The Zip Zap Circus is launching a roadshow in September to showcase its awe-inspiring performances to underserved schools.
Cape Town, South Africa (23 May 2024) – The Zip Zap Circus has a busy winter planned with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. The non-profit organisation, along with its talented team, will be teaching children the foundations of circus arts during the school holidays, putting on shows for the whole family through winter and, come spring, hitting the road to host a roadshow and setting up auditions for hopeful students to join the circus.
In an effort to raise funds to ensure that they continue to offer all their programmes at no cost, Zip Zap is hosting two major funding projects. From June 24th to 28th, they have a Winter Tots Camp at the Zip Zap Dome for children aged 5 – 7. Children are taught the foundations of circus arts—trapeze, tumbling, juggling, and more! You can find out more here.
The second big funder will be public shows for the whole family on the 17th,18th, 24th, and 25th of August at the Zip Zap Dome. The shows will be presented by the students from the Zappers and Dare2Dream programmes. Kaleidoscope is set to be a fun, dynamic acrobatic venture through the seasons—high energy and a great family show.
With funds raised, the roadshow can hit the road! The Dare2Dream (D2D) Roadshow will run on September 20th where the D2D team will showcase the vocational 4-year programme and encourage students to audition. Students on the programme are not charged – the only expectation is a commitment to work hard.
The overall objective of the D2D programme is to alleviate poverty and reduce unemployment. Circus arts is a practical medium through which participants learn soft skills, social skills, technical skills, artistic development, circus techniques, and teaching skills.
“With the guidance and support of dedicated Zip Zap instructors, D2D students create and manage their own performances, and work as a team in collaborating to create shows for corporates, public performances and special events.
All these skills help prepare the D2D students to teach and coach younger children, which is an integral part of the curriculum. A ‘professional insertion’ year, the final year of the programme, aids in bridging the gap between learning and working, provides holistic development, and guides them in becoming both work—and life-ready.”
Zip Zap Circus is a vibrant, uniquely South African social and professional circus that was founded in Cape Town in 1992 and has impacted the lives of over 35,000 individuals. Through circus arts, Zip Zap inspires and empowers young people from all walks of life to pursue their destinies. Zip Zap promotes social cohesion, creates opportunities, unlocks potential and transfers skills for life.
Working with a diverse community of children from all backgrounds, Zip Zap helps kids ‘dare to dream’ and learn to make those dreams a reality. Zip Zap programmes are free to participants, and financial and material support comes from individuals, organisations, corporations, and foundations.
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In South Africa and the world, Zip Zap Circus is recognised by Governments, Ministries of Education, Tourism, Arts and culture, and private societies as a major contributor to development within the iconic ‘Mother City’ and the sustainability of the circus arts in South Africa.
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