Circus Center
The Verdict
"A nonprofit circus school founded in 1984 by Wendy Parkman and Judy Finelli, originally a Pickle Family Circus project. Drop-in trapeze and aerial silks classes run $30 to $50, no experience needed. 755 Frederick in Cole Valley, book ahead."
What you need to know
What’s There
Circus Center is a nonprofit circus school in Cole Valley that offers drop-in classes with no experience required. The intro trapeze and aerial silks classes are the most popular. You’ll be hanging from a bar or fabric within the first hour, with trained instructors spotting you.
The school was founded in 1984 as the San Francisco School of Circus Arts by Wendy Parkman and Judy Finelli, originally as a project of the Pickle Family Circus on Potrero Hill. It moved into a vacant Polytechnic High School gymnasium in Haight-Ashbury and was renamed Circus Center in 2001. Many of its alumni have gone on to perform with Cirque du Soleil and other professional companies.
Professional and student acts perform throughout the year in the center’s small theater.
Visiting
Address: 755 Frederick Street, Cole Valley
Hours: Class schedules vary. Check the website for current offerings.
Cost: Drop-in classes typically $30 to $50. Show tickets vary.
Best time to go: Weekday evenings for adult classes. Weekends for family classes and performances.
What to know: Wear form-fitting athletic clothing for classes. No jewelry. Book in advance, as popular sessions fill up.
Getting There
Transit: Muni N-Judah to Carl and Cole, then walk. The 6-Haight/Parnassus and 33-Ashbury/18th stop nearby.
Parking: Street parking on Frederick and surrounding blocks.
Walking: Near the eastern edge of Golden Gate Park and the Cole Valley neighborhood.