Roll up, roll up for circus skills

By KATH GANNAWAY

BURRINJA will be an absolute circus over the school holidays – and that means fun for everyone!
Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey has teamed up with local circus troupes Dislocate and Ruccis to present a week of circus fun for the whole family.
The program includes circus performances as well as aerial, hula hoop and circus skills workshops for everyone from beginner to expert – young or old.
Zachary Exner from Burrinja said the festival attracted more than 1000 people last year and organisers are expecting even more this year.
“The workshops by Ruccis are going to be great fun. The Ruccis team are able to create a supportive learning environment for any age, yet they will push you to do something you never thought you could,” he said.
Ruccis performer Luth Wol has been participating in circus since she was six and said unlike traditional competitive sports, everyone can achieve something in circus, no matter who they are or how physical they are.
“I’m very excited about the Burrinja Circus festival. It will be wonderful to finally perform in my home town after traveling and performing around the country for the last two years,” she said.
Across the week the Burrinja Theatre will host three impressive circus performances including the fantastical Circus Bazzar, The Fairy Show and the Circus Skills workshops.
The RUCCIS students’ Circus by the Sea, is a swashbuckling adventure that takes the audience from the sunburnt beaches to the depths of the deep blue ocean meeting adorable penguins, magical mermaids, pesky pirates and sharks along the way, along with Circus Cabaret All Hands on Deck.
Visitors will be astounded as the merchants guide them through a chaotic world of tricksters, tumblers and twirlers and other rare gems of the finest quality in Dislocate’s grand Circus Bazaar.
Along with the main stage performances the festival presents many exciting opportunities for fun-loving locals to try their hand at a wide range of circus workshops.

Ticket giveaway
BURRINJA and The Mail are giving away a family pass to The Circus Bazaar on Saturday 12 July.
To be in the draw visit the Mail Facebook page www.facebook.com/mailnewspapergroup, or write to Mail Circus Competition, PO Box 470, Healesville, 3777.
Entries close 5pm on Monday 7 July.