|
|
Descriptions on the Acts and Rigging:
• Aerial Silks-Solo or group act. On two colorful strips of vertical fabric the aerial artist climbs and does acrobatic and contortion movements, drops and rolls, each movement flows one into the next. She transforms the silks from a prop to an extension of her own body. Dancing midair, the routine is as sensual as it is dynamic.
Aerial silk (also known as aerial contortion, aerial ribbons, aerial silks, aerial tissues, fabric, ribbon, or tissu, depending on regional preference)[1] is a type of performance in which one or more artists perform aerial acrobat while suspended by a special fabric. The performer climbs the suspended fabric without the use of safety lines, and rely only on their training and skill to ensure safety. The performer uses the fabric to wrap, suspend, fall, swing, and spiral their body into and out of various positions. Aerial silks may be used to fly through the air, striking poses and figures while flying. Routines are an exciting display of athleticism, coordination and flexibility.
Rigging As with any kind of technical rigging, it is crucial for reasons of safety and liability that only professionally trained personnel set up and rig any acrobatic apparatus.
Selecting fabrics The fabrics used as silks are incredibly strong with some give and flexibility. The width varies, depending on the routine and the acrobat. The fabric is usually quite long, as it is doubled for rigging, giving the acrobat two strips of fabric to work with as he or she performs.
Fabric under the name of 'tricot chiffon' is most commonly used by performers, though fabrics which have this name do vary. Another common choice is polyester interlock. When selecting fabric, there are a number of issues one must take into account.
Stretch Low stretch fabrics. Low stretch fabrics provide a high degree of control for precision choreography. With the spread of motorized rigging and sophisticated shock absorbing hardware, low stretch fabric is used in most modern professional productions.
Width. Fabric width is mostly a personal choice. The thickness of the fabric when gathered is also influenced by the "denier", or technical thickness of the fabrics weave. 40 denier is a common choice. The using 40 denier nylon fabric, the following is true:
60" - Narrow when open, thin when gathered. Fairly common simply because the fabric is widely available.
72-84” - Average for adults. A good place to start.
96" - Wide when open, thick when gathered. Best for adults with large hands.
108” - Very wide and thick. Recommended for adults with very large hands, or specialty acts.
Length Length is a function of the height of the space available.
For beginners, it is beneficial if the fabric comes down past the ground, allowing them to practice wraps at a lower level where they can be spotted.
For intermediate users and above, it is sufficient if the fabrics to come down to the ground.
For all users, the space required is usually between 20 and 30 ft. There are a great many tricks that can be done on a 12 to 15 foot aerial fabric and a few drops require more than 30 feet but for the most part 20 to 30 feet is best.
Additional information
Some silks performers prefer to use dried or spray rosin on their hands and feet to increase the friction and grip on the fabric.
A: Support Beam or Drop Points that can hold 1000 lbs. (The drops I do greatly increase the weight load). The aerial silk or rope anchors to just one point- I have everything I need to wrap around a beam or hook up to a drop point.
B: A Height of 20 - 30 ft. for silks or rope. I need to know the exact height ahead of time to bring the proper span sets, etc.
C: A Clear area of 6 feet surrounding the silk or rope in all directions from floor to ceiling.
D: A safe way to get up to the drop point or beam to rig such as a lift.
• Silks Duet,
• Flying Silks,
• Hammock,
• Aerial Ballet,
• Silk Straps -The male aerialist takes soars around the stage with the billowing silks trailing behind him like wings. He wraps himself up into poses, then rolls down the length of the fabric in ethereal flight.
• Spanish Web -(vertical rope) Also called corde du lisseis a more traditional circus act. Spanish web is much like aerial silks, only the aerialist performs on a canvas rope instead of fabric in some cases being spun quickly around.
• Stationary Duo Trapeze -Mens pair, women's pair or mixed pair (male and female) -- An aerial ballet. incorporating two people performing such dynamic movements as breathtaking feet to feet drops.
• Lyra -Cerceau An aerial hoop suspended with a woman contorting and spinning in a graceful aerial dance.
• Flying Straps -Performed on two vertical straps. This very strength oriented act is similar to Silk Straps, with a male as the aerial artist. A young man flies around the audience. He winds himself up into seemingly impossible positions then drops headfirst landing in a horizontal lever just before touching ground.
• Bungee trapeze -From sitting or standing on a trapeze, the aerialists fall and spring back up to perform numerous flips, dives, and poses. This act can be done choreographed with any number of performers.
• Cloud Swing -A rope hangs in a U-shape. The aerialist swings while performing aggressive drops and flips.
GROUND PERFORMANCES:
• Hand to Hand -Option to have men pair, mixed pair, or two men and a woman. The pairs or trio perform a choreographed routine incorporating incredible lifts and balances. You will see such things as a woman performing a one-arm handstand on her partners forehead. The act is the perfect merging of strength, flexibility, partnership and grace.
• German Wheel -An acrobat becomes master of his own domain from within a giant wheel consisting of two metal hoops joined at six points and measuring over six feet in diameter. In a display of strength and agility, he rolls, turns and spins while nonchalantly performing somersaults and twists.
• Spinning Cube
• Jumping Boots
• Trampoline act -(Space requirements:) Floor space: Trampolines are rectangular: 10’ x 17’. A 5' buffer zone is also needed for each side of the trampoline exposed to spectators. Example 1: Minimum space in center of a public area is 20'x 27'. Example 2: Minimum space in a corner area (i.e., two solid walls), is 15' x 22'.
• Russian bar Act A Russian Bar or Russian Barre circus act which combines the gymnastic skills of the balance beam, the rebound tempo skills of trampoline such as double twisting double sand and the swing handstands skill.
• Gymnasts-Gymnasts use their extraordinary flexibility and athletic skill to perform exciting tumbling and trampoline acts as part of a cirque-style performance.
• DancersDancers provide high energy atmosphere and rich transitions during and between cirque-style entertainment.
• Contortion-Flexibility in its extreme. The contortionist has an incredible sense of balance. She performs a one-arm handstands while resting her feet behind her neck, then lowers into sitting on her head. She flows gracefully from one jaw-dropping position to the next.
• Chinese Poles-This act can be performed on vertical poles or on a cube shape. The pole artists climb these poles and perform a variety of strength moves. They extend their bodies out horizontally, lift upside down, then suddenly slide down, catching themselves at the last second.
• Hula Hoop-Solo act (male or female). Starting with one hoop and ending with dozens, this dynamic high-energy act combines elements of gymnastics, mime, dance, physical comedy and virtuoso technical skill. A theatrical showcase that has won world-wide attention and acclaim.
• Jugglers-These bright and fun jugglers walk about and teach partygoers how to juggle.
• Stilt walkers Characters-Walking and dancing high above the ground on 3 foot stilts.
We Have many different stilt characters.
-We have several different comedy acts and characters to choose from.
Other strolling characters, atmosphere or background performers:
Consider these factors before booking:
-Event space design
-Ceiling must be at least 18 feet
• Lighting:
Must be well-lit. aerial acts are a visual art form and for that reason good lighting is crucial. Lights can add or rob an act of it's strength. Coordination of the spectacle with the venue's lighting designer will guarantee a huge impression. No mirror ball may be used. moving lights should not be used with swing, trapeze, cube or lyra. Strobes may be used in specific choreographed parts of silk routines only.
• Costume:
Paying extra for specific costuming for your event insures that all guests will be impressed, not offended and that costume will match the parties theme.
• Multimedia:
Projections can be aimed at hammock or silk to add dimension
• Security:
People are not always aware of what's going on above them, or the danger to the aerialist if a silk is tugged on. If act does not take place over a stage, security must be present underneath performance.
• Technical Specifications for Aerials Two point acts:
18 to 25 foot ceilings work best, higher ceilings require more complicated rigging. If hung from a truss, the truss must be secured so that it doesn't move.
Static Trapeze: Best when bar hangs 10 to 15 feet above ground. Needs An 8 foot radius away from walls
Swing and Hammock Best when seat hangs 12 to 20 feet above ground. Needs five feet of clearance on either side, and 16 to 24 foot swing path (depending on length of ropes) clear of lights and decorations
Call today for a quote 1(917)755 7744 or send us EMAIL |
| |
|
|
