The Circus is Alive and Well in Westchester, Rockland

Despite the loss of Ringling Bros, the circus lives on in full, living color in many, many shows still on the road. And, ensuring the circus continues in its grand tradition, the circus youth movement is growing in leaps and bounds across the United States...actually, the world.

"Circus arts education and performing in the circus is having a Renaissance," said Carlo Pellegrini (aka 'Mr. Amazing'), the co-owner and managing director of Westchester Circus Arts. "Those of us who performed in the circus as careers (I ran away from home at 18 to join my first circus) realized that in order for the art form to continue, we needed to 'pass it on' - teach youth our skills in a more formal way."

The American Youth Circus Organization and American Circus Educators Association are keeping the tradition of circus alive by teaching the skills of circus to children and adults.

Westchester Circus Arts (started 2012) and Amazing Grace CIRCUS! (started 2002) are two local organizations in Westchester and Rockland carrying on the circus tradition.

Westchester Circus Arts operates a full-time Circus School at LIFE - The Place to Be (Ardsley) and Amazing Grace CIRCUS! (a 501c3 not-for-profit circus) operates as WCA's sister organization out of Nyack and Ardsley. AGC! runs the only full-time Teen Circus Performing Troupe in the Greater NY Area. The teens perform in schools, community centers, hospitals and assisted living centers all year.

One of AYCO/ACE's sister organizations is Circus Now. They have a relationship with the Skirball Center at NYU to produce new circus events there.

"And take a look at the circus performances at The New Victory Theater in NYC. They are probably the most vibrant on the East Coast," Pellegrini said.

Additionally, there are some great traditional shows still performing, one of which is The Royal Hanneford Circus coming annually to the Westchester County Center this Feb. 18, 19 and 20, Pellegrini said. Students from Westchester Circus Arts will be performing in the Opening and Closing Acts this year.

PHOTOS from Westchester Circus Arts:

Photos cover our Circus School, end of year Showcase (Circo Bella) at Tarrytown Music Hall, Circus Summer Camp, Flying Trapeze School in August, Tarrytown Third Friday appearances, our original show "Nevermore" (based on Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven) for the Sleepy Hollow Halloween events in October, and our collaboration with the Village of Sleepy Hollow on a community circus event in 2015 titled 'Circus Latino' (we also produce shows in circus tents); as well as AGC's Teen Performing Troupe.