High Flyers ready to captivate audience with acrobatic stunts

They fly through the air with the greatest of ease. See the amazing performers on the flying trapeze. \nCircuses have always held a certain air of mystery that captivates audiences of all ages. While most would have to travel great distances to see acrobats perform miraculous stunts, residents of Bloomington will be given the chance to experience the magic of trampolines, acrobatics and tumbling first hand.\nThe Bloomington High Flyers will perform at 2 p.m. Friday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater as part of the BCT Family Series sponsored by the BCT and Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.\n"The theater was the ideal setting for the show with its ability to house large numbers of people," Caren Stoll-Hannon, youth services manager of BPR said. "The BCT was very interested in partnering with us to serve the youth of Bloomington."\nThe Bloomington High Flyers is a group of professional performers specializing in hand-balancing, trampolines, acrobatics and web-work. Based in Bloomington, the High Flyers are a circus-like act that has performed not only all over the country, but all over the world.\nSince 1995, the BCT has been the primary venue for many local and national acts in Bloomington, such as Lotus World Music Festival, Jazz from Bloomington and Bloomington MusicWorks. \nOriginally named the Indiana Theater, the BCT was built in 1922 as a movie theater. Since then, the theater has undergone many ownership changes, name changes and modifications. \nAccording the the Buskirk-Chumley's Web site, www.buskirkchumley.org, in 1995, Kerasotes Theaters, Inc., the owners at that time, gave the theater to the Bloomington Area Arts Council for use as a performance theater. It was then that the theater was completely renovated, including the addition of state-of-the-art technical equipment. The theater was also renamed the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in honor of a local family's contributions to the project.\nFollowing the performance, BPR will be holding a workshop for children ages five and up. The cost of the workshop is $1 to cover materials. \n"The workshop will involve many different activities," Pamala Dunscombe, youth services specialist said. "There will be mats for tumbling, and there will be some kind of craft, like face painting, to make it more circus-like."\nTo help keep ticket prices down, the BCT Family Series is sponsored by several private businesses in Bloomington. Along with private sponsorship, the Family Series is also funded by an Arts in Indiana Grant, as a part of the National Endowment for the Arts. \n"Before the Family Series, live entertainment for youth was a niche not being filled," Stoll-Hannon said. "This is an affordable option -- something all families can access. We really have to thank our sponsors for this opportunity." \nTickets for the event are $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12 and may be purchased in advance at the Sunrise Box Office or at the door on the day of the event. For more information about the event, contact the BCT at 323-3020.\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.