The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Circus Arts Conservatory for the event.
Spirits were flying high at the most recent Business After Hours event for the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.
The members ventured off the island to network at the Circus Arts Conservatory, where trapeze artists and fearless tumblers spun and flipped around them. A woman suspended from silks poured champagne — while upside-down — to wide-eyed attendees, and talented kids leaped from 30-foot high platforms to swing through the air. Aaron Watkins on stilts feigned sipping from champagne glasses with a comically long straw, and Debbie Shaffer dashed around with a bevy of red noses for photos.
Eyes were trained mostly on the flips and leaps being done, and chatter turned to the early fall weather and the excitement of the island’s season coming up, but Andrew Vac spoke about the importance of local businesses and endeavors to support the arts like the Circus Arts Conservatory.

Join the Neighborhood! Our 100% local content helps strengthen our communities by delivering news and information that is relevant to our readers. Support independent local journalism by joining the Observer's new membership program — The Newsies — a group of like-minded community citizens, like you. Be a Newsie.