Soul Circus
This month, I interviewed Lynne who is the co-founder of Soul Circus! Last year, I was invited to offer workshops and henna art with them at some events, and will be joining them again this summer. They are coming to Cornwall soon, so keep an eye out!
What is the Soul Circus?
Soul Circus is an experience. We are a project that aims to dissolve the boundaries between spectator and performer – between participant and bystander. Our mission is to amplify the visibility and value of art, through performances and immersive spaces.
We, the co-founders Lynne and River, are two multidisciplinary artists who have struggled to find community within an often competitive and scarcely compensating landscape of performing arts. Our goal, through Soul Circus, is to experiment with arts through a collaborative and egalitarian lens; valuing each participant’s impact through their contribution. This is also a radical experiment in what makes art…art. To us, art is about connection and relation. So, in our perspective, compassion and communication are actually the practices that encompass all artistic endeavours.
Last summer was the beginning of Soul Circus, and we participated, as a collective, in 9 festivals and events throughout the summer – including the Festival international Afro-Diversités in Cornwall!
Why is a project like Soul Circus important?
Soul Circus is a community space and a safer space to be and express – exactly as you are! Can you think of a time and place where you were allowed to play, as a child, without fear of being judged, ridiculed, or rejected? The sense of freedom and belonging – the shedding of shame that can take place in this sort of space is truly life-changing.
Ideally, this sort of space or experience is available to anyone anywhere, but that is not the status quo that we witness in most parks, shopping centres, buses, or other public spaces. In response to the constraints that most of us learn to inhabit as adults, we can easily forget how healing it is to act silly, play games, and create for the sake of creating.
In these challenging times (all over the world), it can be difficult to find joy without distraction – and understandably, people may turn to devices and substances to numb the overwhelm that arises from events that seem entirely out of our control. Soul Circus is not a blanket solution to the very real issues each individual faces – rather, it is a space to express and connect with presence and compassion; to turn toward each other.
Which activities will Soul Circus offer?
This really depends on who we are collaborating with! In each festival and event, we try to figure out how we can complement the organizers’ vision and needs while also highlighting our crew’s talents. Often, we bring a circus tent with us to host a space with tea, talks, and workshops – music/dance jams as well!
Depending on who we are collaborating with, we may offer musical or movement/dance improvisation sessions, visual art stations, belly dance and body painting (that’s you, Yafa!), sound baths, tea and poetry… Sometimes, just by being there, we become the listening ear that someone needed, or a calm place to rest in the midst of a bustling event.
Some of our bigger endeavours: We will be hosting the Soul Circus artist camp at Anatha fest this year (August 8-10). Tickets are available through our website! We are also in the beginning stages of organizing a winter retreat, centered on reconnecting participants to their inner artist through creative practices and joyful encounters.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
We want to eventually have a physical location where people can gather year-round – a Soul Circus hub! This will be an inclusive space offering a variety of activities with a studio-cafe. Through our intensives and retreats – or chance encounters during community events – we want to inspire and empower new leaders who are passionate about bringing more projects like Soul Circus to life. We also want to connect artists to opportunities in their areas, growing a virtual hub for mutual support and inspiration!
How can people stay updated on your events and community?
If you are on social media, connect with us on Facebook or Instagram! If you find us at a local event, share and tag us. Send us love letters! Tell us about your practical ideas or your wildest dreams! Seriously, it will bring us so much joy to hear from you.
Social Media:
instagram.com/soul_circus_caravan
facebook.com/soulcircus.caravan Website: Soulcircus.online
Email: [email protected]
