Benefit performance helps fund this weekend’s OpenAir Circus

 
By Jack Nicas

More often than not, teachers scold their pupils for clowning around. However, in class at the OpenAir Circus, teachers not only encourage goofiness, they teach it.

That was the story Friday night. The ExtraTerrestrial Circus Experiment, made up of OpenAir teachers, held a benefit performance at the VFW Dilboy Post in Davis Square, with all proceeds going towards the OpenAir Circus. The gang of captivated children strewn across the hall’s floor was mostly OpenAir students, attentively watching tricks they’ll perform this weekend.

‚ÄúIt’s really nice to share it with them,‚Äù said Adam Dipert, a five-year teacher with OpenAir and main character of Friday’s show. ‚ÄúI’m able to show them the skills that I’ve been teaching and have the opportunity to translate my vision of how it should go in a performance situation.‚Äù

Alexa Mase, mother of two OpenAir performers, said her children loved the show. ‚ÄúI’ve never seen Dominic sit still for so long.‚Äù

ExtraTerrestrial’s performance, Quantanime, stayed loyal to their name, illustrating an otherworldly story of two brothers, one good and one evil, battling for power over ‚Äúfour celestial totems,‚Äù all variations of circus skills.

The troupe is based out of Columbus, Ohio, but many of the performers have been with OpenAir for years. Dipert said OpenAir discovered him five years ago at King Richard’s Faire where he began performing as ‚Äúan outlet for old high school energy.‚Äù

He said he became interested with the program because of a desire to pass on his passion to children.

Today that passion is often absent among younger generations’ interests. The circus is an ancient art with roots in the Roman Empire; however, with mostly only larger companies surviving, such as Ringling Brothers, and contemporary forms taking over, such as Cirque du Soleil, it’s now rare to see a modern manifestation.

But thanks to OpenAir, that trend doesn’t extend to Somerville. The program was established in 1983 and has been a cornerstone of Somerville culture ever since. Every summer they perform across the state, including at the Franklin Park Zoo, Cambridge’s Summer in the City, and in the children’s own Somerville schools.

‚Äú[OpenAir] makes the circus available to an awful lot of kids who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity,‚Äù Dipert said.

The non-profit circus is essentially free, only suggesting a $3 donation. One couldn’t ask for a better deal considering students have an array of courses to choose from, including juggling, miming, unicycling, stage combat, and hip-hop dance.

Mase said her children have taken full advantage of their unique circus skills. ‚Äú[My daughter Bianca] is often in the First Night Boston parade and did stilting in a school talent show,‚Äù she said. ‚ÄúHer classmates couldn’t believe it; it was like instant popularity.‚Äù

Weeks of preparation will culminate this weekend for OpenAir students when they hold their annual performances at Nunziato Field. Shows are scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Emily G.W. Miller and Eliza Forrest, two OpenAir students whose favorite acts are ‚Äúdevil sticks and hat manipulation,‚Äù weren’t letting on what this weekend’s audience could expect. ‚ÄúA whole bunch of stuff,‚Äù Miller said, ‚Äújust wait!‚Äù