The 2026 Summer Circus and Academic Program Family Newsletter
Important Dates
| Mon. 6/25 - Fri. 7/6 | 8:30-3:00 | Show creation and rehearsal weeks |
| Friday, 7/10 | 3:00-5:00 | Family Literacy Day |
| Mon. 7/13, Tues. 7/14, Wed. 7/15 | 8:30-3:00 | Drop off and Pick up at Malonga Theatre. 1428 Alice St. |
| Tue. 7/14 - Wed. 7/15 | 8:30-3:00 | Summer Shows! (link) |
| Fri. 7/18 | 8:30 - 3:30 | Final Field Trip |
| Sat. 7/19 | 10:30- 4:30 | Community Show (2pm) and Family Potluck (3:30) DeFremery Park |
SAVE THE DATES!
THIS Friday, July 10.
Family Literacy Day. 3:00 – 5:00pm. HJK Gold Room, 10 10th St.
Monday July 13 – Wednesday, July 15 8:30 – 3:00pm
Drop off and Pick Up at the Malonga Theatre, 1428 Alice Street. Downtown Oakland.
Tuesday, July 14 – 15.
Summer shows at the Malonga Casquelourd Theater, 1428 Alice St.
Click here to reserve free tickets!
Saturday, July 19
Show at DeFremery Park. 2:00pm followed by Family Potluck Picnic.
Week 2. July 15 – 18
Our Circucecpt, “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.
We’re also thrilled to welcome back guest artist, Judy Finelli. 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 one-on-one to help them refine their technique and Never Give Up!
We ended the week making juggling balls the students got to take home!
Students have also 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!
Our group spend some 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.
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!
Week 1. July 8 – 12
Summer Program is officially underway! Our usual home at Prescott Elementary is undergoing construction this summer but we’ve found a fantastic “home” at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. We want to give a big shout out to our HJK hosts. We also want to acknowledge and celebrate Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, our primary funder for the summer program.
We’ve got an amazing group of 28 children and youth from 19 different Oakland schools that are quickly becoming a supportive community of creators and scholars. Our summer cohort proudly includes five teen staff members and two youth apprentices who, along with our adult team, are mentoring rising stars while continuing to build skills.
In just our first week, students have been learning so much! Juggling is a constant from early morning arrival, during choice time, and afternoon rotations.
We started working on pyramids too, practicing familiar shapes and learning new combinations. Students practiced lifting each other up, using strength, trust, and clear communication.
Students also learned the history of Hambone Body Percussion and the origins of this beautiful artform from Derique McMcGee. Derique shares that the story of Hambone Body Percussion is one that demonstrates the resilience and community care of African peoples. It is a story about the ability to “make something out of nothing,” to celebrate and communicate the rhythms of The Drum.
Students reached for higher ground with Damari Gilbert, learning and literally “upping” their stilt skills!
Academic Enrichment is a core component of our summer program and we’re THRILLED to have new-to-PCT teacher and artist Belinda Bellinger, aka Mx. B. Students wrote letters to their future selves and learned about some incredible Black circus artists including The Amazing Vitas. They also set goals for the summer and began to create Circus Poems.
Fun and Games is the special sauce of each that builds interdependence, joy,and laughter and helps make community happen.
That’s not all! Students also began working on tightwire, walking globe, rola bola. And Coach Tristan busted out the bubbles for a Fun Friday!
