Aerial artists from Hawaii Island and Maui will color the stage with dynamic performances this Saturday.
For its seventh full-length production, Aerial Arts Hawaii has partnered with Cirquelicious Entertainment from Maui to bring 15 performances together for the production, “Fleurish,” at the Palace Theater in Hilo.
The interisland partnership goes back about a decade, when Cirquelicious founder Victoria Roos lived on the Big Island and helped grow the aerial and circus arts community in East Hawaii.
AAH co-founders Zoe Eisenberg and Bella O’Toole maintain a partnership with Roos, often working together to conceptualize performances and provide entertainment for private events.
“Cirquelicious is a sister company that we’ve worked with on and off, but this is the first time we’re collaborating to put on a show,” Eisenberg said. “While we’re providing a space and some talent, this is fully Victoria’s creative vision, and we’re excited to produce and support it.”
“Fleurish” will delve into the hidden, colorful life of flowers through performances on lyra (aerial hoop), silks, hammock, rope and on a new apparatus for the Palace — the sphere. The production also will feature dance and live music accompaniment.
“We want to keep growing in what we do and what we offer, because interest is continuing to grow in Hilo and throughout the state,” Eisenberg said. “We are always adding more classes to accommodate the amount of people wanting to learn.”
While AAH has been producing shows and teaching since 2017, Eisenberg and O’Toole only opened the studio, which they named the Airhouse, three years ago and have been growing ever since.
As the community becomes more familiar with aerial and circus arts, AAH has been asked to perform at more county events. Most recently, performers showcased their skills on a portable lollipop lyra and pole during the Pride Festival in Hilo last month.
Growing interest also can be attributed to the upcoming Cirque du Soleil show that will be opening Dec. 15 at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Tickets are available through December 2025.
Cirque du Soleil’s first resident production in Hawaii, “‘Auana,” will feature mo‘olelo and stylized depictions of Hawaii’s historic events melded with Cirque’s signature style of acrobatics and storytelling.
“We’re all excited for this residency on Oahu, but it will mostly be artists coming from outside of Hawaii to perform,” Eisenberg said. “Personally, this gives me a push to work toward hosting more local productions that feature artists from communities across the state. I also have a vision and goal to get one of our shows to Oahu one day.”
Aerial Arts Hawaii offers beginner, intermediate and advanced-level classes in the classic aerial arts, trapeze, aerial yoga and aerial conditioning for kids and adults. The current six-week session already has started, but the next round of classes should begin Monday, Sept. 9.
“Fleurish” is appropriate for all ages and will be on the Palace Theater stage for one night only beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets are available for $27 for general admission and $52 for VIP, which includes priority orchestra seating, an Aerial Arts tote bag, a sticker and a discount for aerial classes. To purchase tickets, visit hilopalace.com.
Those interested in taking classes in the aerial arts or booking artists for private events, can visit aerialartshawaii.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
