Annika Hakala Circus Artist I Hulahoop, Whip & Fire
ABOUT ME
I’m a multidisciplinary circus artist from Finland, based in Vienna, Austria. In Austria they call me “The Fin with the Hulahoops”. Since 2008 I work as a solo artist, as well as part of various duos and larger performing groups. I’ve been touring internationally in Europe, the USA and Asia. Whether you’re looking for a circus act for a show production or variety theatre program, you’re in the right place. I also perform at corporate events, galas and private events such as birthday parties and weddings. I offer both single acts and all-evening programs. Under the “Other Projects” title you can find examples of my work in music videos, short films, advertisements as well as in the performance scene and modelling. Let’s get in touch and I’ll add elegant and graceful touch to your event.
My main disciplines are:
HULAHOOP
WHIP CRACKING AND ROSE TARGETING
FIRE MANIPULATION
Other disciplines:
PARTNER ACROBATICS
POI SPINNING
SIDESHOW TRICKS
DANCING
“The finnish artist Annika Hakala impresses in her solo act with hulahoops, which she beautifully manipulates to create spectacular optic effects.”
– Das Stadtmagazin Bremen –
“Annika Hakala exudes elegance and felinity, as her hulahoops seamlessly integrate with her body. She skillfully alternates between speed and grace.
– Paashaas –
REFERENCES
Galas/TV/Events
Audi – BMW – Porsche – Mini
FIS Ski Jumping World Cup – National Olympic Committee Austria Emirate Palace Hotel – Finland Got Talent Final
Heineken – Hilton Hotels – Desperados – Wirkschaftskammer OÖ Eskimo – ORF Austrian National TV – TV4 Finland – Ball Total Deutsches Theater – U4 Night Club – The 1st European Games Baku Gaukler Ball – Rosen Ball – 25 Hour Hotel – Schani Hotel – EWOS European Week of Sport
Gala Night of Sport – European Youth Olympics – European Youth Cultural Capital Fest – Wirtgen – Rosenbauer
Opening Ceremony of FC Barcelona vs. Al Ahli Saudi FC – National Day Fest Abu Dhabi – Magnum – Brauunion – Caritas
Europe Synergy Summit – Arab Got Talent Corporate Show – National Day Fest Bahrain – Galleria Mall UAE – Arms for Peace Conference Pakistan – University of Tampere – Sport University of Vienna Impulstanz – Pallas Capital – Trau Dich Wedding Fair – FMX Film Festival 2017 – Sassoon – Wella – Under de Sie – Wiener Festwochen Goldwell – Austrian Hoop Convention – Ilosaarirock Finland – Kiev Fire Fest Galashow – EJC Finland Galashow – EJC Muenich Galashow Internationales Varieté Festival – Aldiana Club Ampflwang – Aldiana Club Salzkammergut – Provinssirock Finland – Hotel Vanajanlinna Palais Ferstel – Zürcher Kantonbank – Allianz – Aldiana Club Costa Del Sol – Redbull – Hapag-Lloyd – Kristallschiff Linz – BWT – Hofburg Vienna – ORF – University of Vienna – Maschseefest 2024
Variety Theatres & Show Productions
Vienna National Oper – Palatsi Music Theatre – Theatre Bühne im Hof Papierfabrik Variete – Theater am Spittelberg Vienna – UniFlow Shows
Circus Pikard – Varieté Theater Pegasus – Cabaree Cirque Rouge Circus of Freaks – Cirque Up
GOP Varieté Theater Essen – GOP Varieté Theater Bremen – GOP Varieté Theater Münster
GOP Varieté Theater Bad Oyenhausen – GOP Varieté Theater Muenich Varieté Theater Vindobona
Spamm Club – Kaff & Cosmos Club – Salon Kitty Revue
Lumina Productions – “Phoenix Spectacular” by Phoenix Creative “Flames of Phoenix” by Phoenix Creative -“Illuminaire” by Phoenix Creative – Concerto Varieté Theatre Meissen – Kalevala Thrilogy at Summer Theatre Pyynikki – Theater Retz – Familypark – Nyas Company for Viking Line Cruise
“The Finn Annika Hakala presents her hulahoops in diverse patterns, showcasing her impressive dexterity.”
-Therapie Das Lifestylemagazine-
MY BACKGROUND
I was born in 1988 in Seinäjoki, Finland. As an active child and teen I had many hobbies from art school and wood crafts, riding horses, dancing, skate boarding, kickboxing to writing poems. I was part of every theatre and musical production at school. At 13 years-old my path led me to yoga and finally at 15 years-old into circus. I’ve never stopped since. Circus is a perfect combination of all my dearest interests.
I’m an autodidact circus artist with a background in dance. I’ve been dancing since 16-years-old and after moving to Vienna in 2013 I attended the dance education program Dance Spectrum of the Move On dance school. Afterwards, I completed the dance instructor program from Sport University of Vienna. Next to my circus training I take dance classes, theatre workshops and private singing lessons. I’m always up to learning something new and that’s how I’ve developed my multi skilled repertoire.
I have created my own unique style to combine the traditional hulahoop tricks with the modern complex manipulation in elegant way and spiced it up with dancing and acrobatics. I work with one hoop to seven and 30 hulahoops. You can enjoy my sensual grace and elegance through all my acts, if combined with hulahoops, the power of whip cracking or hypnotising effect of fire.
Fun Fact: As a child, my biggest dream was to become either a ski jumper like Toni Nieminen or rally driver like Juha Kankkunen. I was also a big fan of Pippi Longstockings, who, with her extraordinary strength, carried her horse and lived an unconventional life.
“Annika Hakala skilfully circles hula hoops around her body in various intricate patterns with impressive artistry. Her precision and elegance in the execution are stunning, a testament to her impressive talent, extensive experience and professionalism”
– Checkbar.eu –