Week 2. July 15 – 18
Our Circucept, “The More You Practice, The Better You Get” was a theme all week long. In juggling, we’ve really been leveling up with lots of practice time and exploring creative ways of using props with one another.
Guest artist, Judy Finelli, returned and began her weekly one-on-one and group juggling coaching sessions. Judy was the first woman to compete in the competitions of the International Jugglers Association (IJA) in 1973. She was also the first female President of the IJA, leading the organization from 1971-1972. She is the co-founder of the San Francisco School for Circus Arts and was the artistic director of the Pickle Family Circus from 1987 through 1990. We’re so lucky to have Judy’s mentorship and coaching, working with students to help them refine their technique and Never Give Up!
We ended the week making juggling balls the students got to take home!
We closed out the week by making our own juggling bean bags to bring home!
Students have been finding and creating their own balance inside and out with clowning and unicycle.
Within our Academics Fun, students have been reflecting and discussing our program agreements, reading and practicing leading our Mindful Moments. Belinda has continued to introduce students to living and since passed circus legends including the King Charles Unicycle Troupe and Anna Olga Albertina Brown, aka Miss La La, (1858–1945) a pioneering Afro-German aerialist and strong woman. Program Director, Tristan Cunningham, created a theatrical piece about the life of Miss La La. Click here to learn more about this legend!
Earlier in the week, the group spent time learning, remembering, and discussing the history of Juneteenth with Coach Tristan.
On Wednesday, a group of students visited and performed for the children and families at St. Vincent Day Home in West Oakland for their annual Juneteenth Celebration! Students performed their stilt dance, Higher Ground: A Tribute to the African Roots of Stilt Dancing and then engaged the children with juggling and drumming. Check out these great pics on SVDH’s Instagram account.
On Thursday, we took a mini- field trip, to the other side of the building, to experience the Dino Alive Immersive Experience! Wow! we had a great time exploring the different rooms including the virtual reality, and even sitting on the back of T-Rex!
…..and that’s what happened!