Carnival 2025 workshop descriptions
Friday session 1
Silks – intermediate- Casey
Wrappy choreography to take us in and out of more familiar positions and wraps for known skills.
Pre requisites: Ability to inverert multiple times in the air, strong familiarity with base positions, (catchers / hiplock / tourniquet, multiple variations of footlocks etc), understanding or interest in silks theory
Either having, or working towards, a rolldown in s-wrap would be advantageous,
Material will be adapted to suit individuals with progressions and regressions offered.
Duo hoop- all levels- Denise & Stuart
This workshop is a gentle introduction, providing you with lots of photo opportunities (always important) with moves that look daring without needing to be mega strong or bendy. You'll learn a couple of ways to start a routine and holds that don't require supporting too much of someone's weight. This means you can choose to base, fly or both.
No prerequisites are needed, just an ability to understand Glasgow accents!
Unicycle- all levels- Graeme
Not sure how to describe this beyond, try not to fall off half a bike.
Chair dance- all levels- Shirley & Megan
Come and learn some beginner-friendly chair dance moves which we will put together into a routine (with the option of performing it as Megan and Shirley’s backing dancers at the carnival showcase!) A low impact whole body workout which you get to sit down for! We will be moving over and around the chair and different levels of strength and flexibility will be catered for! Bring your shimmy and your sense of fun!
Friday session 2
Doubles Cloud- all levels- Jo
Double the fun doubles cloud. Work in pairs to make insta worthy shapes and swing like a kid.
Prerequisite: must be comfortable with close contact with your doubles partner!
Tippy Hoop- Intermediate- Shirley
Tippy hoop is rigged on a horizontal axis rather than vertical so it tips! Come and learn the basics of this fun and dynamic apparatus that may challenge your brain as much as your body. We will be working above and underneath the hoop and in the strops on some pretty shapes and cool transitions.
Prerequisites – Ideally some hoop experience (Getting up to sit, standing, happy being upside down)
Partner juggle- all levels- Graeme
Learn some playful partner juggling skills. No need to be able to juggle. Being able to catch a ball would be beneficial!
Slackline play- all levels- Gemma
Slacklining: Like tightrope walking’s chill cousin who just got back from a yoga retreat. It’s the art of wobbling dramatically while pretending you're totally in control. Great for balance, core strength, and public humiliation at the park. Gemma will be there to hold your hand when you wobble… isn’t she always!?
Friday session 3
Silks- Beginner- Darren
Come and learn some simple silks with me, interesting climbs (or how to climb) some basics wraps and even a wee tumble! Class is adaptable, so whether you have absolutely no silks experience or just a little bit, there’ll be something new for everyone.
Duo tippy hoop- all levels- Shirley & Gemma
If you are a fan of duo apparatus, then you will love duo tippy hoop too! Tippy is a hoop hung horizontally by two strops. Two people will work together to create fun shapes & dynamic transitions whilst keeping the hoop steady!
Pre-requisites: confidence on any aerial apparatus. Willing to work with a partner
Dry syncro swimming- all levels- Jo
Ever watched the Olympics synchronised swimming and thought “that looks fun but a bit wet.”? Well, here’s your chance, synchronised swimming cross clowning minus the water! Learn a simple comedy ‘dance’ routine that can be performed during our Carnival student show case!
Greatest show musical theatre workshop- all levels- Andrea
This workshop will have you bouncing along with a song from the family-favourite show "The Greatest Showman".
Never danced or sung before? Don't worry! Musical theatre has a place for everyone. Bring your favourite snazzy circus outfit and/or prop and get ready to put on the greatest show!
Saturday session 1
Silks- Beginner- Lorna
Silky Superstars. Come and learn some basic skills, we’ll have a go at some climbing techniques, fabulous footlocks, and some floorial flourishes!
Prerequisites: none If you’ve never tried silks before this is the perfect class for you!
Counterbalance harness - all levels- Casey
Suitable for all, even the non aerialists! We'll work in pairs to spin, swing and play. We'll work with a partner and a huge part counterbalance is trusting one another.
In addition to technique and safety elements, if people are interested, we open up some time to work in a more creative capacity.
Doubles Trapeze- Intermediate- Jo & Darren
In this workshop Jo and Darren will teach some fabulous shapes while you’re on the trapeze as well as fun ways on and off the trapeze with a partner.
Prerequisites: Able to mount the trapeze without your feet on the ground, willingness to be stood on sat on or hung off.
3 Ball Juggling- all levels- Graeme
Basic 3 ball: Beginners up. Learn the concepts of basic 3 ball cascade pattern and start learning to juggle, or if you can do this already we can look at the different techniques of basic 3 ball juggling and ways to improve it.
Cirque du so-strong- all levels- Megan
This workshop is for everyone and all things home conditioning and getting super strong for all your aerial tricks!
We’ll go through some things you can do at home to help you achieve your circus goals, discuss any specific things you might be struggling with and how to tackle them.
Saturday session 2
Silks vs Rope – intermediate- Casey
Blending skills between two vertical apparatus and how approaches can be similar or differ, looking at how we may compensate or adapt to suit the situation.
Pre requisites: would be ability to inverert multiple times in the air, strong familiarity with base positions (catchers / hiplock / tourniquet etc), understanding or interest in verticals theory.
Either having, or working towards, a rolldown in s-wrap would be advantageous,
Material will be adapted to suit individuals with progressions and regressions offered.
Straps- Intrmediate- Gemma
This workshop is for aerialists comfortable in the air and ready to challenge their core strength, grip strength and coordination! We will do a mix of my favourite straps poses and then will try and incorporate these with some spins.
Pre – requisites: the ability to straddle invert in the air on any apparatus.
You will want to bring/wear wrist protection (tubigrip or layers of clothing) for this workshop
Splashdown- all levels- Jo
Learn the technique to move across 5 monkey bar rings with the comfort of crash mats underneath you. Then maybe you’d like a go at doing it over a pond?
Club passing Group
A session for our existing club passers to play
Belly dance- all levels- Caitlin
We will be going through basic belly dance movements to a variety of music styles. We won’t be learning a routine. This is a chance to follow along and enjoy movement that’s right for your body.
Saturday session 3
Duo rope- intermediate- Megan & Darren
2 plonkers up a rope return…they let us back to teach double rope for a second year!?
Come fly with Darren and Megan learning a sequence where you’ll test your grip strength and look awesome while doing it!
Prerequisites: Comfortable climbing, a good grip and being higher up the rope. (The good grip will be required lower down the rope but one person will start at the top)
Harness & rope creative - all levels- Casey
Suitable for all, even the non aerialists! We'll work in pairs and as a group to spin, swing and play. We'll work on static lines, with a partner switching between who is in harness and who is not. In addition to technique and safety elements, this workshop will offer a more creative space to interact and play.
No experience required as this can be adapted to a low fly approach and very much depends on how individuals may wish to work together.
Slackline/ unicycle free play
No teacher. There will be unicycles and a slackline available to play on.
Ring master skills- Nick
Lord of the Ring: The spotlight is not always on centre stage...the Ring master can be one of the most challenging roles and from the start all eyes are on them. Ringmasters break up the acts with their presence, humour, interaction and even just speaking with confidence... Come make this less intimidating by learning a few tips and tricks to be on the way to being the next Barnum and fully controlling your ring.
Clowning Around- all levels- Shirley and Michael
This is a very beginner level introduction to clowning. Some fun games that will encourage you to allow yourself to be vulnerable (where magic happens) and celebrate failure! No one is expected to “perform” or be funny. Just bring yourself and a willingness to explore uncertainty. Your instructors will as it’s the first time we’ve done this and so anything could happen!
Sunday session 1
(Slack) drop it like it’s hot- Megan- Intermediate
Come join Megan and learn a short sequence with a slack drop! In this workshop you’ll learn how to do a catchers slack drop and we’ll throw in some other moves and climbs to give you the tools to start building a routine
Prerequisites: Comfortable climbing, able to do a solid catchers.
*Extra layers are advised (Joggers and be able to tuck in top so no skin is on show)
Unusual aerial – all levels- Gemma
There isn’t much that is aerialists can’t hang off, so in this workshop we are letting you loose on some of the more unusual aerial apparatus that you may not have tried before!
Prerequisites: none
Balancing workshop- all levels- Graeme
In this workshop we will be learning to balance props in various places and spend some time wobbling about on a rollabolla/ Slackline.
Slackline/ unicycle free play
No teacher. There will be unicycles and a slackline available to play on.
Chair acro- all levels- Shirley
Come down to the ground with this beginner-friendly workshop where you’ll explore the basics of chair acrobatics. We'll cover balance, transitions, and playful shapes using a sturdy chair as your base. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and a sense of adventure but if you really hate front balance on hoop/trapeze, this may not be for you!!
Sunday session 2
A ropey love affair- Beginner- Megan
Ever wondered why Megan predominantly does rope? Why it’s her happy place? Why Gemma is always cheesing ear to ear while up a rope?
Well now’s your chance to get answers! Come join Megan’s beginners rope workshop where you’ll start from the very beginning with 2 feet on the floor. If you’re able to get off the ground, I’ll challenge you to greater heights!
Prerequisites: none
Hammock drops- Int- Denise & Stuart
We’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that there are lots of dramatic-looking drops on hammock, which are not too scary or difficult to get into.
Since it's Sunday, we don't aim to tax anyone's brains too much. This workshop will let gravity do a lot of the work.
Prerequisites: Having some experience on silks and/or trapeze would be handy and having done a drop or two would help. Being able to pull over into a front balance (it doesn't need to be pretty or perfect) would be useful but not essential.
Slackline/ unicycle free play
No teacher. There will be unicycles and a slackline available to play on.
Hula hoop- all levels- Suzie D
Beginners intro to hula hooping. Covering basics like waist hooping, hand spins and around the body variations. Ending with a small sequence of moves put together to music.
Sunday session 3
Trapeze- Beginner/improver - Lorna
Twurly Wurly Spinning trapeze. We’ll explore a variety of spins and techniques to work with and not against the spin. We’ll also look at ways that might help build your tolerance for spinning and keep the dizziness at bay!
Prerequisites: previous trapeze/hoop experience (beginners carnival workshop in either is enough)
Aerial net- all levels- Brendan
Want to know how mermaids and merman's would look like if they were caught and forced to perform for land folks? Me neither. But I would love to show you some cool movements on the net. Come join me for chaos and fun.
Prerequisites: none
Slackline/ unicycle free play
No teacher. There will be unicycles and a slackline available to play on.
Staff- all levels- Darren
Staff is a long stick that you spin. You may has seen Darren doing it on fire!
Improv- all levels- Benjamin
Rest your muscles and stop taking yourself so seriously; laugh at your failures and celebrate your inner madness. We'll be playing improv games like you might have seen on shows like _Who's Line Is It Anyway? Suitable for anyone and everyone. Bring your silliest sense of humor, your worst singing voice, and your most over-the-top acting skills.
Sunday session 4
Trapeze- beginner- Lorna
Trapeze and Thank You Beginner trapeze. Are you trapeze curious? Or maybe you had a fling with trapeze before but dumped it for a newer, younger apparatus (how could you?!). Whether you want a new experience or are looking for a nostalgic reunion, let’s start with the basics and see where we end up.
Prerequisites: none
Unusual aerial – all levels- Gemma
There isn’t much that is aerialists can’t hang off, so in this workshop we are letting you loose on some of the more unusual aerial apparatus that you may not have tried before!
Prerequisites: none
Slackline/ unicycle free play
No teacher. There will be unicycles and a slackline available to play on.
Hulla hoop- Int - Suzie D
Mandalas - how to pose with a multitude of hoops in different mandala poses.
Twin hooping - a selection of twin hooping moves from double hand spinning to doubles forward weaves.
Poi- all levels- Brendan
Ever wondered how many times can I hit myself with a swinging ball in the space of an hour? Come join myself and find out how not to hit yourself with pois repeatedly, this class we will learn to avoid these fun little moments.