Circus Flora - Under the Big Top

Circus Flora

Based in St. Louis since 1987, Circus Flora is a one-ring circus styled on the old Eastern European circuses. Set to live music, there are acrobatics, animal shows, jugglers, tumblers, magicians and clowns. The performances in St. Louis generally run from late May through the month of June. On Saturday, June 13th the circus opened its morning rehearsals to "Artists Under the Big Top". For the small fee of $10, visual artists could watch rehearsals and walk around the back lot of the circus. It was part fund-raiser for the circus, and an opportunity to spread the word about Circus Flora. I believe attendance was limited to 50 people, and I saw perhaps ten or twelve people who were drawing and/or painting. The rest of the group were photographers. Seven of us (plus one spouse) from the Women in Focus St. Louis (WIF) group took part in the event, and there was a large contingency from the St. Louis Camera Club as well. They were easy to detect with their tripods, huge lenses and multiple cameras. The tent was filled with the sounds of motor drives as the jugglers and tumblers rehearsed!

It was quite an experience, I must say. First of all, it was just interesting to be inside the big top with so few people around. It was fun to see a few of the acts rehearse, but to be able to step behind the big red tent was fascinating. I don't think many of us can understand what it is like to eat, sleep, breathe and live our jobs. But many of the performers do just that, setting up in small campers on the circus parking lot. It is like a small community there. And finally, I just enjoy being around other photographers. We all look at things differently, and I can learn so much from them. The WIF group went out to lunch afterwards, and it was nice to get to know the ladies a little better. Good times - both inside and outside - the big top!

standard horse

living quarters

        

jugglers

miniature pony

Circus Flora clown