Series & Workshops

for students aged 16 and older

Workshops

FOOLS PROOF

A Clown Workshop with Nayana Fielkov

Saturday, August 29 + Sunday, August 30

"If I were a fool, I'd know exactly what to do"

This workshop is an opportunity to expand, develop, and refine our play, presence, imagination, and unedited available responsiveness to the moment. On stage and in everyday life.

Through a series of experiential awareness building games and exercises, we will cultivate curiosity, explore emotional range and practice the bravery of sharing our willingness and openness. By following the body and our impulses, we can be in delight with the discovery of the moment.

What's so funny? :: :: WE ARE!!

In this workshop we will:

  • Laugh A LOT

  • Practice emotional agility in order to widen possibilities of freedom with agency

  • Practice simplicity to discover honesty and detail in what is funny

  • Explore extension of impulse to become familiar with the edges of what is possible

  • Work with tempo, rhythm, space, tensegrity, shape and form to gain agency in the body as a tool

  • Discover by witnessing and practicing what generates laughter

  • Widen tools and possibilities for generating content and inspiration

  • Cultivate an open un-edited available responsiveness through Play

  • Become familiar with our patterns to play with them

  • Shift our patterns to expand our range

  • Work with impulse to bridge subconscious with playable action with awareness

  • Practice comfort in the unknown for playing the moment in real time

  • Generate seeds/ideas for performative work and bring them to life with coaching and consultation. 

Sign up now

Workshop Details

    • Saturday, August 29 - 1:30 - 7:30 pm

      (45 min break 2:30 - 3:15 pm)

    • Sunday, August 30 - 12:00 pm - 6:00

      (45 min break: 3:15 - 4:00 pm)

    • $325 full price

    • $275 early bird (before Feb 14)

    • 15% off for Island Circus members

    • Bursary is available for those who need it. Please email info@islandcircusspace.com if you want to attend and the workshop pricing is out of your budget.

  • Ages 18+

    Perfect for performers and non-performers, dancers, actors, musicians, storytellers, and anyone interested in building their presence and sensory awareness in performance and everyday life!

    Taught in English with Gibberish subtitles.

  • Island Circus Esquimalt

Nayana Fielkov is a Canadian based performing artist and educator dedicated to the work of play. She brings together the mediums of clown, dance, mask and physical comedy. Nayana is co-creator and performer in multi award winning shows Falling Awake, Hotel Vortruba, A Can of Worms, UNDERBELLY, Habitats, PRESTO!, Out Of Time, and Same Same Different. She is a founding member of ensemble Theatre/Clown troupes the Poupon Parade, and The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret.

Nayana brings a passion and continued inquiry to the mystery and phenomenon we call clown. Her influences include but are not limited to her studies with: David MacMurray Smith, John Turner, Jon Davison, Jan Henderson, Giovanni Fusetti, Deanna Fleysher, Peter Bingham, and Ruth Zaporah. She also draws directly from her experience as a performer and somatic practitioner.  Nayana has been teaching for over a decade both internationally and throughout Canada.

nayanafielkov.ca

Progressive Series

with Sylvia

Lyrical Hoop Series

A lyrical aerial class focuses less on learning new tricks and more on incorporating the technical elements you have already mastered with emotional expression, gestures and musicality. You will create a narrative through your movements. Fluidity, lines and smooth transitions will be emphasized and students will have an opportunity to include their favourite aerial sequences into the choreography. You will be able to film your final piece on the last day of the series.

3 Week Series Details

  • Location: @ESQ (903 Devonshire Road)

    Tuesdays, 6pm-7pm

    3 Week Series:

    • July 7th — July 21st

  • $105 + gst for 3 week series

    • 15% off for members

  • Must have completed the Intro to Aerial Series or 3 aerial classes. Additionally, students come to the series already knowing 5 shapes/poses that they can confidently do in the air on the specific apparatus.

sign up

Lyrical Hammock Series

with Sylvia

A lyrical aerial class focuses less on learning new tricks and more on incorporating the technical elements you have already mastered with emotional expression, gestures and musicality. You will create a narrative through your movements. Fluidity, lines and smooth transitions will be emphasized and students will have an opportunity to include their favourite aerial sequences into the choreography. You will be able to film your final piece on the last day of the series.

3 Week Series Details

  • Location: @ESQ (903 Devonshire Road)

    Tuesdays, 6pm-7pm

    3 Week Series:

    • July 28th —August 11th

  • $105 + gst for 3 week series

    • 15% off for members

  • Must have completed the Intro to Aerial Series or 3 aerial classes. Additionally, students come to the series already knowing 5 shapes/poses that they can confidently do in the air on the specific apparatus.

sign up

Lyrical Trapeze Series

with Sylvia

A lyrical aerial class focuses less on learning new tricks and more on incorporating the technical elements you have already mastered with emotional expression, gestures and musicality. You will create a narrative through your movements. Fluidity, lines and smooth transitions will be emphasized and students will have an opportunity to include their favourite aerial sequences into the choreography. You will be able to film your final piece on the last day of the series.

3 Week Series Details

  • Location: @ESQ (903 Devonshire Road)

    Tuesdays, 6pm-7pm

    3 Week Series:

    • August 18th - September 1st

  • $105 + gst for 3 week series

    • 15% off for members

  • Must have completed the Intro to Aerial Series or 3 aerial classes. Additionally, students come to the series already knowing 5 shapes/poses that they can confidently do in the air on the specific apparatus.

sign up

with Emrah

Handstands & Coffee

Two hours upside down, fueled by courage (and caffeine).

For the truly committed (and a little bit caffeinated) — our Saturday Handstand & Espresso class is a two-hour deep dive into skill, strength, and consistency. This extended format gives you the time to refine technique, build endurance, and explore new challenges without the rush. Come early for a fresh cup of coffee, stay for the handstands, and leave with shaky arms and a happy heart.

4 Week Series Details

  • Location: @ESQ (903 Devonshire Road)

    Saturdays, 12:10pm - 2:00 pm

    4 week series

    • July 18th - August 8th

    • August 15th - September 5th

  • $140 + gst for 4 weeks

    15% off for members

  • You currently practice handstands at least twice per week

    You are comfortable spending extended time on your hands and managing your own intensity

    You are seeking a long-format, immersive practice rather than a quick introduction

Sign up

Adult Contortion

with Adgam

This class is for very flexible students, interested in increasing their flexibility and gaining the strength required to perform contortion tricks. The class will also teach students how to properly engage their bodies while stretching to stay safe and prevent injuries. For very flexible people, formal mobility-focused training is an integral piece of a long and healthy relationship with activities like circus, gymnastics, and dance.

Series Details

  • Location: The Loft @Rock Bay (625 Hillside Ave)

    Wednesdays, 7:10pm-8:10pm

    • July 8th — August 26th

    • Use your membership class passes, or class packs to sign up for this series!

    • Students must have their splits in at least one direction (front splits or middle splits)

    • Students must be able to hold a bridge with straight arms for 10 seconds

    • This class is not recommended for students who have difficulty spending extended time upside down.

    • Must be comfortable with partner work.

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Intro Series

Aerial Intro Series

Curious about Aerial Circus, but not sure where to start? Try this intro series, and dip your toes into the aerial arts!

This 4-week Aerial Intro Series will introduce you to the basics of Aerial Silks, Hammock, Trapeze, and Hoop.

Sundays @ICS Rock Bay: 6:40pm-7:40pm

  • July 5th - July 26th

  • August 2nd - August 23rd

Cost: $85 + gst

Learn More

Acro Intro Series

Start your Acro Yoga journey off right with our 4-week Acro Foundations Series.

Students will be working in groups of 3 or more. No partner or experience required.

Fridays @ICS Esquimalt: 6:40pm-7:40pm

  • Dates TBD

Cost: $85 + gst

Learn More

  • Class Passes, as well our Tiered Memberships do apply for our Intro to Aerial and Intro to Acro Yoga Series.

    Our Series and Workshops are changing based on the requests of our community. Is there something you would like to see? Email us.

  • We do not offer refunds once enrolled in a Series or Workshop. In certain circumstances, enrolment can be transferred to a future Series.

    We cannot offer makeup classes in future sessions if a class is missed during a Series.