Anika Baines
Artistic Journey
As An Artist
I wasn't brought up in the circus world or raised by an artistic family. I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. I grew up being home schooled which gave me the privilege of being able to compete at a regional and national level in numerous sports, including gymnastics, soccer and sailing. When I was fifteen, I started pole dancing and through that I was introduced to the world of circus. A year later, I immigrated to the Netherlands with my family and worked full time as a waitress to be able to afford to move to Italy to continue pursing circus. Then, at seventeen years old, back in 2019, I made the first major step towards my dream of becoming a circus artist by joining the Mise à Niveau program FLIC Scuola di Circo in Torino, Italy. Five years later, in the June of 2024, I graduated with a bachelor in Circus and Performance Art from the Fontys Academy of Circus and Performance Art in Tilburg, The Netherlands.
During my studies, I specialized in Aerial Hoop with a minor in Sensual Dance and Cultural Entrepreneurship. It took me a while to figure out who I wanted to be as an artist and what I wanted to say. I believe that as a society, we often lose sight of the magic of life. We forget that 'because it's fun' is a good enough reason to do something. My goal as an artist is to inspire people to not take life too seriously, to care less about the opinions of others and to be brave enough to try. It is okay to be insecure but you shouldn’t let that insecurity hold you back.
Through Burlesque: Chardonnay Sommers
I have found my voice through burlesque and my burlesque persona, Chardonnay Sommers. Burlesque is a combination of theatre, dance, striptease and humour. It embraces all body types, inspirations and creativity. It is a artform made for the female gaze. For me, burlesque and striptease is a form of powerplay. I am choosing to take certain articles of clothing off. Every part of my body that you see is because I am letting you see it. Whilst it is often looked down upon to show skin, to acknowledge your sexiness, to be proud of your body and to want to show it off, in burlesque, every piece of skin you see is a privilege. The performer holds all the power and the audience is just along for the ride. I love that how this artform allows me to show who I am in a way that fully empowers me. I have found that by combining my circus background with burlesque I can create powerful stage performances with hilarious comedic twists.
Why choose Anika?
She's utterly insane and completely bonkers in the best way!
When it comes to performing, fun is her' biggest driving force. She encourages audiences to indulge in this with her. Whether it's trying out a new discipline, designing a funky costume, or taking on a daring project, she approaches each opportunity with enthusiasm and determination. Her infectious energy often inspires those around her to embrace their own passions and step outside their comfort zones. With a playful spirit and a tenacious heart, she reminds us all that life is an exciting journey meant to be enjoyed to the fullest.
My Goals:
As A Human
To encourage people to embrace their inner sensuality, even if it's only in the privacy of their own homes.
As An Artist
To create a space for people to escape reality, whether it's for five minutes, two hours or just twenty seconds.​
Through My Shows
To build a bridge between traditional and contemporary circus by combining elements of circus, burlesque, and pantomime
