Goodbye first Madison Circus Space! You have served us so well!

Swing State Aerial is making some big changes this year! In addition to bringing on two new teachers and Stephanie starting to teach as well, saying a fond goodbye to Karen as she focuses on other elements of circus work (aerialists with prior training can still take cloud swing lessons from her!), we are also going to be moving around a lot in the coming year. 

As many of our students and followers are aware, Madison Circus Space, our class location and home base, is a part of the big redevelopment project on the 2100 Winnebago Block. MCS is rebuilding in a slightly different location, along with CoHo Madison's cooperative housing and arts space. We are so excited for a bigger, custom-built MCS!! If you are excited too, please help out the MCS Capital Campaign with a donation or pledge (there's a big matching campaign on as well - right now you double your dollars!)

In the meantime, as the current buildings come down over the summer, we will be relocating in a number of ways. Firstly, MCS will have a temporary space (still to be finalized, but likely a location not far away just off Milwaukee Street), Swing State is looking for other spaces that can host us, and we are planning on a purchase of a portable aerial rig for outdoor classes and practice time. 

Mackenzie is also attending an aerial retreat with Paper Doll Militia in May, which will put silks classes on hold for a few weeks!

Swing State Aerial will have very limited room for beginning or new students until late May or June this year, but look for new sessions from us this summer when we've gotten settled in new places and new routines!  In the meantime, please contact us if you'd like to be on a waitlist for a first chance at spots in classes that open up this summer. 

Happy flying, and have an excellent spring!

The holidays are upon us again! We at Swing State firmly believe in the idea of gifting experiences to your loved ones - things they will carry with them much longer than any stuff you could buy! 

New silks series are starting right after the new year, and we are happy to help you make a gift of classes. In addition to registering your favorite person, we can create gift certificates and help you get a water bottle, sweatshirt or tank top on our Spreadshirt Shop, so your gift is as fun to open as it is to use.  

If your favorite person is already a Swing State Student, we can create a gift certificate for class or practice credit, or help you figure out what at-home equipment or goodies might be great for your student, as well! 

As always, we do not recommend purchasing silks or trying to rig in your home for a student who is below intermediate level, or if you haven't consulted a rigger and/or engineer to make sure you can rig safely. For more information, take a look at our Gifting Dos and Don'ts. 

Don't forget that classes are also a great way to fulfill many New Year's resolutions! They do fill up fast, so if you're going to resolve to get fit or get a sweet new hobby or join a new community this year, sign up now! 

Thank you for all your support this year, and have a happy holiday season! 

A new introductory 6-week small-group session for beginning silks will start on November 5, 2017. Classes will meet on Sundays from 1-2 pm running through December 17, 2017. (No class on Nov. 26).

This class series will address fundamental silks skills of climbing, locks, and balances. You don't need to be strong or fit to start!  Small-group classes will move at the pace of the students and focus on developing technique and strength as we go. (But you will get a picture of yourself looking badass during every class if you want one!)

In even bigger news, Swing State Aerial will soon be offering private lessons and small group classes in dance trapeze! We are excited to welcome our friend Isis to Swing State Aerial. Isis is an incredibly strong and beautiful aerialist, with in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of human bodies and an inclusive approach to teaching. Trapeze classes will begin sometime around the new year - please email us if you'd like to get on a waiting list!

Email us or fill out our registration form to sign up - space is limited to 6 students at maximum, so don't wait!

We can't wait to fly with you!

Stephanie, Karen, Isis, and Mackenzie

Have you been lurking on this blog, and lots of aerial blogs, and instagram, and youtube, thinking to yourself "oh I wish I could do that..." but not sure if you REALLY can? Come to a Try It Out class!  

These classes are a fun, one-time class that let you get a taste of what an aerial silks beginner practice is like with no obligation. If you decide it's not right for you, you'll still have some great pictures and fond memories!   The next open-registration Try It Out class is Sunday, May 7 from 1-2 pm. Try It Out class also can be scheduled with your friends at your convenience, and they make a great birthday, shower, or party* outing! 

If you come to a Try It Out and love it, or already know this is the art-cercise for you, a new Beginner Silks Class Series begins on Sunday, May 21 at 1 pm.  Email us or submit the registration form on our class page to sign up! 

*No alcohol is allowed on the premises, and anyone who has consumed alcohol or other substances will be prohibited from participating in any class activities except watching and being jealous. 

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New student Karen shows her excitement about her first masthead pose in her first class

Losing weight and getting fit are two of the most common resolutions! Are they yours? What about getting over a fear of heights? Being more creative? Being a badass? Making new friends? Connecting to a new community? Trying something new? Trying something scary? Just getting more active? 

Swing State Aerial can help you with any of these, and more!  Just email us or use our Contact Us form to inquire about the most fun you'll ever have while working out! 

Aerial silks is a beautiful, exciting art, and we get lots of questions around the holidays about how to gift silks. Here are some dos and don'ts! 

Don't: Purchase silks for very-new beginners. Beginning students should always work with instruction and supervision, and no one should ever work on silks alone. 

Don't:  Attempt to rig from your apartment, house, garage, or porch ceiling, or a swingset without a professional rigger (and sometimes a structural engineer or architect) assessing the safety and feasibility of the rig. Silks can put thousands of pounds of pressure on a point, and can produce a lot of movement that regular construction is not built to withstand. Generally, rigging in your home will take construction upgrades!

Don't: Attempt to rig a silk from items that you buy from your local hardware or home improvement store. These items are NOT RATED TO LIFT HUMANS SAFELY. 

Don't: Buy random fabric at a store or website. Fabrics for aerial are specifically tested and rated and sold for aerial use. 

Do: If you're really committed to having a rig point at home, research rated, freestanding aerial rigs. They are the safest way to get a rig point quickly and easily, and they come in a variety of styles and heights (including ones that will fit indoors!)

Do: Always purchase a crash mat!

Do: Purchase locking carabiners, swivels, and rescue-8s from reputable climbing supply resources that are rated at 22kN or above. 

Do: Consult with your instructor about what kind of equipment might be right for you or your giftee, or if a class pack would make a better gift. 

Do: Consider purchasing a class series or private lesson pack instead! It's always safer to work with an instructor with inspected, professionally rigged equipment. Swing State Aerial classes or punch cards make perfect gifts!! 

Welcome to Swing State Aerial! We are three aerial instructors, performers, and promoters,  Mackenzie, Karen, and Stephanie. We offer a variety of services in circus arts, from teaching a variety of aerial apparatus in private, small-group, and mixed apparatus classes to directing local arts shows and performing at public and private events.

We currently have class offerings for beginner aerial silks, and beginner to intermediate cloud swing, with new opportunities coming soon.We are really excited about our student-focused, individually-paced classes that help our new aerialists discover their gifts and challenges. With backgrounds in dance and physical therapy, we focus on alignment, engagement, and technique to help beginners take flight!

We are also excited to start making resources, tips, tricks, spectacular videos, and notices about performing opportunities and events available to our students and followers through this website as well. Keep watching for more!

We can't wait to fly with you!