-Courtesy of Perpetual Motion PR
In 2019, Almanac Dance Circus Theatre went back to its early days of creating work in public spaces in one of the places in the city that started it all — Shackamaxon/Penn Treaty Park. That year, they held the inaugural Fit Fest, a free event designed to bring the community together and celebrate public spaces as a gathering place for fitness and creation. This year, the event returns, Saturday October 16 from 12 p.m.-10 p.m. at the park at, 1301 Beach Street in Fishtown, Philly.
Fit Fest is a free day-long, immersive arts and fitness festival featuring a wide range of professional artists, community members, and health advocates. The annual festival hosts workshops and performances by local ensembles from youth teams and prominent dance crews to neighborhood studios and bodyworkers. Open to people of all ages and levels of ability, Fit Fest raises awareness that healthy lifestyles and meaningful social support can be found in the performing arts. The day will finish with the world premiere of Almanac’s newest production, HAPPY HOUR––a splashy, fun, and interactive performance for all ages with some big surprises.
Despite the event taking place outside, the event producers are asking audience members to wear masks and wash hands frequently. Masks are required for all learners during workshops.
“As we navigate the ongoing revelations brought on by pandemics and uprisings, this year’s Fit Fest leans further into celebration through diverse movement styles,” said Adam Kerbel of Almanac.
The first part of the day at Fit Fest will include quiet activities from 12 – 2pm. Those activities include martial arts, restorative contact, bodyworkers and movement for older adults. From there, the festival progresses into activities connected to the land, youth ensemble performances, highlighted Philly artists, workshops for kids and adults, and special performances. The day will also include offerings by Hip Hop Fundamentals, We Are the Seeds, Tchin, Native Nations Dance Theatre, Gabi Revlock and more.
The programmers and coordinators emphasize “Fit Fest celebrates our human right to move in Philadelphia’s public spaces! It features over 20 artists, performance ensembles, community members and health advocates who offer opportunities to learn, try innovative “alternative” approaches to fitness through artforms and bring fun to your body. We’re saying, physical fitness and meaningful social support can look like this!”
A full schedule of events can be found here.
Almanac Dance Circus Theatre
Almanac Dance Circus Theatre is an award winning, internationally recognized, Philadelphia-based performing arts ensemble dedicated to creating original works of genre-defying art.
Through hybrid experimentation, deep narratives, and open environments of circus learning, Almanac gives audiences access to a little bit (or a lot of) everything so they can experience the vicarious thrill of performance without barriers.
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