There are at least 3 circus schools in the agglomeration of Montpellier: Balthazar in the town of Montpellier, Kérozène et Gazoline in Saint-Jean-de-Védas, and Zépetra in Castelnau-le-Lez. It is quite fashionable, the Summer sessions for kids are full-booked 3 weeks before starting and so is it for the Wednesday courses beginning in September.
Why so fashionable?
Circus is criticized, with a rather outsprinted discourse, for its use of animals. The fact that circus and zoos "use" animals (they also use humans and land and more) helps preserving the genetical diversity of almost extinct species and sensibilizing people to these species, has contributed to the development and preservation of equestrian art (trick riding, dressage), has given a place to women in the puritan XIXth C., has been open to traditions and knowledges (native american, gypsies...) in a rather egalitarian way. We tend to have as many predjudices against Barnum than he or his audience had.
Some circassian traditions are being rehabilitated, with an often low-fidelity.
Think about "Incredible talent" - you don't have to watch it: better refer to the Cirque du Soleil, the Cirque Gruss, or the Monte-Carlo international circus festival, or the equestrian Zingaro...
Some parents and other grown-ups finally heard about the virtues of a circassian practice. Acrobatics, sense of balance, self control, self-confidence, serious training with all kinds of gratifications (personnal satisfaction, fun, applaudes...). Circus schools provide some specialized teaching to handicapped persons. The teachers know more about pedagogy and physical developpment than about competitions.
Véronique, from Zepetra, proposed an initiation on August 6, 7 and 8, on the shore of the Cécélès lake.
From 10 to 12, one could try juggling, plate spinning, diabolo, balance board, aerial silk, trapeze, and more. The courses were free, one just paid for the entrance at the lake (5€ for adults, 3 for teenagers, free for young kids). If the entrance was free the lake would be crowdy, noisy and dirty, there wouldn't be a life guard and a parking guard, and the owners wouldn't organize nice events.
Emy on the trapeze...
The course was open to children, including todlers, with a parent, and to adults. Véro taught to the parents some technics adapted to the age the kid to developp their skills in a playfull way, she gave fine advices to teenagers to improve their practice and spare their articulations, she taught how to help.
And parents could try.
For the next events and concerts at the lake, check HERE.
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