THE BALLOON MAN

Circus Sarasota offers some tricks for Summer Spectacular showcase

 

Master Trick Roper and bull-whip artist Texas Jack Fulbright performs in Circus Sarasota's 2013 Summer Circus Spectacular at the Historic Asolo Theater. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CIRCUS SARASOTA

from: www.sarasotatribune.com
By Jay Handelman, Herald-Tribune
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Circus fans have a new way to mix history and thrills of live performance at the Ringling Museum of Art.

During the annual run of Circus Sarasota’s Summer Circus Spectacular in the Historic Asolo Theater (June 18-Aug. 3), the Ringling Museum is offering a $5 admission to audiences who also visit the Circus Museum and its large collection of memorabilia.

“This partnership with the museum is one that we cherish because the Ringling Museum has one of the largest circus collections in the United States if not the world,” said Circus Sarasota Founder and Artistic Director Pedro Reis.

Circus Sarasota will present two shows a day Tuesdays through Saturdays, and Circus Sarasota Founder and Artistic Director Pedro Reis suggests patrons begin with one of the performances and follow it with a tour around the Circus Museum.

“I think it’s great to see the show and then explore some of the history,” said Reis, noting that last year, the museum’s education staff prepared brochures highlighting landmarks in the circus galleries.

Steve Smith, a Circus Hall of Fame inductee and former director of the Ringling Bros. Clown College, returns this summer as master of ceremonies. The show features master trick-roper and bull-whip artist Texas Jack Fulbright, illusionist Rafael Palacios and and “silent comedian” Robb Zeiser, better known as Mr. Robb

 

Duo Romanesc, the hand-balancing act of Anthony Congdon (bottom) and Ian Laidlaw (top), was created at Sarasota Sailor Circus.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CIRCUS SARASOTA

The show also will feature the professional debut of Duo Romanesc, the hand-balancing act of Sailor Circus graduates Anthony Congdon and Ian Laidlaw. They have been featured in numerous corporate and comunity events, including the winter performance of Cirque de Voix.

Reis said the circus attracts a different audience in the summer than its winter big top shows. “It’s a lot more kids. The winter shows seem to attract more adults.”

Most of last year’s performances sold out and the run was extended by a week.
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