Hot off the presses, the newspaper-themed 47th annual Aerial Antics Youth Circus at the Saint Edward’s School Gonzalez Activities Center gymnasium was a must-see event worthy of its ‘Extra, Extra Read All About It’ publicity.
Excited to watch their favorite performers, family members and friends gathered to view more than 200 children, from age 3 on up, as they tumbled, danced and performed acrobatics on silks, circus straps, loops, hoops and rings. The three-day show featured enrollees in the City of Vero Beach Aerial Antics Camp and Performing Arts Department.
From fancy footwork to soaring through the air, gymnastics students and campers each had their moment in the spotlight.
“We choreographed and made music selections to match a traditional newspaper, with sports, weather, entertainment and headline stories,” explained Patty Howard, assistant recreation director. “It’s been fun; the kids really got into it.”
Little cowgirls kicked up their heels and older performers danced in the rain with umbrellas that became part of the act. With a nod to the Olympics, one aerial act featured Olympic rings. And, just as the Olympians recently did, every local gymnast aspired to perform their best.
The children really brought it home with their Newspaper Finale, which began with a group of newspaper-reading performers sitting upon a couch engrossed in the headlines of the day, before breaking into a dance routine.
In an effort to err on the side of caution, the children had performed in their home groups, said Howard.
It was just one of the creative adjustments made by the coaches so that children could “deliver” this special edition, and the performances were equally spectacular.
“We want to keep the kids as safe as possible, so we didn’t combine groups this year. The program was a little different than in years past.”
The in-person event was a welcome change from last year’s Aerial Antics Circus and Holiday Drama, both of which were recorded at the Centerstage Acrobatics Complex and then aired online so that families could watch their little stars from the safety and comfort of their own homes.
Aerial Antics children participate in recreation programs at the Centerstage Acrobatics Complex, and the twice-yearly performances enable them to showcase what they have learned. The Recreation Department approaches fitness as a means to “promote self-esteem, leadership and performing experience through skill-building and positive encouragement.”
Fall gymnastics registration take place at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at Leisure Square. The annual Aerial Antics Holiday Drama will take place Dec. 5 at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit covb.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
