July 16, 2024

"Flying Children and Peace Pyramids: The Circus Harmony Story"

Jessica Hentkoff, the Executive Artistic Director and founder of Circus Harmony discusses the unique social circus organization that focuses on using circus arts to foster social change and bring together children from various backgrounds. The conversation highlights the 'Peace Through Pyramids' partnership which involves collaborative performances with international circus groups, including a recent partnership with Stuttgart, Germany.
Jessica shares anecdotes from past partnerships in Israel and Puerto Rico and emphasizes the upcoming events featuring Circus Harmony and Circus Circuli from Stuttgart. The discussion also delves into the historical aspects of the circuses, the diverse acts they perform, and the importance of community support for such initiatives.

Show Notes
Guest Profile

In this episode of St. Louis in Tune, hosts Arnold Stricker and Mark Langston delve into the inspiring work of Circus Harmony and its 'Peace Through Pyramids' initiative. The episode, featuring Jessica Hentoff, Executive Artistic Director and Founder of Circus Harmony, explores how circus arts are uniting youth from diverse backgrounds to promote trust and social change. From partnerships in Israel, Puerto Rico, and Germany, to local community impact and upcoming performances, this episode highlights the transformative power of circus arts. Tune in to discover heartwarming stories, historical insights, and the exciting upcoming events from Circus Harmony.

[00:00] Introduction to St. Louis in Tune

[01:05] Meet Jessica Hentkoff of Circus Harmony

[03:29] The Concept of Peace Through Pyramids

[05:05] Circus Harmony's Global Partnerships

[15:48] Circus Harmony's Impact and Achievements

[19:15] Upcoming Events and Collaborations

[25:29] Support and Acknowledgements

[32:32] Connecting People

[32:56] Circus Science in Schools

[33:29] Mechanical Engineering Meets Circus

[33:52] Fundraising for the Circus

[34:47] Legendary Circus Performers Trivia

[37:57] The Art of Human Cannonball

[43:44] Hair Hanging and Other Circus Feats

[47:29] Upcoming Circus Events and Classes

SISTER CITY CIRCUS CHILDREN TO SOAR IN ST. LOUIS

WHO: Circus Harmony and Circus Circuli’s Sister City Circus
WHAT: A Peace Through Pyramids Partnership between youth circuses from St. Louis and Stuttgart
WHEN: July 26 - August 9, 2024
WHERE: City Museum and TBD

“Architecture & Acrobats” screening at the 24th Annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase

WHEN: July 26, 2024 7:30 pm
WHERE: Hi-Pointe Theatre, 1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, MO, 631117

[49:21] Humorous Anecdotes and Closing Remarks

This is Season 7! For more episodes, go to stlintune.com

#circus #stlouiscircus #circuscirculi #circusarts #humancannonball #circustrivia #peacethroughpyramids

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Jessica Hentoff

Artistic/Executive Director and Founder

Jessica Hentoff is the Artistic/Executive Director and founder of Circus Harmony. Jessica has been using circus arts to motivate social change since she founded the St. Louis Arches youth circus troupe in 1988. To expand youth circus opportunities for St. Louis youth, she created Circus Harmony in 2001. Jessica is the only person to be a founding member of both the Big Apple Circus in NYC and Circus Flora in St. Louis. In 2009, Ms. Hentoff was named St. Louis Arts Innovator of the Year and Outstanding Arts Educator of the Year. Ms. Hentoff serves as a founding board member of the American Circus Alliance, on the steering committee of the Global Alliance of Circus Schools, and as youth/social circus advisor to the World Circus Federation. In 2014, she was honored to be the first person to receive the American Youth Circus Organization/American Circus Educators’ Excellence in Circus Education Award. She is the 2020 recipient of the Youth Learning Institute’s Youth Development Practitioner Award.
Ms. Hentoff has been teaching and performing circus arts for 50 years! Ms. Hentoff’s remarkable vision and use of circus arts has helped children soar in and out of the circus ring.