NEWSLETTER ARTICLE on the Western Regional AYCOfest in Flagstaff, Arizona / October 9-11, 2025 by Jens Larson

The Western Regional AYCOfest in Flagstaff, Arizona was wonderful. If you take 40 circus youth from California, New Mexico, Utah, and all parts of Arizona and let them learn for two and a half days from 19 diverse circus professionals, and put them together at a great facility like Momentum Aerial with its fabulous host staff – how could it not be wonderful?

The youth were eager to explore new frontiers like German Gym wheel, thanks to ACE coach Jennifer Richards, from Chicago (and friends from Phoenix and Tucson that lent their wheels). They also got to try Chinese pole climbing with Kenyan acrobat Shukrani Mato, and foot juggling with former AYCO board president Orlene Carlos. “Specialty Aerial Apparatus” (chains, loops, a moon, and a net) were presented by Arizona Circus Center’s Carlee Graves, and Corinne Vivers - over the course of several workshops - introduced flow arts such as staff, poi, and hoops. All in all, there were 10 sessions, each with four choices. And to make it really special, AYCO/ACE founder Kevin O’Keefe came all the way from Vermont to inspire and engage all the youth with his games, dances (for a good time, have him teach your group the “Bhangra”) and acrobatics. The Friday evening showcase rivaled the quality and variety of some of the national festival showcases. Colorful lighting and the audience sitting in the round set the mood, along with a guest pre-show from surprise visitor James Green – but the but the youth were the stars.

AYCO/ACE owes special thanks to Joanie Grant and Morgan Louvier, owners of Momentum Aerial, who went above and beyond for the last couple of months to help organize and run the event. And local donations of food, contributions for the fundraising raffle of circus goodies from a dozen different folks, and donations of housing for the coaches made it possible for everyone to be comfortable and for AYCO/ACE to recover its costs.

The AYCO/ACE board very much wants to build on this success with a national festival next summer. Stay tuned and don’t miss the next one!