The Power of Connection: How Up, Up, Up Crane Truck Circus Came to South Whidbey
Up, Up, Up Circus members on Dianne’s front porch.
As someone new to Readiness To Learn this year, I am having lots of fun learning about the evolution of programming or how special events like the Up, Up, Up Circus (already in its fourth year!) came to be.
I had a lovely conversation with Dianne Shiner, a former Readiness To Learn board member, to unravel the mystery of how her involvement helped bring this collaboration to life!
Dianne, who served on the Readiness To Learn board for five years, describes herself as being blessed with coincidental connections that create a whole new energy or project once they are brought together. In this case, her daughter Sari, a musician, had started working with Up, Up, Up, Crane Truck Circus, and Dianne immediately thought of how their unique, fun summer show would be perfect for South Whidbey. Working with Gail, a co-director of Readiness To Learn, they found a way to bring the circus to the island as a conclusion to the SummerFun programming and a fun thing for families to do together.
From there, it grew into a sustainable event, including fundraising for Readiness to Learn. Every year it evolves and grows to better support our community. Through another connection of Dianne’s this year, it has also grown to the Island's north end through a connection with Mother Mentors.
Dianne says that at this point she’s gotten to know the circus members individually. She looks forward to having the crew stay at her house every year while they are here. She shared with me the incredible talent that they each have and how her house and kitchen are filled with fun and laughter while they are there.
Dianne also described how resilient and resourceful Sadye, the circus organizer is. She says Sadye is an optimist and always has the attitude that everything is going to work out, including the year that the Crane Truck broke down about a mile away from the field where the performance was going to be. Dianne described how the community came together and helped push the truck to the site as a tow truck with the ability to do it would not get there in time. With a little optimism and help from community members, anything is possible! A GoFundMe was even started to help raise funds to get the truck fixed so they could make it to their other shows.
After learning more about the people behind this exciting show and how it came to be, I’m so looking forward to experiencing Up, Up, Up Crane Truck Circus at Readiness to Learn this year. It will be the first time I’m able to make it, and I can’t wait! As Dianne said, the circus really is a subculture, and it is so fun to be around the energy and creativity it takes to bring a circus to life.
Will I see you there?
It’s not too late to reserve your tickets here.
Langley Show
Date: August 1st
Time: 6 pm
Location: South Whidbey Community Center
For info on the July 31st Oak Harbor show, click here.
Written by: Rebecca Blankinship, AmeriCorps VISTA member
