THE BALLOON MAN

THE TENT'S UP, THE BIG APPLE CIRCUS IS BACK IN TOWN!

The Big Apple Circus' Grandma the Clown
Monday, November 08, 2010,
Melissa Chapman
I am not a huge fan of the circus-- it's not that I fear those face-painted creepy looking clowns it's more that I just don't feel comfortable watching animals paraded around a circus ring purely for my amusement. The thought of these animals being herded from town to town- most likely in cramped quarters, with not much of a voice in the matter- has quite frankly turned me off to those kinds of spectacles. I just don't think it's fair or natural to force a lion to jump through a ring of fire...
So when the tent goes up at the Big Apple Circus, a traveling show at Lincoln Center- I make it a point to go-- whether or not I'm invited.

I'll be honest -- there are two acts with animals- one with dogs and the other with horses and goats-- (or more specifically goats standing on horses as they trot around the ring)- which are quite literally impossible to comprehend unless you see them with your own eyes. And while I'd rather a circus with absolutely no animals acts- at least the Big Apple only has two- and they are truly tongue n cheek- and more about joy and humor than a trainer standing around cracking a whip.

The human acts which include; performers contorting, flying through the air and taking the human body to forms one couldn't possibly imagine possible-- are the real heart and soul of this circus. In fact they even had even my slightly jaded nine year old with her mouth agape in sheer amazement.

And those creepy clowns-- well they simply don't exist at this circus .Their two clowns Grandma and a newcomer are just all humor and sweetness and get the audience goers in on their pranks and good natured fun.

So if your kid is ITCHING to get to a circus- this is the one to take her to this year.
And as a special treat for Kids in the City readers- you can get a special discount code when ordering your tickets! To purchase your discounted tickets to the Big Apple Circus: Online: http://bigapplecircus.org/mommy11LC.aspx and submit the code MOMMY11 in the Promotional Codes box in the lower left of the page.
By Phone: Call 888-541-3750 and mention code MOMMY11