Diamond Family Circus

05/11/2026

Congrats to Circus International Film Festival on their successful sixth season! Donate or learn more at https://www.circusinternationalfilmfest.com .

05/06/2026

See you there!

03/15/2026

DFC cofounders Marisa & Marci are coproducing a union film, and could use your support - please donate and/or share if you can, and thank you!

We are raising funds to create a union microbudget indie film, "Boris & Natasha."… Marci Diamond needs your support for Help Fund Indie Film 'Boris & Natasha'

01/27/2026

Congrats to our amazing friend, social circus colleague, and sister-circus-mama Jessica Hentoff, founder & director of STL’s Circus Harmony! Please join us in donating to Circus Harmony’s social circus work in celebration of Jessica’s well-deserved honor!: https://circusharmony.org/support/donate/

Fun fact: DFC cofounder Marisa was a lead coach, camp director, and performer at CH & still does media production projects for CH!

Did you know… there are now two World Circus Federation Circus Ambassadors from North America?! On January 18, 2026, the World Circus Federation named Jessica Hentoff -– that’ s me, the writer of these American circus history posts- as their 2026 Circus Ambassador. Previously, the only other American Ambassador had been Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey’s Kenneth Feld. Being a World Circus Federation ambassador is a recognition bestowed by the Federation on individuals who have made exceptional contributions to promoting, preserving, and advancing circus arts and culture worldwide. They are honored for their leadership, artistic excellence, and dedication to the circus arts. Ambassadors are meant to inspire new generations of circus artists and supporters.

Fifty-two years ago, when I first told my first circus teacher, Warren Bacon, that circus was what I wanted to do the rest of my life and asked how I could repay him, he answered, “I’ll tell you what my teacher told me, ‘Pass it on.’” Which I have been doing ever since! I deeply appreciate the World Circus Federation naming me a Circus Ambassador and recognizing that promoting circus to children — many of whom have not been to a circus until they are in one — makes a difference. I believe it is the current students and alumni of Circus Harmony who are the actual ambassadors. In the hundreds of shows they present at City Museum, Circus Flora, the St. Louis Arch, and other venues, these flying children reach well over 75,000 people a year. Add to that the amount of people who see our alumni who are performing around the world, and we bring the joy and wonder that is circus to an incredible number of people. Thank you to the World Circus Federation for recognizing a circus teacher, especially one from a social circus, in this meaningful way!

From

01/21/2026

DFC cofounder Marci is honored to be to be teaching remote workshops with awesome kindergarteners in Teetl’it Gwich’in (aka Ft. McPherson, NWT) this week. Please join in solidarity by contacting U.S. Senators to stop the U.S. govt & oil company assaults on Gwich’in lands:
https://act.wilderness.org/a/protect-the-arctic-refuge-ask-senators?_ga=2.172328739.1068386504.1769007550-460627588.1769007550

If the Trump administration thinks that they can pursue an unlawful oil and gas leasing program in the Arctic Refuge, they are wrong. Yesterday, we filed an amended lawsuit challenging their careless plan to drill on the entire coastal plain, which would put the health of our communities, the survival of the caribou, and our way of life at risk. We have been fighting for generations to protect this sacred place, and we aren't stopping now.

As Kristen Moreland, our executive director, shared, “The Gwich’in have been fighting—and succeeding—for decades in protecting the calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou herd. Today, we continue that fight and are grateful to our allies that stand with us. It is unconscionable that this administration is advancing an Arctic Refuge leasing plan, which is opposed by the majority of Americans, would violate our rights as Alaska Native people, and blatantly contains multiple legal deficiencies. This is yet another attempt by the administration to prioritize profits over people, and we say enough is enough.”

You can read more here:https://trustees.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026Jan.GwichinAlliedGroupsUpdateComplaint.UnlawfulArcticRefugeLeaseProgram-2.pdf

01/16/2026

CONGRATS to former DFC trouper Eva Lou Hoops - Circus Artist and all the incredible École nationale de cirque performers who will be opening this year’s Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain - Paris!
🎉❤️🎪

01/13/2026

The Circus International Film Festival, created and curated by American circus artist, educator, and filmmaker, , is entering its sixth season. focuses on bringing together filmmakers and circus artists through an online platform. Submissions an be made through FilmFreeway between now and March 1, 2026. Films will be shown and voted on April 18 - May 3, 2026. Categories include Short Shorts (under 5 min), Short Documentary, Short Non-Documentary, Feature Length, and Exhibition. More information- including how to submit and watch the movies- can be found at https://www.circusinternationalfilmfest.com/.

From Jessica Hentoff

01/04/2026

12/19/2025

A few years ago, DFC cofounder Marci Diamond had the honor of performing on aerial silks & hoop (lyra) at the Opening Ceremonies of the 100th U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Td Garden Boston. A fan just shared these videos today, and we hope you enjoy them as much as Marci enjoyed sharing the arena with so many awesome artists & atheletes. ⛸️

12/17/2025

So much fun sharing circus arts & creative movement yesterday with students at Quqshuun Ilihakvik School in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut AND Elijah Smith School in Whitehorse, Yukon yesterday; THANK YOU to the super students, educators & TakingITGlobal/Connected North coordinators - and to the wonders of the World Wide Web!