Aerial performer in a fishnet outfit gracefully suspended in teal fabric, set against the vibrant backdrop of vertical orange, white, and blue stripes, as if emerging from a Spooky Cabaret.

Spooky Cabaret, Anyone? “Haunted Halls at Expectations High” Cabaret

High Expectations Aerial Arts is hosting a spooky cabaret Saturday, October 26, 2024 called “Haunted Halls At Expectations High.” 

“It’s an opportunity for our advanced students to create a darker, edgier show,” explains owner Sarah Bolton. “This year, we have a cohesive storyline, which is a first for us and we are excited about it! It’s about a high school filled with ghosts of students. The show explores who these students were before becoming ghosts and dives into some issues around adolescence and relationships. Expect a lot of teenage angst!”

Poster for "Haunted Halls at Expectations High" on October 26, 2024, featuring a Spooky Cabaret in a classroom. Events include a student showcase at 5 PM and an adult cabaret at 8:30 PM.
Photo by Krystle Place

AERIAL ARTS IN MEMPHIS

Aerial Arts may be unfamiliar to some, but you’ve probably seen it in pop culture like the circus, movies, or through Cirque du Soleil. Performers use silks, hoops, and trapezes to create stunning shapes and exemplify what appears to be effortless strength feats. 

Bolton’s personal journey with aerial arts began in 2010 under the instruction of Val Russell, the only aerial arts teacher in Memphis at the time. “I had the opportunity to perform and train with her,” Bolton recalls. “Then when she moved away, I began training with Danielle Bayliss. Danielle started High Expectations Aerial Arts in 2015, and I bought the studio from her in 2019, 10 months before COVID-19. It was a trial by fire navigating the next two years, but our community grew stronger. We now have a lovely space off of Broad Avenue and a thriving community of folks who are passionate about circus and aerial arts.”

Two acrobats perform a suspended pose on aerial silks against a backdrop of vertical striped fabric in the Spooky Cabaret, with an audience watching below, their expectations high.

HOW TO BEGIN PRACTICING AERIAL ARTS

If you’re looking to challenge yourself, build strength, and express creativity, High Expectations Aerial Arts is the place for you. As a dancer with Project: Motion in Memphis for many years, Bolton said she didn’t really know much about aerial arts when she started but immediately fell in love. “It was like dance on a vertical plane, and it was such a dynamic and exciting art form,” Bolton said. 

Bolton stresses that anyone can try aerial arts, regardless of fitness level, age, or body type. “I often have people say, ‘Oh, I could never do aerial! I’m not strong or flexible!’ I get questions about whether or not we have weight restrictions or if we can work with folks who have injuries or disabilities, and the answer is always, ‘Come exactly as you are!'” She emphasizes that the studio welcomes all abilities and offers introductory classes for beginners to start building strength.

“I LOVE teaching students – especially women – how to build strength and confidence through this art form. When a student masters a new skill or unlocks their pull-up, it feels so empowering.”

Surrounded by a smiling group of onlookers who are clapping, a person is being helped onto an aerial hoop. With expectations high, the scene feels like a whimsical moment straight out of a spooky cabaret.

“There is also such a strong sense of community that is cultivated when students are learning and creating together, which is something that is so needed in our city and our country at this time. Folks of all different backgrounds come together and find common ground, and it’s really what keeps me doing this work,” Bolton says.

Sign up for an introductory class to start your aerial journey today! And be sure to check out the cabaret show Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 8:30 pm. With the combination of talented performers, haunting themes, and thrilling aerial tricks, it’s bound to be an unforgettable experience. 

Share Article:

More Articles