A Big Top for Let's Circus

by lets-circus in Newcastle upon Tyne

We did it
On 9th May 2015 we successfully raised £3,715 with 62 supporters in 21 days

'The Magpie' will give artists, young people, public & our community a special place to share wonderful experiences. School, Theatre, Home.

by lets-circus in Newcastle upon Tyne

New stretch target

Based on advice, we deliberately set our advertised target quite low. As we now push towards our actual target of £5000, we're really seeking the help of people who want to back the unique vision that will establsih a mobile theatre and arts centre for years to come.

Let's Circus has always been 'The Circus that runs away to Join You', and The Magpie will be our mobile theatre, training space, classroom and community asset. We will take it to places that no other circus travels to, we will bring opportunities for training and education that currently don't exist there. It will be a creative space for artists and an inspiring place for the public.

In 2015 we will be spending the summer season with the tent up every chance that we can get.

 

Already confirmed locations include:

June: Newcastle and Northumberland

July: Isle of Skye, Isle of Harris, Isle of Lewis - Scotland

August: Northumberland for the launch of our pilot festival, the summer circus gathering, where we invite you to come away and join us for a week long summer school of intensive circus training.

Thanks for being part of this journey with us. We look forward to welcoming you into 'The Magpie'

 

And this is just the beginning. She will have a lifespan of well over 10 years, and we want to grow our baby to be a community asset that all those involved with her can be genuinely proud of.

 

Project aim

More than just a tent, The Magpie will give artists, young people, the public & our community a special place to train, laugh, create, connect and develop through circus. The Magpie will be our school, our theatre, our home. The Magpie will be managed be Let's Circus and will always retain community-enhancement projects at its core as it is used in partnership with the development of Circus Central's educational programmes as shown in the video.

About the project

We need to raise £5000 through our crowdfunder campaign.

For 10 years now we've been creating circus projects that engage the public through participation and entertainment. Workshops, trainings, shows, community arts, etc. The next step for us as artists and community elders is to have and tour a Big Top tent. More than just a tent, it will be a home for circus. It will allow us to take a fully mobile theatre and customised training space to anywhere with a flat stand of land. Inside we'll host shows, workshops, summer schools and plenty of creative, exciting gatherings.

We're christening her 'The Magpie' and she will be travelling across the UK to connect with artists, festivals and communities.

Launching in June, 2015, our focus this year is to get her to reach as many people as possible, to spread the pursuit of circus as wide as we can, and to increase the quality of our offer for everyone. To do this, we're going to be working flat out to be the best we can. A new show with a touring international cast, new partnerships with festivals and schools, and some other ambitious touring and creative projects. 

We launch The Magpie on June 6 and 7 in Newcastle as part of the Green Festival, then pitch on Lindisfarne, Holy Island for the weekend of June 27-28. Our first full circus tour, will take The Magpie and a new International show to The Scottish Outer Hebrides, where we'll be touring a series of community circus residencies. The tent will be our home as we put circus out there as an offer for the locals. Our international crew will perform our 2015 show 'Circus Heroes' and develop community shows with people along the way.

We are then working towards our own circus festival, and The Magpie is a big part of this. This will be a training and workshop based festival where the community of professionals and circus hobbyists can gather to live, and learn circus. August 10-14, in Northumberland.

details here http://info12579.wix.com/2015circusgathering

The money that comes into this crowd funding campaign will support everything that is needed to make reality out of our vision of a mobile touring theatre and classroom. It will help us build a stage and seating, it will enable us to have lights, sound and a fully functional aerial rig. It will help us to receive the training that we need to be legally responsible for the tent. It will help us to be  a better to team, to deliver better activities which leave a great impact upon participants.

Our mission is to share circus with the world, and the world through circus.

This is the start of something new, something exciting, and something bold.

Follow our Let's Circus page on facebook, and CircusCentral on twitter.

Thanks for coming on this journey with us!

 

Helen, Steve and all of the crew

 

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Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation.

£20 or more

£20 Reward

A thank you for believing in our project! We'll give you your own star on the side of our bus, or our tent, we're not sure yet. Why? Because you're a star! And we want to leave a mark for you, like you have with us.

£30 or more

£30 Reward

A star in your name, as a supporter of circus. An invitation to reserve a seat at your chosen 2015 performance event. We'll reserve it with a great big star with your name on it. Why? Because you're a star!

£50 or more

£50 Reward

A star in your name, on the side of the tent or our bus. Plus, we invite you to run away with the Circus! Spend the weekend with us, June 6-7, 2015. All day to take part in our programme of circus workshops - toys, aerial, acrobatics, etc AND a reserved seat for performances. We'll hook you up with your chosen teacher/artist at the event so you can get some one on one time as well. They'll help you become an even bigger star. On location in Newcastle @ Green Festival

£100 or more

£100 Reward

A bloody big star on our bus or tent, with your name on it. Plus, we give you Carny Cred. With every £100 pledge we'll give you backstage access for all Let's Circus events inside 'The Magpie'. That means you can slip under the side wall by the sound desk and casually make your way to the side stalls whilst everyone else crams in via the back. If there's a seat there, you can use it. But you've got Carny Cred - you'll know where to find a folding chair from somewhere else in the event and take it to where you need it.

£150 or more

6 of 14 claimed

£150 Reward

As a special supporter, we'll put your name or organisation on a plaque on one of our side poles, and wherever we travel, you'll know that you're still supporting everything that goes on in our tent. The message of your choice will be engraved on this plaque, and you will forever influence the people and projects that take place in 'The Magpie'

£180 or more

1 of 6 claimed

£180 Reward

School? Scout Group? Drama Club? We'll give you a half day circus workshop session with our very own ringmaster! You choose the venue, he'll come to you and share the passion and enthusiasm that has taken him alls round the world as a performer, teacher and circus mentor. www.stevecousins.net

£300 or more

0 of 1 claimed

£300 Reward

A day with your own personal Balloonatic. People have often asked, but he's never quite gone there... But to get behind this crowd funding campaign he's willing to offer one person to have a day with The Balloonatic, one on one, get taught the secrets of balloon inscapology and get inside a balloon. www.theballoonatic.net You'll even receive your own balloon, a bucket of lube and a authentic balloon dog

£750 or more

1 of 2 claimed

£750 Reward

Sponsor a King Pole. Your name and/or message engraved on it forever. Huge accolades via social media A private show at a place of your choice. Kudos to you for supporting such a quirky project Pride in the knowledge that you'll forever be keeping us dry as the rain comes down. OK, so we can't give you that - but you can feel it :)

£1,000 or more

0 of 2 claimed

£1,000 Reward

Team building, Celebration Day, Circus Experience Let us bring a professional educational experience to you and your team. We'll come to your venue and deliver a participation-based experience, with a stimulating, creative, physical activity at its core. Allow us to design the experience around your needs, we'll work with you to develop a memorable occasion, the likes of which your participants will have never done before. Your focus may be a team-building exercise to get your workforce co-operating and solving problems, or a fun-focussed sessions aimed at the families of your team. We'll make it happen, you'll get the great experience. You can expect tight wire walking, learning to unicycle, hula hooping, climbing the trapeze, acrobatic balance and more. We've designed projects of engagement for corporate, education and arts clients all around the world - allow us to do this for you. You'll also be listed as a special gold star sponsor in our tent and on our website and other materials.

£1,200 or more

0 of 2 claimed

£1,200 Reward

Our tent put up for you in your backyard, business or chosen location, available to use by you for three days. Corporate entertainment, hospitality, wedding or party venue - unique, boutique, carny chic.... We'll build it and help you manage the event that you want to put inside it, and come in as a member of your event team to make a great experience for everyone. More than just a marquee hire company, we'll come in and be part of your team, and work together to make your event a success.

£5,000 or more

0 of 1 claimed

£5,000 Reward

Let us brand The Magpie for one year with your name as our prime sponsor. Your name listed in press calls, at live performances, on promotional material, online and via social media. Your name in association with a project that is unique, quirky and cool. We turn heads and draw media wherever we go. We'll share that focus with you. Available to one sponsor only, with mutual agreement - contact us to discuss terms.

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