WELCOME TO CIRCOCAN!

Hello dear Circus friends and partners,

In the following paragraphs I will explain more about Circocan – International School of Circus, who we are, what we do and a bit about our history. All this information can be found in Portuguese on our website, but since we have been going thru a lot of changes, new contracts, partnerships and exchange programs overseas, it is really important for people around the world to meet us and understand who we are.

Circocan was founded in October 2003 in Curitiba – Brazil, to teach kids and teenagers acrobatics and the “modern” circus activities. We have chosen to break away from traditional Brazilian style schools, (circus family or government funded) and build Circocan and its programs through inspiration from the most successful schools around North America and Europe.

Since the beginning our main goal was to provide fun, entertainment and a healthy option to exercise your body and mind with acrobatic activities. With this formula we achieved a great result, and in less than one year we moved from a little high school gym, to our own 700m² well equipped place, ready to attend kids and adults.

Picture of the old Circocan Gym – More than 300 students in less than 3 years

 

From 2004 to 2007 we taught kids, adults and even elderly (we had students from 5 to 75 years old!) the most popular circus acrobatics – trapeze, fabric, trampoline, ground acrobatics. During this period more than 300 students experienced the fun and joy of being an acrobat.

In early 2007 we received a notice from the landlord where we were requiring to vacate within seven days. Without a “plan B” we had to re-create Circocan programs and bring up new projects that would not demand the current facility. Workshops, holiday camps, and corporate training started to be an important segment of our business. In our spare time we started to train staff to work on our recently built Flying Trapeze.

In May 2008 we came to an arrangement with the most traditional university in the state (UFPR) to start an extension circus program in their facility. Later that year we brought the city it's first public flying trapeze rig. In our rig anyone can try a jump 10 meters high, with all the safety and security (safety belts, lines, nets) and followed by a multilingual trained staff.

 

Newspaper and TV shows reported the Flying Trapeze for the first time in the city

 

After Circocan's success with UFPR, we decided it was time to relocate to our own facility. For two years we divided our time and efforts performing and teaching in corporate events and schools, and building our new Training Centre. In June 2010 we finally opened the Circocan Center facility to the public.

The place environment could not be better. A 100.000m² site with lakes, woods, trees, soccer field, chapel, swimming pool, game room… and of course the acrobatics and circus equipment: Full sized Flying Trapeze; indoor area for aerial acrobatics – Straps, Silks, Trapeze, Hoop; courses for Parkour and Freerunning and all the structure you need to train and improve your skills.

 

View of the circus area – lake, indoor area, flying trapeze and on the right the lodging

Some people call it “The Ranch”, others simply say it is “neverland” – a place where you can fly, play and make all your wishes come true. And the best part is you don’t need to worry about the time! The Circocan Training Center has a big saloon to cook and eat meals, lodging, hot showers and places to camp!

There we can host from big corporate events to little kids summer camps with the best circus structure you’ll find in Brazil.

Apart from our training Centre, today Circocan has permanent classes in a primary/high school, and in a dance and actors school. We also run courses in the biggest private University of Curitiba (PUC-PR) – where we have a full equipped gymnastic gym to teach and train ground and aerial acrobatics. We also work with TV commercials, series and shows – performing, doing stunts, rigging and specialized works in heights.

Gymnasium at PUC-PR – full equiped for acrobatics training, and some shots from TV shows and commercials

With all this different areas and demands, in the year of 2011 we sent three of our staff members to train overseas. For 4 months (during Brazilian low season – June to September) they went to Italy and China to experiment different circus techniques and influences at Flic Scuola di Circo (Torino) and Beijing International Arts School (Beijing).

On their return they are bringing more than international experience and knowledge. After meeting circus people all over the world we are going to justify the "International" on Circocan´s name and bring some international guests to Brazil. Arriving in October 2011 new teachers/artists with different activities and trainings, stay tuned!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any suggestions on inquiries.

Keep Flying High,

Pedro Mello e Cruz
CEO – Chief Executive Officer
pedro@circocan.com.br

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