Lessons on juggling, pie throwing, history.
By Adriana Ruiz
aruiz168@student.alamo.edu
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will sponsor the Spring Break Circus Camp 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. March 10-15 at 1300 Guadalupe St.
The camp is an opportunity for children ages 8-12 “to have a wonderful time learning the performing arts,” said Orlando Graves Volaños, deputy director of education at the center.
At the camp, children will have the opportunity to learn basic circus skills including juggling and gymnastics along with discovering their inner clown by learning how to trip and throw a pie.
Each day will be split into three sections. Mornings will be dedicated to physical routines involving warmups and acrobatic exercises. In mid-day, they will break for a snack and have the opportunity to watch films and read books related to the history of the circus culture, and afternoons will be dedicated to practicing comedy acts and theatrical skits.
All participants should bring a sack lunch. Snacks will be provided.
Camp instructors are husband and wife duo Alberto and Pam Ramirez, owners of Arriba Arte Studios. Both have long histories of being in the circus.
Alberto Ramirez said he and his wife auditioned for the Ringling Bros. circus, and in 2001 had the opportunity to tour the country as clowns with the circus.
“We both went to clown school with the Ringling Bros. The bulk of our training came from there,” he said.
Ramirez said he and his wife want to expose the wonderful world of the circus to children while allowing them to build confidence and tap into their creative skills.
He said besides learning how to act like a clown, he also wants children to learn the history of the circus.
Ramirez said he wants to teach children about the Spanish circus know as “carpas,” and how families from this city packed up and traveled as performers during the 20th century.
The spring break circus camp is $150 per child, Volaños said they will accept about 20 participants.
For more information, call Volaños at 210-271-3151 or visit www.guadalupeculturalarts.org/spring-break-circus-camp/.