A Unique Experience in Turin
Enjoy a Day at the Circus with Cirko Vertigo
by Michelle Samson
It isn’t always easy to find a unique experience in Turin that the whole family can participate in, especially if you’d like to include an element of physical exercise. But here’s the perfect solution: Circo in Famiglia (Circus for Families).
Parents, teens and children aged 5 and up with sweatpants and socks (or barefoot) are welcome at Cafè Mueller in the heart of Turin, right next to the Porta Nuova train station. Don’t be deceived by the façade or coffee bar in the entryway, Cafè Mueller is a fully equipped center for circus training!
The parent company, Cirko Vertigo, has a long history of producing major circus shows and conducting both professional and amateur training in circus arts at its international hub in Grugliasco, just outside the city of Turin. If you’re a local, most likely you’ve had the pleasure of seeing Cirko Vertigo perform in Turin, at a street festival or as an opener on televised events.
Many professional circus performers were trained right here in Piedmont. The success of Cirko Vertigo led them to refurbish a theater in Turin (located on via Sacchi) and fit it out with high-quality equipment so that, as of January 2018, children and adults alike can participate in weekly circus lessons without leaving the city.
Circus for Families: A Fun Activity in Turin
My attention was caught by a short-term course offered at Cafè Mueller because it is geared toward families and is held throughout the year for three consecutive Saturdays from 10:30 – 12:30. The course is taught in English or Italian (or both) and seemed a perfect way to spend time with my kids while doing something different that appealed to every one of us. Most importantly, Cirko Vertigo has the experience to provide a safe, stimulating environment that enables participants to try new things with the comfort of high-quality equipment and certified instructors.
What other class can be taken as a family unit? Kids love watching mom and dad rolling on the floor like a monkey in an approach to a cartwheel and chasing clubs as they learn to toss them in the air. Children line up right there next to the teenagers and adults in group stretching and warm-up exercises and honest-to-goodness circus activities like juggling, acrobatics and aerial arts. Unbridled joy takes over as everyone moves about learning to manipulate three balls, climb aerial silks and do a handstand. Even the least flexible in the group are guided gently through a series of exercises that bring every participant closer to becoming a circus performer.
Elena Andreasi was our teacher and she magically made the class relevant for the 5 year-olds and 50 year-olds alike. My family quickly integrated with the other two families in the course. I was also impressed with the workout we got while learning circus skills in a course that is a viable alternative to any sports activity. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of swinging on a trapeze or hanging from an aerial silk just like they do at the circus, this is your chance! If you are in Turin for a brief visit or a longer stay, your entire family will enjoy this unique and fun activity.
What a great way to fulfill those childhood fantasies of joining the circus! Take the experience one step further and do it together with your family and friends. Not to mention, it’s a perfect (and fun) workout for people of all ages.
For more information or to sign up for a trial lesson, email segreteria@cirkovertigo.com or call 011 071 4488.
Learn more about Cirko Vertigo’s courses and the unique experiences they offer in Turin and don’t miss the chance to see Cirko Vertigo perform live.
A Unique Experience in Turin Blog Post by Michelle Samson: Michelle is a native Californian who moved to Turin in 2000. She has a background in Communications, with more than 10 years of hands-on experience in PR, marketing and event planning in both Los Angeles and Turin. Michelle’s life revolves around words and how they can bridge gaps among different cultures, beliefs and attitudes. She is in the habit of collecting experiences and using them to form the basis for written, oral, and photographic storytelling. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-samson-torino
