Friends & Freaks Retreat
Train-cation, Skill Share, & Reset
Invite Only
Training, Skill Shares, Jams, Workshop Ideas, Relax, Beach, Pool, Jacuzzi
January 4-11, 2025
hosted by Casa Chango
Puerto Escondido, Mexico
This Circus Industry Retreat & Gathering is an invite only event for aerial and circus professionals who want and need a break to do what they love, skill share, talk shop, workshop ideas, and play with other professionals. Our students are not invited.
Our beautiful 2000 square foot (22 feet high) circus gym training space will be available all day and night during the week. We offer scheduled meals and suggested training schedules, but participants can train whenever they want. We can gather, warm up, move, train, share ideas, support, and feel great in our bodies.
Participants are welcome do do any of the following
- Present a theme for investigation.
- Take the time and space to slowly get into their own body’s rhythm – Teaching can be more taxing than we realize.
- Try out creative ideas on willing bodies.
- Present a workshop.
- Try out new skill progression ideas.
- Seek support and feedback about some training and/or teaching ideas.
- Try something new!
- Talk pedagogy, and training programs.
- Train hard and get really sore (like the old days).
- Research ideas.
- Decide to hang out by the pool all week.
- Do a daily practice and then go exploring (or napping).
- Be yourself! Whether that is anti-social or super extroverted! This is your time!
3rd annual industry retreat. Let’s play!
We invite working performers and teachers, riggers, ‘out of practice’ professionals, circus retirees, program directors, and overworked studio owners to this event. You do NOT need to show up with an agenda to impress. Whether you need to rest and rejuvenate from overwork or crave bodies to try your ideas out on, this is the place to do it. How do circus people do vacation? We are about to find out!
Suggested daily schedule
Mealtimes are set, but you can train whenever you want.
- 8-9:30am Coffee, Tea and Breakfast
- 9am-1pm Morning training and skill shares
- 1pm Lunch
- 1-3:30pm Pool-time, siesta, relaxing
- 3:30pm Sweet treat and ice coffee/tea
- 4-7pm Afternoon training and skill shares, vogueing
- 7pm Dinner
- 8-10pm Evening activities, training, and skill shares
The rest of your time can be spent eating amazing, healthy food, swimming or surfing in the warm ocean, reading in hammocks, and breathing the tropical air. You can also explore local markets and beaches, swim with dolphins, release baby turtles into the sea, and indulge in the local night life.
Amenities include:
2000 sq foot open air Circus Gym
Air Conditioned Dance Studio
12 aerial points (22 feet high)
Aerial Equipment (silks, lyras, trapezes, rope, straps)
Foam rollers, mats, resistance bands, stall bars, yoga balls, massage tools
Puzzle mats for stretching
Crash mats
Sound system
Movie Projector
Swimming Pool & Jacuzzi
WiFi & Hammocks
Rates for this Retreat – January 4-11, 2025
| Room | Price – sliding scale |
| Dorm (up to 4 people) | $600 |
| Double Occupancy – Sharing w a partner or friend | $600 |
| Private room with shared bathroom | $800-$1200 |
| Private room with private bathroom | $1000-1400 |
| Private room with private bathroom and air conditioning | $1600 |
All rates are listed per person.
Full payment is required to save your spot.
Rates refer to cost of one person’s tuition.
Couples/SO’s are welcome at an additional price.
Prices include:
- Accommodations for 7 nights (Arrive on Jan 4. Depart on Jan 11)
- Daily meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner, & snacks/smoothies!
- Use of Circus Gym & Dance Studio for training, skill shares, jams, and workshopping
- Evening Activities
- 24 hour use of Swimming Pool, wi-fi, and Community Space
- Trips to local beaches
- Homemade treats and iced coffee
Price does not include airport taxis.
Links for more information:
- Accommodations
- Meals and Food
- How to get here. Info and advice on booking your travel
- Weather in Puerto Escondido
- Testimonials
- Nature Excursions
- Sweet Retreats Instagram page
Questions? Email us at SweetRetreatsMexico@gmail.com.
