Yesterday, January 31, was:
The last day of Giocoso. The day we picked new members of the St. Louis Arches. The last Circus Harmony Big Show for Nick, Crina and probably Chauncey. Yahel’s farewell before returning to Israel.
There was a lot of applause and a lot of tears. And hundreds of photos posted on Facebook. The speeches given by our children and parents at Yahel’s Farewell were incredibly touching. Our newest member, little Valentino, walked up to talk and just burst into tears and threw his arms around Yahel. When he composed himself, he said: “You were the first person I met from another country. I never had someone from a foreign country before who was my friend.” People shared memories and observations, thoughts and feelings. There was a lot of crying. Young and old,new and not, parents and children. People from so many different places all came together in and around our little ring. Opening hearts and minds, making connections and creating possibilities— this is why and what we do at Circus Harmony!
Yesterday was also the first round of auditions for the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundaiton’s St. Louis Teen Talent Competition. Two of our boys, Ari and Kyran, competed with a unicycle act they created. Sally and Claudia, our new student from Cuba, did a contortion act. We will know at 3 PM today if they move on to the next round. In two weeks, Chauncey will go to Montreal where he will meet back up with Yahel and they will audition together to get into Ecole Nationale de Cirque— the school that Junior, Iking and Melvin attended and where Keaton and Kellin are now. The school is across the street from Cirque du Soleil headquarters. It is an honor just to be invited to attend this grueling 4 day audition. Warren is driving back here to take Chauncey to the audition because Chauncey is not comfortable flying alone. Chauncey’s mother has never even made an airline reservation herself. Chauncey just got his passport to go and do this. Chauncey, a young man from Dogtown and Yahel, from Israel, have put together an acrobatic diabolo act the likes of which I have not seen in 40 years of circus. Our Mongolian coach created a contortion act for a girl from Ladue and a refugee from Cuba that is breathtaking. Two young men from north St. Louis are performing in France as I write this. What we do through Circus Harmony is incredible on so many levels beyond just the tricks you see the children perform.
Below is a Facebook post that were also made last night. While the show is what most people see, it is what happens behind the scenes— where everyone’s sense of community and personal potential are expanded— that is the real power of our work. Our extremely talented children present amazing showa but there is a depth to what we do that really, truly changes lives.
From One of our moms
“In the Circus…
A while ago, I heard a little girl say while watching Circus Harmony perform: “Look Mom, in the circus they get to touch each other.”
I was really struck by her remark; At what age are kids no longer allowed to really be close, full-body close, as they do in acrobatics?
Today I walked into the circus ring to see boys holding each other tightly while tears poured down their cheeks. Everywhere I looked I saw kids holding each other, and physically comforting each other as they wished farewell to their good friend and fellow performer, Yahel, who is returning to Israel.
I thought to myself, “Look, Mom, in the circus they get to love each other.”
So grateful for Circus Harmony, for Yahel, and for spaces where kids can touch each other so deeply, and unabashedly share their tears.”
