The Aerial Angels in Detroit

Last night I got to see the Aerial Angels at the Detroit Institute of Arts. I saw them a year or two ago and I think they were even better the second time around. Last time they were in an open area, while this time they were on the stage in he auditorium and it felt like a real performance. The cast is excellent, a few of them wander around before the show and start interacting with the audience. They give some of the people in the audience a hard time and at first they aren’t even sure it’s the performers or something else, it makes it fun before the show even starts.

The lighting just wasn’t bright enough for many great photos and not only was the lighting dim, the performers were constantly moving. But I got some video, a few photos, and a neat animation; the video is a little long at 4 minutes but it’s got some interesting parts.

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She’s balancing on a typewriter. They had this working “bored office” theme going on. I wish I’d gotten a few shots of them at their typewriters (before they started performing).


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This scene was probably the best lit for me, so you get a few of this one.

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And an animation.

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Some juggling too!


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Not sure what to call this, sort of a trapeze, but without the bar.



Here’s a video (direct link) with a little bit of everything.

It was great. I’d see them again for sure! They have a web site at www.AngelsInTheAir.com but the schedule doesn’t really seem to be up to date…

2 responses to “The Aerial Angels in Detroit

  1. Wow, Gary, awesome shots!!! So exciting :) May we use one of them as the Photo of the Week on our website?

    The aerial apparatus that looks like long black loops is called “aerial slings” or “spansets”. They’re actually heavy-duty industrial slings used for lifting things on cranes, and you may also see them suspending speakers at concerts. It’s a newer apparatus rather than a traditional one, and I think Sora’s act on them is pretty cool!

    Sorry the schedule’s not looking so current right now! We’re actually on a company sabbatical – the DIA is such a fun gig, we couldn’t turn it down, but we’re taking October-December off this year to focus on individual creative projects. A couple of events are happening here and there, but it’s mostly private parties, and we’ll be getting back into public shows starting in January. It was a heavy summer and we’re all in need of rest! I’m heading to India in two weeks, actually, to do some writing :)

    I love your video!! Is there any chance you’d be willing to share your footage with us? Properly credited, of course. We got good full-stage footage of the show but didn’t have a second camera for closeups and it looks like you got some great shots.

    Thank you sooo much for putting this up, and we’re so glad you enjoyed the show!

    Allison (the mean boss lady)

  2. Please use them! Thank you for appreciating them.

    It was great to see you perform again.

    Thanks for the explanations too!

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