If you live in San Francisco, you don’t have to run away to join the circus. Not only does The City offer a plethora of circus-themed entertainment, it is one of the few places where you can juggle, trapeze, tightrope and trampoline in your spare time and scarf a funnel cake for dessert. Here’s a roundup:
S.F. Circus Center
For 10 years, the San Francisco Circus Center, housed across from Golden Gate Park near Kezar Stadium, has been home to comprehensive circus arts classes for aspiring performers, amateurs and children. Its Clown Conservatory is one of the few professional training programs of its kind in North America, and its students and graduates perform regularly in town, including a Clown Cabaret the first Friday of every month at the Climate Theater, 285 Ninth St., and bookish revelry at a monthly “Literary Clown Foolery” event at The Booksmith, 1644 Haight St. [www.circuscenter.org, www.booksmith.com, www.clownconservatory.org]
Circus Finelli
San Francisco’s all-female clown troupe makes regular appearances at several venues, including a music variety show “Balkan Bonanza” at Amnesia, 853 Valencia St., at 9 p.m. Sunday, and the Circus Finelli Revue at Stage Werx Theatre, 533 Sutter St., at 8 p.m. Wednesday. [www.circusfinelli.com]
House of Air
San Francisco’s trampoline park at Crissy Field — Building 926, 926 (Old) Mason Street in The Presidio — offers multiple activities that involve the trampoline and bouncing sports. You can receive Olympic trampoline training, book a party for a trampoline dodgeball game, or take aerial fitness classes. Rates start at $10. [www.houseofairsf.com]
Musee Mecanique
Those who prefer to be entertained rather than participate may want to visit this San Francisco stalwart (at Pier 45 on Fisherman’s Wharf) which houses one of the largest collections of antique arcade machines. With just a handful of quarters (admission is free) you can watch half-naked women dance with scarves, have your fortune told, get a personal sexiness rating, race cars, and listen to multiple player pianos. [www.museemecanique.org]
Straw
Whimsy-seekers of San Francisco will want to hit up Hayes Valley’s hippest grub at this carnival-themed establishment at 203 Octavia St., where the most popular seat is an old tilt-a-whirl. Known to hand out cotton candy to customers and offer funnel cake for dessert, Straw juggles a wide variety of menu items, including a chicken and waffle sandwich, a doughnut cheeseburger called “The Ringmaster” and its acclaimed side of sweet potato tater tots. [www.strawsf.com]
