THE BALLOON MAN

RINGLING BROS. VS BINDLESTUFF VS. GOLDEN DRAGON

Circus smackdown: A tale of the tape

Photo by Amitava Sarkar

The circus rolls in: Golden Dragon Acrobats hits Brooklyn College to perform its “Cirque Ziva” show.

BY MATTHEW PERLMAN

The Brooklyn Paper

February 28, 2014

Circus season has arrived in Brooklyn. Big shots Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is already at the Barclays Center for a two-week run, but that is far from the only big top in town. The borough’s own Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret is tumbling into the Brooklyn Lyceum, and traveling Chinese entertainers the Golden Dragon Acrobats will be swinging by Brooklyn College for a performance of impressive aerial feats. So which show gives you the best back-flip for your buck? Well, that depends if you prefer kangaroos or kazoos. Let’s go to the tape!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents “Legends,” Barclays Center [Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave. at Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Heights,(817)618–6700,www.barclayscenter.com]. Feb 28 at 7 pm, March 1 and 2 at 11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm. $30–$160

“Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret” at Brooklyn Lyceum (277 Fourth Ave. at First Street in Park Slope, www.brooklynlyceum.com). Mar. 13–16 at 8 pm, March 16 children’s show at 3 pm. $10–$25.

“Cirque Ziva” at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College [2900 Campus Rd. between Amersfort Place and Kenilworth Place in Flatbush, (718) 951–4500, www.brooklyncenter.com]. March 9 at 3 pm. $35. CircusRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey “Legends”“Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret”Golden Dragon Acrobats “Cirque Ziva”LocationBarclays CenterBrooklyn LyceumBrooklyn Center for the Performing ArtsNo. of performances2061Price$30–$160$10–$25$35No. of seats12,0002502,400Length of show2 hours and 30 minutes1 hour 30 minutes 2 hoursPerformers100830Clowns1220SnacksLemonade, cotton candy, sno-cones.Beer, pastries.Soda, pretzels, chips.MusicLive band with nine musicians.One person playing a keyboard, kazoo, and electronic instruments.Recorded music.AnimalsElephants, tigers, lions, kangaroos, dogs, lamas, goats, and pigs.None.None.CyclesMotorcycles, bicycles, miniature bicycles.Unicycles, miniature bicycle, penny-farthing.Unicycles.Objects juggledBalls, hoops, fire.Wine bottles, cigar boxes, clubs.Balls, hats, umbrellas.Height of highest feat40 feet.15 feet.20 feet.Most death-defying stuntMotorcycle highwire.Sword swallowing.Head balancing.

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http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/37/9/24-join-the-circus-2014-02-28-bk_37_9.html