This Valentine’s Day, Love Is In The Air, At Circus Maine
by Amity Stoddard
Promotional Flyer, Courtesy Circus Maine
This February, love is in the air at Circus Maine. Don’t believe us? Come see for yourself, at Cupid’s Night Circus!
This Valentine’s weekend, experience a circus cabaret featuring an ensemble cast drawn from the local, national, and international circus scene. You can expect a collection of distinct acts of many different styles – some with elements of romance and others that remain true to the simple spectacle and fantasy of circus.
The theme of romance is both light-hearted and innocent – so you can feel comfortable bringing your slightly older kids. Think of it as a PG-13 kind of event.
The atmosphere of the actual venue is designed to also accommodate the romantic evening out – with low lighting, lovely drinks and nibbles, and seating arrangements to encourage quiet conversation and connection.
There will be 10 featured acts, ranging from trapeze and aerial apparatus, to clowning, acrobatics, juggling, a fakir – and more! The show will be hosted by an MC (in this case, a Mistress of Ceremonies) and will feature special guest artists, including a trapeze artist who has previously toured with companies such as Cirque du Soleil and Cirque Eloize; and the Picolini Trio – a clown troupe based in New England.
Cupid’s Night Circus will also feature hand-crafted libations from The Bar Association, bites from the Mami food truck, and other sweet treats from local purveyors, available for purchase at a reasonable price.
Cupid’s Night Circus is the first in a series of cabarets planned for every 3rd weekend of the month at Thompson’s point. Thompson’s Point is rapidly becoming the destination spot for cool classes in the arts, great drinks, and incredible performances. From painting your own pottery or tasting a new vintage of wine, to strapping on ice skates and going for a spin, a transformation is taking place.
Chris Thompson and Jed Troubh, partners in the company behind the development at Thompson’s Point, say that their team imagined a new life for the languishing old brick buildings behind the Fore River rail yard.
Circus Maine is a part of that transformation, and continues the tradition of circus arts on the Point. The organization, which encompasses both an in-house production company helmed by Joshua Oliver, and a school for circus arts directed by master coach Sellam El Ouahabi, offers regular programming of circus arts courses and shows to please just about everyone.
Kat Finck and Josh Oliver, two of the founding members of Circus Maine, and also company performers. -Photo courtesy of Circus Maine
“The formation of Circus Maine and their commitment to training people of all ages and skill levels keeps the creative energy flowing here at The Point,” says Thompson. “Josh and his team are dedicated to offering year-round classes and hosting performances to showcase Circus Maine’s unique perspective on circus arts.”
You can read more about those classes, register to participate, or buy tickets to Cupid’s Night Circus at the Circus Maine website (www.circusmaine.org). And if you’d like to take your Valentine’s plans to the next level, take advantage of the Circus Package offered by Hyatt Place Portland, in the Old Port.
With the Circus Package, couples may enjoy a romantic room with a view at Hyatt Place, and two adult tickets to Cupid’s Night Circus for the evening of their stay. The package also includes complimentary breakfast, transportation to the event, pre-event cocktails for two at GLASS, and of course, a romantic evening out at Circus Maine.
Those interested in booking the Valentine’s weekend Circus Package can visit the Hyatt site at
http://portlandoldport.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html to learn more. To reserve a Valentine’s weekend Circus Package, just enter the Group Code G-LOVE in the +special rates tag line, and the desired date of stay, and then “check availability”. For assistance, call the Hyatt directly at 207-770-2403.
From a once-yearly, large-scale curated show that features world-renowned talent, to regular weekly classes and free-training times, to monthly night clubs and cabarets on a more intimate scale, we think you’ll agree: Circus Maine is the place to be.
