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 Unleashing your Inner Clown October 14, 2002 By Carla Gillis Forget about algebra and calculus, Shakespeare and Louis Riel. Who wants to sweat the boring stuff when you can spend your days upside-down, standing on your head while learning the art of the trapeze? Well, okay, circus school is likely not all fun and games (and Shakespeare can be pretty groovy too), but the folks behind Atlantic Canada's first-ever circus school would like us to give it a try anyway. This September, The Atlantic Cirque opens its doors in Halifax to one and all for adventures in circus fun. Founder Anais Guilmond says the school is a break away from the traditional three-ring circus performing arts (though it's not like there's any of those schools around the Maritimes either) and is actually more similar to those featured in Cirque de Soleil. Guilmond, who has performed as a bungee-trapeze performer for the last eight years, studied with the famed acrobatic troupe for one year of training in Las Vegas. The school has all of its funding and equipment ready and rarin' to go, but its location is still up in the air (pun intended). One of the potential sites is the recently closed french immersion school, Ecole Beaufort. Coincidentally, many of Cirque Atlantique classes will be taught in both English and French. One of its major goals is to introduce the art of the circus to everyone interested. Students will get the opportunity to develop and perfect skills like coordination, strength, flexibility, concentration and creativity. Classes will be offered in aerial skills on trapeze, cerceau and cube, acrobatics, high wire, contortion, Chinese poles, handstands, trampoline, and the always popular human pyramid. A variety of levels will be offered starting with Parent-Child classes for kids aged three and five (and accompanied by an adult) and then moving through Apprentice (ages six to 17), Intermediate (ages six to 17), Advanced (must have completed Apprentice), Adults (18 and over). Specialty classes in stretching and muscle conditioning are also available. There are only 48 spaces available for September. Contact 902-457-2227 for more information about registration or email info@atlanticcirque.com.
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