THE BALLOON MAN

Summer Circus Spectacular returns to Sarasota

The annual event offers world-class acts, an intimate setting and low prices

Hand-balancer Christian Stoinev will perform during the Sarasota Circus Spectacular at the Historic Asolo Theater.PUBLICITY PHOTO

From: bradenton.com

By Marty Clear

June 12, 2014 

It's a circus in a small theater instead of a big top.

The annual Summer Circus Spectacular, which opens its six-week run on Tuesday, offers world-class circus acts in the intimate surroundings of the Historic Asolo Theater, instead of the cavernous arenas and tents of many circuses.

The Summer Circus Spectacular, now in its eighth year, is a partnership between The Ringling and the Circus Arts Conservatory of Sarasota. It's a European-style one-ring circus with five acts.

This year's lineup includes Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown Chris "Bucky" Allison, hand-balancer Christian Stoinev (who works with a Chihuahua named Scooby), quick-change artists Olga and Vladimir Smirnov and juggler Vladimir Kim.

This year's Summer Circus Spectacular marks the professional debut of Bailey Sloan, a 16-year-old ringmistress who trained with the Sarasota Sailor Circus, the youth theater branch of the Circus Arts Conservatory.

Besides offering quality-acts in a distinctive setting, the spectacular aims to appeal to families, so ticket prices are low and show times are early in the day.

Details: June 17-Aug. 2, Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Show times: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $15 adults, $12 children age 12 and younger. Information: 941-360-7399, ringling.org.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2014/06/12/5200808/summer-circus-spectacular-returns.html?sp=/99/134/#storylink=cpy