Event

DOWN UP by Arron Sparks

Welcome to the Micro-Fest, a three-day burst of progressive performance and events from the UK and Europe spread across the city of Bristol.

DOWN UP
Down-Up is a solo show about competition, innovation and the possibilities of the mundane. Strung together by a subject that has been overlooked by society. From the Filipino emigrant who made his fortune in the 1930s, through to the professional demonstrators who toured UK in the 1950s, and how technological advances have helped create a subculture of 1000s of obsessive adults across the globe today.

Down-Up challenges the idea that the Yo-Yo is merely something that comes out of a cracker. The piece gets down to the nitty-gritty of finger callouses and untying knots, and the fanatics whose lives have been shaped by Yo-Yo just as they have shaped the art-form; showing that a Yo-Yo is for life, not just for Christmas.

Arron, the first british entrant to the World Yo-Yo Contest in a generation, first picked up a Yo-Yo in the craze of the mid '90s. When others moved on to Pokemon and Tamagotchis, Arron stuck with the Yo-Yo. In Down-Up Arron shares his unusual passion that has secured him multiple international circus awards and 4 Guiness World Records.

Down-Up will show you a world you never knew you could fall in love with.

Arron Sparks set up Circus Geeks blog in 2011, for the circus community to share nuggets of circus-based wisdom and videos. Circus Geeks premiered their first show, Beta Testing, in Circus Fest at the Roundhouse this April, and will tour across the UK this coming Spring. Circus Geeks are currently collaborating with PanGottic Circus Theatre to create a new outdoor show, Project Vee, which will premiere in City Of London Festival next summer.