show!

Hundreds of jugglers, unicyclists, aerialists, acrobats and more unite for THREE days to share skills, learn new tricks, and make new friends. Come join us and try something new!

FREE workshops from beginner to advanced skills offered all day – see the SCHEDULE for details.

Don’t miss the BIG SHOW Saturday night, juggling and unicycling games Sunday afternoon, and a special Renegade show Friday night at 10pm!

First timers? No problem! No experience necessary for the beginner workshops!

GETTING THERE

The festival will be at Alameda High School, Oak Street at Alameda Ave, Alameda, CA.

This is a FREE event! We love circus arts and work hard every year to create a great event as a community service. You can support the event by buying tickets to our big show on Saturday night: Art-In-Motion.

LINEUP

Confirmed performers: more to come!

Rick Rubenstein, Emcee

Rick Rubenstein has been active in the world of juggling for nearly 30 years, first becoming obsessed with the pastime as a student at Carnegie-Mellon University. Upon graduating with a degree in drawing, he passed up a lucrative career as a starving artist in favor of a ludicrous career as a starving juggler. For a decade he and Jack Kalvan performed as the comedy juggling duo Clockwork, garnering praise for their originality and humor, as well as the occasional gig. Though he eventually retired from full-time performing to pursue a lugubrious career as a software engineer, Rick still frequently graces the stages of juggling and variety arts festivals around the world, where his quick wit has earned him the nickname “That guy who emcees a lot of juggling festival shows”.

Dan Holzman, comedy and coordination

Dan Holzman has been a professional entertainer for over 25 years, he has worked all over the world as a solo performer and as one half of the world famous Raspyni Brothers comedy juggling team. Dan holds two guinness book world records, The International Juggling Association’s Bobby May Award and Award of Excellence. Dan’s performances combine one of a kind juggling and balancing tricks with clever dialogue and humor. Dan has also performed as an opening act for Howie Mandel, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Jay Leno, Dennis Miller, Dana Carvy, Gary Shandling, Rosanne Barr, and Tom Jones. Dan has performed on our festival stage for many years, and emceed in 2012.

Anni Küpper, juggling & object manipulation

Anni Küpper, born in Bonn (D) 1988, is a performing artist specialized in juggling and object manipulation. She started juggling at the age of 14 not having a clue that it would once become her profession. Only at the age of 20 – after having received her diploma from secondary school and spending a year in South America working as volunteer – she gave it a go and applied for circus school. During the following years at École de Cirque Zofy (CH) and the Academy for Circus and Performance Art (NL), where she received her Bachelor diploma in 2013, she developed a striking juggling style. Her performances are shaped by conceptual ideas coming from Performance Art. Today Anni has been performing in several European countries as well as Israel and Gabun.

Master Ong, object mastery

Master Ong, is a representation of our inner self. Many of us of this era are in search of the path or the direction towards the glorious sunset. But it lays within us, the direction, the answer, its the process not the product, the journey not the destination. The master in each of us lays within us, we are masters of our own time, our art. We have the power and the strength to summon as long as we know it exists within us. Love the plateau. Love thy practice. The route to mastery is a never ending one.

Michelle Musser, circus clowning

Michelle Musser first became a clown when she was 19 yrs old. When she was 21, she auditioned for Ringing Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus on a dare and the show gave her a contract right away. Michelle left three days later on the Ringling circus train where she traveled the entire U.S. In 2008 Michelle decide to come out to San Francisco where she graduated from the Clown Conservatory in 2009. Since then she has Performed with Circus World and Culpepper and Merrieweather Circus.

Kyle Johnson, Artistic & Technical Juggler

After a short stint on the East Coast and a performance in the Gala Show of the European Juggling Convention in Ireland Kyleis back in his home state of California. Kyle has developed his juggling style from the influence of the worldwide juggling community through online video. He works to integrate traditional juggling, contact juggling, and movement to make his juggling different.

Corbin Dunn, Roue Cyr

Corbin Dunn is a circus artist living in the Santa Cruz mountains. A bit over ten years ago he was living in a self-constructed treehouse, and got introduced to mountain unicycling. The sport quickly captivated him with its unique challenges and before long he was riding unicycles all over the world in places as far away as Madagascar. His unique skill set led him to doing circus performances, and along the way a large circular wheel known as roue cyr caught his attention. Corbin fabricated a wheel and was instantly hooked on the circular acrobatics and performing. His experimentation led to the creation of new and unique cyr wheels, include the vibrantly glowing LED wheel that he designed and built earlier this year.

Chris Garcia, Diabolo Artist

A San Jose local, Chris has been practicing diabolo since 2003, originally under the watcful eye of Matt Hall in high school. He has taught and performed at various events around the Bay Area and upon going to college at UC Santa Cruz (2008-2012) ran the juggling club and Santa Cruz Juggling Festivals. Chris‘s diabolo style spins at the intersection of mechanical physics and the flows of playfulness.

Dragon Reed, Club Juggling

Dragon is 16, and has been juggling for 3 years. He has performed for the California Revels with Jeff Raz, in the public show at the Santa Cruz juggling festival, at a variety of school events, and on the streets. His favorite things to do are pass loads of clubs between two people, do physics problems, play unicycle basketball, climb trees, and go mountain unicycling.

A Little Bit Off, Acrobatic Clown Duo

A Little Bit Off is the theatrical circus entertainment company co-founded by Amica Hunter and David Cantor. The acrobatic duo performs acrobatic clown/physical comedy shows on the streets and in theaters. A Little Bit Off strives to breathe life and color into the old vaudevillian comedy techniques of acrobatics, clown, and slapstick. They have performed shows in France, Germany, the Uk, and the US.

Circus Zing, Partner Juggling

Fallon & Vern of Circus Zing! met in 2011 at the New England Center for Circus Arts in Vermont (of which Fallon is a graduate), and ever since they have been traveling and performing together, in conjunction with various groups. For the upcoming year, Fallon is working on a new show based on the powerful females of the Wars of the Roses. They have performed and taught circus all over the world, including Korea, Bolivia, Scotland, and Alaska. In addition to juggling, Fallon & Vern have a partner acrobatics act and Fallon is the inventor of an aerial apparatus called “The Loopy Hoop” – which was featured in last year’s BACAF show. They are also part of a troupe called “The Fruitvale Family Circus” – catch them occasionally at Oakland’s First Fridays.

Circus Moves Youth Troupe

Circus Moves Youth Troupe performers range in age from 10-17 and have been performing together since 2008. They were the opening act for last year’s Art in Motion show, and you may also have seen them around Alameda at events including the Mayor’s July 4th Parade, the celebration of Alameda on the USS Hornet, Circus Arts for the Schools, and other community events. The CMYT is available for community service performances and may be hired for private events. Circus Moves, formerly Skilly Circus, offers recreational, developmental, and social circus programs throughout the Bay Area. For more info visit www.CircusMoves.com

Fleeky, Contortion

Born out of the radioactive ruins of Washington DC, Fleeky Flanco has increasingly become known as the “Thomas Mann,” of frontbending (klishnig) for a unique embodiment of modern and classical frontbending styles. Currently based in the toxic icefalls of the South San Francisco Bay Area, Fleeky’s teachers include Master coach Xia kemin, National Treasure of Mongolia, contortionist Serchma Byambaa and Acrobatic Visionary Dominik (The Swiss) Wyss. A former certified doppleganger technician for the mormon church, and a one time holder of the great key of Utah; Fleeky is also a co-founder of Circus Automatic and currently serves as artistic director to his own circus school, 915 Cayuga.

PRESS

2014 Bay Area Circus Arts Festival: Opening Night | East Bay

Meet some of the best jugglers, unicyclists, aerialists, object manipulators, artistic athletes, acrobats, and performers of all kinds on the west coast and watch in awe as they ply their craft at the 2014 Bay Area Circus Arts Festival.

Whether you’re a master manipulator, or are interested in learning how to start tossing three balls, this is the place for you.

Free workshops include juggling, unicycling, aerial, trapeze, tightwire, belly dance, rope dart, hooping, poi, whip cracking, ball spinning, crafting balloon animals, staff spinning, card tricks, and a Renegade Show that goes ’til midnight on Friday.

2014 Bay Area Circus Arts Festival
Friday-Sunday, October 3-5, 2014
Alameda High School, 2201 Encinal St, Alameda
FREE

Friday, October 3 | 5 pm to midnight

Saturday, October 4 | 9 am to 6 pm

Sunday, October 5 | 10 am to 5 pm

All events are free, except for the Art In Motion Show at 7:30 pm on Saturday, October 4, 2014. Tickets are $15/adults; $5/children under 12. The main show features performers who have been in Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers, on the Tonight Show and America’s Got Talent. >> Get $10 Tickets – Use discount code THANKS for $5 off tickets (only good for first 50 people).

2014 Festival Schedule

Friday, October 3
5 pm to midnight

6:00 pm: Juggling Basics

7:00 pm: Hat Tricks

7:00 pm: Unicycle Basketball

7:00 pm: Contact Club

7:30 pm: Fly Away With Us (Acroyoga)

8:00 pm: Multiball for All

9:00 pm: Intro to Whip Cracking

9:30 pm to Midnight: Renegade show

Saturday, October 4
9 am to 6 pm (ticketed show until midnight)

10:00 am: Unicycle Party Ride

10:00 am: Juggling Basics

10:30 am: Trapeze for Kids

11:00 am: Unicycle for All Ages

11:00 am: Learning and Teaching Club Passing

11:00 am: Contact Improvisation

11:00 am: Ball Spinning

11:00 am: Intro to Whip Cracking

12:00 pm: Untangling the Tanglr (Poi)

12:00 pm: Intro to Whip Cracking

12:00 pm: Diabolo Fundamentals

12:00 pm: Finding Flow: Beginner Hoop Dance

1:00 pm: Tightwire Basics

1:00 pm: Intro to Double Staff

1:00 pm: Funky Flow: Intermediate/Advanced Hoop Dance

1:00 pm: Card Magic

2:00 pm: Introduction to mountain unicycling (MUni)

2:00 pm: Intro to AcroYoga

2:00 pm: Aerial Dance – Off-site in Berkeley

2:00 pm: Fun and Simple Passing Patterns for 3-6 people

3:00 pm: My First MUni Ride

3:00 pm: Intro to Acroyoga

3:00 pm: Contact Juggling Fundamentals

3:00 pm: Belly Dance Basics

4:00 pm: Intro to Slackline

4:00 pm: No Hands Rope Dart

4:00 pm: Intro to acrobatics and partner acrobatics

4:00 pm: How to make Balloon Animals

4:00 pm: 7, 8, 9 club patters for 2 people

5:00 pm: Street Performance

5:00 pm: Trapeze for Kids

5:00 pm: Juggling Basics

5:00 pm: Double Staff Hybrids

7:30 pm: Art In Motion variety show (Tickets are $15/adults; $5/children under 12.)

Sunday, October 5
10 am to 5 pm

10:00 am: MUni ride

10:00 am: Juggling Basics

10:30 am: Trapeze for Kids

10:30 am: Honestly Vulnerable: Clowning for Stage

11:00 am: Intro to Slackline

11:00 am: Behind the Wheel (hoops)

11:00 am: 7, 8, 9 club patterns for 2 people

12:00 pm: Hoop Jam Skill Share

12:00 pm: Contact Club

12:00 pm: Ball on Head Balance

1:00 pm: Intro to Whip Cracking

1:00 pm: Intermediate/Advanced Contact Juggling

1:30 pm: Unicycling 101

2:00 pm: Lasso spinning

2:00 pm: Juggling Basics

2:00 pm: Intro to Acrobatics and Partner Acrobatics

2:00 pm: Games

GETTING THERE
The show venue is the beautiful Kofman Theatre at Alameda High School (2200 Central Ave, Alameda, CA).

Public Transit
The closest BART station is Fruitvale Station. The AC Transit 51A line from Fruitvale or downtown Oakland passes right by the venue, as does the AC Transit 20.

Driving
Park on the street, or there’s a parking garage a block away at 1416 Oak Street. The Oak Street garage is open 24 hours a day and is free after 5:00 PM.

Partners

Many thanks to the partners who are helping us make this all happen!

Athletic Playground invites and encourages its members to experience their inner-child through ease of body and mind, through awareness and connection with their whole bodies. They believe that moving your body is a truly FUN experience to be enjoyed by everyone!

Circus Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with programs and classes at all levels in acrobatics, flying trapeze, hand-balancing, contortion, juggling, teeterboard, wire-walking, clowning, and anything in the air, upside down, backwards, and seemingly impossible.
Our mission is to inspire passion for the circus arts through training, performance, and outreach.

Circus Moves arts education programs promote physical, social, emotional, and cognitive wellness in “ladies and gentleman and children of all ages” using the principles of developmental circus arts (DCA).
Recreational, developmental, and social circus programs on the move!

Clif Bar is a private, family and employee-owned company guided by five “bottom lines” or what we call our Five Aspirations: Sustaining our Business, Brands, People, Community and the Planet.

FunCheap.com is a San Francisco-based website which features recommendations of upwards of 50 affordable, fun and unique Bay Area events each week.

Maya Lin School is an arts integrated, inquiry-based magnet school that allows students the freedom to explore beyond the standards-based curriculum. In a safe, nurturing environment we foster smart, critical thinking kids who love art and know they can do anything.
Our mission is to embrace 21st century learning and the involvement of our community in building a dynamic school environment.

Upswing Aerial Dance Company specializes in merging dance with low flying trapeze (Motivity Trapeze), slings, bungees and rope & harness work. They offer a rare blend of creativity, aerial technique, improvisation, time and space to motivate the artist within you.

UpSwing pushes the boundaries of dance in the choreography and in the classes they teach.

Brian Frus of Given Light Photography aims for his images to reflect those special moments that tell an entire story in a fraction of a second. Fractions of a second that become treasures.

BacaFest.com

2014 BACAfest A Modern Circus Arts Variety Show