The Static Trapeze

[deliasherman]

I've found a Trapeze Glossary on line, and several Circus Glossaries, but while they list some very cool-sounding tricks and moves (Angel; Reverse Angel; Bird's Nest; Amazon--and a bunch more I wrote down on a piece of paper somewhere that I now can't find), they don't say what they look like.  And I'd like to know what they look like, otherwise, I

Comments

[scbutler]

I think the Big Apple Circus runs some circus classes for kids. Maybe they'll let you audit.

[deliasherman]

I was thinking about calling them, and just might. After I get back from WFC.

[melebeth]

Hello! Rosefox just sent me over.

I can give you some descriptions of what things look like on static trapeze, if you'd like, although it's not my main apparatus (I'm currently studying lyra - which is a circular static trapeze.) However, a better idea might be for you to sit and watch a static trapeze class at NY Trapeze School (or take one :) ). I doubt they'd have a problem with you just sitting quietly and watching a class if you wanted to. I tend to come to classes early so that I can do just that. If you'd like more information about their classes, or descriptions of Lyra or Static Trapeze moves, feel free to drop me an e-mail at meledy at gmail. Otherwise, you can find the NY Trapeze School online here. I also have a bunch of lyra pictures that I took here, if they're helpful. Many of the moves are analogous to static trap moves.

[deliasherman]

I've talked to the folks at the NY Trapeze School, just haven't gotten it together to get down there. I'm going out of town next week, back in November. If I need a trapeze fix, I'll email you.

Thanks for dropping by so helpfully.

[otherdeb]

EVery time you talk about this story, I think more and more of MZB's "The Catch Trap." Would it be too nosy to ask if you had read that at some point?

(And, if not, may I recommend it...will even look for my copy if you can't find it.)

[deliasherman]

I loved The Catch Trap, possibly (I'm about to utter heresy here) more than any of MZB's other novels. I read it mumblety-mumble years ago, when it first came out in pb. It's still packed away somewhere in the SF paperbacks I bunged into storage and haven't had time to pull out again, but should really do that thing soon. I've been thinking about it, too, ever since I started working on this story

The Catch Trap

[otherdeb]

I read it about a decade and a half ago (at the urging of Jacqueline Lichtenberg), and it is definitely my favorite MZB, ever!

[deliasherman]

You know some seriously cool people.

I think I'll follow up on the other leads I've got here, and hold on to this one if I need it. Thank you.

[birdhousefrog]

http://www3.amherst.edu/magazine/issues/04fall/ruby/index.html

Ruby Rowat went to Amherst, many years after I did. I listened to a talk she gave at a reunion one year and here she's featured in the Alum magazine. She was in a circus as a child and her rigging was set up at the college as a student. She's a solo artist, for the most part. I was intrigued by her "Amelia Earhart" piece.

On her website, there's contact info. http://www.rubyfly.com/schedule.htm

If this looks promising, I can contact her first, or you can go ahead and contact her and mention the connection through Amherst a la "Whiston" 1979.

[deliasherman]

She sounds just what the doctor ordered. Thank you. I'd love to hear some stories about what it's like back stage, because I've made up some stuff, but it would be so much better to have some grounding in reality, even in a fantasy. Especially in a fantasy.

I'll contact her, but it might be nice if you wrote her too. When people are crazy busy, they're more likely to answer queries if they actually know the quierient is on the up and up.

And thank you. You are a peach.