Ladies, gentlemen and children of all ages, welcome to the 200th anniversary of the American circus tradition. Though ringmasters may grapple over the exact date of inception — some say it began in 1774 with Christopher H. Gardner’s horse street act, others dispute that displaying the exotic elephant “Old Bet” in 1809 was the true beginning — one thing is for certain: The American circus tradition is here to stay! What better way to celebrate this bicentennial than to raise a 400-seat tent and put on an amazing show? That is exactly what the Amazing Grace CIRCUS! (AGC!) in Nyack, NY has done with its Circus-in-the-Park Extravaganza.
AGC is a year-round youth circus that was founded in 2002 by Carlo Pellegrini and Janet Hayes as a response to the events of Sept. 11. Pellegrini and Hayes’ youth group at Grace Episcopal Church wanted to send a message of hope to a tight-knit community that lost beloved friends and family members in the attacks on the World Trade Center towers. The group of youngsters had many discussions and came to the conclusion that a circus was the best way to heal the wounds.
Pellegrini’s initial reaction to the idea was not positive. “Janet and I looked at each other and said, ‘No!’”
After a long career in the circus Pellegrini knew what an undertaking it would be and felt it would be “too much work.” The teens insisted, and the duo decided to take the dive. It started small as an activity during the school year and grew into a year-round youth circus that also hosts an eight-week summer camp.
Life-changing experiences
Through the years many teens’ lives have been touched by the circus programs. For some it has even been life changing. Kenny Lindemann had challenges from the start. He was adopted at age four and by his early teens had no focus, no direction and his grades weren’t very good. By 13, he was heading down the wrong path. After an altercation with a wrestling coach at his school, Pellegrini stepped in and became Lindemann’s confirmation sponsor.
Lindemann recalled, “For the first three times we met I didn’t say a single word. He [Pellegrini] tried to talk to me and I was just like ‘whatever.’”
It seemed like a lost cause until Pellegrini, a former circus performer, handed Lindemann a set of juggling balls. Those juggling balls built a bridge between the two, and a life was transformed as Lindemann went from troubled young man to aspiring circus performer. It was then that he became engaged and started to focus.
First, he set goals with his circus work and then quickly realized he could do the same with his schoolwork. His grades started to improve and he was on his way to a bright new future. Since graduating high school, Lindemann has completed his second year of a four-year circus program in Quebec.
His specialty is hand balancing, however, AGC Aerial Instructor Polly Solomon describes him as someone who can do it all.
“He is an all-around performer.” This summer Lindemann will be fulfilling a dream as an entertainer in Cirque de Soleil’s new street performance, “Les Chemins Invisibles (Invisible Paths).”
Three rings of service
Kenny Lindemann trained at the AGC for years and never had to pay a cent. In fact, every child that wants to be involved with the circus group can do so for free.
“We don’t turn any child down, if a child wants to join our circus, we just say, ‘Yes!’”
Everything is paid for by donation. The only restrictions are that the child be at least 12 and a half years old and make a commitment to the principles of the circus: Cooperation, Imagination, Respect, Confidence, Understanding, Spirit of Success.
The community is so thrilled by the circus that everyone steps up when help is needed. Upon hearing about how hot the tent was for performers, a Good Samaritan donated a cooling unit. Circus students put in over 100 hours of community service a year performing at different venues. It is a win-win situation for everyone involved including the instructors.
AGC instructor Polly Solomon loves teaching kids aerial “drops,” and said, “When you say ‘OK now let go’ and they do it and they realize that they just flipped through the air, they get this look on their face like, ‘what just happened?’”
According to Solomon, giving these kids a chance to express themselves, make new friends and be part of a team is extremely important. She strongly believes the circus provides wonderful opportunities and excitement for all involved.
It has taken time, planning and a lot of juggling to get the families, local business owners and government officials on board, but now this circus venture is finally in full swing and all are excited about it. So much so that the Mayor of Nyack is committed to making it an annual event.
“The biggest little circus in the biggest little village in the state of New York” is how Nyack Mayor John Shields likes to describe Pellegrini & Hayes’ youth circus to those who ask. According to the mayor, the circus is bringing fun and adventure, but is also keeping young people occupied and out of trouble.
The Circus-in-the-Park Extravaganza will kick-off with an Old Tyme Circus Parade Down Main Street on July 25 and will run weekends from July 25 to Aug. 2 in Nyack Memorial Park. A circus art exhibit and circus movie screenings for the public will also be part of the celebration. For more information on buying tickets and a full schedule of events, visit the website www.amazinggracecircus.org.
Come one, come all, good times await for each and every man and woman, boy and girl!
Photos courtesy of Giacinta Pace.
Video courtesy of Angela Snow.
