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Charm City Movement Arts (CCMA), the circus school of Baltimore, debuts their first-ever full length production “Cirque Du Charme” at Baltimore Theatre Project (45 West Preston Street) on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at 2:30pm. This newly created experience entwines theatre and puppetry with a healthy dose of strength and physical virtuosity. Admission is free, as part of the 32nd Artscape, America’s largest free arts festival. No ticket is required. The show is family friendly and will appeal to kids and adults of all ages. For more information about CCMA, visit www.charmcitymovement.com. For more information about the show and Artscape, visit www.artscape.org/plan-your-visit/Sunday.

“Charm City Movement Arts is so proud to be able to help advance circus as an art form through this heartfelt production,” said CCMA Founder Erica Saben. “Audiences will be taken on a thought provoking journey that will stay with them for years to come. Circus has evolved into something more than flashy tricks and sparkly costumes. This production will help advance the understanding that circus is a unique and important element of the theatrical world.”

The 60 minute performance will showcase the entertaining and contemporary style of circus developed in Paris, France, that uses juggling, wire-walking, puppetry and acrobatics to tell a compelling story. A Little Man is bored under his apple tree and decides to take a trip to the Moon. Along the way, he meets The Mover of the Cosmos, The Gemini Twins, Icarus and more.

Performers will include Salih Mohammed (formerly of Cirque Dreams and Mother Africa Circus), Sarah Olmstead Thomas (Bread and Puppet Theatre), Hannah Yellak (Philadelphia School of Circus Arts), Amy and Kelly (CCMA’s in-house acro duo) and James Donaldson (CCMA slackline instructor).

Charme is directed by Elena Day, a highly acclaimed movement theater performer, teacher and director. She is most well known as the creator of Cirque du Soleil's signature character, The Green Bird. She is also a seasoned performer with thousands of shows under her belt. She also has a background in Lecoq-based physical theater, improvisation, modern dance and yoga. Her work as a director, coach and consultant has taken her around the world, and given her the opportunity to work with the best in the worlds of theatrical clowning, circus and street arts. For more information, visit .www.elenaday.com.

Cirque Du Charme is free and open to the public as part of the 32nd Artscape. This performance represents CCMA’s first-ever full length production, and the first time CCMA will appear at Artscape.

ABOUT CHARM CITY MOVEMENT ARTS

Charm City Movement Arts is an independent circus school that provides professional instruction for students of all ages from Baltimore and beyond. Classes and performances work to strengthen and increase interest in the circus as an art form. Seasoned faculty lead a curriculum that includes ballet, burlesque, creative movement, Chinese acrobatics, juggling, physical conditioning, tap, tightwire, tumbling, yoga and youth circus. CCMA is one of the few schools in the United States, and the only facility in Maryland, that offers year-round ongoing instruction in tightwire.

ABOUT ARTSCAPE

Artscape is America's largest free arts festival, attracting 350,000+ attendees over three days. Artscape features 150+ fine artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits on and off-site, including exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars, photography and the Janet & Walter Sondheim Prize; incredible live concerts on outdoor stages; a full schedule of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, film, experimental music and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; family events such as hands-on projects, demonstrations, competitions, children's entertainers and street theater; and a delicious, international menu of food and beverages that is available throughout the festival site. Artscape's total economic impact on Baltimore City is $25.97 million. For more information, visit www.artscape.org.