Spotlight Presents: Sky-Fi Circus Show

Spotlight Presents: Sky-Fi Circus Show

by | Mar 9, 2025 | News, Our Team & Community, Performance, Projects, Spotlight

Meet our youth performance troupe, Spotlight and hear about our upcoming space themed circus and aerial show, Sky-Fi!

Spotlight

Originally formed in 2019, made up of a group of young performers from Skylight Circus Arts’ youth circus and aerial classes. They inspired the community and showcased their talent at community events such as Rochdale Feel Good Festival, Middleton Sports and Culture Awards and Darnhill Festival. They were set to debut their first solo show ‘Mammoth’ at Gracie Fields Theatre in March 2020, but the pandemic halted those plans.

Skylight Circus Manchester NW Aerial Silk Performers
Skylight Circus Youth Circus Theatre Performance
Skylight Circus Youth Circus Acro Training
Skylight Circus backstage at Middleton Arena
Skylight Circus NW Acrobatic Artists

While most of the original Spotlight members have moved on to university, one now works with us as a freelance circus and aerial tutor and performer, both here at Skylight and other venues in the North West. She has also worked on the Sky-Fi project and will be performing in the show!

A New Generation

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, we have been able to reignite Spotlight with a brand new cohort of young circus performers and creatives to create a new circus show Sky-Fi.

The new Spotlight group, formed in January 2025, is made up of 14 young performers aged 12-20 all from the Rochdale and the surrounding areas. They’ve trained with us in Skylight’s regular youth circus classes and have shown a strong interest in developing their performance skills and working within the arts.

“My favourite part of being in Spotlight and creating Sky-Fi has been creating the show with everyone else. Some of us didn’t really know each other that well before January but we’re like a big team now.” 

– Spotlight Member

Spotlight’s Upcoming Circus Show: Sky-Fi

Since January, Skylight have been creating, training and rehearsing with Spotlight to create Sky Fi, an circus show that will take audiences on a journey to explore the curiosity of the vastness of space, the movement of zero gravity, and our connection to the universe.

Expect to step into the abyss with a mesmerising tight wire performance, orbiting unicyclists and aerial acts questioning time and space.

One of the initial sparks of inspiration from the group was the idea of how enormous the universe is, and how tiny we really are here on earth.

 

 

“I like to think about how tiny we are, compared to everything else. Like when you think about life and your problems, but then you zoom out and take step back and think about how big the universe is, it’s actually kind of nice because it makes your problems feel smaller.”

– Spotlight Member

 

Creative Employment Pathways

Skylight Circus Arts is working hard to provide opportunities for our young people in creative employment pathways. With two Spotlight members already working with us, Spotlight’s journey is a testament to that vision.

By giving these talented young performers the opportunity to develop their skills in circus, performance and other areas within the creative industry we hope to inspire and provide more opportunities to the next generation of circus artists and young creatives.

Support Spotlight

Come and witness the magic of Sky-Fi and support the next generation of circus artists! Whether you’re a fan of circus, space, or simply love a good show, this is an event not to be missed.

Date: Saturday 15th March 3pm & 7pm and Sunday 16th March 11am & 3pm
Location: Skylight Circus Arts, St Chads Fold, Sparrow Hill, Rochdale, OL16 1QT
Tickets: £5 per person (must book in advance)

Tickets

Help Shape Spotlights Future

We are working hard to secure funding to keep our Spotlight performance troupe thriving. If you’d like to help us provide opportunities for young Rochdale creatives, please consider donating. Your support makes a difference!
Donate

Contact us to find out more about our classes and our wonderful Skylight community.

Silver Circus: Bringing Joy to Care Homes

Silver Circus: Bringing Joy to Care Homes

by | Mar 7, 2025 | News, Projects, Silver Circus

As we get older, play and social connections often diminish. Skylight Circus Arts aims to uplift and spark creativity once again in local care homes for the elderly in Rochdale.

Skylight’s current project, Silver Circus works with older people, who often don’t have opportunities to engage in the arts. By using circus skills as a tool to help people relax, achieve and work together, the project brings back smiles, self-belief, and a sense of playfulness and reconnection. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund we’ve extended some of our work into local Rochdale care homes for the elderly.

Beechwood Lodge & Belvoir Care Home

 

Over the past eight weeks our circus tutors, Mick and Martine have been welcomed with open arms at Beechwood Lodge Care Home and Belvoir Care Home, both located in Rochdale. These homes support the elderly with dementia who are in residential care. Through our Silver Circus project, Skylight has been bringing circus skills into the homes, creating opportunities for residents to play, inspire creativity, and develop connections with their fellow residents.

Engaging and Inclusive Activities

People naturally seek comfort in familiarity, and we recognise that having two new faces enter the homes of those with dementia can sometimes feel confusing, overwhelming, and uncomfortable. Our work is thoughtfully planned to help people relax, feel achievement, and build relationships. Each session began with everyone sitting together in a circle and passing around our colourful circus bunting to create a big circus ring!

Over the weeks, this developed into a belly giggling and childhood favourite for both the residents and staff, rowing back and forth while singing (and giggling) Row, Row Your Boat. Starting each week with the same predictable and accessible activity meant everyone was put at ease, knowing what to expect.

“Each week the residents have improved as they know what to do from previous sessions, this has helped with the residents that can be quite anxious. Throughout the sessions, the residents have been ‘belly laughing’ and making jokes with the Skylight staff.”

– Care Home Staff

Adapted Circus Skills

As we get older, our grip, movement and strength can decrease, making it tricky for some people to access some physical activities.

During our sessions, residents sat together in a circle to have a go a plate spinning. Using our colourful spinning plates balanced on chunky gripped sticks to support those that need it. The groups had a great time passing the plates to one another around the circle.

Juggling was a firm favourite for some of the residents. We broke down the cascade juggling pattern to roll balls to one another across a long narrow table, building up to a juggling pattern. Some of the residents enjoyed playing and experimenting rolling the balls and loved to see how the order in which they rolled the balls created the same pattern when our circus staff then demonstrated the juggling! 

“How wonderful. I do enjoy throwing and catching those juggling balls… Wahoo”

– Belvoir Care Home Resident

 

Fostering Social Connection

Social interaction was at the heart of these sessions. Staff at both care homes shared that residents don’t often have the opportunity to interact with everyone in the building. 

Our Silver Circus Sessions bring everyone together, creating moments of laughter, encouragement, and support. The Hoopla game was another firm favourite! Playing together in a circle, tossing juggling rings onto metal shaker cups in the centre of the room. It was lovely to hear the residents cheering one another on! 

 

“We at Breechwood have thoroughly enjoyed the workshops and are a bit sad its come to an end! The workshop was at an excellent pace for the residence and families. The families have mentioned how great the workshop has been for their loved ones.”

– Care Home Staff

 

Thank You

A huge thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund and all National Lottery players for making this project possible!

More about Silver Circus

 

Dementia – Reduce risk and improve health at Skylight Circus Rochdale

Silver Circus Classes here at Skylight

 

Contact us to find out more about our classes and our wonderful Skylight community.

Side by Side Circus: Bringing Families Together Through Circus Arts

Side by Side Circus: Bringing Families Together Through Circus Arts

by | Mar 5, 2025 | News, Projects

At Skylight Circus Arts, we believe in the power of circus to bring people together, build confidence, and create unforgettable memories. One of our most cherished projects, Side by Side Circus, is doing exactly that for families across Rochdale. Supported by the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, these Saturday sessions offer families a unique opportunity to learn, play, and grow together in a safe, inclusive, and creative space.

A Safe Space to Play and Learn

For many families, finding activities where everyone can participate and feel welcome can be a challenge. Side by Side Circus provides a supportive environment where parents, carers, and children can explore circus skills at their own pace. From juggling and balancing to aerial cocoon swings, every session is designed to be fun, engaging, and accessible to all.

One parent shared how much their child has grown in confidence since joining the sessions:

“He has got a lot more confident. He wouldn’t normally do things even in a circle where he’d have to stand in front of others. But here, he plays the games, he tells you what he’s enjoyed from the session. All those little things he wouldn’t have done before he started coming.”

These sessions are not just about learning circus skills; they’re about fostering confidence, teamwork, and self-expression. Families get to spend quality time together, working through challenges, celebrating achievements, and supporting one another every step of the way.

Side by Side Circus: Bringing Families Together Through Circus Arts

A Unique Experience for the Community

Families who attend Side by Side Circus often express how difficult it is to find anything similar in the local area. The inclusive nature of these sessions means that children and parents alike can participate, regardless of experience or ability. The sense of belonging and community that forms is what makes this project so special.

“We’ve not found anything like this around here, have we? Coming here on a Saturday gives us all something to look forward to all week. She can just be herself here. She absolutely loves the cocoon, especially when me or her Dad spin her around.” – Parent

These words highlight the importance of providing creative and engaging activities for families in Rochdale. Side by Side Circus is more than just a weekend activity, it’s a space where families can reconnect, relax, and experience the joy of movement and creativity together.

Thank You for Your Support

We are incredibly grateful to the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board for funding this project and making these sessions possible. Their support ensures that families in Rochdale can continue to benefit from the power of circus arts for well-being, confidence-building, and social connection.

If you’re looking for a fun, supportive, and unique way to spend time with your family, why not get in touch and join the list of our next block of Side by Side Circus. We welcome families of all shapes and sizes to come along and experience the magic of circus for themselves.

Stay connected with Skylight Circus Arts by following us on social media and keeping up with our latest projects and events. Let’s continue to build a stronger, more connected community, one circus skill at a time!

Contact us to find out more about our classes and our wonderful Skylight community.

Bringing the Joy of Circus to Apna Ghar

Bringing the Joy of Circus to Apna Ghar

by | Nov 21, 2024 | News, Projects

Over the past few weeks, Skylight Circus Arts has had the pleasure of visiting the wonderful group at Apna Ghar as part of our Silver Circus Project.

This project is dedicated to improving the well-being, fitness and reducing social isolation of elderly participants through the play and exploration of circus skills.

Thanks to the generous support of National Lottery – Awards For All, this project has allowed us to connect with two groups who attend Apna Ghar; a men and a women’s group with ages ranging between 65 – 85 who attend Apna Ghar.

Each week, we’ve introduced them to a range of fun activities, from juggling scarves and spinning plates to balancing feathers on their bodies. These sessions are filled with laughter, creativity, and a strong sense of community.  

It has been heart-warming to witness the group’s transformation over the weeks. At first, there was a bit of hesitation, but as time passed, the participants began to relax, embrace the joy of play, and truly come out of their shells.  

One participant shared a sentiment that encapsulates the spirit of Silver Circus

“The circus is the highlight of my week because we just have fun and laugh together.”

 

Hearing such feedback reminds us of why we do what we do. It’s not just about circus skills; it’s about creating moments of happiness, fostering connections, and making a difference in people’s lives.  

A huge thank you to National Lottery – Awards For All and National Lottery Players for making this project possible and to the team at Apna Ghar for welcoming us into your wonderful community! 

If you would like to speak to us about our Silver Circus Project, please contact us.

Bringing The Fire Back To Skylight Circus Arts

Bringing The Fire Back To Skylight Circus Arts

by | Nov 19, 2024 | News, Performance, Projects

Igniting Passion! Introducing Fireflies

Skylight’s new community fire circus project for our local people. Including an upcoming performance at Ignite Fire Festival.

What’s Fireflies?

Skylight’s exciting new community project supported by Culture Co-op and in collaboration with Travelling Light Circus! This project brings fire spinning circus classes to the local community, currently offering a unique opportunity for 12 local adults, many have no prior experience with fire performance.

Working with visiting Fire Performers and Tutors Travelling Light Circus, our participants have been engaging in weekly sessions at Skylight, immersing themselves in the art of fire spinning. With the Ignite Fire Festival on November 23rd and 24th fast approaching, the Fireflies group are gearing up for their performance, showcasing their newly acquired skills in front of the Rochdale community.

adults practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts
adults practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts
adults practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts

Skylight’s Youth Circus Fire Performance

Skylight’s Teen Youth Circus are also developing their skills, with masterclass’ in club swinging and all about keeping safe when performing with fire from Travelling Light Circus.

They have then been working hard with Skylight staff to create their fire performance choreography to perform alongside our adult community group at the Ignite Fire Festival.

teen practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts
teen practising fire spinning with skylight circus arts

Is this new for Skylight?

This project represents an exciting opportunity to reintroduce fire manipulation and fire performance within our Skylight community, allowing young people and adults to connect with an exhilarating new circus skill.

As Skylight embark on this journey, we are not only excited about the upcoming festival but also about the future of fire workshops for adults and young people in our community.

‘Fireflies’ Project was made possible with support from Rochdale’s Culture Co-op.

 

Upcoming Performances

Ignite Fire Festival – Town Hall Square

Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November 2024

5 – 8pm Adult Community Group and Skylight Youth Circus Performance

Falinge Winter Markets – Falinge Park Courtyard

Sunday 1st December 2024

3:30pm Skylights Youth Circus

If you would like to speak to us about any upcoming events with Skylight Circus Arts please contact us.

Disclaimer: 

The skills and techniques discussed in this blog post involve fire performance and should only be attempted under the supervision of trained professionals. Do not attempt any of these skills without proper guidance, support, and appropriate safety equipment. Always prioritise safety and seek professional instruction when engaging in fire-related activities.

Extinction – What our young people think

by | Aug 20, 2020 | Heritage Lottery Fund, News, Performance, Projects

Funded by National Lottery Heritage fund, ‘3 intriguing fossils and the landscapes they came from’ project took Skylight’s participants on a journey of exploration around the Borough!  Research inspired a show called ‘Mammoth’  which was sadly cancelled due to the pandemic.

This page contains all the details of our fascinating research and maps for you to enjoy the fossil walks!  Below you’ll find the video which contains the  thoughts of our young people and our journey across the Borough.  

 

 

 

You can also read our blog posts about the different research that took place throughout the project: 

Sparth Bottoms – The scorpion trail research and photos

Syke – The woolly mammoth trail research and photos

Newhey Quarry – The seabed trail research and photos

If you would like to try the Rochdale walks, please find the walk map PDF’s below.  

 

Seabed Walk Map PDF
Scorpion Walk Map PDF
Mammoth Walk Map PDF