Circus Bella

A modern twist on one-ring circus... overflowing with heart and soul

Circus Bella is classic circus reimagined for a modern world. Standing on the shoulders of the beloved Pickle Family Circus, we are now the Bay Area’s premiere one-ring circus, curated in the traditions of earlier eras, with forward-thinking sensibilities and flair.
 
Like the word Bella in our name, we celebrate the beauty of the circus art form and the beauty of what humans can do together. We delight in unifying people by presenting an experience so joyous and magical that it keeps children of all ages coming back again and again.
 
Circus Bella currently operates as a 501c3, not-for-profit organization.
 
What do we do?
With gusto and daring, humanity and heart, we connect with our audiences by way of thrilling feats, engaging camaraderie, and the heartbeat of a live band! We delight in showing audiences what people can do, in fresh, surprising ways. Audiences are bedazzled, lifted up, and join in the celebration of the heart and soul of circus: community, joy, and achieving the impossible.
 
Who is Circus Bella?
Circus Bella thrives under the artistic direction of modern dancer, cabaret performer, aerial artist and longtime creative force Abigail Munn, a San Francisco native.
 
We have a diverse and unique company, representing talents from all corners of the world and different backgrounds, perspectives, and special artistic gifts. We feature aerialists, acrobats, family foot jugglers, clowns, and more – set to original music written by local music legend Rob Reich and performed by a live six-piece band!
 
What Do We Present?
● “Circus in the Parks”-- A themed series of FREE summer performances in parks and open spaces in the Bay Area, open to the community, featuring an outdoor ring, our live Circus Bella All-Star Band and the Circus Bella company.
● Big Top Show--An original 90-minute circus spectacular, featuring international circus acts, local favorites and the Circus Bella All-Star Band.  Introduced in Winter 2019 as “Kaleidoscope”, this enthralling show is the ultimate immersive experience that pleases all the senses--from daring acts to feats of wonder, to the engaging delight of our clowns...and we even have popcorn, too!
● Customized Classic Circus Experiences for Private/Corporate Occasions--Give us your vision, we’ll design you a mesmerizing circus experience fit for any occasion.
 
Our History
Since our founding in 2008 by David Hunt and Abigail Munn, we have delighted audiences throughout the Bay Area. Since then, Circus Bella’s Circus in the Parks project has offered over 122 performances to more than 68,000 people in 20 locations.  In 2017, Circus Bella was invited to participate in the 50th anniversary of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., where it presented its production, "Bay City Rhapsody" to thousands of festival-goers on the National Mall. In November 2018, Circus Bella offered its first winter showcase, Kaleidoscope, located in a big top circus tent on Treasure Island, and in August 2019 it toured this production to Colorado. Circus Bella is a registered 501(c)3 not for profit corporation.

Abigail Munn, Executive Director, Co-Founder: Since its inception, Abigail has been directing, creating and producing new work for Circus Bella. An accomplished dancer, choreographer, and aerialist, Munn holds a BFA in Modern Dance from UC Santa Barbara. As a child, she appeared with the Pickle Family Circus, and later with Zoppe Italian Family Circus, New Pickle Circus, Cabaret Verdelet, Circus Cabaret, Tease-O-Rama, Va Voom Room, and The Velvet Hammer Burlesque. Munn was commended in the New York Times for her performance in Alma Esperanza Cunningham’s “Princess.” Munn co-directed the nouveau-vaudeville troupe Kitty Bang, an internationally recognized three-time Best of the Bay winner that is influential in the modern Burlesque resurgence.

Rob Reich, Composer, Musical Director:
As one of the city’s stalwart underground artists, Rob Reich is quintessentially what makes the San Francisco music scene a vibrant and vital mecca for independent music. Reich started studying piano at age three. After graduating with a degree in Music Composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, he moved to the Bay Area, where he discovered the accordion, now his primary instrument. He is best known for his work with Tin Hat, Gaucho, and Circus Bella. His recent album “Shadowbox” was described by Downbeat Magazine as “an elegant quintet date that moves effortlessly between post-bop, jazz Manouche, and chamber-rock.” Andy Gilbert of East Bay Express writes, “Whatever context he’s in, Reich transforms it into a creative hothouse where thousands of musical flowers bloom.”