Cirque du Soleil gifts tickets to Dargaville circus

29 May 2009
World-renowned Cirque du Soleil is gifting 100 tickets to a matinee performance of its show in Auckland on Sunday 26 July to help a Dargaville community circus raise funds for its youth-at-risk programme.

Circus Kumarani, which works with schools and communities throughout Northland, hopes to raise more than $10,000 by selling the 100 benefit tickets to a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s show, Dralion.

The offer of 100 benefit tickets is the result of a relationship that began in 2004 when Circus Kumarani performed to the Canadian troupe in Auckland and took part in a two-hour workshop on various aspects of circus craft. Two years later, Circus Kumarani returned to Auckland for another performance and a behind-the-scenes tour.

Thomas Hinz, Creative Director of Circus Kumarani, says it’s “fantastic” that Cirque du Soleil supports grassroots organisations.

“Who would have thought that a small community circus in Dargaville, New Zealand would have an ongoing relationship with such a renowned international circus?” he says.

Along with its fundraising support, Cirque du Soleil is also providing a great boost to the morale of small communities. “Hopefully it will motivate other not-for-profit organisations like us to think outside the square in their fundraising efforts.”

Other Northland circus groups benefit

Circus Kumarani is offering six of its benefit tickets to other Northland circus groups (Whangarei Community Circus, Circool Circus in Waipu, and Wellsford Community Circus), to be used for fundraising purposes.

Arts Access Aotearoa assisted with the initial approach to Cirque du Soleil in 2004 and subsequent visit. Earlier this year, it wrote a letter supporting Circus Kumarani’s proposal to Cirque du Soleil.

“We are delighted to be able to help Circus Kumarani,” says Marianne Taylor, Executive Director, Arts Access Aotearoa. “It’s a wonderful example of the value in fostering positive long-term relationships. It’s also a tremendous story about hope, possibilities and magic.”

Last year, Circus Kumarani was presented the Big ‘A’ Creative Space Award as part of Arts Access Aotearoa’s Big ‘A’ Awards 2008. The organisation has more than 70 members of all ages and abilities, ranging in age from five to 70. Approximately one-third of its members have disabilities.