THE BALLOON MAN

Circus electrifies crowds Breathtaking: Jairo Ojeda the Fire Eater sprays a ball of fire during his performance at the Great American Circus in Hagåtña yesterday. The Great American Circus run through Nov. 28 near the Agana Shopping Center. s See more photos at www.GuamPDN.com (Rick Cruz/Pacific Sunday News/rmcruz@guampdn.com)
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Sunday News • November 21, 2010

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, if you weren't at the Great American Circus yesterday you still have a chance to see the big-top performances.

Scores of families spent the day together yesterday at the Agana Shopping Center where they were intrigued and awed by the breath-taking performances during the circus' opening.
The circus will end on Nov. 28 and there will be three performances on Saturdays and Sundays -- 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m, said Joe McDonald, operations manager for Tropical Productions.
The patrons were able to see:

•A woman whirling hoops around her body including her arms and legs, simultaneously;

•Balancing acts such as the Rolla Bolla during which performers stack layers of rolling metal cylinders while standing on a flat board;

•The Argentinean Gauchos, who were dressed like cowboys, charming their way into the hearts of the families with their acrobatic and musical performances. They juggled props and percussion instrument at the same time;

•Clowns performing water comedy; and

•The Wheel of Death -- the most dangerous stunt during which performers stun the crowd with acrobatics both inside and outside a 30-foot manually-powered wheel which continually rotates.
McDonald said the company wanted to create a venue where families can come and enjoy themselves.
"Oh my goodness, this is phenomenal human skills and you see it on Guam," McDonald said.
Ariane Chabanne, 13, from Nimitz Hill, said she found the show exciting. Her favorite act was the aerial performance. It was her first time going to the circus and she wants to go again.
"It's really good to do things with family instead of staying home," Chabanne said.
Yigo resident Amy Lujan said she went to the circus because she wanted to see something "crazy."
And 8-year-old Faith Murphy said she couldn't wait to see the acrobatics because "they are cool."
The audience watched, tense with anticipation during each performance, and Ringmaster Tuffy Nicholas yesterday said he loved the vibe he got from the crowd.
"It was fabulous. Such a nice crowd here, very energetic and a happy crowd," Nicholas said, adding that those who haven't seen the show should do so. "They are going to see some of the most incredible performers in the world while laughing and having fun at the same time."