A-Z INDEX
OF CIRCUS TERMINOLOGY
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An acrobatic skill where one person (the flyer) stands on the shoulders of another person (the base).
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An acrobatic skill where three people are standing on top of one another. The base person is at the bottom, the middle person is in the middle and the flyer is at the top.
Also referred to as ‘towers’
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where a flyer is thrown in the air by four bases - each base responsible for one of the flyers limbs.
See example here -
Broad term to describe two people (a base and flyer) performing acrobatic skills together.
Also see: 2-high, hand to hand, foot to hand, cascade, corbette, cannonball -
Broad term to describe acrobatic skills performed by a group of people (bases, middles and flyers)
See also: 3-highs, 4 point, tarzans, toss, banquine
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Learning how to generate new and interesting circus material and put it into an act
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A broad term to describe a collection of different aerial apparatuses which are suspended in the air for people to perform and play on.
See also: aerial hammock, straps, lyra, trapeze, silks, aerial cube, aerial pole, corde de lisse, doubles lyra, doubles trapeze, -
An aerial apparatus shaped as a cube that is suspended in the air. Artists can perform various tricks on it
See example here -
An aerial apparatus consisting of a pole suspended in the air. Artists can perform various tricks on it
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A fun skill of throwing an axe into a target.
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where a flyer is thrown in their air, performs a backtuck and lands in a cuddle position around their base.
Also known as: backtuck to cuddle, backsault to cuddle
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where a flyer is thrown in the air, performs a backsault and is caught back in a standing position on the base.
Also known as: backsault recatch
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where the flyer is thrown in the air by two bases who have formed a platform with their forearms.
See example here -
A manipulation skill involving throwing and catching barware: bottles, shakers and glasses.
See example here -
An artform that blends glamour, striptease and cabaret.
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A workshop that uses bubbles created from flammable gas and detergent and sets them alight.
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A flowtoy consisting of S shaped staffs that can be manipulated to create mesmerising optical illusions.
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An acrobatic skill where a flyer is swung through the bases legs in a ball position before being swung back through the legs
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A branch of magic where hand movements manipulate the cards to perform magic. Also known as sleight of hand
See example here -
A skill where the flyer starts in F2H, gets thrown in the air and lands in a H2H position.
See example here -
A form of acrobatics that involve dual or group stunting, dance, cheering and high intensity routines.
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A cheerleading skill where the flyer performs a front flip and lands in cradle, while being braced by the back spot.
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A cheerleading skill where three or more bases interlock their hands to form a basket and launch the flyer in the air.
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Cheer moves and sequences performed by only two people: the flyer and the base
Also known as partner stunting. -
Cheer moves and sequences performed by a group of cheerleaders.
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A cheerleading stunt when the flyer is launched in the air by the bases, performs a backsault and is caught by the bases
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A workshop where people get together and play chess
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A rehearsed series of movement or dance
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Unique, Australian made juggling balls that also function as percussion instruments, allowing people to combine juggling, music and rhythm.
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A form of juggling that uses 3 blocks.
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A broad term to describe behaving in a comical way.
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The skill of bending and twisting the body in unusual position
See example here -
The skill where the flyer begins in a H2H position, is thrown in the air by the base and caught in a F2H position
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where a base forms a platform with their back and pops the flyer in the air
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Learning how to generate new and interesting circus material and put it into an act
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An hand-balancing skill where the person balances in a horizontal position using only one hand and forearm
See example here -
A broad term to describe dance movement combined with acrobatic skills.
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An advanced cheerleading skill where the flyer moves from a standing position with the base, is thrown in the air, performs a half twist and lands in a H2H
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Two people performing skills on one lyra at the same time.
See example here -
Two people performing skills on one set of silks at the same time.
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Two people performing skills on one trapeze at the same time.
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A flow art prop consisting of a long pole with spokes on the end that spins and flows on the body.
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Flow shared between two people and one dragonstaff.
See also: dragonstaff -
A broad term to describe any acrobatic skills that use a dynamic force from the base to launch the flyer in the air.
See also: Cascades, corbettes, backtuck to baby, backtuck recatch -
A manipulation prop shaped like a fan that can be used for tricks and flow.
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A manipulation prop shaped as a fan with fire spokes attached. Can be used for tricks and flow.
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Manipulation props consisting of two fans with long silk tails that can be used for flow and dance.
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An event that happens in the evenings at Spinfest. Under the observation of our fire safety marshals, attendees can light up their fire props and spin fire in our dedicated fire circle.
See example here -
The practice of extinguishing a live flame using your mouth
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where the flyer stands in the hands of the base.
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where the flyer stands in the hands and on the shoulders of the base in a position facing them.
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A balance skill where the person is in an upside down position with their whole body weight being supported by their forearms.
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A skill where a person walks over broken glass.
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An aerial apparatus consisting of a long looped piece of material suspended in the air. Artists can perform various tricks on it
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An acrobatic skill where the person performs a 360 rotation by starting in a standing position, moving through a handstand position and springing back to stand.
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A skill where a person is upside down, balancing on only their hands.
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where the flyer performs a handstand in the bases hands.
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where the flyer performs a handstand in the bases hands, with their hands connected in a reverse position.
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An acrobatic skill where the bases head is used as the platform for the flyer.
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An acrobatic skill where a flyer is upside down and balancing on their head, on top of their bases head.
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A skill where a person is in a vertical position and balancing predominately on their head and forearms,
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An acrobatic skill of jumping through a hoop while performing tricks
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A flow prop consisting of a hollow plastic hoop that can be manouvered around the body
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Using two hula hoops to perform tricks and flow
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Creative moment using hula hoops, often combining tricks and sequences.
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Using your feet to perform hula hoop tricks and flow
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The skill of splitting multiple hula hoops on the body.
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Using three hula hoops to perform tricks and flow
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Continously throwing items in the air and catching them.
Also see: juggling (contact), juggling (hat), juggling (pass), juggling (poi)
See example here -
A skill where one or more balls are manipulated while keeping in constant contact with the body
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Juggling using hats
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A social workshop where people get together and juggle
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Juggling between two people where they pass the juggling props between each other.
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Juggling using poi.
See also: juggling, poi -
A prop, originating from Japan, made up with a handle, spike, cup and a ball attached with string.
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An acro skill where the flyer performs a handstand, with both hands connecting to a single point (a base’s hand)
See example here -
Climbing and performing tricks on a free standing ladder
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A type of acrobatics where the base lies on their back with their legs in the air (forming an L shape) and uses their feet to manouver the flyer
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A series of movements where the starting position and end position are different.
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A form of l-basing where the base lays on the ground and uses his feet to throw the flyer in the air and then recatching them. The flyer and base fully disconnect in the ‘pop’
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Dynamic release of the flyer while maintaining a flyer/base connection through either the hands or feet.
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A continuous looping sequence of movements where the flyer ends up back in the starting position.
See an example here -
Dynamic moves where the flyer moves between the bases legs using momentum.
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A workshop for people wanting to learn to DJ and make electronic music
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A manipulation prop consisting of a stick attached to a string that can be swung around to give the optical illusion that it is floating.
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A manipulation prop consisting of a whip with fibre optic LED strands
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A workshop where you can learn to pick a lock to open it
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An aerial apparatus consisting of a metal hoop suspended in the air. Artists can perform various tricks on it.
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A workshop where people get together and play music
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An event held during Spinfest and APAC consisting of a range of games for people to compete in.
See more info here -
A physical movement discipline involving using speed and agility to navigate around obstacles
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An acrobatic skill where the flyer steps into the hands of the base and is thrown in the air to perform a skill
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An acrobatic skill where the flyer steps into the hands of two bases and is launched in the air to perform a trick.
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An acrobatic skill where the flyer goes from a front facing standing position to a H2H by passing through the bases raised arms
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A flow toy consisting of a round ball and piece of rope.
Can come in many different forms including fire and LED. -
A skill where 2 poi are manipulated using one hand
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A partner skill where two people interact and flow using poi
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A poi skill involving the switching of direction in the poi
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A poi skill focusing on tangling and untangling poi
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A strength and body movement disciple that involves climbing and performing tricks on a metal pole that spins
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A Spinfest performance night where attendees can watch a circus show by industry professionals
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A flow toy consisting of a long rope with a heavier base on each end that can be manipulated to perform skills.
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The party on the final night of Spinfest and APAC.
An open stage for anyone to showcase a skill, joke, song or any other idea you’d like to bring to the stage. -
A morning workshop designed to get the body warm and ready for the day.
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A prop consisting of a platform on top of a cylinder that someone balances on and performs skills
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An aerial apparatus consisting of a long rope suspended in the air. Artists can perform various tricks on it.
See example here -
A flow prop consisting of a long rope with a weighted end that can be manipulated around the body and flung out to perform tricks
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An apparatus consisting or a large, heavy metal wheel that someone can stand inside to spin and perform tricks
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For Spinfest and APAC attendees. Bring a t-shirt or any other item of clothing and screen print our design on it.
Designs change every year.
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A japanese art form involving binding the body with rope
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where a flyer stands on the shoulders of a base and is thrown in the air before landing back on the bases shoulders (or to another base)
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An aerial apparatus consisting of long fabric suspended in the air. Artists can perform various tricks on it
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A skill where someone can walk or perform tricks on a slackline that is strung up between two points.
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Speed dating…but for friends.
A workshop designed to get to know other festival attendees. -
A prop consisting of a large metal cube that can be spun around the body.
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A very important person in acrobatics.
A person who stands close by as a trick is being performed to step in or assist if needed, often catching a flyer to save the from injury -
A flow toy consisting of a single staff that is manipulated around the body while remaining in contact with the body.
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A flow prop consisting of two contact staff that can be manipulated around the body, remaining in contact with the body or the other staff
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A workshop aimed at strengthening and conditioning the body using exercises.
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An introductory workshop to playing with swords. Learn how to hold and move with a stick
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A skill where someone walks around on stilts (raised legs)
See example here -
An aerial apparatus consisting of two straps suspended in the air. Artists can perform various tricks on it
See example here -
A workshop designed to stretch the body. Similar to yoga, but with a stronger focus on stretching the muscles for flexibility
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A type of dance shared between two people.
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A prop consisting of a sword that can be swung around and manipulated.
Often comes as a fire sword. -
A skill where a flyer is swung around by a 2-high.
See example here -
An apparatus that looks like a giant seesaw, where two people are on either end and use jumps and pushes to perform tricks
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A group skill combining teeterboard and acrobatics.
Two people use the push and jump of the teeterboard to perform a skill that lands within a group -
A skill where someone walks along a thin wire
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The skill of swinging the flyer between two bases.
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An aerial apparatus consisting of a hard vertical bar that is suspended in the air by ropes connecting to a single point. Artists can perform various tricks on it
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An aerial apparatus consisting of a hard vertical bar that is suspended in the air by ropes connecting to two single points. Artists can perform various tricks on it description
See example here -
An acrobatic movement skill involving performing body movement and tricks on the ground
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Two people performing tumbling skills together
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A workshop designed to teach students how to use their glute muscles to twerk (move their butt)
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A prop consisting of a single wheel and a seat, where the person sits on top of it and rides it around
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A flow prop consisting of a flowy material or streamers attached to a hand piece
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A manipulation prop consisting of a whip that can perform different tricks to make a loud cracking sound
See example here -
An acrobatic skill where a flyer is swung around by the base with their body staying horizontal to the ground
See example here -
The practice of connecting breath with movement and meditation.
See example here -
L-Basing using your ‘wrong’ side, making the moves feel weird.