By Kenzie Mahoskey
Dimmed lights and loud chatter filled the Bellingham Circus Guild’s Fairhaven studio on Sixth Street as audience members found their seats for the 10th Anniversary sold out show.
The show, hosted on April 14, has been a tradition of the Guild since it started in 2008. The Guild was created to raise awareness and to support circus arts around Bellingham, according to their website.
The Guild also has a monthly fundraiser show called Vaudevillingham. It provides performers a place to start out and try new talents, with no audition necessary.
Professional juggler Jules McEvoy said the proceeds from the anniversary show are mostly used to pay the performers and the rest may go to the studio.
He said he helped start the guild ten years ago and the show has proven to be popular in the community over the years.
“The bigger shows are mostly sold out,” McEvoy said.“I just love the talent for this small of a city. There is so much creativity.”
Throughout the show, all types of circus acts were performed, including dancing, aerial silks, juggling and knife swallowing.
The aerial silk dancers leapt between long pieces of fabric hanging from the ceiling, swinging their bodies with ease.
Western students have also taken a part in the event.
“I take silk classes weekly at the Fairhaven studio,” sophomore Danielle Glewwe said.
There is a wide variety of classes taught at The Bellingham Circus Guild, including juggling, aerial arts and acrobats, according to their website.
Check out http://bellinghamcircusguild.com/ for more information about signing up.