Perspectives: September 2026 Circus Weekend, Flipside Circus
Picture: Warming up, Image credit: Creative Futures Photography
Flipside Circus is an award-winning, nonprofit arts organisation that educates, encourages, and empowers young people and communities through circus—training people from age 1 to 101. First established in 1994, Flipside Circus is a vital part of the circus, community and artistic ecosystem across Queensland, and beyond.
One of the very many things that I admire about Flipside Circus is creation of a warm and supportive community of artists, families, students, trainers, and performers. Sitting in the audience at the Sunday 13th September Circus Weekend shows, I was reminded that the organisation is so much more than a circus school.
The young people who train with Flipside Circus have the chance to learn a variety of traditional circus skills, test their limits, and express themselves creatively. Some of the students may just enjoy the classes, make lifelong friendships, build their confidence, and have fun. Others may also go on to participate in the performance troupe shows and regional tours, or even graduate to be employed in the industry or return as Flipside trainers. But, for everyone, the Flipside Circus ‘process’ wraps around students from these earliest opportunities to perform and demonstrate their skills to their friends, families and supporters in a safe and joyful environment.
Picture: Big steps. Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture: Confidence and teamwork (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Demonstrating skills to impressed families and friends (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Impressive and varied skills Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture: Aerials (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Circus Weekend ‘R&R’ (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Across the September 2026 Circus Weekend, there were four ticketed sessions, each providing opportunities for students to show off their abilities—from the adorable circus prep students through to the ‘foundations,’ ‘taste of,’ ‘ensemble’ and newer ‘Adults’ groups. The final day also included student aerials and acrobatics (solos and in groups), and a closing memorable performance by one of the many talented trainers.
Flipside Circus puts the students, and their families and friends at the heart of what they do—welcoming new families to Flipside (50 new families this year!), and celebrating the endeavours and enthusiasm of all of the performers. At these events, I love watching the interactions between the students and their trainers—many of whom are Flipside ‘graduates’—and to see the care with which every student is treated. Equally, experiencing the joy of the performers, and watching how impressed their proud families and friends are, is priceless. Seeing the families enjoying the fundraising bbq, watching the kids playing on the Brisbane Circus Centre lawn, and watching the student performances and their interactions with the trainers, all reminds me of why this leading arts organisation is so special.
Picture: Wow. Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography
Audience information: Flipside Circus is based at the Brisbane Circus Centre, 221 MacArthur Ave, Hamilton. During the next few weeks, the Flipside Circus team will be running School Holiday Workshops, offering free ‘discover circus’ trials, running Brisbane Festival workshop experiences, and performing their successful show, The Cubby.