In celebration of the seventh World Circus Day, Circus Oz and the City of Melbourne will bring circus to the great outdoors with a short acrobatic spectacle accompanied by live music, presented by the Circus Oz ensemble at Birrarung Marr, against the backdrop of the Melbourne city skyline on Thursday 14 April 2016.
Under the patronage of HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco, each year the Federation Mondiale du Cirque and circus companies around the world celebrate World Circus Day. This year’s World Circus Day theme is focused on collaboration and cooperation for the future of circus.
The City of Melbourne and Circus Oz have a long-term partnership in bringing the Circus Oz Big Top to Birrarung Marr each winter to share circus with Melbournians and all visitors to Melbourne. Chair of the Arts and Culture Portfolio Councillor Rohan Leppert said the City of Melbourne was proud to be a long-term supporter of Circus Oz.
“For many years, Circus Oz has delighted audiences both at home in Melbourne and across the world with its spectacular shows and unique approaches to the arts,” said Councillor Leppert. “The City of Melbourne’s Triennial Arts Grants Program provides ongoing support for arts organisations such as Circus Oz, which allows them to grow and helps Melbourne’s vibrant arts scene to flourish.”
Following World Circus Day (celebrated globally on Saturday 16 April 2016), Circus Oz will kick off the tour of their brand new show, TWENTYSIXTEEN to Warranmbool, Horsham, Mildura and Sao Paulo, Brazil before its Circus Oz Big Top premiere in Melbourne this June at Birrarung Marr. Circus Oz will then continue with the national tour throughout South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
Rob Tannion, the recently appointed Artistic Director has just started with Circus Oz, explains, “What a better introduction to Melbourne than this? Celebrating World Circus Day on the beautiful Birrarung Marr, watching the high-octane antics of Circus Oz.”
“I am thrilled to join Circus Oz and look forward to continuing the amazing partnership with the City of Melbourne for our Big Top season, as well as creating and activating new and exciting projects together in the near future. Watch this space!” said Tannion.
For more information, visit: www.circusoz.com for details.
Image: Circus Oz Ensemble 2016 – photo by Rob Blackburn