Home Popcorn, cotton candy and clowns, oh my! Hideaway Circus soars into Harrisonburg
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Popcorn, cotton candy and clowns, oh my! Hideaway Circus soars into Harrisonburg

Rebecca Barnabi
Courtesy of Hideaway Circus.

The Hideaway Circus 2024 tour brings its all-new outdoor show, Canvas Sky, to Harrisonburg with showtimes scheduled for Friday, August 30th, through Sunday, September 1st, at Back Home on the Farm.

The latest production from the award-winning Hideaway Circus team is the perfect blend of circus nostalgia with a contemporary storyline, all set to the backdrop of original music. Think popcorn, cotton candy and clowns fused with world-class acrobatics and a gripping plot, all taking place under the vast canopy of the sky and stars.

The production is an immersive sensory experience that transcends boundaries and transports audiences of all ages to new realms of wonder and delight.

Hideaway Circus, a new kind of American circus, brings Canvas Sky as part of its 35-week journey across 22 states. Hideaway Circus’s co-founder Josh Aviner said the event is “…unlike any other circus! We bring the world’s best acrobats and performers together in this ensemble to create a truly captivating show. The picturesque, open-air venues we travel to add to the beauty of our spectacle, making each stop a one-of-a-kind experience that guests will never forget. We implore people from every generation to come out and see Canvas
Sky and (re)ignite their childhood wonder.”

Canvas Sky follows the story of a circus troupe where the clown struggles to ‘fit in’ and find his voice. He gets a little help from a friend, who embraces what makes them wonderful and unique. The narrative unfolds the way circuses were originally intended to, with daring artists performing below the starry sky, on a custom-built stage and aerial rig. The setting offers a unique open-air experience that evokes the charm of boutique, touring circuses from centuries past.

The fearless and agile artists, whose accolades rival the stars themselves, have come from all corners of the world, including Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Argentina and the United States to perform with Hideaway Circus’s critically acclaimed shows.

Guests can expect to see unparalleled skills in the cast performed by…

  • Aerial artists with experience spanning from Cirque du Soleil to the dazzling stages of Las Vegas, whose
    feats promise to transport audiences to ethereal heights with cloud-high stunts.
  • A three-time World Juggling Champion, who holds eight juggling world records and clinched the coveted No.1 spot in the 2023 Juggling World Championship.
  • Masters of the teeterboard, whose harmonious blend of strength, precision, and comedic flair guarantees
    an exhilarating rollercoaster of thrills and laughter.
  • And clowns that craft an unforgettable experience with boundless wit, leaving audiences chortling, sore in
    the stomach and hungry for more of their comedic genius.

The reimagined, nostalgic circus production was crafted by Hideaway Circus’s innovative founders, Josh & Lyndsay Aviner, who have orchestrated entrancing productions that seamlessly merge storytelling with physical artistry, such as New York Times’s Critics Pick theatre show Beyond Babel. Their circus is bound by three generations of family members and strengthened by award-winning talents whose combined expertise ignites the stage with unparalleled innovation. From the masterful compositions that set the perfect sonic landscape to the dazzling lighting design and enchanting storylines, Hideaway Circus’s productions continue to push the
boundaries of circus and performance art, capturing the hearts of audiences across the continent.

“We draw people in with awe-inspiring acrobatics and our memorable score, while captivating them with this riveting story of self-discovery. Whether you’re 9-months or 90-years-old, Canvas Sky will remind you that you are never truly alone and that friends can come from the unlikeliest places. This show will embrace you like a warm hug, and we welcome people from across the region to come out for a night of fun, laughs, and long-lasting memories,” said Lyndsay Aviner.

Canvas Sky is a family-friendly experience that promises to captivate and inspire audiences of all ages. The show offers three tiers of seating to cater to every viewing experience, which start at just $25 per person. The event is expected to sell out; advanced tickets are encouraged. Tickets are available online.

Hideaway Circus will perform at Back Home on the Farm, 2915 Willow Run Rd., Harrisonburg on Friday, Aug. 30, Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1.

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca J. Barnabi is the national editor of Augusta Free Press. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she began her journalism career at The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2013, she was awarded first place for feature writing in the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Awards Program, and was honored by the Virginia School Boards Association’s 2019 Media Honor Roll Program for her coverage of Waynesboro Schools. Her background in newspapers includes writing about features, local government, education and the arts.