Our Mission: Circus Day Foundation teaches the art of life through circus education. We work to build character and expand community for youth of all ages, cultures, abilities and backgrounds. Through the teaching and performance of circus arts, we help people defy gravity, soar with confidence, and leap over social barriers, all at the same time. Our Methods: Circus Day Foundation is a non-profit social circus organization that uses circus arts to motivate social change.� By inspiring individuals and connecting communities with our circus education and entertainment programs, we have a positive impact on the St. Louis area and beyond. � Our programs teach valuable life skills like perseverance, focus, and teamwork. Learning circus with others teaches trust, responsibility and cooperation. Perhaps the most important experience we give our participants is the opportunity to meet and interact with children from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds than their own. � We believe the path to peace is a path of cooperation and communication. Teaching children from different neighborhoods how to stand on each other�s shoulders may seem like a strange way to take this path. But it�s the technique we use! The Circus Day Foundation promotes peace though pyramids, joy though juggling and harmony through handsprings.		News from the Circus Day Foundation ARCHES TO ISRAEL! World Peace through Youth Circus St. Louis� bounciest ambassadors have been invited to Israel! Circus Day Foundation�s amazing youth circus performers, the St. Louis Arches, have been asked to do a residency with the Galilee Circus, a Jewish/Arab youth troupe from the Galilee Foundation for Value Education. The Galilee Foundation for Value Education uses education to help realize their vision of a society based on intergroup harmony and cooperation. One of their main focuses is on improving Jewish/Arab relations and Circus Galilee is one of the tools they use to accomplish this.� The residency for the two groups will take place July 8 � July 22. The youth circus performers will spend two weeks working together, sharing circus skills and creating a group show, which will then tour Israel. Circus Day Foundation is mounting a fundraising campaign to raise the $45,000 needed for this inspirational journey. You can sponsor a child for $3000 or just send what you can! Donations can be made online from this page. On Sunday, May 6th, from 2-4 pm, we will have a benefit performance at Central Reform Congregation to help raise money for this trip. Visit our website for details. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. While the young members of the Galilee Circus and the St. Louis Arches are having the most amazing time of their lives, they will be showing the world that it really doesn�t matter where you are from or what your background is, it is who YOU are and what YOU do that makes a difference. This cross-cultural, country-connecting social circus project will demonstrate in a breath-taking way what can happen when people of different nationalities and backgrounds build something together. These are only children— but they have a lot to teach the rest of the world.

314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org

Circus Day Foundation was founded in the Spring of 2001. As we enter into our seventh year as a non-profit organization, we can look back and see how far we have come and we also see the amazing path in front of us. This has been such an exciting year for the Circus Day Foundation. Here are some of this past year�s highlights:

In this newsletter, you will read articles on much of the above and more. You will see wonderful photographs featuring the adventures and achievements of our gallant youth circus performers. We hope it inspires you to join us– take a class, book some of our talented troupers or sponsor a youth circus performer for an upcoming circus opportunity. It is Spring and it is easy to make analogies to seeds and blooming flowers. This current crop of youth circus performers is bountiful in many ways. Come see their growth!

Harmony through Handsprings! Peace through Pyramids!

Jessica Hentoff
Artistic/Executive Director

Our own Crina Krueger, was chosen as the poster child for the new youth circus website, www.circus4youth.org, which is sponsored by the Circus Fans of America. Crina is pictured on the Spanish web (pun intended for circus4youth on the �web�). She is also featured as the centerpiece of their new promotional poster. The St. Louis Arches were chosen by circus4youth to be on one of their Circus Promotes Physical Fitness posters. Visit www.circus4youth.org for fun and fascinating stories on youth circus including two articles written by our own Rosie Eastman!

314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org

In November, the American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO) partnered with Cirque Du Soleil to hold a 4 1/2 day teacher training�for people working with at-risk youth.� The training was provided by�professionals from Cirque Du Soleil�s Social Circus Training Program. This professional development program was for circus coaches already working with underserved children to increase their skills working within these communities.� Circus Day was represented at this training by our own Michael Hagerstrom.

Immediately after the Social Circus Training, AYCO held the first-ever, American Social Circus Conference. AYCO views Social Circus as circus education applied towards youth development.�The Conference consisted of a series of workshops and discussions�that included topics such as conflict/resolution strategies, community partnerships, curriculum development, fund raising,�and�the legalities of working with youth.� Michael Hagerstrom and Circus Day director, Jessica Hentoff, both presented workshops at this historic event.

Every two years, AYCO hosts the American Youth Circus Festival. Two years ago, we left our hearts in San Francisco at the last Festival. This year, the Festival is being held a little closer to home; Bloomington, Illinois. This eagerly anticipated event is attended by youth circus students and performers from all over the United States. Participants get to take workshops with teachers from around the world. They are also invited to perform in the gala show. This is a tremendous and inspirational opportunity for our aspiring artists. We hope you will consider sending one of our talented troupers to this Festival. See attached donation form for more information. You can also join us at the Festival to take some workshops yourself or just to see the show. Visit www.americanyouthcircus.org to learn more.

Flying At 80

Elizabeth �Bunny� Herring decided on an unusual way to celebrate her 80th birthday– she ran away and joined the circus. Actually, this is something she did 62 years ago. As an 18-year-old St. Louis debutante, Bunny joined Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus to be a showgirl. At 80, she decided to do it again!

For her 80th birthday celebration, Bunny performed on the aerial lyra– a circular trapeze. The other unique and positive aspect of Ms. Herring�s birthday is that she asked her guests to �give now rather than after I�m gone.� Guests were encouraged to donate to Bunny�s two favorite non-profit arts organizations– Circus Day Foundation and Prison Performing Arts. Prison Performing Arts �fosters individual and social change by providing current and former inmates opportunities to participate in the performing arts.� Bunny serves on the Board of Prison Performing Arts. She also recited a Shakespeare soliloquy at her party.

Guest attended the party dressed in costumes that mirrored Bunny�s loves– circus, Shakespeare and the West (her late husband was a cowboy!). The catered affair took place in the circus ring at City Museum. The party and Bunny�s amazing, aerial performance garnered nationwide attention– including an article in the LA Times and a visit from Inside Edition.

Bunny has a tattoo on her ankle that sums up her exceptional approach to life. It says: Esse Quam Videre, which translates �To be rather than to seem.� Happy Birthday, Bunny! May we all be flying so high and doing so much at 80 years old!

314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org

Circus Harmony: Glissando �06 and �07 Circus Harmony: Glissando took place Oct. 6, 7 and 8 at City Museum. This was absolutely the best show our youth circus performers have ever presented. The skill level was exceptional, the presentation was professional, the costumes were beautiful and the music was wonderful. There were fifteen acts; five were choreographed by our students and all but one of the fifteen acts were new acts created for this production. These acts are now part of Circus Day�s repertoire and can be seen throughout the year in the numerous shows our youth circus performers present at City Museum and other venues. The Circus Harmony: Glissando production marked the debut of the Circus Harmony Band, under the direction of master percussionist, Adam Rugo. Adam also wrote the show�s theme song, Mishegas and Magic. Music for the show included pieces from West Africa, Russia, Israel, Bulgaria, Brazil, France, China, Germany, Austria, Romania, Egypt and America! In addition to the Circus Harmony Band, we had guest appearances by Farshid Soltanshahi, Sandy Weltman and Xiaoyu Yan. Circus Harmony: Espressivo! The 5th production of Circus Harmony will be titled Espressivo! –which means �with expression�– and will be presented at City Museum November 16, 17 and 18, 2007. A ticket-sale kick-off, fundraiser and photo exhibit will be held on Sunday, September 9, at the beautiful Caf� Belas Artes in Soulard. We hope you will join us in September to get your tickets for November. The photos to be exhibited will be from Jeane Vogel�s Circus Teaches the Art of Life collection. Mark your calendars, now!

Photos by Jeane Vogel Photography

Are You Looking To Buy Some Great Juggling Props? Circus Day Foundation is now an affiliate of Dube Juggling. Click on THIS LINK, place your order on-line, and 4% of your purchase will be donated to Circus Day Foundation!

314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org

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Spring 2007

New Circus Babies!

Welcome Emma Rose and Kacey Monet!

Our pregnant General Manager, Jessica Mullins, was working on a grant for Circus Day on Wednesday, January 17, when she mentioned to our director, Jessica Hentoff, that she had been having �cramps�. When the pains got to be less than 5 minutes apart, it was decided that Mullins might want to get to the hospital. Our clown/magic teacher, Michael Hagerstrom drove her there in time to give birth to Emma Rose Mullins, just an hour and a half after they left City Museum! Now, that�s dedication! Emma Rose can now be seen appearing in the circus office. We haven�t started juggling or balancing her yet, but it�s only a matter of time� Emma�s not alone! This summer, coach Donald Hughes became the proud father of Kacey Monet Hughes. Kacey plans to follow in her siblings� footsteps and join the circus�in a few years.

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Circus Classes and Camps

Circus Day Foundation runs the only year-round circus school for 500 miles! We offer classes in a wide variety of circus skills including clowning, magic, juggling, tumbling, aerial artistry and basic circus skills. Each of our class sessions ends with the opportunity for students to present their new-found skills in a public show. We are very thankful to be based inside of City Museum so that our students have this exceptional opportunity to perform what they have learned. One of the life skills that we pass on here at the Circus Day Foundation, is being able to present yourself in public. Our Spring session is now underway.

In addition to our Fall, Winter and Spring classes, we offer Circus Performance Summer Camps. Our camps are split into two-week sessions starting the end of June and going through the end of August. For the first week, participants focus on learning circus skills. Then, during the second week, they actually perform for the public every day. This intensive circus training and performance experience is unique in the United States.

Student/teacher ratio is kept low. So, register early to run away and join the circus where you get to really perform what you learn! Camp is geared to children from 8 � 16 years old and takes place at City Museum every weekday from 9AM � 3PM. Before and after care are available. For more information or to register, call 314-436-7676 or go to our classes webpage.

Circus Day at Cirque Du Soleil Circus Day Foundation was greatly honored by Cirque Du Soleil, when they brought their show, Quidam, to St. Louis, this fall. Cirque has a strong commitment to youth at risk and has supported our social circus programs since 2001. This time, they outdid themselves in sharing the Cirque magic with us. First, they named us as benefit partners, allocating premium seats for us to sell to one of their performances. All of the proceeds went to Circus Day Foundation! This was our most successful benefit EVER! Next, they invited the St. Louis Arches to perform at the premiere performance of Quidam. Our students did an amazing job, stayed to watch the show and even got to attend the after-premiere party in the VIP tent! The Cirque people were so impressed with the performance at the premiere that they invited the kids to come back and do a private show on the Cirque stage for the cast and crew of Quidam. For this show, we brought all the performers from Circus Harmony: Glissando. Afterwards, we were flattered when the caliber of our performance led one of the Chinese coaches to ask us if we had a Chinese teacher on staff. We don�t. Cirque also sent three of their performers to do workshops with our students and   in addition to the benefit tickets donated hundreds of tickets to us for our students, friends and to give out to other organizations who work with youth at risk. We are extremely grateful to Cirque Du Soleil for everything they did to support and inspire our aspiring circus performers. It would not surprise us if one of the young performers who appeared on their stage with us, ends up working for them one day! This just in: On top of everything else, Cirque Du Soleil has donated $1000 to be used towards our trip to Israel!

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314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org

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Spring 2007

Performance with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus For the second year in a row, we were invited to appear with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus when they were in town, this November. We don�t know of any other youth circus group that got to perform with the two biggest names in circus, within the space of a month! We brought the St. Louis Arches plus some of our other youth circus performers to be part of their pre-show Three Ring Adventure. Our powerful performers filled the ring with a wide variety of circus skills. There is a lovely article by Rosie Eastman, one of our students, on the www.circus4youth.com website about this exciting experience. Also accompanying us to Ringling were Al Light and his wife, Lyn. They had spent the morning giving a workshop in German Gym Wheel to our students. Lyn is the Norwegian National Champion in this skill and she is ranked third in the world! Elizabeth �Bunny� Herring, came with us, as well. She had been a showgirl on Ringling over 60 years ago! The assistant performance director took Bunny back to visit with the elephants. We all stayed and watched the show. Afterwards, we met with Bello Nock, the show�s headliner. He talked with the kids for a while and fielded questions from our future circus stars. We also got to spend some time with the Chicago Kidz, a troupe of young, inner-city acrobats from Chicago. Talking with Bello, being with Bunny and seeing the Chicago Kidz, helped our students realize that becoming a performer with Ringling Bros. is a very attainable goal for them.

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Photos by Al Vitale

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Circus Flora �07

Circus Day Foundation continues its partnership with Circus Flora. We will be running their Circus Community Camps for neighborhood children. For the 19th year, the St Louis Arches will appear with the show. For the first time, some of our other students will also be part of the Circus Flora show. Come see us June 7 � 24 behind Powell Symphony Hall. More info available at www.circusflora.org.

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Wish List
Computer Office Supplies Postal Supplies Juggling Supplies Unicycles Carpet runners 12 passenger van Costumes and tights Mirrors	Clip Lights Digital Camcorder Blank VHS tapes and DVDs Ballet and Acrobatic Shoes Frequent Flier Miles Suitcases, Trunks and Musical Instrument Cases (for an upcoming show and for our trip to Israel)

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314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org

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Spring 2007

New Circus Space at City Museum

On Saturday, March 3rd, we performed our first shows in the new Reg Bolton Memorial Circus Ring. For our new ring, City Museum creative master-mind, Bob Cassilly, actually cut through the ceiling and jacked it up four additional feet. Now our aerialists will no longer be scraping the floor and our acrobats will have to work a lot harder to bump into the ceiling. The new ring boasts marble and wood bleachers, glass walls and an ornate outside fa�ade. A lordly lion overlooks the space. To find out more about the ring�s namesake, Reg Bolton, a social circus pioneer, please visit www.regbolton.org.

Our new circus classroom space is located directly behind the new ring. Our offices have moved in there, as well. Don�t forget to visit the new Baby Elephant Caf� which is now located next to the new ring. We are right at the top of the stairs on the third floor of City Museum. The old circus ring will still be used for circus training for our expanding student performing population. Thank you, Bob.

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Circus Day Foundation would like to thank the following for supporting us:

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314-436-7676 Circus Day Foundation www.circusday.org