Make a full family afternoon of it in downtown New London on Saturday, July 30, when the City of New London presents the renowned Nimble Arts Summer Circus, free of charge, on New London's Parade Plaza, with performances at 4 and 6:30 PM. Back for a 2nd year, this small circus troupe was the sensational hit of last summer's Parade Plaza events. Smart, funny, sophisticated, Nimble Arts will surprise you with their internationally award-winning circus arts: trapeze, juggling, comedy, acrobatics. Prepare to be amazed! Added this year is the opportunity to attend a juggling workshop taught by circus artists. The workshop takes place Saturday, July 30, just prior to the first performance, from 2-3 PM, for a fee of only $15, all materials provided. Space is limited. Call 860-447-2501 to register.
It's all part of New London Yachting Weekend, brought to you by the Custom House Maritime Museum, Thames America's Cup Committee (TACC), New London Water Authority, & City of New London -- working together to bring New London's Waterfront to LIFE!
The Nimble Arts Troupe. . . is not. . . just a bunch of jerks tossing themselves around on ropes & such, but rather a bunch of seriously excellent performers tossing themselves around on ropes & such. --The Valley Advocate
Nimble Arts Summer Circus was founded by award-winning aerialists Elsie & Serenity Smith, formerly of Cirque du Soleil. Identical twins specializing in aerial acrobatics, their teaching & performing backgrounds include a 4-year tour on Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco, as well as Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus, Circus of the Kids, the New Pickle Circus, Pilobolus, the Actor's Gym, Circus Juventus, Umo Ensemble & Canopy Aerial Dance Studio. As performers they present a duo trapeze and duo fabric act, as well as various solos on aerial apparatus. Serenity also performs a partner handbalancing act with her husband, Bill Forchion. Bill, besides performing with Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Bros., & The Pickle Family Circus, has an extensive career as a stunt man and actor in film & television.
In 2003 the sisters founded NIMBLE ARTS their Vermont based trapeze & circus school that transitioned into the New EnglandCenter for Circus Arts in 2007. Among honors as performers and businesswomen, the sisters won a business plan competition in 2006 for their work with Nimble Arts within the Brattleboro community and have been invited to arts & business consultations with Governor Jim Douglas.
In October, 2008 and the twins received a Special Award at the Wuqiao International Circus Festival in China, an invitation-only competition. And in March, 2009 they won a Bronze Medal award for their duo trapeze act at the International Festival of Circus in Albacete, Spain! The two continue to teach at NECCA and work as Artistic Director and Executive Director of the growing school as well as perform regularly with their company, Nimble Arts.
Come downtown for the juggling workshop, have dinner and then catch both Nimble Arts Circus performances!
Saturday, July 30, is another great day in New London!
