arts & entertainment Circa will perform as part of the "A family tradition since 1964" Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Mangia Pizza Wine Down Two For Tuesdays Wednesdays Every Tuesday Every Wednesday HALF OFF BUY ONE Pasta Dinner, Bottled GET 1 /2 Off 2nd Dinner Wines Pasta Mondays Every Monday HALF OFF Pizza WITH PURCHASE OF SAME SIZE SALAD Dining Room Only. Not Valid With Any Other Offers or Coupons. Limited Time Only. OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE Dining Room Only. Not Valid With Any Other Offers or Coupons. Limited Time Only WITH PURCHASE OF 2 FULL DINNERS Not Valid With Any Other Offers Or Coupons. Limited Time Only. 37656 W. 12 Mile Road at Halstead, Farmington Hills www.AntoniosRestaurants.com Director from Down Under brings circus arts to Ann Arbor. Suzanne Chessler Contributing Writer y aron Lifschitz did not think of running off with the circus as a child, but it's what he's come to do as an adult. Lifschitz, 42, serves as artistic director and CEO of Circa, an Australian ensemble that will be appearing July 6-7 at the Power Center as part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Yaron "We'll be perform- Lifschitz ing a show that has been touring the world for a number of years:' says Lifschitz in a phone inter- view from the road. "It has seven multi-skilled acrobats doing tumbling, balancing and throw- ing while working with complex group acrobatics that are physically astound- ing and emotionally moving. "We use recorded music as the background for performances that are abstract and stripped back. There's hon- esty mixed with authenticity that tugs the heart." Among the Australian-based artists are Lewis West, who specializes in gym- nastics, trampolining and breakdance; Darcy Grant, who has become known for floor-based acrobatics; and Emma McGovern, who combines dance, physi- cal theater, circus and martial arts. "The company started as Rock 'n' Roll Circus in 1987 and was a community project;' Lifschitz recalls. "It grew into a professional company, and we changed the name to Circa in 2004. We began touring internationally in 2006, and last year, we performed 400 shows across many countries." Lifschitz, who attended a Jewish day school in Australia and volunteered for Shoah commemoration projects, started out with theater ambitions. A graduate of the University of New South Wales, University of Queensland and National Institute of Circus Artists (NICA), he went on to direct more than 60 productions, including large-scale events, opera, theater and circus. Lifschitz was founding artistic director of the Australian Museum's Theatre Unit, head tutor in directing of Australian Theatre for Young People and guest tutor in directing at NICA. With Circa, he has created a work, also named Circa, coming to Ann Arbor, plus Wunderkammer, The Space Between and 61 Circus Acts in 60 Minutes. He is planning for a new pro- duction to be seen at a large festival in his home country and another based on a work by Shostakovich as played live to the acrobatics. "When I was studying theater art, I realized how many people were interest- ed in [circus arts]," he recalls. "I directed plays but looked for something that was a better use of my energy. I joined the company in 1999 and have come to admire, respect and enjoy the circus." Lifschitz, who has a full-time staff of 35, arranges for workshops as requested by specific host venues. In Australia, the nonprofit company has a trade school for aspiring performers. "The shows don't change radically for each country, but they do get reshaped;' Lifschitz says. "Depending on the audi- ence, responses, expectations and knowledge of cultural frames of refer- ence, [segments] get moved around. "In America, the changes mostly are about songs that have English lyrics. The relationships between the words and the actions need to be clear." The artistic director, who is working on taking Circa to Israel, has an aspiring circus performer at home. "My 10-year-old son Oscar would like to do everything that he sees on stage Lifschitz says. "He loves it, and the two of us have been featured on Australian television." 'II Circa will perform at 8 p.m. Friday- Saturday, July 6-7, at the Power Center, 121 Fletcher, Ann Arbor. $10-$45. (734) 764-2538; www.annarborsummerfestival.org . 04e Chef AUTHENTIC LEBANESE FOOD RESTAURANT 1727520 Patio nov7".11 ---\ open and now serving alcoholic Open everyday for Lunch & Dinner off no plate sharing and 18% gratuity Total Food Bill With this coupon. Valid for dining-in and carry-out. One coupon per visit; I 32621 Northwestern Hwy. Farmington Hills 248-932-1300 Not valid with any other offers. 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