In just under a week, live music and acrobatic performances will take over Alameda’s RADIUM Runway for one day only as Circus Bella’s HOOPLA! ends its tour on Saturday, July 26.
The free hour-long event is celebrating its 16th anniversary with clowns, jugglers, acrobats and aerialists. Circus Bella is a nonprofit created to bring a modern twist to the spirit of a classic one-ring circus to parks all across California.
“There’s this thing about circus that both inspires us to be our best selves and unifies with the joyous experience that happens,” said Abigail Munn, co-founder and creative director of Circus Bella. “We just did our show in San Bruno for the Fourth of July, and there were a thousand people having the best time ever. It’s infectious.”
Munn says her inspiration for the show comes from her love of MGM musicals and The Muppet Show, which manifests in a sparkly and spectacular show with chaotic elements.
“We kind of follow a traditional circus format in that we’re in the ring,” Munn said. “We have a live band, we’re in the round, and all of our artists have their own individual acts, but what’s special is that we thread things together with transitions and ensemble work.”
Artists in the show practice their tricks year-round, so the show is able to feature new stunts every year. One of the new performances features a Chinese bicycle act in which the performer rides backwards around the ring while flipping bowls onto his head.
Although Munn is the writer and director for Circus Bella, she says that the show is a collaborative effort which allows the performers’ personalities to shine through.
“I kind of have a layout of how I think the show is going to be, but often when you try something, people find better ideas,” Munn said. “Our company is brilliant, so I want to always hire people that are (even) better.”
This year, one of the original clown performers, Tristan Cunningham, will be returning from Hollywood, where she has been on shows such as NCIS and 9-1-1. Munn will be reappearing in her role as ringmaster.
Munn began her involvement with the circus in third grade, when she studied with acrobats and joined the now-defunct Pickle Family Circus. She then attended the Urban School of San Francisco, which has a circus program. Munn has been involved with circus performances ever since.
The idea for Circus Bella began with Munn and her friend David Hunt, who wanted to bring the Pickle Family Circus back to the Bay Area out of nostalgia. But the actual creation of Circus Bella happened by chance at a winery called Bella Vineyards.
“I had rigged my trapeze in a tree for a friend’s wedding, somebody from the venue had seen that, and they said, do you have a circus? And I said, yes,” Munn said. “We did this little show for the winery. And we couldn’t think of a good name, so we’re like, we’ll be Circus Bella this weekend.”
This year’s tour brought the festivities as far as Laguna Beach and Reno. The theme HOOPLA! is a celebration of the explosion of life.
“Come see us, and you’ll see that we’re very much family,” Munn said. “I love the ensemble work and working together. I love being in the ring with people I’ve been in the ring with for a long time.”
RADIUM Runway is located at 2151 Ferry Point. There are two shows on July 26 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:oo p.m. Tickets are free, though a donation of $20 is suggested.
Giuliana Means is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected].
