'I hope people get inspired': Virtual circus festival starts Friday

Firefly Theatre is bringing a virtual circus festival to Alberta that offers performances, workshops and discussions.
The event will be held online this year due to the pandemic, but will be an in-person experience in Edmonton in the future.
A highlight of the event is a free workshop with Krista Monson, a St. Albert native that worked with Cirque Du Soleil for 13 years and currently lives in Las Vegas while writing and directing circus shows for companies around the world.
However, the artistic director of Firefly Theatre says the festival isn’t just for performers.
“It is geared to anyone who is a creative type, who does circus or who appreciates circus,” said Annie Dugan. “I hope people get inspired.”
Dugan says that because the performances are online, they will showcase a more personal side of the artists, and is geared towards a more mature audience.
“This year the work is more adult oriented. None of it is made for children, because it’s such an intimate, raw portrait of the artists,” said Dugan.
“But the shows we plan to bring in future years will be excellent for the family.”
After each show, the artist will be live on Zoom for a discussion with the audience.
The event is also a way to support circus artists across western Canada, with proceeds from tickets going to the performers, many of whom have been out of work for the past 16 months.
Dugan says she hopes the festival will bring attention to the talented artists, and that Edmonton will become a hub for contemporary circus in Canada.
“We’re going to be a great addition to the Edmonton summer festival line up.”
The festival will show three feature films: one on Friday and two on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased for $20 each or in a package of three for $50.
Participants can register for the free events and buy show tickets online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Supreme Court says expanded rape shield laws are constitutional
The Supreme Court of Canada says the expanded rules to further prevent a sexual assault complainant's past from being used against them in a trial are 'constitutional in their entirety.'

Veteran James Topp arrives in Ottawa to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates
Canadian Forces veteran James Topp has started the final leg of his cross-country march to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Snowbirds cancel Canada Day fly-over in Ottawa
The traditional Canada Day fly-past over Ottawa by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds has been cancelled, following a problem with the aircraft's emergency ejection parachute that grounded the fleet.
More Canadian troops headed to Latvia, Trudeau says at NATO summit
Canada will be sending more troops to Latvia as part of a pledge to upgrade and strengthen the NATO battlegroup it is leading there, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.
Missing luggage has become flight passengers’ latest headache amid flight delays
Exasperating delays at airports are increasing claims of lost or missing baggage, which one aviation expert blames on staff shortages.
'What were they waiting for?' Woman inside Saanich bank amid shootout describes 'calm' gunmen
A woman who was trapped inside a bank during a robbery and fatal shootout with police near Victoria on Tuesday says there is one question still plaguing her a day later: Why didn't the gunmen just leave with the money?
Nutrition warnings coming to the front of pre-packaged food in Canada
Canada will require that companies add nutrition warnings to the front of pre-packaged food with high levels of saturated fat, sugar or sodium in an effort to help grocery shoppers make healthier choices with just a glance.
What your Canada Day BBQ will cost with hot inflation
The Canada Day long weekend is the perfect time for burgers on the grill, cold drinks and time with family and friends. Yet a backyard barbecue comes with a bigger price tag this year as food prices soared 9.7 per cent in May.
WHO: COVID-19 cases rising nearly everywhere in the world
The number of new coronavirus cases rose by 18 per cent in the last week, with more than 4.1 million cases reported globally, according to the World Health Organization.