THE BALLOON MAN

Circus to play four shows at Nelson Center

Carlos Torreblanca entertains his granddaughter, Ibana Torreblanca, 2, as her parents load groceries into their camper Monday outside the Nelson Center. Five generations of Torreblancas perform in the Piccadilly Circus. Jason Johnson/The State Journal-Register
By JOHN REYNOLDS (john.reynolds@sj-r.com)
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
May 02, 2011
The Piccadilly Circus, which includes elephants, clowns and contortionists, will be at the Springfield Park District’s Nelson Center today and Wednesday. Two shows will be held in the ice rink each day.
Bruce Blanshan, general manager of the Nelson Center, said the ice has been removed for the show. There are two ice rinks at the Nelson Center, and one usually is taken offline during the summer. This year, it’s the older rink, where the Junior Blues Hockey team plays is.
“We’ve taken the ice rink down a little earlier than usual to accommodate the circus,” Blanshan said. “We’re excited to get the Piccadilly Circus here.”
The circus, based inSarasota, Fla., will set up today. Shows are at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. both days.
“We have elephants, a boxing kangaroo, monkeys and a great clown act,” said Cuinn Griffin, promotional director for the circus. “We also have all kinds of contortionists. They stand on each other while they spin plates. They can make different shapes with their bodies.”
The circus has a trapeze act, but the roof in the ice rink isn’t tall enough to let it perform. This isn’t the first time the circus has run into this problem.
“Most of the buildings we’ve performed in don’t permit the trapeze act,” Griffin said.
The circus has played other ice rinks, Griffin said.
“We’ve actually had a fair amount of ice rinks on the route – probably one every two weeks,” Griffin said.
Blanshan said booking the circus is an attempt to better utilize the Nelson Center.
“What we’re trying to do is get more events in the summer, after we have taken the ice down,” Blanshan said. “For two days, we are making $4,800 on the rental. That’s not a bad deal.”
Blanshan doesn’t expect the circus to damage the floor.
“The cooling system is under the cement. They won’t damage it in any way, shape or form,” Blanshan said.