Aerial Evolution Aerial Evolution

This is a week of firsts on Aerial Evolution. We welcome our first man and first rigger, Bryan Donaldson! This is an episode I have been wanting to have since starting this podcast and I'm stoked Bryan was able to talk with us. I am a rigging neophyte and it was awesome getting to speak with such a world renowned expert.

Bonus: Lydia Lara is back joining me as guest host!

Many of you will know Bryan in association with his rigging course and company High Performance with a stellar client list including Hugh Jackman film The Greatest Showman, but did you know he had an impressive aerial career first? From the wild apparatus he learned on the fly to starting his rigging company, we dig into all of it on this episode.

It's a long one so get cosy and enjoy!

SHOW NOTES:


High Performance Website http://www.highperformanceproductions.net/index.html
FB: https://www.facebook.com/HighPerformance
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/hprigging/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HPerformance
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/hpp
Black Z: https://blackz.fr/

Join in on the conversation:


On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com
Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod
Or for more about: Rowan

Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aerialevolution/support

I am thrilled to welcome this week's guest to Aerial Evolution. Not only is Erin Ball a phenomenal aerialist, but she is doing incredible work with and for the disability community.

We begin the episode with how Erin first discovered aerial and what her career was like before an accident led to both of her lower legs being removed. (As there is a lot of information out there already about what happened, we don't spend much time on that, I provided a link below if you would like to read about what happened). What we do talk about is what it was like to reenter the circus world, what systems were and were not in place, as well as what Erin herself needed to learn both physically and mentally.

We touch upon the history of circus and its impact (if any) on the work she creates. With Vanessa Furlong, she co-founded LEGacy Circus performance company, together and individually, they are doing AMAZING work for the disabled community. From education, to inclusion, to apparatus invention, they really are making sure everyone gets to be involved from on stage to off, circus really can be for everyone!

Tune in to learn how!

SHOW NOTES:

Read about Erin’s accident in her own words (NOTE this contains graphic imagery of amputation, hospitalisation and suicidal ideation.) https://www.amputeeconcierge.org/blog-1/2019/1/31/hi-my-name-is-erin-ball


www.kingstoncircusarts.com
legacycircus.com
Instagram: @erinballcircus @legacy_circus

Local and national arts council grants and a few others:


https://tangledarts.org/
https://www.challengedathletes.org/
https://www.teamcatapult.org/mission

Join in on the conversation:


On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com
Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod
Or for more about: Rowan

Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aerialevolution/support

This week I welcome Susan Murphy. In her 70's, Susan is a testament that you are never too old to fly. She is an inspiration to aerialists everywhere proving what career longevity can really look like. As always the episode starts with how she began her aerial dance career (from the Mother of Aerial Dance, Terry Sendgraff herself!) and just how far both Susan and aerial have come. We move on to the twists and turns that led her husband, Don, to creating the carbon fiber trapeze bars he is known for as well as her love a poetry and performing aerial with spoken word. We discuss her teaching style as well the Laban method, what it is and how it changed her creative process.  It has been a pleasure getting to know Susan while making this episode, I can only imagine how special it must be to work with her. If you are need of a dose of inspiration this is the episode for you! After listening you'll want to be sure to click the link below to see Susan's aerial and spoken word performance from her Arts and Humanities Award we discuss on the show! Enjoy!

SHOW NOTES:


For more about Susan and Marsh Studio visit https://themarshstudio.com/
Instagram @themarshstudio
See Susan’s spoken word solo for Arts and Humanities Award here
See couch piece for Pandemic performance, 2020 here

Join in on the conversation:


On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com
Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod
Or for more about: Rowan

Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aerialevolution/support

Joining me this week is professional aerialist, coach, choreographer, producer, and director, Veronica Blair; I could not be more excited! In addition to her amazing career, I wanted to have Veronica on because we share a passion for circus/aerial history. The episode begins with an overview of Veronica’s unique experience training with top masters in each of the disciplines she has undertaken and the perspectives they each brought. Including the fact that she was raised by clowns and the wildness that is UniverSoul Circus. (Side note we all so need to see this!) Then we dive into The Uncle Junior Project, an evolving documentary she launched in 2010, highlighting the long history of African-Americans in circus. We discuss the impetus for this project, obstacles she faced, and where it is now. We close with the creation of her latest film, The Crown, featuring African-American female performers. Be sure to check out the notes below for links to her website as well as for The Uncle Junior Project and to stream The Crown.

SHOW NOTES:


For more about Veronica visit her website: www.VeronicaBlairAerial.com
For more about The Uncle Jr Project visit: https://www.unclejrproject.com/
To see The Crown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-pqinZTKqQ&ab_channel=VeronicaBlair
Follow on Insta: @veronica_blair_aerialist @unclejrproject
Follow on FB:https://www.facebook.com/VeBlair https://www.facebook.com/UncleJrProject/

Join in on the conversation:


On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com
Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod
Or for more about: Rowan

Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aerialevolution/support

In this episode of Aerial Evolution I have the pleasure of speaking with Sarah Poole, choreographer and aerial coach at National Circus School in Montreal. Among the topics Sarah and I discuss are circus vs aerial and why one goes to see them. Sarah brings with her an interesting dance perspective as well as an American turned Canadian one. Tune in to find out why she made the jump in both countries and careers.

SHOW NOTES:


Follow Sarah on Insta
For more about the National circus school: https://ecolenationaledecirque.ca/en

Join in on the conversation:


On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com
Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod
Or for more about: Rowan

Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aerialevolution/support

In this episode Lydia Lara is back to help me kick off Season 2 with a discussion of things we learned last season and what is left to cover. It’s a lot! One thing that became clear during recording this episode is this podcast isn’t going anywhere for a while. So be sure to subscribe to our mailing list www.aerialevolutionpod.com and reach out if you have any thoughts or comments about the show!

Aerial Evolution is funded through the kind support of you, the listeners, so if you are a fan and can afford a one time or monthly donation it is very much appreciated and 100% goes into keeping this going. There is a paypal donation button on the website. Thank you!

Aerial Evolution is produced and edited by Rowan Metzner.

SHOW NOTES:


For more about Lydia Lara: http://aerialconexions.com/
Instagram: @theaerialmermaid
Facebook: @theaerialmermaid

Join in on the conversation:


On the website: www.aerialevolutionpod.com
Instagram or Facebook @aerialevolutionpod
Or for more about: Rowan


Music by composer Jason Martin Castillo


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aerialevolution/support