By Kathy Chouteau
A trio of El Sobrante residents will perform as clowns in Circus Bella’s “Kaleidoscope” in the heart of San Francisco.
Jamie Coventry, Natasha Kaluza and Calvin Kai Ku, along with a cast of 12 artists, will perform under the circus tent at The Crossing at East Cut in downtown San Francisco from Dec. 15-31 (No shows Dec. 18, 24, and 25). Abigail Munn is directing the production.
Described as a “winter big top spectacular,” Circus Bella’s cast will showcase thrilling feats of balance and strength, demonstrations of grace and poise, outrageous humor and slapstick antics, according to its website. The Circus Bella All-Star Band will perform original music.
Coventry, who will perform as a clown in Circus Bella, comes to the production with a background in theater, music and education. He’s a graduate of SFSU and also spent two years performing at the Clown Conservatory of the SF Circus Center. Some of his work includes Tin Sandwich, a neo-vaudevillian harmonica ensemble he formed that plays blues, jazz, pop, Balkan and tango.
Kaluza, who will be a clown/hula hooper in Circus Bella—and who is known as “The Super Duper Hoola Hooper”—graduated from UC Santa Cruz and also attended the Clown Conservatory at the SF Circus Center for two years. Aside from teaming up with Coventry as a clown duo, she is well known for her funk and b-girl inspired hula hoop acts.
For his part, Calvin Kai Ku will perform as a clown/Magic with Circus Bella. Inspired by touring circus shows and magicians during his youth, he eventually went on to work with the WuQiao (pronounced Woo-Chow) Int’l. Circus Festival, Teatro Zinzanni, Zaccho Dance Company, theme parks and private engagements during his career. He’s also the artistic director of the Medical Clown Project.
The Crossing at East Cut is located at Beale & Howard Streets in downtown San Francisco. Click to purchase tickets or to learn more about Circus Bella.
