Aerial Antics Christmas Road Trip is a holiday highlight!

Unexpected surprises along the way are what make any road trip magical. And this year, the Aerial Antics Christmas Road Trip performances at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center were indeed magical. Produced by the City of Vero Beach Recreation Department, three holiday performances last week showcased the talents of gymnasts and dancers ages 3 to 25 who are enrolled in the Leisure Square Gymnastics and Performing Arts Programs.

The original performance was written and choreographed by Recreation Department instructors, with even the set design and the construction of props and backdrops completed by instructors as a labor of love.

The theme had three teenage girls setting off for a road trip to Grandma’s, taking in the spirit of Christmas along the way. A detour took them to a street fair where they encountered dancing ‘presents,’ young acrobats swinging on trapezes and jumping on trampolines, and girls spiraling down silk ropes.

A night at the campground unveiled a cluster of adorable dancing spiders and an agile group of gymnasts cavorting around their tents in perfect artistry. Performers also danced with snowflakes and stars, baked cookies and had a pajama party at Grandmas.

The young performers truly steal the show with their talent and showmanship. Stunning acrobatic routines, graceful aerial silk contortions and high-energy dance moves wowed packed audiences filled with friends and family members. Aerial silk performers dressed in sequined leotards clung to fabric suspended from the ceiling like nimble spiders to their webs, as they wrapped and spiraled their flexible bodies in and out of various positions.

“We try all of our stunts low to the ground, with safety mats at first,” explained aerial silk performer and coach Daja Miller. “That way we can perfect the move and then take it to new heights.”

Miller, 20, has been in the program for six years, choosing to pursue a business degree at Indian River State College just so that she could remain close to home and continue with the program. She is now a staff member teaching others.

“This is literally my second family,” Miller said. “The instructors are so supportive and they think about the students before anything else. Their mentoring goes beyond gymnastics and has given me confidence to face challenges in life.”

“The best part about our Performing Arts program is the fact that these children sometimes don’t even realize that they are learning an art form,” said Patty Howard, Recreation Department assistant director. “They are just having fun. We’ve had students who have gone on to be collegiate cheerleaders, circus performers in Las Vegas, aerial performers at Sea World and performers in the FSU Flying High Circus. It all starts right here in Vero Beach with a program that is affordable and accessible to all.”

This is the Recreation Department’s 24th year sponsoring and producing the holiday show to highlight the talents of local students. The year-round program, including nine weeks of summer camp, offers a safe environment for youngsters to stay fit and have fun while gaining invaluable arts education.

All the proceeds from the performance benefit Recreation Department Performing Arts programs.

For more information, visit www.covb.org.

Photos by: Leigh Green
Click HERE to see more or buy photos

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