Circus Bella
Hoopla! Free Circus in the Parks!
Lincoln Square Park
261 11th St, Oakland
July 10, 2025
We could all use some more fun right now, some extra laughs. Throw in some sequins, sparkles, and a hoop or dozen and a uniformed six-piece brass band, et voilà! Circus Bella’s Circus in the Park! has made a stop near you.
”Family, where ahhh you?” “We ahh he-uh! We are he-uh!”
On this evening, as part of their summer series of free events in parks around the Bay Area, the company performed for an absolutely packed audience in Chinatown’s Lincoln Square Park. Attendees of every age stood, sat, and perched from the highest places they’d be held, for an hour-long show of colors, sequins, goofiness, and giggles.
Members of the troupe. Left to Right: Top row: Abigail Munn, Toni Cannon, Tristan Cunningham. Middle row: Dwoira Galilea, Jack Weinstock, Ori Quesada. Bottom row: Veronica Blair, Elise Hing.
The rowdy, but not at all raunchy, antics dominated what, under other circumstances, would be described as a basketball court. Bookended by a chaotic group juggling act, complete with requisite hoops, the performance was a delight from start to finish.
The high-flying folks, backed by the brass (Ian Carey on trumpet, Kasey Knudsen on saxophone, Michael Pinkham on drums, Jonathan Seiberlich on tuba, Christina Walton on violin, and Katy Stephen on keyboard) served full-throttle fun, each trick and wink landing just right.
Tristan Cunningham hoists a human being. So strong! But also, take that baby back now.
Tristan Cunningham, all physicality and sneer, clowned with the best of them, jumping wildly, and stronger than your average Joe. So strapping she can lift a human being!
Apples, splits, and balls, oh my!
Perhaps even swole enough to give Strongman Toni Cannon a run for his money.
Ori Quesada, menace to mothers’ (and the child in the patterned dress’s) nerves everywhere.
The crowd went wild for Ori Quesada’s rounds on a bike. Backwards and balancing bowls on his head, naturally.
Veronica Blair, in the air.
As well as for aerialist Veronica Blair, the “heart and soul of the company.”
So many littles.
Dedicated to their recently passed bandleader and composer Robert Reich, this summer’s season has two weekends remaining: Catch them in SF or Alameda, or keep your eyes peeled for future shows in town.
Everything was a team effort, even, or rather especially, flying. Dwoira Galilea, aerial hoop.
They’re free! But, as director Abigail Munn suggested, you can “take 20 dollars, put it in your pocket. Then, take your wallet, and put it in the bucket.”
The crew and the crowd, in bright colors and smiles.
I…. won’t be doing that, but point taken. Fund the arts, y’all!
