Flying trapeze classes now open at Barelas Park in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A flying trapeze school has set up at Barelas Park, where Circus Steps is offering classes for people of all ages.

Circus Steps plans to stay through the end of the month and return for another season in March. Daniel Gilbert and Lizzy Schwartz said they started flying trapeze years ago and performed around the world before opening their own school.

They said they chose Albuquerque to launch Circus Steps and introduce more people to the sport. Schwartz and Gilbert said first-time students can usually try it if they feel comfortable hanging from a pull-up bar.

“It’s a really lovely apparatus. It’s a really wonderful way to make friends, get into your body, have a really fun time, learn a lot of stuff, and we got to the point was, you know, time for us to think about the future and what we want to do with the rest of our lives,” said Schwartz.

Gilbert said they reached out to the city and negotiated a use agreement.

“We negotiated a use agreement that involves us doing some programming for the city. We’ll be doing events with the community centers, school groups, parks department folk. But yeah, they’ve been super generous, and we’re really excited to work with them,” Gilbert said. “We think it’s super important that adults have access to meaningful hobbies. And I’m going to define a meaningful hobby as something that encourages you to define play, to be able to learn and to be able to continue growing as an adult.”

After flying trapeze for almost two decades, Schwartz says it’s a sport you don’t get tired of and she believes many would appreciate it.

“I mean flying trapeze is a really a really wonderful acrobatic sport. It really challenges you in a lot of ways, but also kind of has that ever-present just thrill of flying through the air, right? Like that never gets old. The floaty moment where you’re just in the sky. It’s just you and gravity. It’s just always wonderful,” she said.

The city Parks and Recreation Department said it is happy to offer something different to Albuquerque.

“This is what innovative park activation looks like. We’re bringing something new and exciting to our parks, creating opportunities for families to get outside, try something new, and experience their community in a whole new way, and we’re just so excited to partner with Circus Steps and see Barelas Park come to life in a brand new way,” said Gabrielle Gonzales, public information officer for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

If you are interested in participating, you can email [email protected] or send a direct message through social media at Circus Steps.

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