PETALING JAYA, 27 March 2026 – Viva Vertical today officially unveiled Viva Circus Festival 2026, a five-day celebration of aerial arts, circus performance and immersive public experiences taking place from 15 to 19 April at Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC), 1 Utama E. The announcement was made during a press conference attended by industry voices, including Malaysian singer-actress, Dr Soo Wincci, alongside aerial arts practitioners and creative professionals.
Marking two decades of building Malaysia’s aerial movement community, the festival reflects Viva Vertical’s journey from a training studio into a platform that nurtures talent and connects Malaysian performers to regional and international opportunities.
“Viva Circus Festival is not just about aerial as fitness. It is about how performance transforms people, physically, mentally and emotionally,” said Nana Shan Liew, Director of Viva Vertical. “For the past 20 years, we have seen how aerial arts build confidence, discipline and self-expression. This festival brings that journey from the studio to the stage.”
Globally, the wellness economy reached US$6.3 trillion in 2023, reflecting growing interest in movement experiences that support both physical and mental well-being. The festival comes at a time when people are increasingly seeking movement that blends fitness, creativity and personal expression.
Bringing Aerial Arts From Studio to Stage
Founded in 2006, Viva Vertical is Malaysia’s first dedicated circus school and home to the Viva Circus troupe, known for its strong standards in both performance and safety. The troupe has performed across Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong, gaining recognition for its creativity and technical expertise.
Building on this foundation, Viva Circus Festival 2026 returns with a programme that brings together performances, competitions and public experiences, showcasing Malaysia’s growing aerial arts scene. Highlights include the original Viva Virtical production Alice Lost in Wonderland, the 2026 Viva Circus Festival Awards Malaysia (VCFA), and immersive aerial experiences for the public.
For the first time, the VCFA will exclusively celebrate local aerial and pole talent who are Malaysian or residing in Malaysia, spotlighting homegrown performers and strengthening the local aerial arts community.
The festival will also premiere Viva Circus Production – Alice Lost in Wonderland, an original show that blends storytelling, choreography and aerial performance.
“Alice Lost in Wonderland is a celebration of imagination and transformation,” said Noah Yap, Show & Artistic Director of Alice Lost in Wonderland. “The production brings together seasoned performers and emerging talents, creating a space where experience guides new voices. It reflects what Viva stands for, using performance to nurture growth, creativity and confidence.”
New this year is the introduction of the Safe to Fly experience, which expands the festival beyond stage performances and invites the public to explore aerial movement in a safe and guided environment.
Building Malaysia’s Aerial Arts Ecosystem
Beyond performances and competitions, Viva Circus Festival reflects Viva Vertical’s broader mission to strengthen Malaysia’s aerial arts ecosystem. Over the past 20 years, the studio has nurtured performers, trained instructors and created platforms for Malaysian aerial talent to grow and connect with international opportunities.
As part of these efforts, Viva Vertical is currently undergoing the application process with the relevant authorities to establish a national aerial sports association.
“Ultimately, Viva Circus Festival is about creating opportunities,” Nana added. “Opportunities for people to discover aerial movement, for performers to develop their craft, and for Malaysian talent to be recognised beyond our borders.”
During the press conference, Viva Vertical also hosted a fireside chat featuring Nana Shan Liew, Director of Viva Vertical; Noah Yap, Show & Artistic Director of Alice Lost in Wonderland; Kayleen Ortiz, international Pole Champion and Creative Director of Polecats Manila; and Dr. Soo Wincci, Malaysian singer-actress, entrepreneur, and academic. The discussion explored how aerial arts training, performance and creative production can nurture talent beyond the studio while strengthening Malaysia’s growing aerial arts ecosystem.
The session concluded with a live aerial demonstration, offering the media a preview of the athletic discipline and artistic storytelling audiences can expect at the festival.
Festival Highlights
Safe to Fly: Public Aerial Experiences
One of the festival’s key components is Safe to Fly, an experiential zone under Nero Space designed to introduce the public to aerial movement in a safe and guided environment. Running from 15 to 19 April at PJPAC (Nero Space), the programme allows participants to explore aerial disciplines such as aerial hoop, hammock and bungee-based movement.
Original Production: Alice Lost in Wonderland
The festival will also premiere Viva Circus Production – Alice Lost in Wonderland, an original contemporary circus show that blends storytelling, choreography and aerial performance. Public performances will take place on 18 April at 2PM and 7PM.
Featuring over 60 cast members, the production brings together experienced performers and emerging talents in a collaborative format that reflects Viva Vertical’s philosophy of mentorship and growth. Several performers began their aerial journey as students at Viva Vertical and are now performing professionally on stage. The production is led by Noah Yap, Show & Artistic Director and main cast member, alongside Kitt Woo & Sheila Yew, Choreographers and main cast members.
2026 Viva Circus Festival Awards Malaysia (VCFA)
The festival will culminate with the 2026 Viva Circus Festival Awards Malaysia (VCFA) on 19 April, celebrating excellence in aerial arts performance.
The competition will be evaluated by an international panel of aerial arts and circus experts:
- Tracy Mak – Founding Member of Singapore Aerial and Pole Federation and Head Judge of VCFA since 2023
- Leng Rajanikara – International aerial performer and winner of Thailand’s Got Talent Season 2
- Shayna Swanson – Award-winning circus artist and founder of Aloft Circus Arts, Chicago
The awards aim to spotlight both athletic discipline and artistic expression, highlighting emerging talents within the aerial arts community.
Beyond the competition, VCFA also creates space for the four emerging studios: Aerial Fitness Malaysia, Pin Jie Yoga Studio, Eleve Aerial Art & Yoga Studio, and Race Fit Studio to present short showcases during the break ahead of the award ceremony, offering them exposure and valuable stage experience. This reflects Viva Vertical’s commitment to growing the aerial arts ecosystem by supporting not only its own talent, but also uplifting the wider community and creating opportunities for smaller studios to be recognised.
About Viva Vertical
Founded in 2006, Viva Vertical is Malaysia’s first and largest pole dance and aerial arts studio, with four locations across Greater Kuala Lumpur. The studio has become a trusted name in circus and aerial training, pioneering new ways to combine fitness, artistry and performance.
Viva Vertical provides a safe, inclusive environment for individuals to explore aerial movement through group classes, workshops and private training. The studio is also home to Viva Circus, an award-winning modern physical arts performance troupe that has showcased Malaysian aerial talent through original productions, both locally and internationally.
