Changing Lives One Circus at a Time

I told you all that I would be going to the fundraising Mother’s Day Cabaret at the historic theatre in Penasco last Saturday. What a great event it was! I’d never been to any performances put on by Wise Fool New Mexico before (www.wisefoolnewmexico.org).

I’ve written about them (see previous post The Sugar Nymphs Bistro, Penasco, NM) and love the idea of their programs. As stated on their website, “It is Wise Fool New Mexico’s mission to ignite imagination, build community, and promote social justice through performances and hands-on experiences in the arts of circus, puppetry, and theatre.” Thus their moniker, “Changing lives one circus at a time.”

Saturday’s Cabaret was a fundraiser to help support Wise Fool’s summer programs. They offer local children summer classes (and after-school programs during the school year) and they need our support to continue to make these programs available to the community.

The evening started off by honoring mothers and Mother’s Day. Did you know that the first Mother’s Day was established in 1868 by Ann Jarvis to reunite families that had been torn apart during the Civil War? It was a call for mothers everywhere to stand up for peace. I like that idea much better than the Hallmark version we mostly celebrate today.

The announcer said she was going to honor women, mothers, and grandmothers, who had been important in her life by calling out their names. She asked the audience to do the same. That old, adobe building rang out with the names of women—a profound message—a richer celebration than I can remember ever having. So simple but very moving.

I was mesmerized by the performances. I had no idea what to expect but the acts were stunning—professional, beautiful, artful.

A couple from California, seated in front of me, who had just “bumped into” the event when they were driving through Penasco and saw all the cars, were amazed by the caliber of production in this tiny village in the middle of nowhere. Yeah, we get that a lot.

In addition to circus acts, our good friends at UpCycled Fashions (www.upcycledfashion.com) (see previous post UpCycled Fashions: Cutting Edge Clothing with a Conscience) put on one of their fabulous fashion shows. It’s always great to see what these folks create from clothing discards. They, literally, make wearable art…

… beautiful stuff…

… presented in ways…

… to rival the circus acts…

… I’d just witnessed, which is saying a lot.

And, of course, since Wise Fools shares the theatre building with the Sugar Nymphs Bistro…

In an effort to beat the rush (I had 8 animals waiting for their walks and dinners at home), I sat at the counter…

… next to all the cakes and cupcakes and the espresso machine…

Not sure that was so wise. Even after a delicious dinner of BBQ’d Pulled Pork Quesadillas, a big slice of cake made its way home with me. Yum.

Here is what Wise Fools has to say about its summer season: “Every year, Penasco brings a variety of amazing acts to perform at the historic theatre. Every Saturday night from June to September at 7:30 PM; Sunday matinees 2:30 PM. World-renowned circus and aerial acrobats from all over the country! Local and regional music! Dining at the celebrated Sugar Nymphs Bistro!”

I hope some of you can make it to the performances. You can bet I’ll be going again soon.

Love to you all,
Jeane