Announcing the first-ever Black Circus Week at Cannonball!

September 6-11, 2024

Do you identify as a Black or Indigenous circus artist? Are you looking for more community? Join us for Black Circus Week!




What will Black Circus Week entail?

  • Full-length shows from Black Circus Artists from Around the Country

  • Workshops

  • Panel discussions

  • SMASH! A paid opportunity for new artistic connections

  • Family Friendly and Late Night Cabarets

  • A Community-Only Salon and Open Mic

  • Jams, kikis, and much, much more!

This week will be co-hosted byAlyssa Bigbee of Rebel Arts Movement (Philadelphia, PA) and Zelos Marchandt of Tauraro Artist Residency (Portland, OR).

Black Circus Week is a chance for Black and Indigenous circus artists of any discipline and skill level to gather, share, learn and grow in community with like-minded artists. Co-created by Cannonball Festival, Rebel Arts Movement, Tauraro Artist Residency, and CSAW, the inaugural Black Circus Week will take place September 6-11th 2024, in Philadelphia. 

Black Circus Week will take place during Cannonball Festival and the Philadelphia Fringe, where several new, full-length works by Black circus artists will be presented. Attending each other's work will be the core of Black Circus Week, supplemented by workshops, panel discussions, jams, kikis and cabaret performances. We hope that Black Circus Week will take a first step in removing barriers to allow black creatives to see each others' work, commiserate and begin new artistic collaborations. 

Black Circus Week is FREE to attend, and there are some additional paid performance and other artistic opportunities that you can apply for. At this time, we cannot assist with travel costs, and the housing support we can offer in Philadelphia is limited -- though we are actively fundraising to help support these costs for participants!

Black Circus Week is co-hosted by Zelos Marchandt and Alyssa Bigbee, with administrative support provided by Cannonball and CSAW staff.


Tentative Schedule:

Friday, September 6

1-5PM: Arrivals and meet and greet
5-10PM: Go see shows!

Saturday, September 7

12:30PM-10PM: Go see shows!
1-4PM: Skills Jam
6:30-10PM: "Into the Blackness" Open Mic/Community-only Artistic Salon and Showcase

Sunday, September 8

2:30-4:30PM: Family Friendly Cabaret + BBQ Party @ Liberty Lands (Sign up below!)
5-10PM: Go see shows!

Monday, September 9

10:30-12:30 -- Workshop #1 (interested in leading a workshop? Apply for one below!)
1-3PM: Jam/Open Training/SMASH Rehearsals
4-5PM: Panel #1 
6-8:30: Community Dinner

Tuesday, September 10

10:30-12:30PM: Jam/Open Training/SMASH Rehearsals
1-3PM: Workshop #2
6-7PM: Panel #2
9-10PM: After Hours Cabaret at Icebox Project Space

Wednesday, September 11

10:30-12:30 -- Workshop #1 (interested in leading a workshop? Apply for one below!)
1-3PM: Jam/Open Training/SMASH Rehearsals
3-5PM: SMASH Tech
7:30-8:30: SMASH Performance at CCNH
8:30-10:30: Final Toast and Party

Thursday, September 12

Departures, goodbyes, and see ya laters!