Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Holds Free Shows to Delight NYC Families

Enjoy an array of variety-arts talents at these free circus shows throughout the city

By Barbara Russo June 2, 2022

Clowns, jugglers, comedy and music! It's all happening under the big top as the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus comes to New York City this summer to delight families and audiences of all ages.

As if going to the circus isn't a barrel of fun in itself, there's more to make you smile. The 2022 Flatbed Follies “Summer of Joy Tour” is coming to all five boroughs totally for free. The tour kicks off in Brooklyn on June 4, but if you can't make that show, there are plenty more planned throughout the summer!

The eye-catching performances are sure to make a splash in neighborhoods throughout the city. Presented on an innovative series of specially configured parade float stages similar to flatbeds, audiences will see an array of eclectic variety-arts talent, including clowns, aerialists, jugglers, balance artists and more. And of course, no circus is complete without a calliope wagon playing authentic and traditional circus music.

“Bindlestiff Family Cirkus spent the winter building our brand-new Flatbed Follies stages in order to accommodate a wide range of performers and performances. And now we are ready to roll out our Summer of Joy Tour for audiences across New York City,” said Keith Nelson, co-founder of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. “Arts access is so important and our mission is to bring quality live entertainment right to the streets of each borough. There’s no admission and no reason why everyone can’t experience the fun of live entertainment.”

This is the second season of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus' Flatbed Follies series. It was originally created as a way to support many artists and performers whose livelihoods were affected by the pandemic. The program is supported by the NYC Department of Transportation.

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus 2022 "Summer of Joy" Flatbed Follies Performances:

This is the circus' current schedule, but more details and shows will be announced soon!

Saturday, June 4

12-6pm: Lewis Avenue Open Street - Lewis Ave bet Fulton & Decatur (Brooklyn)

Sunday, June 5

2-4pm: Myrtle-Wycoff Plaza (Brooklyn)

Saturday, June 11

12- 6pm: Jennings Avenue Open Street (Bronx)

Sunday, June 12

12-6pm: Plaza de Las Americas (Manhattan)

Friday, June 17

4-8pm: Woodside Ave & 77th Street (Queens)

Saturday, June 18

11am-3pm : Marcy Avenue Plaza at Fulton St. & McDonnoguh (Brooklyn)

Sunday, June 19

5-7pm: Hillel Plaza (Brooklyn)

Tuesday, June 21

4-8pm: W 120th Street at Lennox & Malcom X. (Manhattan)

Friday, June 24

3pm; W 182 Street “Uptown Showdown” Performances (Manhattan)

Saturday, June 25

12pm: E 100 Street “Uptown Showdown” Performances (Manhattan)

5pm: Johnny Hartman Plaza - Amsterdam Ave. & W 143 St. (Manhattan)

Sunday, June 26

2-4pm: Willis Avenue Open Street “Uptown Showdown” (Bronx)

Friday, July 1

5-9pm: Ditmars Open Street (Queens)

Saturday, July 2

12-4pm: Avenue C Plaza at McDonald Avenue (Brooklyn)

Sunday, July 3

12-4pm: Diversity Plaza – 37th Road & 73rd St. (Queens)

Friday July 8

1-6pm: Del Valle Square (Hunts Point Ave & E 163rd St., Bronx)

Saturday, July 9

11am-3:00pm: 34th Avenue (Queens)

5-8pm: 31st Avenue (Queens)

Sunday, July 10

TBD: Newkirk Open Street (Brooklyn)

Friday, July 15

TBD : Banker’s Anchor (N 15 & Banker Street, Brooklyn)

Saturday, July 16

12-5pm: Beach 20-21st Plazas (Queens)

Sunday, July 17

TBD: Osbourne St. & Belmont Street (Brooklyn)

Saturday, July 23

TBD: Coney Island (W 12 St bet Surf & Boardwalk, Brooklyn)

For more information, visit bindlestiff.org or follow the circus on Facebook or Instagram.

Main image credit: Maike Schulz

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Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Holds Free Shows to Delight NYC Families