January 9th 2015
Week one into the new year and it’s all go go go! After 18 months in the making, post fundraising showcases, performances, circus challenges, raffles, competitions, countless support from business’ and community members we have reached our goal to renovate All Saints Centre’s old community hall to become our new home; a space dedicated to the growth of circus in our region… and this week we had our final meeting to prep the last few things before we move into the space. I hope you’re all as excited as we are.
Between now and May we will be undertaking the next steps in order to get the building looking ship shape so we can invite you all to get your circus on where circus means circus! As we sort out these next steps we’ll keep you in the loop every step of the way.
Here is a brief overview of what’s going on:
- Clearance of the building from the junk that has been collected over a number of years. (18th January if you are free to help out, we’d appreciate it. More info can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1532945496958078/
- Cleaning, painting and facelifting the building which will start in February.
- Building renovations, which will start in February.
- Funding decision date in March from Arts Council England (This will be for equipment, a rigging system and an exciting surprise for the opening) …so please take your fingers out of your pockets, firmly cross them, squeeze them tight and imagine yourself flying around in the air.
- Final phase of the renovations to be completed in March/April
- My My My… Sorry, May May May it’s time to OPEN!
Going forward we will be documenting the process through our blog and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/circusmash
As a final thought we would again like to thank everybody that has helped make this process possible. The support for this has been overwhelming and we appreciate everything that everyone has done from helping us find the right people to speak to, to the people that have donated time, money and love. We are so passionate about circus, and how it can effect individuals and communities. The possibilities are endless, and you can reach as high as you want. It is a performing art that collates all of the benefits of every other performing art, with colour, vibrancy and that glint of something extra special. We have enjoyed phase one of CircusMASH from March 2011 and now it is time for us to move forward into phase two and really really get the Midlands on the map for some more circus action.
Joe, Zaq and the rest of the CircusMASH team.