Reaching for the sky

St. Boniface

Glenelm

St. James-Assiniboia

Wolseley

The circus holds an element of mystery for many people, so it’s fitting that Prairie Sky Circus’ upcoming production is called Unsolved: A Cirque Mystery.

The all-women troupe will present its circus show on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Centre culturel franco-manitobain (340 Provencher Blvd.)

Unsolved is the second production for the St. James-based Prairie Sky Circus, a non-profit arts organization comprised of aerial performers, artists, teachers, and circus enthusiasts. The group trains and many of its members teach under the umbrella of Prairie Circus Arts (prairiecircusarts.com) and aims to provide facilities, equipment, professional expertise, and a supportive atmosphere for creation, training, and collaboration.

Group member Hillary Flesher said the show creates opportunities for circus performers in the city to create big productions.

“We put in lots of time and effort, and it elevates circus performances in the community here,” said Flesher, who lives in Wolseley.

“We’re really trying to enhance larger-scale circus productions in the city. I truly don’t think people know how much talent there is in Winnipeg.”

Flesher said she was blown away by the reaction to last year’s safari-themed Prairie Sky show at CCFM, and she’s excited about the originality of this year’s event.

“Everything is from scratch, from the storylines to the circus acts,” said Flesher, whose specialty is aerial performance. “We’re so passionate about doing this, and our group spends hours perfecting its craft.”

Another group member, Venus Von, emphasized how the project is a collaborative effort.

“It’s super-fun to have these kind of projects with my friends in Winnipeg,” said Von, who also works in the aerial hoops, clowning, and burlesque categories.

“We don’t have an abundance of circus-performing opportunities here, so it’s really fun to work with people with different strengths,” added Von, who lives in Glenelm. “It’s neat to see the different ways we approach things. It takes lots of work, planning, and co-ordinating. I’m in love with my pals, and I love doing this.”

A seasoned performer, Von said she doesn’t technically feel stage fright, but her nervous system feels primed and she knows she’s in line for excitement.

“We have a vibrant circus scene in our city, and our audiences have been so phenomenal. I know we love good circus shows. I think coming to see the circus is so inspiring,” Von said.

Like Flesher, Von, too, is enthused over the circus talent in Winnipeg.

“We have really skilled and talented folks right here at home … and it’s so special to be supported by the community.”

The show is open to all ages, but certain adult themes will be involved.

Visit @prairieskycircus on Instagram for more information on the show. Tickets for Unsolved: A Cirque Mystery are available at showpass.com and at the door.