All Over Albany

Circus in the Gasholder Building

The Montreal-based FAQ Circus will be in Troy February 20-21 for three performances in the former Troy Gas Light Company gasholder building. Tickets for the performances are $15 / $10 students, and they're on sale now.

Blurbage:

Founded in 2012, F.A.Q. Circus is a collective of contemporary circus performers who push the boundaries of what Americans typically think of as a circus. The company does not use animals or feature large bright colored costumes. Instead, their focus is on the incredible capabilities of the human body demonstrated through contortion, gymnastics and juggling. The venues, too, are smaller and more intimate than the typical American arena productions where large-scale circus normally occurs. ...

Contemporary costumes will resemble what one would need to wear if running away -- not too tight, not too loose, Marquise said. The show will feature hoop diving, acrobatics, juggling, hula hoops and a clown. One performer will manipulate her body using a "German Wheel," fashioned from two giant metal hula hoops. Another act includes an acrobatic ladder.

The emphasis in "Running" will be on ground acts, because the gasholder building is not outfitted for trapeze rigging at the moment.

It will be the circus company's second appearance at the building -- it performed there last October. And it's also performed twice at the Theatre Institute at Sage. (The artistic director of the circus, 23-year-old Aaron Marquise, studied at the former New York State Theater Institute in Troy.)

FAQ will be offering a three free preview shows this Saturday, February 7, in the Frear Building atrium at 10:30 am, 11:45 am, and 1 pm.

Circus or no circus, the Gasholder Building is a sight to see. And noted about the performances there February 20-21: "This is a standing event. However, if you require or prefer seating, please bring foldable seating and aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the show starts. 'Running' is performed inside a minimally heated historic venue. It is STRONGLY advised that attendees dress in warm winter clothes. (i.e. hats, scarves, gloves, large jackets, long-johns, etc.)."