About Felicia
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She/Her
As a professional circus artist and the proud owner of Cirque Wonderland Studios in the Valley Junction neighborhood, Felicia has provided a sanctuary where thousands of adults and children have delved into the captivating world of circus arts. Additionally, Felicia is the driving force behind Cirque Wonderland Entertainment, delivering professional entertainment to a variety of events, festivals, galas, and more across the Midwest. Felicia, an Iowa native, discovered her passion for aerial arts entirely by accident while working in HR at the University of Utah. Returning to Iowa in 2011, she brought her love of circus arts with her, founding and producing Aerial Expo, an international competition, showcase, and conference for aerial and circus arts in Des Moines, Iowa. This groundbreaking initiative established her as a pioneer in the field and brought global recognition to Iowa’s circus community. Felicia is a graduate of Drake University’s Advanced Business Accelerator Program and an active member of both the American Circus Educators and the American Circus Alliance, committed to advancing safety and accessibility standards in the circus arts community. Beyond the spotlight, Felicia passionately advocates for social justice, lending her voice to issues related to racial and LGBTQ+ equality. Her platform serves as a catalyst for amplifying voices and endorsing positive societal change. Demonstrating her commitment to inclusivity, Felicia has pioneered body-inclusive aerial programming, making aerial arts accessible to individuals of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. Her implementation of a sliding-scale membership ensures that adults from diverse financial backgrounds can participate in the world of circus arts. Felicia envisions circus as a powerful vehicle for social change. Through community building initiatives, vibrant live entertainment events, and a steadfast commitment to the arts, she strives to create a community where circus is a catalyst for positive transformation. Felicia also gives back to her community serving as the President on the Board of Directors for Historic Valley Junction Foundation. |
Cityview Magazine's Best of Des Moines
2014 WINNER!
Iowa Fly Girl is Des Moines' Best Local Artist!
"D. Ryan Allen was finally succeeded in this category, and readers say it’s Iowa Fly Girl’s aerial artist Felicia Coe who is the metro’s best artist. Along with aerial silks, she’s also mastered lyra, trapeze and horizontal rails, and she’s happy to teach what she knows to those interested in learning the art form. She’s young. She’s beautiful. And she’s the epitome and grace and poise."
2014 WINNER!
Iowa Fly Girl is Des Moines' Best Local Artist!
"D. Ryan Allen was finally succeeded in this category, and readers say it’s Iowa Fly Girl’s aerial artist Felicia Coe who is the metro’s best artist. Along with aerial silks, she’s also mastered lyra, trapeze and horizontal rails, and she’s happy to teach what she knows to those interested in learning the art form. She’s young. She’s beautiful. And she’s the epitome and grace and poise."
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Aerial Expo - Felicia Coe (Iowa Fly Girl) | Great Day Iowa KCWI 23
Felicia talks with Lou Sipolt, Jackie Schmillen & Meteorologist Jason Parkin on Great Day Iowa about the Aerial in Iowa and the 2014 Aerial Expo. |
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Striping and Swinging and Inviting the Whole County | Cityview
(Iowa Fly Girl) crossed paths with LaFlash, busy with burlesque. Then they hooked up with others like DeVille, like Sweet Lilly Pie and Lady May the Force, and next thing you know, it’s a community, all high-flying misfits.
“We’d chatted about collaborating,” says Felicia Coe, a.k.a. Iowa Fly Girl, one of the women behind the whole whoop-dee-doo. “But we couldn’t figure out how.” “Finally we had this idea,” says Leo LaFlash, burlesque queen and co-conspirator. “We’d put these unique acts together. Put people together and expose everyone to fresh possibilities.”
So was born a combo you won’t find anywhere else in the nation. Besides a night of Misift Cabaret, what La Flash calls “a variety show with an edge,” the Science Center will host three days of Aerial Expo. This will entail both workshops and performances, topped off Saturday night with a national competition. Aerial artists are coming from as far off as Los Angeles.
(Iowa Fly Girl) crossed paths with LaFlash, busy with burlesque. Then they hooked up with others like DeVille, like Sweet Lilly Pie and Lady May the Force, and next thing you know, it’s a community, all high-flying misfits.
“We’d chatted about collaborating,” says Felicia Coe, a.k.a. Iowa Fly Girl, one of the women behind the whole whoop-dee-doo. “But we couldn’t figure out how.” “Finally we had this idea,” says Leo LaFlash, burlesque queen and co-conspirator. “We’d put these unique acts together. Put people together and expose everyone to fresh possibilities.”
So was born a combo you won’t find anywhere else in the nation. Besides a night of Misift Cabaret, what La Flash calls “a variety show with an edge,” the Science Center will host three days of Aerial Expo. This will entail both workshops and performances, topped off Saturday night with a national competition. Aerial artists are coming from as far off as Los Angeles.
No Net, No Rigs, Just Fabric--Aerial Arts Come to Iowa | Iowa Public Radio
Daring trapeze artists have been wowing audiences for 150 years, but today's aerial artists are taking things to a whole new level and a lot more people are getting in on the act. Host Charity Nebbe talks with Iowa's Felicia Coe, the creator of the National Aerial Expo & Competition on today's Talk of Iowa.
Daring trapeze artists have been wowing audiences for 150 years, but today's aerial artists are taking things to a whole new level and a lot more people are getting in on the act. Host Charity Nebbe talks with Iowa's Felicia Coe, the creator of the National Aerial Expo & Competition on today's Talk of Iowa.
Watch Amateur Aerialists Defy Gravity at Expo | The Des Moines Register 2014
Iowa Fly Girl was interview by the Des Moines register for the 2014 Aerial Expo
"Unless you’re an astronaut or a witch, your best bet for defying gravity might be aerial acrobatics. It’s that thing you see in Cirque du Soleil when they dance on ribbons hung from the rafters.
It’s not new — gymnasts started swinging from ceilings centuries ago — but only in the last decade or so have the less limber among us tried it for fun and fitness. A few dozen amateur aerialists will get a chance to demonstrate their new skills at the first-ever aerial expo and competition July 26 at the Science Center of Iowa."
Iowa Fly Girl was interview by the Des Moines register for the 2014 Aerial Expo
"Unless you’re an astronaut or a witch, your best bet for defying gravity might be aerial acrobatics. It’s that thing you see in Cirque du Soleil when they dance on ribbons hung from the rafters.
It’s not new — gymnasts started swinging from ceilings centuries ago — but only in the last decade or so have the less limber among us tried it for fun and fitness. A few dozen amateur aerialists will get a chance to demonstrate their new skills at the first-ever aerial expo and competition July 26 at the Science Center of Iowa."
I Believe I Can Fly | Cityview
Do you know what pickup line works without fail?
“I can fly.”
Sure, Lois Lane might have feigned disinterest and even made the Man of Steel compete with his own alter ego, but she never said “No” to a night in the clouds. Hell, even Steve Trevor had to contain his excitement when Wonder Woman gave him a lift.
This weekend is your chance to use that line at the Aerial Arts and Fitness Expo when master and amateur aerialists descend upon Des Moines to show off their high-flying skills.
“I’m really excited to bring the master aerial instructors to Iowa,” said Felicia Coe, professional aerialist (Iowa Fly Girl) and producer of the inaugural AAFA Expo. “These are the best of the best, and (I become) a complete fan girl and totally starstruck having them around.”
Do you know what pickup line works without fail?
“I can fly.”
Sure, Lois Lane might have feigned disinterest and even made the Man of Steel compete with his own alter ego, but she never said “No” to a night in the clouds. Hell, even Steve Trevor had to contain his excitement when Wonder Woman gave him a lift.
This weekend is your chance to use that line at the Aerial Arts and Fitness Expo when master and amateur aerialists descend upon Des Moines to show off their high-flying skills.
“I’m really excited to bring the master aerial instructors to Iowa,” said Felicia Coe, professional aerialist (Iowa Fly Girl) and producer of the inaugural AAFA Expo. “These are the best of the best, and (I become) a complete fan girl and totally starstruck having them around.”
The Hot Issue | Juice Magazine 2013
Felicia was featured on the cover of Juice Magazine in August of 2013 for the "Hot Issue" with student and aerialist Tristabel. The story featured trends in Des Moines including aerial art.
"If you’ve been to a big event this summer, you may have seen colorfully dressed individuals pulling off some crazy stunts" says magazine editor referencing aerialists including Felicia and a local acrobalance troupe.
Felicia was featured as a model in six photos in the issue. All of which included and aerial element, including hanging from a lyra in a local distillery, posing with the band Hairball, and partner acrobalancing in a corn field.
“It (Aerial Art) adds so much drama to events, and a little bit of glamour,” Coe said. “People like new things.”
Felicia was featured on the cover of Juice Magazine in August of 2013 for the "Hot Issue" with student and aerialist Tristabel. The story featured trends in Des Moines including aerial art.
"If you’ve been to a big event this summer, you may have seen colorfully dressed individuals pulling off some crazy stunts" says magazine editor referencing aerialists including Felicia and a local acrobalance troupe.
Felicia was featured as a model in six photos in the issue. All of which included and aerial element, including hanging from a lyra in a local distillery, posing with the band Hairball, and partner acrobalancing in a corn field.
“It (Aerial Art) adds so much drama to events, and a little bit of glamour,” Coe said. “People like new things.”
Fitness Takes Flight in Aerial Classes | Des Moines Register 2013
Felicia was featured on the front page of The Des Moines Register for her innovative aerial classes.
"In short, aerial fitness is middle school rope climbing meets Cirque du Soleil.
Coe, Iowa’s first and only aerial instructor, reunites students with their childhood dreams of floating through the air on a giant trapeze at the circus. More importantly, the exercises are challenging — lifting one’s body off the gym floor sounds easy but it is a test of core strength.
Movements include stretching in an aerial hammock, climbing to the top of an 18-foot aerial silk, hoisting oneself up into an aerial hoop (lyra), and more."
Felicia was featured on the front page of The Des Moines Register for her innovative aerial classes.
"In short, aerial fitness is middle school rope climbing meets Cirque du Soleil.
Coe, Iowa’s first and only aerial instructor, reunites students with their childhood dreams of floating through the air on a giant trapeze at the circus. More importantly, the exercises are challenging — lifting one’s body off the gym floor sounds easy but it is a test of core strength.
Movements include stretching in an aerial hammock, climbing to the top of an 18-foot aerial silk, hoisting oneself up into an aerial hoop (lyra), and more."
What I'm Into: Felicia Coe, 26 | Juice Magazine 2013
Felicia was featured in Juice's "What I'm Into" section for being Iowa's first and only Aerial instructor.
"Why you should know her: Coe got hooked on aerial dance while living in Utah, and when she moved back to Des Moines she couldn’t find any classes, so she started teaching them herself. She has studied on aerial silks, lyra, trapeze and horizontal rails."
The key to aerial gymnastics is: "Have fun! You don’t have to be strong, thin and bendy to start aerial. I start you out with the basics, which is on the ground, and we build from there and eventually get you flying. You will be amazed at how fast you build strength and how a trick gets a little easier each time you practice it. ... There is nothing better than the excitement you get when you finally nail a trick that you have been working so hard on."
Felicia was featured in Juice's "What I'm Into" section for being Iowa's first and only Aerial instructor.
"Why you should know her: Coe got hooked on aerial dance while living in Utah, and when she moved back to Des Moines she couldn’t find any classes, so she started teaching them herself. She has studied on aerial silks, lyra, trapeze and horizontal rails."
The key to aerial gymnastics is: "Have fun! You don’t have to be strong, thin and bendy to start aerial. I start you out with the basics, which is on the ground, and we build from there and eventually get you flying. You will be amazed at how fast you build strength and how a trick gets a little easier each time you practice it. ... There is nothing better than the excitement you get when you finally nail a trick that you have been working so hard on."
Felicia posing with the reporters after filming.
WEEKLY WORKOUT: Flying High with Aerial Fitness | WHO TV 13
Felicia was featured on WHO TV 13's weekly segment "Workout of the Week" for her original aerial fitness classes.
Reporters Erin Kiernan and Sonya Heitshusen tried out Felicia's class and found out it was much more difficult than you might think, but also a ton of fun!
"By the end, we’re exhausted but we’ve also accomplished more than we thought we could, and we had a blast doing it."
"We’re winded after the climb, and we’re just getting started. Learning the “foot lock” is next. Once we master the climbing and wrapping, Felicia guides us through some tricks. It’s not always pretty, but we’re definitely working hard." -Erin Kiernan
"It is fun!” exclaims Felicia, “there’s something so freeing about being an adult and hanging upside down. It makes you feel like a kid again, it’s so fun!”
Felicia was featured on WHO TV 13's weekly segment "Workout of the Week" for her original aerial fitness classes.
Reporters Erin Kiernan and Sonya Heitshusen tried out Felicia's class and found out it was much more difficult than you might think, but also a ton of fun!
"By the end, we’re exhausted but we’ve also accomplished more than we thought we could, and we had a blast doing it."
"We’re winded after the climb, and we’re just getting started. Learning the “foot lock” is next. Once we master the climbing and wrapping, Felicia guides us through some tricks. It’s not always pretty, but we’re definitely working hard." -Erin Kiernan
"It is fun!” exclaims Felicia, “there’s something so freeing about being an adult and hanging upside down. It makes you feel like a kid again, it’s so fun!”
Meet Felicia: Iowa Fly Girl | People with Panache
The women behind People with Panache (PWP) came to Iowa and took some time to chat with Felicia about her aerial career and upcoming projects.
“I keep referring back to that cheesy quote that if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough,” says Felicia Coe, the aerialist behind Iowa Fly Girl. (We’ll get to her biggest dream in a couple questions. Do you agree with that quote?)
First, some basics: Felicia runs Des Moines’ first aerial fitness/aerial art business, and it just keeps growing. She’s been doing her aerial magic for four years now, but her greatest passion is teaching it. Felicia and her students use aerial silks (silky columns of loose fabric that hang from the ceiling) as well as similar, silky hammocks to move up and down and through the air, using their entire bodies for beautiful choreography—and having a blast.
The women behind People with Panache (PWP) came to Iowa and took some time to chat with Felicia about her aerial career and upcoming projects.
“I keep referring back to that cheesy quote that if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough,” says Felicia Coe, the aerialist behind Iowa Fly Girl. (We’ll get to her biggest dream in a couple questions. Do you agree with that quote?)
First, some basics: Felicia runs Des Moines’ first aerial fitness/aerial art business, and it just keeps growing. She’s been doing her aerial magic for four years now, but her greatest passion is teaching it. Felicia and her students use aerial silks (silky columns of loose fabric that hang from the ceiling) as well as similar, silky hammocks to move up and down and through the air, using their entire bodies for beautiful choreography—and having a blast.
Is Iowa a “Fly Over” State? Darn Right It Is | Iowa Graph Magazine
I talked with William at IGM about how you – yes you! – can help make Des Moines, Iowa, a national destination for the aerial arts.
Even if the average reader isn’t interested in aerial, how does helping promote this event, help promote central Iowa as a whole?
"I don’t think an event like this in Iowa would have been possible 10 years ago. The community here as grown so very much in the last few years. Local businesses are interested in supporting this expo, because it brings more people and more business to Des Moines and to them. Anytime you bring a event like this to the area is makes us more relevant nationally as a hot spot for the arts."
I talked with William at IGM about how you – yes you! – can help make Des Moines, Iowa, a national destination for the aerial arts.
Even if the average reader isn’t interested in aerial, how does helping promote this event, help promote central Iowa as a whole?
"I don’t think an event like this in Iowa would have been possible 10 years ago. The community here as grown so very much in the last few years. Local businesses are interested in supporting this expo, because it brings more people and more business to Des Moines and to them. Anytime you bring a event like this to the area is makes us more relevant nationally as a hot spot for the arts."