Summer Circus Spectacular

• Circus Sarasota & Ringling Museum Present a Summer Show

  June 18, 2012

  Posted By: Joey Panek
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  It's already been a big year for Circus Sarasota. 
  
  
  First, they merged with and took over management of Sailor Circus.  Then they delighted audiences with this past February's Big Top show Bellomania, with headliner Bello Nock hanging from a helicopter 500 feet in the air... with one foot!  (See the video here.)  And most recently, past headliner (and longtime Circus Sarasota friend) Nik Wallenda made national news when he walked a highwire over Niagara Falls.  
  
  
  When these people do something... they do it big!
  
  
  This week, they continue their annual summer tradition of collaborating with Ringling Museum of Art to offer a summer performance in the Historic Asolo Theater.  The ornate, music box setting of the theater is a perfect contrast to the alternate performances under the tent of the Big Top.  

  
  In a performance that is approximately an hour length, the show is led by the Emmy-Award winning, forty-year circus veteran, Steve Smith. 

   

  
  
  
  You may recognize Steve from the 2010 PBS documentary about the Big Apple Circus.  Check out his clip:
  
   

  
   

  
  
  Steve's good humor and quick wit will be matched by the Chaplinesque clowning of the irrepressible Renaldo, who has delighted audiences around the world.  

  
  (Renaldo)

  
  
  
  
  
  

  Once again - soaring high overhead - Sarasota's world-famous aerialist and "Queen of the Air", Dolly Jacobs will impress audiences with her unprecedented grace and poise. 
   

  
  (Dolly in this year's Cirque des Voix with Key Chorale.)
  
  
   

   

  Circus Sarasota is known for bringing in the greatest contortionist acts, and this year looks it deliver again.  Princess Elayne's world-renowned, award-winning act has to be seen to believed.  Watch her act at the 1:00 mark and you'll understand what I mean.

   

  
  
  
  
   

   

  Circus Sarasota always does an impressive job of bringing us juggling acts with a different spin.  This year, they're delivering The Poema Family, whose father juggles the children... on his feet!
   

  
  
  
  
   

   

  Spinning soccer balls on his fingers while bouncing others with his feet is just one trick by Cuban juggler, Rafael De Carlo.

  
  
  
  
  
  

  "The Summer Circus Spectacular is a great way to entertain children-of-all-ages and beat the summer heat. Inside the beautifully intimate - and might I add, air conditioned - Asolo Theater, guests will receive a world-class circus experience at price that's sure to keep you smiling," said Pedro Reis, Founder and CEO of Circus Sarasota.

   

   

  Shows will be held Tuesday - Friday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. from Tuesday, June 19 – Saturday, July 28, 2012. (There will be no performances on July 4.)

   

  Ticket prices are $10 for children - age 12 and under - and $15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Historic Asolo Theater Box Office at 941-360-7399, or on-line at www.ringling.org. 

   

   

  ----Joey Panek