The Greatest Show on Earth came to Santa Barbara for one night only on May 6, when Crane Country Day School hosted its annual fundraiser Cirque du Crane, embracing the fantastical Cirque du Soleil-like theme.

Crane Country Day School Spring Event committee members all decked out in circus couture.
Crane Country Day School Spring Event committee members all decked out in circus couture. Credit: Teresa Pietsch

More than 250 guests stepped right up to attend one of the greatest parties of the school year that included flying trapeze artists, flame-torched food, a juggler, contortionist, unicyclist, and colorful, show-stopping outfits.
 
The night of magic under the Big Top raised big funds for the K-8 independent school.

“I think the parents were having just as much fun as the students do during a regular day at Crane,” said Joel Weiss, head of school.

“I was so impressed with the creativity from the parent body, all those wonderful outfits and the committee of nine Crane moms who put it all together truly demonstrating out-of-the-box brainstorming to create an event that was chock-full of surprises and highlights,” he said.

Among the surprises were food stations on fire, including donuts filled with nitrous foam and finished off with a blow torch; and libations with cirque-worthy concoctions such as the Tipsy Trapeze and the Snake Charmer.

Clowning around in circus costumes at the spring fund-raiser are Joel Weiss, Crane head master, and crew.
Clowning around in costume at the spring fund-raiser are Joel Weiss, Crane head master, and crew. Credit: Teresa Pietsch

Andrew Firestone served as live auctioneer, winning over the crowd and sparking parents to give generously. A successful paddle-raise generated funds to expand Crane’s Design and Engineering curriculum, making it accessible to every student at the school.

The center is named in memory of Crane’s beloved science and geography teacher Phil von Phul, who lost his battle to pancreatic cancer in 2015. Von Phul, known fondly as VP, was a teacher for 33 years who embraced hands-on experiential learning, and a short video honored his legacy.

“Engineering here at Crane really began with Phil,” said science teacher Christine Bouma. “In Lower School science, the students design, create, test and prove technologies to solve problems; and in the Design and Engineering Center kids have the opportunity to delve deeper into that exploration of engineering design process, giving them opportunities to problem solve using more advanced technologies and sophisticated equipment.”

“Engineering represents the perfect match at Crane,” said Weiss. “When we think about Crane’s core curriculum it combines strong academics with a focus on creativity, and engineering is at the intersection of these disciplines; it has all the rigor of science and yet is also packed with creativity.”

“It’s just so great to be back in person, on campus, reconnecting with current and past parents, as well as many retired teachers who came back to celebrate Crane,” said Jill Levinson, past Crane board chair and current parent. “The campus just felt so alive and loud and joyful.”

The Spring Event committee included Melika Adams, Kim Aubouchon, Kasia Brand, Jen Drucker, Mandy Gocong, Andreana Jones, Susan McMillan, Amy Phillips, and Shannon Young.

Crane School partnered with Santa Barbara Trapeze and The Flying Royals, who performed at the event. The team set up their nets a week ahead, allowing each grade a 90-minute experience with gymnastics, aerial arts, and the trapeze.

Crane Country Day School is a K-8 school in Montecito. For admissions information or to schedule a school tour, contact Erin Guerra, 805-969-7732 ext. 106, or visit www.craneschool.org.