THE BALLOON MAN

Al Amin Shrine Circus brings elephants, camels and human cannon ball to American Bank Center this weekend


from: entertainment.caller.com
By: Sarah Acosta
January 24th, 2013
The Al Amin Shrine Circus travels to 175 cities in the U.S. in one year.
 George Carden, the owner of the circus, said even though performers travel all over the country, one of their favorite cities to perform in is Corpus Christi.
 “We love Corpus Christi for multiple reasons: the water, the seafood and most importantly Whataburger,” Carden said.
 “Give me a breakfast on a bun any day ranchero style, and I’ll be happy.”
 The Shrine Circus has traveled more than 1,000 miles from their last show in Las Vegas to Texas, and will be stopping in Corpus Christi at the American Bank Center for shows Friday through Sunday.
 Carden said the circus life is a tough one, because you’re on the road your entire life.
 “You live in your R.V. 60 to 90 days out of the year,” Carden said.
 He said it’s hard to settle down, and once it’s in your blood there is no going back.
 “I wouldn’t trade my lifestyle for anything,” he said.
 You can also argue that it’s probably always an interesting traveling the country with talented performers from around the world.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO.
 The Al Amin Shrine Circus will have shows at the American Bank Center arena Friday through Sunday.
The circus has performers from China, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Italy and the U.S.
 Even if you have seen the circus show before, Carden guarantees a good time with the all new show and acts.
 Audiences can see a tiger act with Daniel Raffo, the world renowned tiger trainer from Argentina, with three types of tigers: white, yellow and tabby (a mix of white and yellow) tigers.
 Carden said their human cannon ball, David Smith Jr., holds the world record for the longest human cannonball flight at a little more than 193 feet.
 

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO.
Watch as dare devil David Smith Jr., the human cannon ball, launches into the air and flies 193 feet during the Al Amin Shrine Circus. Performances will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the American Bank Center.
Another act that will get your adrenaline going is the motorcycle madness act where a duo act take motocross to new heights on a thin incline wire.
 Six newly trained camels also are a new addition to the show along with some trained ponies.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO.
Qui Ming balances a heavy vase on his head during his pottery balancing act in the Al Amin Shrine Circus. Performances will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the American Bank Center.
And of course, a circus show is not complete without elephants. See the trained pachyderms dance and do tricks to classic Broadway tunes.
 Carden said they even have the smallest elephant in the world but don’t tell the children that it’s really a trained dog in a funny elephant costume.
 Make sure to arrive to the show one hour early to the show for a chance to join the performers in the ring. The Shrine Circus’ pre party show allows the audience to meet the performers, ride the elephants and take pictures.
 “This show is for everyone,” Carden said. “There is no one too young or too old who won’t find this show entertaining.”
 

 

IF YOU GO
 What: Al Amin Shrine Circus
 When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. (The audience is invited to the pre-party show an hour before each show to meet the performers, ride the elephants, and clown around).
read more at:
http://entertainment.caller.com/?p=11902