HOW TO GO
WHAT: Public performance by Circus Camp participants
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 10
WHERE: Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave.
It was a circus in the Oxford Community Arts Center this past week.
There were clowns and jugglers, hula hoopers and plate-spinners and there were performers with Chinese yo-yos and Diabolos. Circus Camp was in full swing for area youngsters, presented by the My Nose Turns Red Theater Company.
The camp is divided into two age groups with overlapping sessions.
Tuesday afternoon found those older participants working on the German Wheel, two large double rings connected by cross bars with hand holds and foot straps, used for several stunts. My Nose Turns Red co-founder Steve Roenker was being helped by two young assistants—his daughter Natalie and Tavian Garrett—as they worked through stunts with one and two campers.
The first step was to just learn to make it rock back and forth with one person, then two people on opposite sides making it take partial rolls as they alternated going up and down like a teeter-totter.
Finally, eight of the participants were watching as one had his feet strapped down and he held on to the hand grips as the wheel made a complete revolution first to the right, then the left. It was a controlled roll as the staff members did the rolling and kept a close eye on him.
That camper was Logan Tepe, a first-time camp participant from Hamilton.
“That’s fun,” he exclaimed as he got off and walked back to the group, one of whom laughed while he was upside-down and said, “His whole face turned red.”
Later, the young man was still excited from his experience.
“It was really fun. I get motion sickness, but only if I do not have control over it,” he said. “It was fun.”
It was the third year for Circus Camp to be held at the Oxford Community Arts Center and Ellie Radlinski was taking part for the third year. She said she likes to focus on a different skill each year, although she has her favorites.
“I really like the camp. I try something different each year. We work on a skill each day. I like to try lots of things,” she said, adding her favorites art the Chinese Yo-yos and Diabolos.
Paul Moore said he likes the Circus Camp, but has also been to soccer camp. While the two camps might seem to be vastly different, he does see some similarities because some of the circus skills require balance.
About the Author