THE BALLOON MAN

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus promises fantasy-filled world

Ramon Esqueda and his majestic Asian elephants.
(Photo provided) Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Staff Reports, Daily Dunklin Democrat
Once again, Memphis, Tenn., will be hosting another thrilling show from Feld Entertainment as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus present the show, "Illuscination," a fantasy-filled world where magic and daring create the most unexpected experiences.
Illuscinator David DaVinci will take audiences to a world that combines the thrill and wonderment with the outlandish fun of the circus.
During DaVinci's act, there will be eye-popping illusions, and transformations guaranteed to blow anyone's mind. The audiences will also enjoy unique up-close magic, all mysteriously interwoven throughout the show. There will even be an attempt to escape a straightjacket while suspended three stories in the air above a den of lions, Houdini style.
In DaVinci's act, he performs with a feathered flock of 10 rare and colorful birds including a Toucan, African Grey, Cockatoos, and Macaws. He is the only illuscinator who does this and these birds can only be seen at the upcoming show, "Illuscination." Under the guidance of DaVinci, the winged performers take flights of fantasy around the arena and will even perform some illusions of their own.
Other performers in the show include Viktoriya and Widny, the Hairdaring Duo, and the Sky-High Sensation, Francleib Rodrigues. Viktoriya and Widny, during their performance, will execute an unbelievable extreme hair hang an amazing 35 feet in the air as Rodrigues, a courageous daredevil, will walk, upside down across the ring, three stories above the audience. All this without the safety of a harness.
Other thrilling performances will be enjoyed by audiences from daredevils all over the globe. These performers include the KungFu Kings that will combine mixed martial arts with the strength to accomplish such feats such as twisting solid metal poles around their bodies and diving through hoops of razor sharp sabers. All this they do while blindfolded.
Another daredevil act is The Barons of Balance, with the world's fastest feet. They will display to the audience the finesse of dancing and will reveal amazing agility as they leap from one thumb thin low wire to the next. Lastly, there is The Salsations who will take vaulting, aerial gymnastics and some really hot dance moves to the extreme.
"Illuscination," will also present those performances from the animal kingdom. Patriarch of the Pride, Brian McMillan will showcase his pack of beautiful golden lionesses and one rare white lion. They will perform a fascinating routine that demonstrates the amazing relationship that McMillan possesses with his cats.
Also on hand will be the Ringling Brothers clowns. After all, what is a circus without a clown? The Clowning Caveagna Family will bring comedy and musical hilarity to "Children of All Ages." According to Feld Entertainment, they will create mayhem as they perform musically and will also interact with silliness and antics.
Feld Entertainment poses the question. Who knew clowns could be so musical and funny all at once?
Before Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey's presentation of Illuscination begins, there will be an All Access Pre-show which is free to all ticket holders. This pre-show will take place an hour before showtime and will give ticket holders the chance to meet the Ringling Bros. performers and animals. You will also be given the opportunity to learn some circus skills and make some lifetime memories for your family before the show even starts.
At the pre-show, you can register for a chance to win a masterpiece created by one of the Ringling Bros. artistic Asian elephants.
Performances will be at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, beginning on Thursday, Dec. 9 and running through Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010.
Showtimes are as follows;
Thursday, Dec. 9- 7 p.m;
* Friday, Dec. 10- 7 p.m.;
* Saturday, Dec. 11- 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.;
* Sunday, Dec. 12- 2 p.m.
Ticket prices range from $14 to $52 and can be purchased at the box office.
If you still consider yourself to be a kid at heart, this showing of "The Greatest Show on Earth," is a good way to indulge that inner child. Enjoy the show.