FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: How long has Atlantic Cirque been open?
A: Atlantic Cirque open its door in the fall 2002 in the gymnasiumof the Shambhala Middle School in the North end of Halifax. In 2005, we moved to Burnside into our own space on Ilsley Avenue where we stayed for 3 years. We are now at 30 Oland Court (in Burnside) and have been here since 2008. Our 3500 square foot facility has 34 foot ceiling and is filled with circus apparatus and mats, we have a nice reception area with free wifi for our clients, a mini kitchen, bathroom, costume room, office and a newly renovated birthday party room.
Q: What do you learn at a circus school?
A: A lot! Atlantic Cirque's programs were designed for children ages 3 to adults of all ages. We teach trapeze, aerial hoop, hula hoop, stilt walking, juggling, trampoline, contortion, human pyramid, handstands, aerial pyramid, floor acrobatics, hand-to-hand, spanish web, rope, silks, hammock, poi, devil sticks, rola bola, unicycle, aerial diamond, tumbling, mini-trampoline and more. Circus arts is one of the best activities to improve flexibility, coordination, confidence, agility and self-esteem.
Aerial Hoop: also known as "Cerceaux" and "Lyra", is a steel apparatus that looks like a suspended hula-hoop. Aerial hoops come in in single tab and double tab configurations. The act itself usually combines static and swinging trapeze skills with held poses and postures.
Silks: also known as "Tissues" or "Fabrics", is an apparatus consisting of a long piece of cloth with the center of the cloth suspended from above. The act itself involves one or more flyers performing held postures, wraps and drops.
Cloud Swing: also known as "Flying Rope" is an aerial apparatus that resembles a Spanish web in the type, length and width of material, but has loops on each end of the apparatus that are fastened to mount points, with the swing itself hanging in a V-shape. Hand and foot loops are typically attached loops to secure hand and foot dives. The act itself usually combines static and swinging trapeze skills, drops, dives, holds and rebound lifts. "Mexican Cloud Swing" is a variation on the cloud swing, but without the hand and foot loops. Instead, the performer uses their bodies to tie knots in the swing.
Corde Lisse: also known as "Rope" or "Smooth Rope", is an aerial apparatus that resembles a vertically hanging rope, with a loop on the top side of the rope. The act itself usually combines held postures, wraps and drops.
Spanish Web: is an aerial apparatus almost identical to the Corde Lisse, but with the addition of loops for hands or feet. The act itself involves everything that can be done with Corde Lisse, as well as many spinning motions made possible with the additional hand loops. A "web sitter" is often used to pull tension on the bottom of the web and to turn the web, spinning the flyer.
Trapeze: is the overall name for a collection of closely related aerial apparatus. All trapezes are basically one or more suspended horizontal bars with vertical lines attaching it to the overhead mount point or points.
Static Trapeze: is a trapeze that is not used for swinging. Static Trapeze is usually 6 feet or more off the ground. The act itself most commonly involves poses, hangs, drops and rope skills.
Swinging Trapeze: is a trapeze that is used for swinging. The act itself usually involves all of the skills used in static trapeze, as well as skills that revolve around the swing of the trapeze.
Dance Trapeze: is a low trapeze mounted to a single point. Dance Trapeze combines aspects of static trapeze, swinging trapeze, modern dance and many other disciplines to form a fairly unique art form.
Triple-Trapeze: As the name implies, this apparatuses is designed for use by multiple simultaneous flyers, and allow for a variety of additional skills to be performed on the apparatus.
Diamond and Pyramid: is a different shape of Trapeze, typically custom build apparatus designed for specific acts or shows, and can take virtually any shape imaginable.
Q: That sounds dangerous, is circus arts safe?
A: Yes. Circus Arts is statistically safer than any other physical activities. We make safety our priority. While the occasional bump, bruise, stratch will happen (and are even normal!), almost all of the real injuries that happen, happens while doing very basic movement and could happen at home. Atlantic Cirque has been opened since 2002 and the number of injuries we've had can be counted on one hand. It looks dangerous because we spend a lot of time making it look that way. If it didn't look dangerous, it wouldn't be much fun to watch!
Q: How many students do you take per class?
A: At Atlantic Cirque, the ratio student/instructor is very important to us. That is why we do not accept more than 20 participants per class. The majority of our classes have a ratio of:
8 students for 1 instructor
12 students for 2 instructors
20 students for 3 instructors
Q: What should I wear for circus arts classes?
A: Non restrictive athletic clothing is recommended such as long leggings or capri pants and close fitting tank, tee or long sleeve top for female and t-shirt for males. Jewelry is not permitted and hair must be tied back with elastics. Bare foot or socks, ballet slippers and jazz shoes are recommended but not required.
Q: Can anyone take classes at Atlantic Cirque?
A: We offer programs for children ages 3 to adults of all ages. We offer recreational and professional programs as well as Spring and Summer camps. Birthday parties are also very popular!
Q: Can I try a class before committing to a full session or camp?
A: Yes you can, as long as there is room in the class/camp you are interested in joining. The fee for a trial class is $20 and can be booked through the office at admin@atlanticcirque.com or by phone at 902.457.2227
Q: Are still photography and videotaping allowed?
A: We allow still photography but videotaping is not permitted.
Q: How do I get to Atlantic Cirque?
A: Directions from Halifax:
FROM MACKAY BRIDGE (HALIFAX SIDE)
Take the BURNSIDE INDUSTRIAL PARK exit, EXIT 3, toward HIGHFIELD PARK DR..
Turn LEFT onto BURNSIDE DR/HIGHFIELD PARK DR. Continue to follow BURNSIDE DR.Turn LEFT onto RONALD SMITH AVE.Turn LEFT onto ILSLEY AVE.
Take the 1st RIGHT onto MACDONALD AVE.
Take the 1st LEFT onto THORNHILL DR.
Take the 1st LEFT onto OLAND CT.
30 OLAND COURT.
Your destination is at the end of OLAND CT
Directions from Dartmouth: Take directions HALIFAX.
Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 111 N/CIRCUMFERENTIAL HWY.
Take the HIGHFIELD PARK DR. exit, EXIT 3, toward BURNSIDE INDUSTRIAL PARK.
Merge onto BURNSIDE DR.
Turn LEFT onto RONALD SMITH AVE.
Turn LEFT onto ILSLEY AVE.
Take the 1st RIGHT onto MACDONALD AVE.
Take the 1st LEFT onto THORNHILL DR.
Take the 1st LEFT onto OLAND CT.
30 OLAND COURT.
Your destination is at the end of OLAND CT
Q: Can I get there by public transport to get to Atlantic Cirque?
A: Yes you can, the 52 comes to Burnside directly from North Street in Halifax, you can also catch it at the Sportplex buss terminal in Dartmouth.
A: Atlantic Cirque open its door in the fall 2002 in the gymnasiumof the Shambhala Middle School in the North end of Halifax. In 2005, we moved to Burnside into our own space on Ilsley Avenue where we stayed for 3 years. We are now at 30 Oland Court (in Burnside) and have been here since 2008. Our 3500 square foot facility has 34 foot ceiling and is filled with circus apparatus and mats, we have a nice reception area with free wifi for our clients, a mini kitchen, bathroom, costume room, office and a newly renovated birthday party room.
Q: What do you learn at a circus school?
A: A lot! Atlantic Cirque's programs were designed for children ages 3 to adults of all ages. We teach trapeze, aerial hoop, hula hoop, stilt walking, juggling, trampoline, contortion, human pyramid, handstands, aerial pyramid, floor acrobatics, hand-to-hand, spanish web, rope, silks, hammock, poi, devil sticks, rola bola, unicycle, aerial diamond, tumbling, mini-trampoline and more. Circus arts is one of the best activities to improve flexibility, coordination, confidence, agility and self-esteem.
Aerial Hoop: also known as "Cerceaux" and "Lyra", is a steel apparatus that looks like a suspended hula-hoop. Aerial hoops come in in single tab and double tab configurations. The act itself usually combines static and swinging trapeze skills with held poses and postures.
Silks: also known as "Tissues" or "Fabrics", is an apparatus consisting of a long piece of cloth with the center of the cloth suspended from above. The act itself involves one or more flyers performing held postures, wraps and drops.
Cloud Swing: also known as "Flying Rope" is an aerial apparatus that resembles a Spanish web in the type, length and width of material, but has loops on each end of the apparatus that are fastened to mount points, with the swing itself hanging in a V-shape. Hand and foot loops are typically attached loops to secure hand and foot dives. The act itself usually combines static and swinging trapeze skills, drops, dives, holds and rebound lifts. "Mexican Cloud Swing" is a variation on the cloud swing, but without the hand and foot loops. Instead, the performer uses their bodies to tie knots in the swing.
Corde Lisse: also known as "Rope" or "Smooth Rope", is an aerial apparatus that resembles a vertically hanging rope, with a loop on the top side of the rope. The act itself usually combines held postures, wraps and drops.
Spanish Web: is an aerial apparatus almost identical to the Corde Lisse, but with the addition of loops for hands or feet. The act itself involves everything that can be done with Corde Lisse, as well as many spinning motions made possible with the additional hand loops. A "web sitter" is often used to pull tension on the bottom of the web and to turn the web, spinning the flyer.
Trapeze: is the overall name for a collection of closely related aerial apparatus. All trapezes are basically one or more suspended horizontal bars with vertical lines attaching it to the overhead mount point or points.
Static Trapeze: is a trapeze that is not used for swinging. Static Trapeze is usually 6 feet or more off the ground. The act itself most commonly involves poses, hangs, drops and rope skills.
Swinging Trapeze: is a trapeze that is used for swinging. The act itself usually involves all of the skills used in static trapeze, as well as skills that revolve around the swing of the trapeze.
Dance Trapeze: is a low trapeze mounted to a single point. Dance Trapeze combines aspects of static trapeze, swinging trapeze, modern dance and many other disciplines to form a fairly unique art form.
Triple-Trapeze: As the name implies, this apparatuses is designed for use by multiple simultaneous flyers, and allow for a variety of additional skills to be performed on the apparatus.
Diamond and Pyramid: is a different shape of Trapeze, typically custom build apparatus designed for specific acts or shows, and can take virtually any shape imaginable.
Q: That sounds dangerous, is circus arts safe?
A: Yes. Circus Arts is statistically safer than any other physical activities. We make safety our priority. While the occasional bump, bruise, stratch will happen (and are even normal!), almost all of the real injuries that happen, happens while doing very basic movement and could happen at home. Atlantic Cirque has been opened since 2002 and the number of injuries we've had can be counted on one hand. It looks dangerous because we spend a lot of time making it look that way. If it didn't look dangerous, it wouldn't be much fun to watch!
Q: How many students do you take per class?
A: At Atlantic Cirque, the ratio student/instructor is very important to us. That is why we do not accept more than 20 participants per class. The majority of our classes have a ratio of:
8 students for 1 instructor
12 students for 2 instructors
20 students for 3 instructors
Q: What should I wear for circus arts classes?
A: Non restrictive athletic clothing is recommended such as long leggings or capri pants and close fitting tank, tee or long sleeve top for female and t-shirt for males. Jewelry is not permitted and hair must be tied back with elastics. Bare foot or socks, ballet slippers and jazz shoes are recommended but not required.
Q: Can anyone take classes at Atlantic Cirque?
A: We offer programs for children ages 3 to adults of all ages. We offer recreational and professional programs as well as Spring and Summer camps. Birthday parties are also very popular!
Q: Can I try a class before committing to a full session or camp?
A: Yes you can, as long as there is room in the class/camp you are interested in joining. The fee for a trial class is $20 and can be booked through the office at admin@atlanticcirque.com or by phone at 902.457.2227
Q: Are still photography and videotaping allowed?
A: We allow still photography but videotaping is not permitted.
Q: How do I get to Atlantic Cirque?
A: Directions from Halifax:
FROM MACKAY BRIDGE (HALIFAX SIDE)
Take the BURNSIDE INDUSTRIAL PARK exit, EXIT 3, toward HIGHFIELD PARK DR..
Turn LEFT onto BURNSIDE DR/HIGHFIELD PARK DR. Continue to follow BURNSIDE DR.Turn LEFT onto RONALD SMITH AVE.Turn LEFT onto ILSLEY AVE.
Take the 1st RIGHT onto MACDONALD AVE.
Take the 1st LEFT onto THORNHILL DR.
Take the 1st LEFT onto OLAND CT.
30 OLAND COURT.
Your destination is at the end of OLAND CT
Directions from Dartmouth: Take directions HALIFAX.
Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 111 N/CIRCUMFERENTIAL HWY.
Take the HIGHFIELD PARK DR. exit, EXIT 3, toward BURNSIDE INDUSTRIAL PARK.
Merge onto BURNSIDE DR.
Turn LEFT onto RONALD SMITH AVE.
Turn LEFT onto ILSLEY AVE.
Take the 1st RIGHT onto MACDONALD AVE.
Take the 1st LEFT onto THORNHILL DR.
Take the 1st LEFT onto OLAND CT.
30 OLAND COURT.
Your destination is at the end of OLAND CT
Q: Can I get there by public transport to get to Atlantic Cirque?
A: Yes you can, the 52 comes to Burnside directly from North Street in Halifax, you can also catch it at the Sportplex buss terminal in Dartmouth.
