SAN DIEGO — For Angie Nava, running away to join the circus meant staying in the community she grew up in.
Nava is in college but started training with Fern Street Circus in their after-school program when she was a quiet seventh grader.
“I was really shy when I first started. I think joining Fern Street has helped me, like, come out of my shell and be able to, like, converse with other people and just like talk more,” she said.
Nava and her younger sister are now one of the featured acts: walking on the tight-wire.
“It does seem scary at first, just getting up there, even if it’s a small [wire], it’s still scary because you know you have to trust yourself,” Nava said. “It’s all about your feet, and I just really like how there’s endless possibilities of things you can do on it. You just keep going forward.”
John Highkin founded Fern Street Circus 30 years ago. His mission was to create a circus for the greater good. All shows are free, with a mixture of professional circus performers and students from their after-school program.
City Heights is one of San Diego’s most diverse communities — as well as one with the lowest income.
Highkin said their performances explore social issues in an approachable way, while connecting community members.
“[We] have a clown who breaks his funny bone and can’t afford to get it fixed because he doesn’t have a social security number, doesn’t have insurance, doesn’t have a credit card, any of that,” Highkin said. “We’re trying to be connected to the neighborhood, trying to serve this neighborhood, work with kids and teach kids.”
First-timer Vruna brought her young son Brian to the first show of the season. It was her first time experiencing the magic.
“Wonderful show, I love it,” she said. “I will come back for sure.”
Nava said there are many life lessons to learn from the circus, and she’s glad it has helped her grow up every step of the way.
“There’s always room for more people, so you should come and join,” she said. “It’s just like family.”
Each public performance also comes with a free community health fair prior to each show.
Below is the schedule for the rest of their spring neighborhood tour in San Diego.
April 30: Colina del Sol Park, 5319 Orange Ave.
May 1: Azalea Park, 2596 Violet St.
May 7: North Park Recreation Center, 4044 Idaho St.
May 8: Wightman Street Neighborhood Park, 5024 Wightman St.
May 14: Memorial Park, 2975 Ocean View Blvd.
May 15: Gompers Park, 4926 Hilltop Drive