5 Wedding Planning tips from Wedding Expert Samantha Gilchrist
Luxury Fashion Unveiled: Experts share how to elevate your everyday look
Unveiling Tahiti’s Allure with Variety Cruises
Seaside Town of Las Catalinas in Costa Rica Announces Montana Flats Now Available for Sale
The rewards are many for those who venture to Samoa
- Arts & Culture
- Put a pin in it!
- Cookies & Cocktails
- Third Age Expeditions
- Global Etiquette
- Cruise News and Reviews
- Photo Essays
- Music & Movement
- California Dreaming
- Oceanviews and Fairways
- Luxe Layovers
- Leah Travels France
- Passionate Travel
- Planned 2 Perfection
- Luxury Portfolio
- 5 Star Life
3 Unique Valentine's Day Gifts
Royal Caribbean's Even More Perfect Day at CocoCay
New study shows American travelers which neighborhoods & businesses are nicest
Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show 2024
- Surrender to Bliss Retreat for Couples – Punta Cana
- INTIMACY UNLEASHED COUPLES RETREAT
Select Page
First Time At The Circus? 4 Essential Tips To Prepare Yourself
Posted by luxebeat | Events |
So, you’ve heard that the circus is coming to town. Or, perhaps you’re off on a holiday in the United States and there’s also a circus performance scheduled at your destination. What an opportunity of a lifetime. A trip to the circus is truly a luxurious experience, but it’s also one that’s worth spending. After all, how often is it that you can say you’ve watched a circus live?
Don’t let the opportunity pass and book ticket passes now. Go front row if you can. Younglings and even the kids at heart will truly enjoy the magical night. But before heading off, it pays to prepare for it too. You wouldn’t want to let one mishap due to a lack of preparation ruin the night you’re so excited and enthralled for.
If this is your first time going to a circus, then today is your lucky day. This post has gathered for you a few essential tips to help you make the most out of your first circus experience. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Eat A Full And Healthy Meal Before Going
Whether you’re traveling with adults or with young children, it’s a good idea to beef up with a healthy meal before going to the circus. You don’t necessarily have to eat at home. If there are restaurants nearby where the circus show is located, you can always make a reservation to have dinner there first.
With that, as you book your next show in Vegas (or wherever it is you’re watching, for that matter), run a search for restaurants around the area you’d like to try out as well. This gives you ample time to prepare, so you don’t go through that frustration of being turned down with full tables. Surely, there’ll be other circus-goers with the same idea, so that reservation will come in handy.
It’s a good idea to watch with a full belly, especially with kids, so you don’t worry too much about feeding them snacks. You can always buy snacks at the circus, that’s for certain. But, it’s one less mess to think about when kids focus on entertainment, rather than eating.
As for the adults, circus shows can often finish late, so you wouldn’t want to go hungry. If there are no kiddos around, you can always go for late-night tapas, snacks, or beer and wine with your group before heading home, yet at least dinner is done and dusted.
2. Prepare Your Clothes Beforehand
While this isn’t an opera or evening concert that requires full-on gala attire, it’s also quite a good idea to dress your part for the circus. Don’t go too casual. It’s a very unique experience to watch a circus show, so you’ll want it to be quite special.
Here are some fashion insights to guide you:
- Dress a little funkier than usual. The circus is a great opportunity for you to dress in frills, pleats, and colorful attire which you would’ve otherwise shunned during the day.
- Wear comfortable shoes, especially when kids are around. Depending on the circus’ show location, some may have a big tent placed on open ground. If that’s the case, flat shoes or wedges would be great.
- Be ready to bring an extra layer of clothes too, especially for outdoor venues where the weather may get chilly.
Learning how to dress for the circus comes in handy when you’re traveling, so you know what to pack. For example, you’re on a cruise and at one of the stops you’ll watch a circus show. You wouldn’t want to be caught off-guard at the last moment by not being adequately dressed.
3. Verify The Dates, Time, And Location Of The Show
At least a week before the performance schedule, it doesn’t hurt to actually verify the dates, time, and location of the show . This is especially true when there are multiple shows and times and various countries. You just want to be very certain that nothing has changed, especially as to the time and the specific location.
Imagine the bummer if you arrive and you’ve realized you’ve got the wrong time and location. If, for instance, you’ve purchased from the wrong location, contact the circus company immediately days prior so changes to the booking can be made before it’s too late. They may be expensive, but circus tickets do sell out like hotcakes.
4. Pay For Premium Seating
Picture this: you and your folks are going to fly out to attend a circus show. If the budget allows it, then go the full way with the best that the experience offers by purchasing premium seating. Yes, you can still enjoy the circus even if you’re seated anywhere, but if you want an even more spectacular view, those front-row tickets will truly be heaven-sent.
A key tip? Try buying early, as you may be in for more deals and offers. Who knows, you may just be one of the lucky early birds who can also be offered upgrades on your tickets.
Are You Now Ready For A Trip To The Circus
With the hilarious antics, jaw-dropping routines, and powerful performance that a circus promises, it’s not hard to see why families should put this on top of their must-dos. Now your dream is a step closer to being a reality as you’re more ready for the experience. Whichever circus show it is you choose to watch, there are things you can do to ensure the night will be a rousing success and that begins with the list above.
Feature Photo by Mark Williams on Unsplash
About The Author
For a sophisticated lifestyle...Luxe Beat Magazine is the premiere resource for all things luxury. With content provided by a consortium of the most esteemed and talented writers in the luxury and travel industry, Luxe Beat offers an uncommon perspective.
Related Posts
Canadian Fruit Festivals to Visit This Year
June 14, 2017
Tips to Throw the Best Parties this Awards Season
January 20, 2019
Chelsea Flower Show: Egerton House Hotel
May 16, 2019
Accor Launches $50k Hotel Package to Celebrate 21c Museum Hotels Joining MGallery Hotel Collection
June 11, 2019
Leave a reply Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
- Skip to primary navigation
- Skip to main content
- Skip to primary sidebar
- Skip to footer
Weird Wanderings
Weird places and things to do for weird travelers.
Offbeat Attractions , Seasonal Attractions / April 7, 2015
The Five Best Traveling Circuses in the World
Spring has finally arrived, which means it’s about time to enjoy a few seasonal attractions. And nothing says the end of winter like an evening (or afternoon) under the big top. So here are the five best traveling circuses in the world.
Jim Rose Circus Seeing that I recently penned an article about The X-Files (and the Jim Rose Circus played a huge role in the beloved series episode, “Humbug,”), it seems only fair to include this offbeat troupe on the list. The group has toured off and on for decades, and though there are no shows currently scheduled, this is a circus most definitely worth keeping an eye on if you’ve never seen the group perform live. It’s an oddball, sideshow experience you’re not soon to forget.
Cirque du Soleil Families the world over have enjoyed a day with these acrobatically-inclined performers. In fact, traveling circuses almost seemed a thing of the past until Cirque du Soleil reinvigorated a sagging scene. With some of the best modern-day name recognition of the traveling circuses on this list, it’s certainly worth checking out any one of the group’s numerous shows. Las Vegas’s Love , based on the music of the Beatles, is highly recommended for the Sin City set.
Circus Oz Out of Australia, this venerated group of performers focus not on the traditional animal tricks but instead on a unique rock and roll style all their own. Founded in 1978, Circus Oz has toured around the world, entertaining audiences with incredible acrobatic feats and offbeat humor. Quite the perfect combination for any weird wanderer.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus An oldie but goodie. If you want to celebrate the days when circuses were the main entertainment in town, then the collaboration between Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey is the way to go. But don’t fall for all their clever on-stage tricks. You know what P.T. Barnum said about suckers…
Happy haunting, and don’t forget the peanuts!
- * Your Name
- Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
- Newsletters
- Account Activating this button will toggle the display of additional content Account Sign out
How Do You Join a Traveling Circus?
Photo by Mary Turner/Getty Images
This question originally appeared on Quora , the best answer to any question. Ask a question, get a great answer. Learn from experts and access insider knowledge. You can follow Quora on Twitter , Facebook , and Google Plus .
Answer by Megan O’Malley , musician with Ringling Brothers, goofball on a train :
There are many answers I could give you based on what kind of job in the circus you’re looking for, but for now let’s just start with your question of How can I?
The first thing to do before doing anything else is ask yourself: Am I willing spend three to 11 months of the year on the road?
Some circuses stay in one place (like Cirque in Las Vegas), but most are touring companies. Working with a traveling circus is exciting, but the lifestyle requires a real commitment and a certain amount of grit that not everyone has. You don’t just work for the circus—you live in the circus, too. It is very similar to camping. You must be prepared to live in a different environment every week. This means that the weather, the altitude, the crime rate, and general living conditions will vary drastically in every city you visit. You must constantly be prepared to adapt. Know that you will not be living a life of luxury. There will be power outages, no heat, no water, no groceries in some places. Although your co-workers will help you, in general you must be able to take care of yourself in these situations.
If you are prone to claustrophobia or motion sickness, seriously consider whether you can handle a life of constant travel. You will be traveling by RV or train or bus, sometimes for days at a time. Your living situation will sometimes be cramped and uncomfortable. You will encounter problems and accidents on the road.
Basically, if you don’t think you can handle the lifestyle changes that go along with a job in the circus, don’t apply.
But if you think you’re up for the challenge, the next step is to make a list of circuses that you’d like to apply for. Assuming you are looking in America, there are many to choose from. As you probably know, larger circuses such as Cirque and Ringling will have career websites. Smaller “mud shows” like Big Apple Circus or Circus Vargas may not list career opportunities but will give you a contact email instead. I understand how difficult it can be to apply for any job online; you can never be sure whether your application is being reviewed or lost in the spam folder.
So what to do? If you have already tried applying via circus career websites, email, or phone, the next thing I would suggest would be legwork: Apply or inquire in person. There are two good ways to do this:
Option No. 1: Scrape together $15 for a cheap ticket to a show. Many circuses have a preshow or an option to arrive early and meet performers. You could use that time to ask questions about current openings, the process of getting hired, or who to contact about applying for a job. And don’t just ask performers. There’s also circus concessions, the floor crew, animal crew, sound techs, and more. Ask anyone you come into contact with. Most people will at least be willing to give you the name of someone to contact.
Option No. 2: Simply hang out wherever the circus is currently staying. You are likely to run into circus workers in and around the area they’re performing in, recognizable by their ID cards or work outfits. Be brave! If you see someone who works for the circus, walk up and ask about current openings or who to contact to get a job. Most people will appreciate your interest and at least hear you out.
If legwork doesn’t get you anywhere, the next thing I would recommend would be to network using social media. Make friends in and around the circus.
There are organizations out there that literally follow circuses from town to town. Circus Fans of America is a great example. Their website is a great source of circus news and events, and it’s free to view. Joining the organization and making friends would also give you insight into which circuses might be hiring at what time of year.
Search for circus fan websites, Facebook groups, Twitter pages, blogs, whatever you can find. Many circus workers are accessible via social networking. If you want to be an aerialist, befriend an aerialist. If you have no acrobatic skills but still want a job in the circus, befriend a concessions worker or someone on floor crew. There are many types of entry-level jobs in the circus, and you never know when a spot will open up. Making contacts inside the circus will give you notice on openings almost as soon as they happen.
Overall, I’d say if you really badly want a job in the circus, don’t give up. Every time an opening is posted that you want, apply for it, even if you’ve done so already. As with any job, persistence is key.
How can I join a traveling circus? originally appeared on Quora . More questions on Quora :
- Circuses : What is it like to work at a travelling circus?
- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus : How significant is it that Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey circuses have decided to stop using elephants?
- Circuses : What is it like to be in the circus?
- Skip to main content
- Keyboard shortcuts for audio player
The Two-Way
'a kingdom on wheels': the hidden world that made the circus happen.
Camila Domonoske
A Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's circus truck is unloaded as the "Out of this World" show is set up at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. This was one of the last few stops on the circus's final tour. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
A Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's circus truck is unloaded as the "Out of this World" show is set up at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. This was one of the last few stops on the circus's final tour.
On the steps above the makeshift stables, the circus priest is getting nostalgic.
"I did a baptism once in Fort Worth, Texas. ... I came in on an elephant carrying the baby, which was four weeks old," the Rev. Jerry Hogan says. "Now that baby is 15. I've married a lot of these kids and I've baptized their kids, and watched them grow."
It's late April at Baltimore's Royal Farms Arena, in the closing weeks of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's "Out of This World" tour.
Around the Nation
From the big top into the big world: a ringling ringmaster's final bow.
The last-ever show is Sunday night in Uniondale, N.Y. The circus isn't profitable any more, according to the company that runs it. And especially once the elephants were gone — after public battles with animal rights activists — ticket sales just couldn't keep it afloat.
That means the end of the famous traveling circus show, with a ringmaster and big cats and clowns and trapeze acts ... the stuff of nostalgia for generations.
But it's the end of much more than just a show, Hogan says.
Clowns and trapeze artists loosen up backstage before the show. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
Clowns and trapeze artists loosen up backstage before the show.
"The performance is 2 1/2 hours," he says, as horses are saddled and kids carried past us to the nursery. "The circus is the whole experience."
It's baptisms on elephants, pies in the face on birthdays, raising a family on the circus train as the American landscape rolls by. And it's spectacular acts of skill in the rings and outside them — a logistical feat polished over 146 years and preparing for the final curtain call.
'A city that folds itself up like an umbrella'
"The Greatest Show on Earth" started in 1871 as a traveling museum and menagerie under the imprimatur of P.T. Barnum.
In 1895, the magazine McClure's wrote that "man's intelligence has devised nothing more compact, more orderly, more admirably adapted to its purpose, than the train of a great modern circus":
"It is a kingdom on wheels, a city that folds itself up like an umbrella. Quickly and swiftly every night it does the work of Aladdin's lamp, picking up in its magician's arms theatre, hotel, schoolroom, barracks, home, whisking them all miles away and setting them down before sunrise in a new place."
More than a century later, little has changed. The circus still rolls across the country carrying hundreds of performers, stagehands and children in a mile-long train. These days, they call it a "town without a ZIP code."
"It's the largest theater performance in human history on the longest passenger train in human history," says Rhett Coates, a backstage crew member, as he stands in a vestibule of the train. He's worked off and on for Ringling Brothers since the 1980s and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the circus trains.
Audio engineer Jeff Bell, 33, hangs out on the train the day of a performance. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
Coates says his mother was a singer and his stepfather worked on the Atlantic Coastline railway. He thought he'd have to choose between trains and the performing arts.
"But God had another way," he says. He points toward his window — on car 72. The quarters aren't roomy, but "it's comfortable," he says. "It's quiet. It's astonishing."
The train includes the "pie car," the restaurant to feed the crew and performers. There's a mobile repair shop and scores of huge wagons full of supplies, props and gear. There's a nursery and a school.
There's nothing quite like living on a train, says sound technician Greg Hartfield. "You open up the blinds, drinking your coffee, and you're just seeing cities go by you. You're seeing lakes, you're seeing ponds, you're seeing mountains ... from your bedroom window, as you drink your coffee," he says.
And America watches back. When the train crossed roads, Coates says, you could see frustration melt into awe as stopped motorists recognized the logo on the side of the train.
"Their faces light up," he says. "It's a total change in attitude."
A large pig walks backstage as performers on stilts prepare to enter the arena. The circus features two 700-pound pigs, who perform with the dogs. They're smart enough to learn almost any trick, says trainer Hans Klose — but they're rather limited in the agility department. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
The modern menagerie
The back hallways and loading docks of the arena in Baltimore are packed with piles of carrots, mounds of hay and rows of holding pens.
Kanat Tchalabaev and Tatiana Tchalabaeva, who lead the Cossack Riders, have squeezed their 21 horses into one of those hallways, across from offices and meeting rooms. They've been performing with Ringling for years.
Tchalabaeva was a gymnast, and then an acrobat with the Moscow State circus, before she met Kanat, a horse trainer.
Tatiana Tchalabaeva was a professional rhythmic gymnast and an acrobat in the Moscow State Circus. Now she and her husband, a horse trainer, travel and perform with 21 horses. They own even more on their farm in Florida. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
Tatiana Tchalabaeva was a professional rhythmic gymnast and an acrobat in the Moscow State Circus. Now she and her husband, a horse trainer, travel and perform with 21 horses. They own even more on their farm in Florida.
"I was so scared of horses," she said. She never dreamed she'd perform with them. But then her mother-in-law retired. "My husband just said, 'OK, let's go, time to learn!' " she says with a laugh.
Now there's no fear. She pats one of her stallions on the neck and explains that they, too, are fearless — trained over many years, until they're totally comfortable with a rider dropping between their legs or flipping on their backs.
In corners and spare spaces, the crew also have to find room for four goats, three llamas, four alpacas, two donkeys, two kangaroos, a dozen lions and tigers, more than two dozen dogs ... and two 700-pound pigs.
A tiger stands in a cage backstage. Elephants were retired from the circus in 2016 but the show features several lions and tigers. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
A tiger stands in a cage backstage. Elephants were retired from the circus in 2016 but the show features several lions and tigers.
Trainer Hans Klose coaxes one out into the open with some help from an apple, and explains that with a pig that big, it's a question of persuasion. There's no chance of a leash.
"Roscoe was 30 pounds when I went to the farm and discovered his talent," Klose says. "He was destined for bacon, and we saved him."
Klose, who only recently added pigs to his dog show, is a second-generation circus performer. "My dad always told me once you learn the skills of the circus, no one can ever take it away from you," he says. "You can always make a living and you'll have it your whole life."
Hans Klose trains poodles, terriers and a 700-pound pig named Roscoe to perform in the circus. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
Hans Klose trains poodles, terriers and a 700-pound pig named Roscoe to perform in the circus.
Countdown to opening night
Meanwhile, crew members are racing against the clock to transform the arena floor into a circus stage. The days of the big top are long gone, but the fast-paced choreography remains.
"I'd say 60 percent of what we do is moving the show, setting it up and tearing it down," says Assistant General Manager Peter Gold.
He points out the masses of black trusses on rubber mats over the arena's ice floor. Over the course of the next 10 hours, the trusses will be bolted together into a massive structure that holds all of the lights, trapezes, projectors and props — not to mention the tiger cage.
It will be all but invisible when the show is happening, but Gold says it's the heart of the performance.
The grid, as it's known, takes some 30 hours to fully set up and weighs 59,000 pounds. The finer points of its assembly are, literally, a matter of life and death. And getting it right the first time is essential: If anything goes wrong once it's lifted, someone has to climb 40 feet into the air to fix it.
Unicyclists hug backstage before a performance in Baltimore. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
Unicyclists hug backstage before a performance in Baltimore.
There are other big circuses out there, but Gold says they don't travel as often or as intensely. And there are other traveling spectacles, but they don't face all the technical challenges of a circus. One crew member compares his job to the grueling seafaring work on The Deadliest Catch, with better weather.
"That's what defines the circus, if you think about it," says Roman Garcia, the general manager of the show. "People come to see the circus because they know they're going to see something like, 'Oh my god, how did they do that? That's an impossible feat!'
"Not only in performance, but behind the scenes," he says, "we do things that are like — 'Oh my god, how did we do this?' "
Peter Gold holds his son while sitting on his desk in the mobile administration offices. Gold used to be a trapeze performer in the circus and is now the assistant general manager. His son, Jerry, is an understudy for a young clown. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
'This is my family'
Walking through the center of the arena, Gold points out the trapeze artist doing safety checks on his equipment. Gold used to swing on the trapeze himself, as a performer. He got hooked on trapeze on vacation in Club Med while he was in college. "One thing led to another," he says.
His wife, Undarmaa Gold, is a Mongolian contortionist. She choreographed a routine in this show — "giving the golden stage to the next generation," as she says with a laugh. She's also teaching their young son and the other circus kids some of her tricks.
Lots of the crew used to perform, and stayed with the circus long after they left the spotlight. Gerardo Medina is beneath the grid assembling the swaypole, a bendy vertical bar that holds a performer dangling in the sky. He used to do acrobatic tricks inside a giant spinning steel wheel. His wife used to be a trapeze artist and now works with the llamas, the goats and the kangaroo.
Members of the crew work on the grid, a massive aluminum structure that will eventually be hoisted 40 feet into the air. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
Members of the crew work on the grid, a massive aluminum structure that will eventually be hoisted 40 feet into the air.
Lorelei Owens, the head of pyro, was once a fire-eater, glass walker and silk aerialist. She finished her college degree on the road with a small circus, then came to Ringling, instead of leaving the circus world. "These are my neighbors," she says. "These are my friends, this is my family."
Lorelei Owens is the head of pyrotechnics for the show. She used to perform in a sideshow, and finished her college degree while she was traveling with a small circus. The end of the Ringling Bros. is "heartbreaking," she says. "That's the first word that comes to mind." Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
Some 300 people travel with the circus at any given time. Many fall in love, get married, have children. In some ways, it's a transient world — contracts end, the circus lineup rotates, and troupes are swapped out. But stick with the circus long enough, the Ringling crew say, and you'll see the same faces again and again, either on the train or at Ringling's winter home in Sarasota, Fla.
It's an ever-shifting community, but for a century and a half, it's always been there.
After the lights go down
So what happens after the last show in Uniondale?
Jerley Gutierrez says the end of the circus is shocking. Devastating. He's been with Ringling for decades, as a trapeze artist and now with concessions, where he runs the snow-cone stand.
"It's a good place and a safe environment to raise your kids," he says, his 2-year-old son sleeping in his arms. "I don't know where else on earth you can do something like this and still be with your family and have a job."
Performer Paulo dos Santos (left), who plays one of the central characters in "Out of this World," speaks with Cloty Gutierrez, the head of costume repair. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
"It's not the end of the world. But in a kind of way, it is. For us."
He doesn't know what his family will do next.
Some people, like Owens, are joining other traveling shows. Some, like Klose the dog- and pig-trainer, will look for new venues for their performances, from fairs to half-time shows. Others are heading home — to Las Vegas or Sarasota, mostly – to regroup.
And some still don't know.
Cotton candy and circus souvenirs are sold at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. The concessions staff travel with the circus; some have lived on the road with Ringling for decades. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
Cotton candy and circus souvenirs are sold at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. The concessions staff travel with the circus; some have lived on the road with Ringling for decades.
"We'll see," Tchalabaeva says, asked about her dozens of horses and her Cossack Riders and grooms. "Life will show us. ... We're just looking to see what's best out there, for all of us."
The circus priest is mournful. "We always have an expression, you know, we never say goodbye — we say, 'see you down the road, because we usually pick up where we left off," Hogan says. "Well, that's going to be changing pretty soon."
But Undarmaa Gold is confident that even as the performers go their separate ways, this community will live on — one way or another.
"Always, forever, together."
A team of unicyclists hold on to each other backstage. The King Charles Troupe has been playing basketball on unicycles since the '60s. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption
A team of unicyclists hold on to each other backstage. The King Charles Troupe has been playing basketball on unicycles since the '60s.
- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here
Go Inside the Magical Life of Europe’s Family Circuses
Get lost in the drama of the contemporary circus world.
A small boy stands in the middle of a wooden dock with the calm, sun-dappled water of the Rhône river stretching behind him, fixated on three oranges that appear suspended above his head.
In her series “Circus Love,” photographer Stephanie Gengotti captured scenes of the mundane and the magical while embedded with Europe ’s independent circus troupes.
Les Pêcheurs de Rêves
Siblings Zoran and Zia travel with their parents to festivals and performances all over Europe.
Gengotti discovered the world of Nouveau Cirque while shooting Cirque Bidon in 2016, a French circus troupe that tours in a caravan of horse-drawn wagons. It was her first exposure to the contemporary circus world, which has left behind tigers and elephants in favor of a more theater-based style of performances. In these new circuses–the largest and most well-known being Cirque du Soleil–human performers take center stage with a mixture of drama, acrobatics, art, and dance.
“I always thought the circus is a traditional place with animals and things like this, which is what I saw when I was a kid,” Gengotti says. “But when I saw this, I just flew to another planet.”
Cirque Bidon piqued her curiosity about what it would be like to live on the road with a family troupe. She followed three circus families from different parts of Europe, traveling with each of them for about 10 days to experience all aspects of life on the road.
“I really tried to live with them like I was a family member,” Gengotti says.
That meant helping with cooking and cleaning, passing out fliers, and childcare. The resulting photos focus very little on the performance itself, and instead shed light on everyday life. Gengotti’s infatuation with the circus lifestyle grew. She found a slower pace of life that seemed a throwback to the days before constant digital distractions and an oasis of whimsy “in a society that has lost all its poetry,” she says.
Back home in Rome , “I get up in the morning and I start running and I don’t stop until night. In the circus, time is really slow. One day really lasts one day.”
She captured the scene of the children on the dock during her time with Les Pêcheurs de Rêves (or “Fishers of Dreams”), a small troupe consisting of French husband-and-wife duo Vincent and Florence Duschmitt, who have been on the road together for 20 years.
Their children, 10-year-old Zoran and 13-year-old Zia, do not perform in the show but accompany their parents on the road as school allows and have begun to pick up the art form, Florence said.
They are a tight-knit, matriarchal clan. “She is the boss and I am the boss, but not the first boss–the second boss,” Vincent says.
The Duschmitts’ current show explores the love story between a pair of clowns–one that roughly mirrors their own–in a wordless series of comedic sketches and acrobatic acts, culminating with a lovers’ tango dance. Florence described their performance style as “visual poetry.”
- Nat Geo Expeditions
“It takes time to make a real story without text, to make it interesting from beginning to end, to have it make sense,” she says.
Florence said Gengotti’s images transported her back to a happy summer spent performing in rural France.
“It was really interesting to see us in her eyes, the way she sees us, with the sun in Avignon,” she says.
As for Gengotti, who is planning to head out on the road again with Cirque Bidon this summer, she says that every time she returns from the circus to normal life, she finds herself itching to go back.
“I like the idea to be part of a family you choose, and also the sense of freedom,” Gengotti says. “They don’t have to respond to any chief, and they don’t have to thank any boss. They are the owners of their own life.”
Read This Next
Glimpse the lives behind the magic of europe’s family circuses, 5 of europe's best family city breaks for soccer lovers, these are some of europe’s most sacred sites.
- Wildlife Watch
Ringling Circus is back—but this time, without animals
- Environment
History & Culture
- History Magazine
- History & Culture
- Mind, Body, Wonder
- Coronavirus Coverage
- Paid Content
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Your US State Privacy Rights
- Children's Online Privacy Policy
- Interest-Based Ads
- About Nielsen Measurement
- Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
- Nat Geo Home
- Attend a Live Event
- Book a Trip
- Inspire Your Kids
- Shop Nat Geo
- Visit the D.C. Museum
- Learn About Our Impact
- Support Our Mission
- Advertise With Us
- Customer Service
- Renew Subscription
- Manage Your Subscription
- Work at Nat Geo
- Sign Up for Our Newsletters
- Contribute to Protect the Planet
Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved
Cirque Us Stories Tickets On Sale August 1st!
Packing for Tour
- October 19, 2020
- No Comments
Here’s a “throw-back” blog post written by Nina Gershy as she prepared for the 2020 Cirque Us tour! In the midst all of the crazy things happening in March, we never got to post this blog, but it is full of helpful information we wanted to share!
Although there isn’t lots of touring happening right now, we want you to be fully prepared for when they do!
Hey everyone!
My name is Nina and I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of RagTag for the Spring 2020 Tour. Rena and I were both in the original cast of RagTag (Summer 2019), and we are both very excited to welcome the new circus artists to the Cirque Us family.
This blogpost is about how to pack for tour! I traveled all over the country last year teaching and performing circus arts, and I have a few tricks that I thought I would share with you.
- Travel with a towel. Be prepared.
- Don’t forget a laundry bag!
- The more underwear, the better
- You will make it with two pairs of shoes. I highly recommend 1 closed-toe option, as it’s important to keep your feet covered for load-ins and load-outs.
- My Trapeze, Rope, hardware, rosin, and chalk will always live in this suitcase. This suitcase will always live in the Uhaul, which means I won’t have access to it when I go to homestays/Airbnbs.
- SLIPPERS!!!! Wow. These are definitely a game-changer. Slippers make all the difference for warming up. You never know what the temperature will be like in a theatre, and it’s an easy way to keep your feet warm, and clean!
- Costume Bag. Since I need many nude undergarments, I carry them in a separate bag to keep them clean. I also like carrying my various costume pieces in that bag so I can keep track of everything. Don’t forget a portable mirror – you never know what your backstage is going to be like. I also have my show makeup in this bag.
- I finally invested in a nice Patagonia bag. It has two pockets on the outside. You’ll find my nalgene water bottle on one side (hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!), and my to-go coffee cup and umbrella on the other side.
- Computer, ipad, glasses, journal, planner, headphones, ibuprofen, fanny pack (really great for when you’re rigging in a grid), ear plugs, and my PJs. Sometimes if I prepare well, I pack my outfit for the next day in my backpack so that way I don’t have to go through all of my belongings in my carry-on.
- Something *new* I’m trying this year is clipping a neck pillow to my backpack. I’m hoping this will be good for napping in long car-rides!
- You don’t need the smoothie blender or the protein powder . As a circus artist and an athlete, I consume a lot of protein. I own a one-serving-size-blender and brought it with me on the road last year. Turns out, you don’t train as much when you’re traveling/performing. It was so unnecessary. As soon as my parents came to a show, I handed it off to them.
- Travel with a food bag & a cooler! I like to eat healthy, and I was very lucky that the original RagTag cast liked similar foods. We were able to cook for each other and meal-prep together. We each traveled with 1 reusable bag with perishables. Additionally, there was a cast cooler, but I’m hoping this year we can get a bigger one. We ran into a lot of “eating ice-cream at 10am because we needed to make room in the cooler” situations.
- Pour Over, coffee filters, coffee, peanut butter, tea bags, reusable cutlery, assorted snacks, bread, bananas, apples, and TUPPERWARE.
- It’s so much easier to keep toiletries in a shower-caddy. I’d recommend buying soap and toothbrush containers because then you can put the showercady into the reusable bag with the perishables. Just pray you don’t have a shampoo spill!
Happy Packing!
Related Posts
One more week
“Strings”
A Beige Dress
Discover more from cirque us.
Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.
Type your email…
Continue reading
Circus back in town: Ringling Bros. comes to the Delaware valley this holiday weekend
After six years, the circus is back.
The rebooted Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is heading to the Wells Fargo Center this weekend, and it will look much different than the circuses of yesteryear.
Gone are the clowns, caged animals, elephant tricks and lion tamers. Instead, circus-goers will see performances by an international collection of high-flying acrobats, stunt motorcyclists and extreme jugglers.
Here's everything to know about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's stop in Philadelphia, including how to get tickets.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey brings new routines to Wells Fargo Center
There are more than ten new Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey attractions to look forward to.
During the "Highwire Triangular" performance, three high wires will be connected in an all-new triangular formation 25 feet above the arena floor, which descend from the ceiling for brand new stunts.
World renown unicyclist Wesley Williams will perform on "The World's Tallest Unicycle" and do other unicycle stunts during his segment.
ARGENDANCE, a dance troupe from Argentina known for its booming bass and intricate dance patterns, will also perform this weekend.
New era of Ringling Bros.: Is Ringling Bros. still the 'Greatest Show on Earth' without lions, elephants or clowns?
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey posted about ARGENDANCE's entrance in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter:
The four-member Novas Troupe will perform in and on two gigantic side-by-side wheels that hang 30 feet above the floor. The wheels rotate independently at increasing speeds.
Tickets to the Greatest Show on Earth
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus will stop at the Wells Fargo Center for a set of shows over the holiday weekend.
Showtimes are: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb 17; noon and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18; and noon on Presidents Day.
Tickets start at $35 and are available for purchase online .
Snow storm may impact travel to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus
There will be weather considerations for anyone heading to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus on Friday or Saturday.
More snow this weekend: More snow? Several inches of snow expected this weekend. What to know
Paul Fitzsimmons, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, said snow will begin to fall in the evening hours on Friday, and will last through Saturday morning.
While the storm will quickly move out of the Delaware Valley, it will drop up to 4 inches in Bucks County and up to 2 inches in Philadelphia.
- Manage Account
- Voter Guide
- Solar Eclipse
- Bleeding Out
- Things to Do
- Public Notices
- Help Center
arts entertainment Travel
Boarding a plane is becoming even more of a circus
Despite airlines trying to manage boarding, entitlement is a big impediment, writes christopher elliott.
By Christopher Elliott
6:00 PM on Feb 21, 2024 CST
In the mad rush to get on the plane first, things are getting even madder.
Passengers are finding new — and not necessarily ethical ― ways of accessing their seats before everyone else. There’s no prize for being first to board a plane, but lately, it sure seems that way.
I saw it just this morning while I was getting on a flight from Montevideo, Uruguay, to São Paulo. A man with a cane cut to the front of the line, exclaiming, “I have a cane!”
The other passengers yielded, but some of them seemed skeptical that he had a disability and grumbled that he should have just waited his turn. I wondered why he hadn’t pre-boarded with the other disabled passengers.
Catch up on the day's news you need to know.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sometimes a walking stick isn’t convincing, so passengers who want to board early order a wheelchair. David Kazarian, a retired pharmacist from Tampa, has seen them roll onto the plane early and then walk off the aircraft unassisted after they land.
“It’s a miracle,” he says.
Come on. If there ever was a time to stick to your boarding group, it’s now. Flights will be operating at capacity this spring and summer. Pushing to the front of the line just creates delays. So maybe this is the right time to review what is — and isn’t — allowed when it comes to boarding a flight early.
Why do passengers want to board early?
There are two main reasons travelers want to get on the plane first. Some are excited for their trip to start and they’re anxious to get into their seats.
“Maybe they feel they’ll get there faster if they get on the plane sooner,” says Thomas Plante, a psychology professor at Santa Clara University .
Passengers are also worried that they won’t have enough room in the overhead bins for their carry-ons, and that is a legitimate concern.
As airlines have raised their checked luggage fees, more passengers have tried to bring all their earthly belongings on the plane. And the overhead bins are first-come, first-served.
So you have an irrational fear and a rational concern, both conspiring to create a stampede to board first. And it’s gotten bad.
Who gets early boarding privileges?
The problem with trying to board early is that there’s almost always a long line of people ahead of you. Even an 18th-century French aristocrat might have a hard time keeping up with this list:
- Elite members of airline loyalty programs. If your card is the color of precious metal, you’ll be one of the first to get on the aircraft. Sometimes, there’s even a red carpet for you to walk across. You also get to board first if you’re a member of a partner airline loyalty program, although you may be slightly lower in the pecking order.
- Families with young children. If you have young kids, especially kids in a stroller, you can board early too, usually after the elites.
- First responders and military personnel. Thank you for your service.
- People with disabilities. If you’re in a wheelchair, or have mobility problems, or need extra time to get on the plane, you get priority.
- Premium credit card holders: Some credit cards offer early boarding privileges as a benefit.
- VIPs. If you’re a celebrity or a high-ranking diplomat, you may get to board before everyone else and get off the plane first, too. I experienced a delay once after a minister and his family were let off the aircraft before anyone else.
Airlines know you want to be first to board, so they sometimes sell early boarding privileges. Perhaps the most famous is Southwest Airlines’ EarlyBird Check-In , which starts at $15 and depends on the length of your flight.
So, of course, passengers are trying to get ahead of the crowd.
How are people boarding faster now?
Passengers have resorted to new strategies to board faster. Here are some of the most reprehensible ones.
-- Cutting in line. On smaller regional flights where there are often fewer gate agents, many passengers just go to the front of the line, whether they’re allowed to or not. “Pushing, shoving, or attempting to cut in line can disrupt the boarding process,” explains Carla Bevins, who teaches business management communication at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. “And it is disrespectful.”
-- Disability fakers. They’ve always been there, but they’re becoming much more common. Steve Gregory, a radio host from Los Angeles, knows someone who carries an inflatable splint to get early boarding privileges. As for Mr. Cane in Montevideo, I’m not a doctor, but I can tell you that boarding outside of your group is problematic no matter who you are.
-- Wrong group. Some passengers don’t care if their boarding group hasn’t been called and line up anyway. I’ve seen this, too. Boarding Group 3 will be lined up, and a few 4s will try to sneak on early. The gate agents don’t seem to care; they’re more concerned with getting an on-time departure.
Boarding cheats
People will do anything to get to the front of the line. The jetway has now become a passing lane, where passengers eager to get on the aircraft first are sprinting ahead of others. Oh, and while we’re on the topic of boarding cheats, how about the guy who pays to board in Group A on Southwest and then “reserves” seats for the rest of his party?
I should not have to say this, but here it goes: Cutting in line is wrong.
But I’m not mad at you. The airlines did this. They’re trying to profit from your fear of being forced to check your carry-on bag or even your fear of missing the flight altogether. And they’ve also managed to create a class of entitled passengers who think they deserve to be first on the plane.
But no one deserves any such thing. Your airline ticket is a guarantee to transport you to your destination. It’s not a reason to lie, cheat or fake a limp.
Of course, getting on the plane is only half the problem. Who deserves to get off the plane first? But that’s another story.
Elliott’s early boarding tips
Need to get on the plane first? Here are some ethical ways of doing it.
Ask. Instead of brandishing a cane, or an emotional support dog, simply ask the passengers standing in line if you can go first. (Note: You will have to have a good reason, like, “My family is in the group ahead of us.”)
Buy a seat in first class. If you absolutely must get on the plane first, buy a seat in first class or business class. You will get on the aircraft early and there will be plenty of room for your carry-on bag.
Join a loyalty program. As much as it pains me to write this, you can join a loyalty program and get on the plane sooner. But bear in mind that it’s exactly what the airlines want you to do — they want your unquestioning loyalty and all of your personal information so they can market to you long after you’re dead.
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected] .
Christopher Elliott , Special Contributor . Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service.
Top Arts & Entertainment Stories
Review: dallas troupes team up with mexican theater company on visceral liberation drama, apocalypse now: dallas symphony to perform franz schmidt’s ‘book with seven seals’, a dallas henna salon by day, a comedy club at night. this palestinian-american runs both, dallas arts groups won’t take may bond package for granted: ‘it ain’t over ‘til it’s over’.
Work and Travel With The Circus
Working front of house or back of house as you travel with the circus.
Have you ever imagined traveling and performing with the circus? Every year thousands of performers and technicians, producers and directors travel with one of the many circus acts around the US and even the world. As with any performing job, much practice and skill is required to get that job with the big top, but it is very possible.
These jobs fall into the entertainment category of work travel employment, so competition is fierce. You also find it is a small industry where everyone knows everyone and reputation is huge.
You may be familiar with the TV Series on PBS called Circus . It is a reality show that followed the people behind the Big Apple Circus in the 2009-2010 season, as they dazzled fans and spectators.
This show is a great introduction to what is involved when working with the Circus. Circus introduces you to the people behind the show and does a great job showing what it takes to be a circus performer. Check it out.
Watch the full episode. See more Circus.
Want to get a job with the Circus?
What positions are available with the circus, working front of house.
With the Circus, there are the obvious jobs and the not so obvious jobs. Obvious jobs are performers and they include aerialists, clowns, the Ringmaster, lion tamers and acrobats. These jobs are acquired by those with a high amount of talent and charisma which is required to keep the audience entertained.
These jobs require a life of practice or a degree. Clowns, for example, often go to one of the many clown colleges around the US, or the world. Desireable clown traits include exaggerated facial expressions, magic tricks, busking , juggling, comedic timing and knowing how to be funny always helps.
Acrobats and aerialists also have a lifetime of practice which they use to work for the Circus. They also might specialize in performing with hanging silks or the high wire. They also may have professional training in gymnastics.
When you are looking to break into the business as a circus performer, you will likely have to submit an audition tape months before the season is set to begin. This audition tape can be in addition to your resume, and is going to be a tape of you performing your best work. Make sure the tape clearly demonstrates your best material and also has your contact information.
Working back of house
With BOH positions, you don't know what they do, until they don't do it.
Just as there are positions in front of the crowd, there are just as many behind the scenes positions with the circus which require traveling.
Positions include audio/video technician , tour photographer, animal wrangler/caretaker, wardrobe supervisor, floor crew, tour managers and even private school tutors for the younger performers. More positions exist, so do your research and find the one that works for you.
Make no mistake, they are a very important part of the show, it's just that the crowds don't see the work that goes on behind the scenes. Thus, with BOH positions, most patrons don't know what you do until you don't do it. You see, these are the people who make the show happen backstage. These positions require various skills depending on the job performed. They also travel with the circus making sure every show happens as it should.
Some back of house positions require technical training in a specialized field (I'm talking about you, Elephant Caretakers) while others require a willingness to travel and a strong work ethic. To find out what positions are available, go to the touring companies website and find the careers section. Feld Entertainment , for example, is one of the larger companies that hires for the Ringling Brothers, among other touring acts.
Landing that first job with the circus
The key to finding the position that's right for you is to do something you are interested in. Get the job that is also your passion, so it doesn't feel like work when you are doing it. Working in entertainment and traveling 24/7 are grueling enough, so make sure you get satisfaction in the role you play to make the most of your employment, be that in the circus or elsewhere.
If you are hiring for a traveling act such as the Circus, about posting on Travel Droppings.
The world is too amazing not to share.
Resources for Travel Jobs Abroad
Current Travel Job Openings
Consider a Military career? Volunteering with animals What's it like to work onboard cruise ships Do cruise ship staff party? Travel by rail on Train jobs House sitting jobs Worldwide Tour Guide Jobs Abroad Get Paid to Party! How to become an au pair Meet an au pair in the USA Run a Travel Website Hospitality Jobs Abroad Monetize that Website Bad Resumé won't get hired Resumé advice after travel Resumés for travel jobs Work with the Circus Become a carnie Be a Flight Attendant Produce Travel Video Work Seasonal Jobs Cruise Ship Jobs Crew on sailboats Crew on Yachts Work 1 year in Australia Working Outback Australia Working in Australian cities Finding work in Australia Work in New Zealand Work in Singapore Day trade online & abroad Antarctica Jobs Busking & street performing Be a corporate stiff Teaching English Online Teaching in China Work in Antarctica TEFL for non teachers Teach English in S. Korea Become a Roadie
Why Las Vegas should be on your 2024 travel bucket list
F rom spectacular stage shows and death-defying magic, to dancing fountains and late-night casinos, we’ve all got a neon-lit image in our heads of the famous Las Vegas Strip.
But if you really want to scratch the surface of this glittering gem in the Mojave Desert, you’ll need some tips from the experts.
After all, in a place where you can see the Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower , the Statue of Liberty and Venice’s Grand Canal all in one day, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Luckily, we’ve got the definitive must-do list from some of the people who know it best…the team at Virgin Atlantic.
Dusk ’til dawn dining…
From all-you-can-eat to haute-cuisine, endless lunch specials and happy hours that last for, well, hours. As with everything, dining in Las Vegas knows no limits. For a (very) late night snack, Aircraft Efficiency Officer Josie’s heads to Secret Pizza. With its 4am closing time, midnight feasts are – literally – on the table.
While the dazzling world-famous hotels offer every kind of eating and drinking experience imaginable, Pricing Manager Tim recommends a detour from the main strip to Lost Spirits Distillery, an immersive extravaganza that’s part rum tour, part circus, part cocktail party – the perfect Vegas mix.
Here you can dive into experiential, interactive circus shows… with rum.
Off the beaten track…
You don’t need to stray far beyond the bright lights to discover the down-to-earth side of this desert destination.
For cabin crew member Pierre, the kitsch town of Seligman
on Route 66 is a must stop on your way to the Grand Canyon, while in the cooler months, crew mate Carly packs her boots for an off-strip scenic hike in nearby Red Rock Canyon.
Marketing Manager Megan’s pick? A tranquil trek up Mount Charleston, just 30 minutes from the big city.
Being at one with nature might not be the obvious call-out on your Vegas bingo card, but anything goes here.
For show-stopping performances…
You can’t visit Las Vegas and not take in a show, where world-class entertainment is literally on every corner. From huge stadiums to state of the art spherical concert venues, there really is something for everyone.
For first timers. Megan insists there’s nothing quite like a certain iconic circus for eye-watering acrobatics and jaw-dropping feats of balance and bravery. And the famous dancing fountains are a fabulous (and free) spectacle for visitors on the go.
Nothing about Las Vegas is standard or cookie cutter, and no excursion is more iconically, fabulously Las Vegas than the old neon sign graveyard at the Neon Museum.
‘It’s an amazing off-Strip place, and guided tours tell you all about the history of Vegas’ says Andrew (Las Vegas Airport Manager).
And where is best to enjoy a cocktail at the end of a day exploring Vegas? Andrew lets us in on a secret – it’s at the Golden Tiki. ‘It’s around 10 minutes from the Strip and is where all the locals go’ he says.
And when it comes to your trip to the Strip, the sky really is the limit…
So whether you’re a foodie or an adventurer, every intrepid traveller can find their own speed here and better yet, it’s never been easier to get there: a mere hop, skip and flight as Virgin Atlantic launches direct flights between Manchester and Las Vegas from June 2024.
For the summer season – June 2 until October 25 – you can jump on one of Virgin Atlantic’s plush A350 aircraft , flying direct from Manchester Airport three times a week.
The Virgin Atlantic sale is now on.* Book direct flights from Manchester to Las Vegas at VirginAtlantic.com
*The Virgin Atlantic Sale runs from 00:01am on Monday 18 December 2023 to 23:59pm on Wednesday 31 January 2024 for travel 1 January to 31 December 2024. Bookings are subject to availability. Virgin Atlantic full terms and conditions apply. help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/policies/terms-and-conditions
For even more unmissable travel news, features and inspiration in your inbox each week, sign up to Metro's The Getaway newsletter
Ready Set GO
Jones traveling circus.
Howdy! We’re a nomadic family of six that ditched the “American Dream” and instead sold everything we own, quit our jobs, and set out on an adventure.
We had plans to circle the globe in 2020, but Covid changed that. Instead we spent 2020-2021 exploring Colorado, Utah, and Hawaii.
At the end of 2021 we moved to Invercargill, New Zealand at the very bottom of the world and we’re loving our time here!
Our travels
We started exploring Colorado and Utah in 2020 when international travel shutdown due to COVID. See all the places we’ve visited and our favorite things to do.
Our itineraries
We’ve done quite a bit of travel with and without our kids. Find itineraries for New Zealand, Iceland, Switzerland, and more. Find our recommended activities, accommodations, and deals here.
Our favorites
While traveling full-time with our 4 kids we have found some products that we love. You’ll find all of our favorites and our recommendations for photo and video equipment as well.
We're Donnie and Danielle (also known as Mama Doctor Jones ). We have 4 kids, Amelia, Reese, Milo, and Paxton. Donnie is a software developer and Danielle is a board-certified OB/GYN. We've lived in Texas our whole lives and have always dreamed of doing something different than the typical American Dream. We explored early retirement but have decided to put off financial freedom in order to maximize the time with our kids while they are little.
SHORT HISTORY OF THE CIRCUS
From circopedia.
By Dominique Jando
If the history of theater, ballet, opera, vaudeville, movies, and television is generally well documented, serious studies of circus history are sparse, and known only to a few circus enthusiasts and scholars. What little the public at large knows, on the other hand, is circus history as told over the years by imaginative circus press agents, and repeated—and often misunderstood and distorted—by writers of popular fiction, Hollywood screenwriters, and journalists too busy to investigate further. One of the most popular misapprehensions about circus history is the oft-repeated idea that circus dates back to the Roman antiquity. But the Roman circus was in actuality the precursor of the modern racetrack; the only common denominator between Roman and modern circuses is the word itself, circus , which means in Latin as in English, "circle".
- 1 Philip Astley: The Father Of The Modern Circus
- 2 The Circus Is Born
- 3 The American Traveling Circus
- 4 Circus Conquers the World
- 5 Evolution of the Circus Performance
- 6 The End of the Equestrian Circus
- 7 Changes at the End of the 2oth Century
- 8 Circus in the 21st Century
- 9 Suggested Reading
- 10 Image Gallery
Philip Astley: The Father Of The Modern Circus
In 1768, Astley settled in London and opened a riding-school near Westminster Bridge, where he taught in the morning and performed his "feats of horsemanship" in the afternoon. In London at this time, modern commercial theater (a word that encompassed all sorts of performing arts) was in the process of developing. Astley's building featured a circular arena that he called the circle , or circus , and which would later be known as the ring.
The circus ring, however, was not Astley's invention; it was devised earlier by other performing trick Any specific exercise in a circus act. -riders. In addition to allowing audiences to keep sight of the riders during their performances (something that was next to impossible if the riders were forced to gallop in a straight line), riding in circles in a ring also made it possible, through the generation of centrifugal force, for riders to keep their balance while standing on the back of galloping horses. Astley's original ring was about sixty-two feet in diameter. Its size was eventually settled at a diameter of forty-two feet, which has since become the international standard for all circus rings.
The Circus Is Born
Astley opened Paris's first circus, the Amphithéâtre Anglois , in 1782. That same year, his first competitor arose: equestrian Charles Hughes (1747-97), a former member of Astley's company. In association with Charles Dibdin, a prolific songwriter and author of pantomimes, Hughes opened a rival amphitheater and riding-school in London, the Royal Circus and Equestrian Philharmonic Academy. The first element of this rather grandiose title was to be adopted as a generic name for the new form of entertainment, the circus . In 1793, Hughes went to perform to the court of Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg, Russia; that same year, one of his pupils, British equestrian John Bill Ricketts (1769-1802), opened the first circus in the United States, in Philadelphia. In 1797, Ricketts also established the first Canadian circus, in Montréal. His only competition in America, the British equestrian Philip Lailson (who came to the U.S. in 1795), brought the circus to Mexico in 1802.
Circus performances were originally given in circus buildings. Although at first these were often temporary wooden structures, every major European city soon boasted at least one permanent circus, whose architecture could compete with the most flamboyant theaters. Similar buildings were also erected in the New World's largest cities: New York, Philadelphia, Montréal, Mexico City, et al. Although buildings would remain the choice setting for circus performances in Europe well into the twentieth century, the circus was to adopt a different format in the United States.
The American Traveling Circus
In the early nineteenth century, the United States was a new, developing country with few cities large enough to sustain long-term resident circuses. Furthermore, settlers were steadily pushing the American frontier westward, establishing new communities in a process of inexorable expansion. To reach their public, showmen had little choice but to travel light and fast.
With that, the unique character of the American circus emerged: It was a traveling tent-show coupled with a menagerie and run by businessmen, a very different model from that of European circuses, which for the most part remained under the control of performing families.
In 1871, former museum promoter and impresario Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810-1891), in association with circus entrepreneur William Cameron Coup (1837-95), launched the P.T. Barnum's Museum, Menagerie & Circus, a traveling show whose "museum" part was an exhibition of animal and human oddities soon to become an integral part of the American circus, the Sideshow.
In 1872, Coup devised a system of daily transportation by rail for their circus. Another of Coup's innovations of that year was the addition of a second ring. The circus had become by far the most popular form of entertainment in America, and Barnum and Coup's enterprise was America's leading circus. Ever the businessman, Coup resolved to increase the capacity of their tent. Due to structural limitations, this could only be done effectively by increasing the tent's length, which resulted in hampering the view for large sections of the audience. The addition of a second ring, then a third (1881) and, later, up to seven rings and stages solved the problem physically, if not artistically. It could be argued that it changed the focus of the show to emphasize spectacle over artistry. For better or worse, multiple rings and stages became another unique feature of the American circus.
Circus Conquers the World
In 1836, the British equestrian Thomas Cooke visited the United States and brought back to England the American traveling-circus tent. This innovation was to ease the task of a group of European circus pioneers consumed by global ambitions. The most remarkable of these early touring companies was managed by the Italian equestrian Giuseppe Chiarini (1823-1897). In 1853, Chiarini left Europe for America, where he created his own circus and went to the unchartered territory (as far as circus was concerned) of Havana, then went to South America, crossed the Pacific, and landed in Japan in 1855. In 1864, he settled in Mexico and toured Chile and Argentina before returning to Europe in 1869. In 1874, he went to China and then sailed to Brazil. In 1878, the company embarked on a tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Singapore, Java, Siam, India, and South America. And so it went, until the death of the intrepid Italian in Guatemala in 1897.
The French equestrian Louis Soullier (1813-1888), who managed Vienna's Circus at the Prater, toured the Balkans, settled for a time in Turkey, and then continued to China, where he introduced the circus in 1854. When he returned to Europe in 1866, he brought with him Chinese acrobats who in turn introduced traditional Chinese acts such as perch-pole Long perch held vertically on a performer's shoulder or forehead, on the top of which an acrobat executes various balancing figures. balancing, diabolo-juggling, plate-spinning, hoop-diving, et al., to Western audiences.
Another French equestrian, Jacques Tourniaire (1772-1829), went to Russia in 1816, where he established the first Russian circus. After his death, his sons Benoit and François followed in his footsteps, touring extensively in Siberia and traveling to India, China, and America.
European circus companies had ventured so far from home because they hoped to increase their profits. Their success in doing so was not lost on the handful of American circus entrepreneurs who would follow their lead.
Before entering into a partnership with P.T. Barnum in 1881, James Anthony Bailey (1847-1906) had embarked his Cooper & Bailey Circus on a trip to Honolulu, the Fiji Islands, Tasmania, the Dutch East Indies, Australia, New Zealand, and South America, a journey that lasted from 1876-78. After Barnum's death, Bailey took their Barnum & Bailey "Greatest Show on Earth" on an extensive European tour, from 1897 to 1902, which introduced bewildered Europeans to P.T. Barnum's gargantuan vision of the circus as a touring show that traveled nightly by special trains and, every day, set up and tore down immense canvas tents that housed an amalgam of triplicate circus, zoological exhibition, and freak-show.
If the three-ring format and the sideshow met with only middling enthusiasm, European circus owners were nonetheless impressed by Barnum & Bailey's touring techniques, and menagerie owners, whose business was fading at the time, were quick to recognize the advantages of adding a traveling circus to their zoological exhibitions. Thus, the tented circus and menagerie developed in Europe at the turn of the twentieth century.
When Bailey returned to the U.S. in 1902, he found his old market under the control of serious competition: the giant circus conglomerate created by the Ringling Brothers , Al (1832-1916), Otto (1837-1911), Alf T. (1863-1919), Charles (1864-1926), and John (1866-1936). One year after Bailey's death in 1906, the Ringlings acquired Barnum & Bailey, which they combined with their own circus in 1919 under the title Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows.
In Europe, the traveling circus and menagerie reached its peak between the two World Wars, especially in Germany, where the flamboyant traveling enterprises of Krone , Sarrasani and Hagenbeck dominated the market. In large cities, however, circus performances were still given in circus buildings; Sarrasani had its own building in Dresden, Krone in Münich, Hagenbeck in Stellingen, and Paris alone maintained four permanent circuses. This, of course, created a demanding audience (in large cities, at least) who had grown accustomed to a degree of comfort and a fairly high level of production values in their elegant circus buildings. While in the U.S. the tenting techniques developed by W.C. Coup would remain practically unchanged for over a century, German and Italian tent-makers—and later French—constantly developed new systems for circus tents and seating, which eventually made some European traveling circuses nearly as comfortable and production-efficient as any permanent building.
Evolution of the Circus Performance
From its inception, the core of the circus performance had been equestrian acts ( trick Any specific exercise in a circus act. -riding, bareback acrobatics, dressage or High School , presentation of horses "at liberty "Liberty act", "Horses at liberty": Unmounted horses presented from the center of the ring by an equestrian directing his charges with his voice, body movements, and signals from a ''chambrière'' (French), or long whip. ," and even comedy on horseback) interspersed with acrobatic, balancing, and juggling acts. Dibdin and Hughes had added to that original fare the pantomime A circus play, not necessarily mute, with a dramatic story-line (a regular feature in 18th and 19th century circus performances). , a dramatic presentation which traditionally ended the performance and involved a good amount of tumbling, clowning (not necessarily mute), and equestrian displays. Pantomimes often reenacted famous battles which, true to Astley's spirit, gave equestrian performers a good opportunity to demonstrate "the different cuts and guards as in real action" or "a general engagement, sword in hand, with the different postures of offence, for the safety of man and horse..." [From an old Astley's handbill] Pantomimes remained extremely successful during the nineteenth century and survived under various forms well into the twentieth. The last notable circus pantomime A circus play, not necessarily mute, with a dramatic story-line (a regular feature in 18th and 19th century circus performances). was a spectacular adaptation of Lewis Wallace's Ben Hur which the French circus Gruss performed for several years in the 1960s.
Although in the middle of the nineteenth century equestrians, male and female, were still the true stars of the circus, acrobats began getting more and more attention. Not surprisingly, it started with acrobats on horseback, especially Americans such as John H. Glenroy , who accomplished the first somersault on horseback in 1846. "Floor" acrobats were also quick to make their mark. The best of them were often clowns. At first, circus clowns were essentially skilled parodists who might talk, sing, ride a horse, juggle, present trained animals, do balancing acts, or tumble. In the first half of the nineteenth century, an English clown Generic term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team. , Little Wheal , became famous for regularly performing a hundred consecutive somersaults in tempo—quite a feat, then or now.
By the close of the nineteenth century, railways and automobiles had begun to replace horses. Although major European circuses were still operated by equestrian families, equestrian displays were losing their supremacy to trainers of exotic animals (especially big cats), acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and clowns. While some trained exotic animals had appeared early in circus history—around 1812 at Paris's Cirque Olympique , the Franconis presented Kioumi, the first trained elephant—it was the European combination of circus and menagerie that triggered the vogue of wild-animal presentations, which were developed in large part in Germany by the Hagenbecks, the world's foremost importers and dealers of exotic animals. Another significant transformation factor was a renewed interest in gymnastics and physical activities (which led to the resurrection of the Olympic Games in 1896) at a time when few gymnasts could be seen outside the circus.
The End of the Equestrian Circus
The most consequential early-twentieth-century innovation in the circus, however, occurred in Russia. In 1919, Lenin nationalized the Russian circuses, and the vast majority of their performers, natives of Western Europe, fled the country. Faced with the task of training a core of uniquely Russian performers, the Soviet government established, in 1927, the State College for Circus and Variety Arts , better known as the Moscow Circus School. Not only did the school rejuvenate the Russian circus, it also developed training methods modeled after sport-gymnastics, created original presentations with the help of directors and choreographers, and even originated innovative techniques and apparatuses that led to the invention of entirely new kinds of acts.
When, in the late 1950s, the Moscow Circus (a generic name adopted by all Soviet circus companies touring abroad) started showing in the West, those trained by the Soviet school contrasted favorably with those trained by the traditional circus families. Russian performers displayed originality, unparalleled artistry, and amazing technique, whereas the rest just repeated themselves in a desperate attempt to compete with both the Russian innovations and increasing competition from movies, radio, and television, which they did using the only weapons at their disposal: time-tested traditional acts. But resistance to change had transformed tradition into routine. The old circus families were losing touch with their audience's ever-transforming world.
Changes at the End of the 2oth Century
There was obviously a strong planetary need for a circus renaissance: That same year (1974), in Adelaide, Australia, a young company of clowns, acrobats and aerialists that called itself "New Circus" began to perform and attract attention. It was followed a year later by the Soapbox Circus; both companies merged in 1977, to become Circus Oz . Meanwhile, in 1975, Larry Pizoni and Peggy Snyder launched the grassroots Pickle Family Circus in San Francisco, then the epicenter of the American counterculture movement.
Perhaps not coincidentally, all these changes came at a time when European intellectuals—mostly French—were fretting over the decline of the circus as a performing art. In 1975, Prince Rainier of Monaco (a longtime circus enthusiast) created the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo , whose Gold and Silver Clown awards would become to the circus world what the Oscar® is to the movie industry. It was followed in 1977 by Paris's Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain (World Festival of the Circus of Tomorrow), created to showcase and promote a new generation of circus performers, mostly trained in circus schools.
In this atmosphere, the Gruss/Fratellini model quickly stimulated other experiments. In 1977, Paul Binder and Michael Christensen , who had performed as jugglers with Fratellini, created the New York School for Circus Arts and its performing branch, the Big Apple Circus , which reintroduced the classical one-ring circus to America. The same year, Bernhard Paul and André Heller created Circus Roncalli in Germany, restoring the lost flamboyance of the German circus of yore.
In 1985, the French government created the Centre National des Arts du Cirque, a professional circus college on the Russian model. Other schools, often private not-for-profit entities and with varying degrees of professionalism, were established in England, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Australia, Brazil, and the U.S., among others, adding their numbers to the circus schools already in existence in the former Eastern Bloc.
Although China has a 2000-year-old acrobatic theater tradition of its own, its many troupes—similarly to their Russisan counterparts—developed new training method]]s after the Communist revolution and found themselves welcome participants in the circus renaissance. Director Valentin Gneushev (certainly the most influential director in the contemporary circus) opened his own studio in post-communist Moscow, while others opened specialized schools, like André Simard's aerial-act studio, Les Gens d'R, in Canada.
Circus in the 21st Century
The surge of teaching activity led to the creation of a multitude of avant-garde and experimental circus companies in the last decades of the 20th century, especially in England, France, Germany, Australia, and Canada (some of them extremely successful, such as the French "heavy metal" circus Archaos , or the German Circus Flic-Flac ), as well as to a revival of the old variety theater, especially in Germany with the resurgence of German " varieté (German, from the French: ''variété'') A German variety show whose acts are mostly circus acts, performed in a cabaret atmosphere. Very popular in Germany before WWII, Varieté shows have experienced a renaissance since the 1980s. ".
Traditional circuses, however had to face a change of audience's perception regarding animal training, fueled in large part by animal-rights activists—in spite of massive positive changes in the presentation and keeping of wild animals, especially in Europe. This led to a swarm of local legislation that made it often difficult, and oftentimes even impossible for circuses to present wild animal acts. Many circuses had to adapt and gradually give up the presentation of animals, following in that the example of the very successful Cirque du Soleil.
However, in many countries, this had a devastating effect on the circus industry: large traveling circuses that relied in large part on their vast menageries and the presentation of their exotic and wild animals, where forced to dispose of them and eventually closed, thus putting animal trainers ans keepers out of work, and at the same time considerably reducing the employment opportunities for other artists. However, animal acts are still presented by many circuses, notably in Eastern Europe and in Russia, and wherever else they are offered, they largely remain audiences' favorites.
Nonetheless, the circus, which has always been a highly adaptable performing art, is today undergoing important cosmetic changes, but its appeal as an universal form of entertainment remains, and a new expansion is to be expected.
Image Gallery
Philip Astley
The fisrst circus: Astley's Riding School (1777)
Hughes's Royal Circus (1782)
John Bill Ricketts (c.1795)
Laurent Franconi (1800)
Astley's Amphitheatre (1807)
Antonio Franconi (c.1830)
Palmyre Annato (1840)
Circus Chiarini in Japan (1886)
Gaetano Ciniselli
Bertram W. Mills (1923)
Ringling Bros. program cover (1940)
Moscow Circus School (1974)
Student show at the Moscow Circus School (1974)
Paul Binder & Michael Christensen (1982)
Valentin Gneushev (c.1995)
Cirque d'Hiver, Paris (2011)
The Big Apple Circus in New York (2010)
Welcome to Circopedia
The international on-line circus archive.
- Artists and Acts
- Acts by Category
- Owners and Directors
- Circus History
- Oral History
- Photo Archive
- Art Gallery
- Video Archive
- Circopedia Award
- Circopedia Books
- What links here
- Related changes
- Printable version
- Permanent link
- Content is available under a Creative Commons Attrib.-Noncom-No Deriv. Works 3.0 US License unless otherwise noted.
- Privacy policy
- About Circopedia
- Disclaimers
Your list is empty.
Save musicians, entertainers, speakers, and services, and they’ll appear here.
- Musical Acts
- Entertainers
- Other Services
- How It Works
- Party Ideas
- Help Center
Traveling Circuses for Hire in New Jersey
Where do you need a traveling circus, select your event location in new jersey:.
- Asbury Park
- Atlantic City
- Bergenfield
- Bernards Township
- Brick Township
- Bridgewater
- Cherry Hill
- Cliffside Park
- East Brunswick
- East Orange
- East Windsor Township
- Elmwood Park
- Galloway Township
- Hillsborough
- Jersey City
- Lacey Township
- Long Branch
- Maple Shade
- Mount Laurel
- New Brunswick
- New Milford
- North Arlington
- North Bergen
- North Brunswick
- North Plainfield
- Ocean Township
- Palisades Park
- Perth Amboy
- Phillipsburg
- Pleasantville
- Point Pleasant
- Rockaway Township
- Scotch Plains
- South Brunswick
- South Plainfield
- South River
- Wall Township
- West Milford
- West New York
- West Orange
- West Windsor
- Willingboro
New Jersey Counties:
- Atlantic County
- Bergen County
- Burlington County
- Camden County
- Cape May County
- Cumberland County
- Essex County
- Gloucester County
- Hudson County
- Hunterdon County
- Mercer County
- Middlesex County
- Monmouth County
- Morris County
- Ocean County
- Passaic County
- Somerset County
- Sussex County
- Union County
- Warren County
Why Book Traveling Circuses
Don't want to go to the circus - well bring it to you! In a dilemma as to what entertainers you want to book for your event? Well solve both these problems with a traveling circus. These groups travel around the country with a variety circus entertainers that are sure to please young and old alike! With clowns and animals for the young at heart and aerialists and stunt performers that never cease to amaze, a traveling circus is a fun and original entertainment to bring to town. So come one, come all and book a traveling circus today!
Click here to get quotes from Traveling Circuses near you!
Traveling Circus Pricing
Using data from quotes sent through GigSalad, we’ve gathered average nationwide pricing for hiring Traveling Circuses.
You might also like:
Want more traveling circus gigs.
If you provide Traveling Circus services in the United States or Canada, get more gigs by joining GigSalad .
- PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
- EDIT Edit this Article
- EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
- Browse Articles
- Learn Something New
- Quizzes Hot
- This Or That Game New
- Train Your Brain
- Explore More
- Support wikiHow
- About wikiHow
- Log in / Sign up
- Arts and Entertainment
- Performing Arts
How to Join the Circus
Last Updated: December 1, 2023 Approved
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 44 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 184,594 times. Learn more...
Circus performers have a better outlook in today's society than most jobs – and you get to do what you love for a living? Where can you sign up? If you're working on a skill that you're willing to dedicate your life to, your name could be the next big act. It's best to start right now, because you've got a wild ride ahead of you.
Developing Your Act
- If performing isn’t your thing but you still love the thrill a circus brings, there are lots of jobs in circuses that don't require acrobatics or strenuous physical activities. You could work backstage, with costumes, with animals, or set design and production. However, for the purpose of this article, we will be concentrating on circus performers.
- If you're doing something like clowning or juggling, you won't need to be in marathon-running shape, but you'll need to at least be fit enough to do things quickly, or, for example, to keep your arms up and juggling.
- Do you want to work for something like Cirque du Soleil? Something more traditional, like Barnum & Bailey’s? Would you rather do something on a smaller level, like performing at fairs and festivals? Ultimately, it’s up to you. Just remember that with bigger gigs and more glory comes more responsibility and commitment, too.
- This will essentially be a job. You'll need to find a coach, get the right equipment (for safety, for example), and set aside time each day to be the best in your field. This has to be a priority to be on circus-level.
Getting the Gigs
- You want it perfect so when you're called up, you can audition or be a substitute on a second's notice. When you get the circus they may change it as they see fit, but it has to get you there in the first place.
- Many circus acts have agents and work through recruiters, too. The more time you spend in the field, the more networked you'll be, making it easier to make and find connections.
- There’s a great job outlook, too. Most schools tout one of their biggest selling points as placing 100% (or nearly 100%) of their graduates in jobs.
- Tell your friends and family members to talk to their friends and family members about your act. You may get booked into private parties and local events just by word of mouth. This is one of the most reliable ways to market yourself and it can spread like wildfire.
- Consider websites like Workaway [1] X Research source , too, where you can sign up for a period of time and be part of the circus in exchange for room and board. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a step in the right direction!
- Apply as early as you can, talk to your coach, agent, or recruiter, and get your name in the ring. It may, at least initially, cost you money for travel and what not, but it's a small sacrifice to make to be showcased.
- Sometimes you'll apply and won't hear for months. If you don't hear back automatically, don't give up hope, but keep applying elsewhere. Don't shy away from international gigs, too.
- It can be very lonely, too. You'll develop a circus family definitely, but your real family may even be thousands of miles away. This, of course, depends on your contract. Only sign up for a period of time you know you can handle.
Recognizing the Challenges
- If you're working for a legitimate, big business circus, most odds and ends (like costumes) will be handled for you. But if you're working on a smaller circuit, you may need to take certain expenses on yourself. Consider it the price to pay for doing something you love.
- No one makes it on their first try. You have to hear a chorus of rejections before you finally "get your break." It could take months, it could take years, but you've got to trust that eventually it'll happen. If you don't believe in you, no one else will.
- In fact, your body basically means your job. If you don't take care of it, you could be out of a gig in no time. It's important to sleep, eat right, stay healthy, and, above all, stay safe. The last thing you want to do is compromise your career because you made poor decisions.
- What’s more, every role gets paid differently, too. If you’re at the bottom of the ladder, you may be getting $300 bucks a week; if you’re a featured performer like an acrobat or a contortionist, you could be making between $40,000 to $70,000 a year. Don’t forget – you’re getting free room and board, too. [3] X Research source The perks just keep on coming.
Community Q&A
- Before auditioning or applying for circus jobs, you need to put together a portfolio of your work, highlighting what you can do. Create an act for yourself, something that circuses haven't seen before and will be interested in. Thanks Helpful 61 Not Helpful 12
- Learn more than one skill set – circuses love performers that can do more than one act, plus you'll get paid more in the end. Thanks Helpful 30 Not Helpful 4
- Research circus schools in your area. If none are available, there's always dance companies and gymnastics, which have similar styles to circus work and will help you later on. Thanks Helpful 41 Not Helpful 7
- Some circuses provide health insurance for their performers, but it's also wise to have your own personal set of insurance, just in case. Thanks Helpful 41 Not Helpful 2
- Circus work is very hard and strenuous. You need to take all the necessary safety precautions when performing and practicing, and you need to warm up and stretch so your muscles don't get sore or exhausted too easily. Thanks Helpful 39 Not Helpful 3
- You will most likely get injured. You need to know this off the bat. Be prepared for injuries and always be your safest in whatever you're doing. Understand all the risks your job could have before auditioning for them. Thanks Helpful 34 Not Helpful 6
- Most circuses won't take on extremely young people without their parent's permission, sometimes not at all. It's always a safe bet that a circus will accept you if you are 18 or older, although sometimes there are exceptions. Thanks Helpful 32 Not Helpful 11
- It WILL take a long time to learn your skills. Don't expect to be able to do something overnight. In the beginning, you will probably be very bad, but as you practice and continue to learn you'll perfect it. Don't give up! Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
You Might Also Like
- ↑ http://www.workaway.info/
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/run-away-join-circus-17079/
- ↑ http://www.kidzworld.com/article/4481-becoming-a-circus-performer
About This Article
If you’re interested in joining the circus, choose a skill that you’re willing to devote your life to, such as trapeze, acrobatics, or juggling. No matter what skill you choose, you’ll need get in shape and work on developing an act that you can pitch to future employers. Once you perfect your act, make an audition tape that you can submit to circuses, as well as circus agents and recruiters. Additionally, consider going to circus school to further hone your skills and network with people that are already established in the field. For more advice, including how to land short term gigs until you can work with a circus, keep reading. Did this summary help you? Yes No
- Send fan mail to authors
Reader Success Stories
Oct 2, 2022
Did this article help you?
Richard Boamah
Oct 1, 2016
Kaylah Fleming
Sep 5, 2016
Sienna Watkins
May 1, 2017
Annalise Haigh
May 29, 2017
Featured Articles
Trending Articles
Watch Articles
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Do Not Sell or Share My Info
- Not Selling Info
wikiHow Tech Help Pro:
Develop the tech skills you need for work and life
DOWNLOAD THE NEW TWINIVERSITY APP!
The #1 Resource & Support Network for Parents of Twins
Traveling with the circus – by air.
Last updated on December 2nd, 2023 at 11:08 am
Flying often evokes anxiety in people on it’s own, let alone with twins or more in tow. Here are some tips to ensure that your trip goes as smooth as a baby’s bottom.
When To Travel
Traveling for pleasure? Travel “off season” as much as possible. If you aren’t locked in to particular dates, find out when the slow season is for your destination. Holidays are usually the busiest travel times of the year, so booking the week or two AFTER major holidays will typically ensure that where you are headed will be a bit less crowded. Think about it, if folks are taking their children away during a school break, are they really going to extend it another week? If you are heading down to Disney World or to Disney Land the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is usually a ghost town. Booking a Disney vacation for the first or second week of December is a GREAT bet if you want to avoid the crowds.
If you are traveling oversea’s call the hotel and do your homework on when their slow season is. True, the weather might not be perfect, but if you are the type of person who likes to avoid crowds, this is the time to go.
How Many Seats Do You Buy?
This depends on how much you want to spend. If you are on a tight budget, any paying adult can have a “lap child” under the age of two (check your airline for their specific regulations). If you have a long flight, you might want to consider booking at least ONE extra seat. That way you can hand off a child and have on in a stationary position for meals and bathroom breaks. This is ideal, but if your budget can’t fit it in, it shouldn’t be a deal breaker for your vacation.
Currently there are no laws that require your child to be in a car seat on an airplane, but there are some laws being knocked around Washington that say otherwise. Only time will tell what the outcome will be, but for now there are no official rules that require car seats, HOWEVER the FAA does recommend you use them. For more details on this, check out The Car Seat Lady’s guide to airplanes .
Where Should I Reserve Our Seats?
Rear of the plane? Front of the plane? These are your choices. Here are the pro’s and con’s:
Rear of the Plane Pro’s
You can only annoy the people in front of you. You are close to the bathrooms. You are close to where the flight attendants are usually stationed for the majority of the flight.
Rear of the Plane Con’s
Could take a while to board and get to your seat. There is usually a line of folks waiting to use the restroom in the isle. The seats don’t recline in the last row.
Front of the Plane Pro’s
First to board. First to disembark. Close to a restroom (depending on the plane ). Extra leg room.
Front of the Plane Con’s
If there is a first class/business class, the people on the other side of the curtain are not always the most patient and understanding. Could take a while for an attendant to assist you if necessary since they are typically stationed in the rear of the plane.
NOTE : If you are breastfeeding, you will need a window seat! You will have a bit more elbow room and a bit more privacy.
What Time Should I Book Our Flight?
If your children are on a schedule, try to book your flights around their naps. If they typically nap at 11am, try to be airborne at 10am so they have a moment to chill, take in their surrounding , and be ready for their nap. If times aren’t an issue, the first and last flights are the days are usually the least expensive. Also the first flight of the day isn’t a bad option since it’s almost always on time.
Other Tips for Preparing for Your Trip
Packing properly for the big travel day is essential. If you need some ideas on what should be in your back, check our Diaper Bag Packing List . Some additional tips for air travel are:
- Bring enough food for the whole flight plus five/six hours. If you are bottle feeding, you are allowed to take formula and pumped breast milk on the plane. Don’t believe us, check the TSA regulations . Sure, you can find baby food and formula in an airport, but the cost associated with it could buy you a first class ticket to the Caribbean, so make sure you have enough.
- Bring enough diapers/wipes/cream for a small army. ( see note on cost above)
- Pacifiers! Plenty of them. If your children use pacifiers, you should have a few extras on hand incase they choose to chuck them at passengers like grenades. Having some pacifier wipes on hand is a great idea too.
- Pack a few extra NEW toys that might grab their attention. Once my kids got older I packed ziplock baggies with different activities and took them out as necessary. I had some filled with crayons and post-its, some filled with small plastic dinosaurs and cars, some filled with puzzles, some filled with snacks and forbidden foods like M&M’s and Hershey’s Kisses. I took them out at different times during the flight. They couldn’t wait to see what the next bag brought them. I always packed two. Sometimes even three for me!
- We purchased special headphones for kids so they could watch the show’s offered to us (JetBlue!!!!). Baby A was the lion and Baby B was the bear!
Other Important Tidbits
- DON’T FORGET to pack an extra shirt or two for you! Nothing worse then having to sit with a smelly shirt on for the whole flight.
- PACK 10+ PAIRS OF EAR PLUGS! Hand these out to the folks around you and apologize in advance for the crying and tantrums, and that’s just your own, the kids are another story. Doing this will win them over immediately and get them on your side.
- PACK LEVEL 1 NIPPLES! Using these with their bottles will give them more chances to swallow helping with the pressure in their ears.
- Bringing your own DVD player, don’t forget the splitter !
Once You Get There
Reach out to the area’s local twin club or find some fellow Twiniversity members in the area. Parents of twins are notorious for going the extra mile for each other. You might be able to borrow strollers, two pack n’ plays, and more from your fellow parent of twins.
Good luck and happy travels!
Read These Other Articles for Great Tips for Travelling With Multiples!
- 5 Tips for Travel with Infant Twins
- Hotel Tips for Travelling with Twins
- A Large Family’s Guide to Vacationing
- Top 10 Articles for Travel with Twins
- Cruising With Kids Is a Great Way To Vacation!
Subscribe to Our Mailing List
Due Date or Twins Birthdate
Staying Informed
Yes! I would like to get Twiniversity emails about giveaways, events, weekly article roundups, and more!
Recent Posts
Subscribe to Twiniversity
Sign up for twiniversity twin parent emails subscribe today to get emails about giveaways, events, weekly article roundups, and more.
- Press/Media
- Disclaimers/Policies
- Twin Classes
- Twin Resources
Affiliate Disclosure: Some Twiniversity posts contain affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and decide to buy a product, Twiniversity gets a percentage of the sale, at no cost to you. This allows us to keep Twiniversity.com free for our community. Thank you for supporting us!
What's Hot
The best job on earth what it's like to work at a traveling circus.
The best answer to any question
This question originally appeared on Quora , the best answer to any question. Ask a question, get a great answer. Learn from experts and access insider knowledge. You can follow Quora on Twitter , Facebook , and Google Plus .
Answer by Megan O'Malley , musician with Ringling Bros., goofball on a train :
For some really good insight on this topic, check out Big Apple Circus' documentary Circus , a six-episode documentary that follows the troupe in their daily lives, covering performances, what it's like to live on the road, how children are raised, problems faced, drama abounding, etc. It's a really good glimpse into the life of a circus worker. Best of all, you can view the entire thing for free on PBS .
To answer this question personally, what you experience in the circus very much depends on the type of circus and what kind of job you're doing. Touring shows are full of hard work, bad food, and incidents that make for great stories later on.
In the circus that I travel with, we arrive in a city on a weekday and set up in an arena (usually a basketball or hockey arena in a large city). Setup or "load in" takes around 12 hours to complete, and both crew and performers are involved. Once load-in is complete, we usually will have a rehearsal and then about five to seven days of shows in any given city. If there is time between shows or a day with only one show, we are free to explore the city, and that's really a nice perk of the job. On the other hand, sometimes there's no time for exploring at all; this year I didn't get to see any of Nashville because it was freezing and we had lots of shows.
After our show schedule is completed (usually a Sunday night), we do "load out," which is pretty much packing everything back up. That takes around eight hours. Once that's done, we move on to the next city.
One thing that is special about the circus I work with is that we travel the country by train. This is an experience that you really can't get anywhere else. We travel via freight lines, so we get to see lots of things that few people ever get to witness. For example, one day I woke up and looked out the window to see that we were on Salt Lake ! Sometimes we pass through very remote areas, like national parks or steep mountain passes . Other times, we travel right through the heart of a city or small town, and people come running out of their homes or workplaces to take pictures and wave. This photo is from La Grange, Kentucky , where the tracks are on the town's Main Street. People were very excited when they saw our train passing through!
It's a life of constant movement and of stresses that you wouldn't experience in a normal 9-5 job. Lots of scary things can happen — people can get hurt during shows, or we can be housed in unsafe areas for the week. But the things you see when you travel across the country, the unique people you meet, the friends you make, the food you get to try, and the amazing animals and people that you get to work with--for me, that makes the circus life a life worth living. It's exciting and romantic; it's dirty and painful sometimes. Totally worth it.
What is it like to work at a travelling circus? originally appeared on Quora . More questions on Quora :
- Circuses : How can I join a traveling circus?
- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus : How significant is it that Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey circuses have decided to stop using elephants?
- Circuses : What is it like to be in the circus?
Support HuffPost
A healthier, happier 2024.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
This is your moment to build a happier, healthier life — and HuffPost is here to help you do it. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you've got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We're determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $2.
This is your moment to build a happier, healthier life — and HuffPost is here to help you do it. We've got you covered on everything from health to food to relationships, and so much more. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you've got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
Popular in the Community
From our partner, huffpost shopping’s best finds, more in life.
The most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Internet.
The Traveling Circus: An American Spectacle in Photographs
Since the 1700s, traveling circuses have transported Americans with magic, glamour, and popcorn. Troupes of skilled performers, sideshow characters, costumed actors, and exotic animals present jaw-dropping extravaganzas under ever larger tents. These spectacles of the incredible, the improbable, and the impossible have inspired onlookers of all ages—one, the poet e.e. cummings, declared, “Damn everything but the circus!”—to wish to run away with the nearest roadshow.
Photographer Edward J. Kelty did exactly that. Opening his first studio in 1922 in Manhattan, Kelty initially made his living taking pictures of guests at banquets. His skill with perfectly posing large groups put him in demand at other social events. For himself, Kelty haunted Coney Island sideshows, photographing their denizens—an avocation that led to a job with the Ringling Brothers & Barnum Bailey Circus as official photographer. Kelty devoted two decades to chronicling on film circus folk and their animal costars rolling into towns and cities across the country and putting on a show.
At the end of May 2017, the Greatest Show on Earth takes a final curtain call, permanently dimming the lights on a 147-year run. Edward Kelty suddenly disappeared shortly after the Depression, leaving few personal traces. But his vast, indelible body of work immortalizes the traveling American spectacle, keeping alive the memory of what it felt like every time the circus came to town.
Get up to 10% discount .
Don't have an account?
World-famous artists, incredible sounds, thrilling atmosphere: Experience your favourite stars live in concert and be part of the action when concert halls transform into dance floors and spectators can't help but sing along. Spectacular light shows, pulsing professional sound systems and astonishing venues make every concert a unique experience. Let yourself be be blown away by the thrill of live performances and make some memories. Book your tickets and hotel in one with Travelcircus' concert deals.
Our concert deals
- Overnight stay in the premium hotel of your choice
- Additional extras such as breakfast, depending on the hotel you choose
- Tickets for Monster Jam Berlin
- Further extras such as breakfast, depending on the hotel selected
- GC1, GC2, VIP or standing room tickets for Racino Rocks on 01.06.2024 in Ebreichsdorf
- Overnight stay in a Premium Hotel
- Further extras like breakfast
- Tickets for Bruce Springsteen
- Overnight stay at the Premium Hotel
- Other extras like breakfast
- Overnight stay at a premium hotel
- With further extras such as breakfast
- Tickets for ABBA Voyage
- Tickets for Paul Kalkbrenner in the categories Inner Circle or Seat Rank 1 in Berlin
- Overnight stay in a premium hotel
- With additional extras such as breakfast
- Tickets for Lollapalooza Berlin 2024
- Tickets for Rolling Loud Europe Festival from 05. to 07.07.2024 in Ebreichsdorf near Vienna
Concert FAQs:
How will i receive my concert tickets, what kind of concerts are available, what is included in the offer, which hotel will i be staying at, who can i contact if i have any questions.
- Travel Updates
Horror moment bear turns on performer during circus performance
Wild footage shows the moment a dancing bear attacked a ring master during a circus performance in China.
Airlines with most cancellations revealed
‘Smoking my vape’: Monkey’s wild act
Fears Santorini is heading for disaster
The black bear named Xiong Xiong could be seen pinning a performer to the ground before colleagues rushed to help break the man free during a show in the city of Huzhou last Tuesday.
According to local reports, it took six circus staff to release the bear’s tight grip and usher it back in its cage.
Footage of the incident made its way onto China’s social media platform Douyin, similar to TikTok, where users commented on the wellbeing of the animal.
“This little bear is so disturbed. I can only imagine how much abuse it has suffered,” one person wrote, according to local media.
“Cancel animal performances, they are so sad to watch!” another wrote, while a third agreed: “There should be no animal shows …”
The Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) also known as the white-chested bear is native to Asia. It has a medium-sized build with females significantly smaller than males, weighing around 127kg.
The bears are currently listed as ‘vulnerable’ by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the Institute of Animal Law in Asia calling on a ban on animals in circus performances.
“Keeping animals in captivity and using them for entertainment can cause stress and aggression,” it states on the site.
More Coverage
“A lot of wild animals that are used in circuses tend to live in family groups in the wild.
“Apart from having unnatural surroundings of other incompatible animals and an unnatural environment – being cramped in four walls – they are treated with violence and intimidation that lead to animals’ stress.
“It does not only harm animals themselves but also impacts public safety because some animals are driven insane and injure or kill people.”
A new report has uncovered the Australian airline that recorded the largest number of flight cancellations in January.
A tourist was left in disbelief when a monkey snuck into her hotel room before helping itself to her vape.
Urgent warnings have been issued over the beloved Greek island of Santorini with fears a sunken shipwreck has released toxic waste.
This company may use unsupported invitation methods Read more
Travelcircus Reviews
In the Tour Operator category
Visit this website
Company activity See all
Write a review
Reviews 4.6.
6,181 total
Most relevant
Disneyland take over
It was a great experience! Not only did we get 3 days disneyland but the second day we got a exclusive entree to the studios. Travelcircus hired a evening in the studios. It was unique because there were not as many people as usual, there were meet up with different caracters and there were people with balloons and make up for the kids! Will defently do it again
Date of experience : February 08, 2024
Disneyland Paris - Walt Disney Studios Takeover @Travelcircus
Habe die Travelcircus Takovernight im Disneyland Paris (Walt Disney Studios) zufällig als Anzeige bei Instagram gesehen und war neugierig. Habe dann die Veranstaltung über Travelcircus gebucht, alles lief ohne Probleme. Bei der Ankunft sowie der Veranstaltung selbst, gab es nichts zu beanstanden, alles war super organisiert und man hatte in den Walt Disney Studios zwischen 20 Uhr und 24 Uhr fast keine Wartezeiten an den Attraktionen, ein Traum! Danke für das Event!
Amazing value for money - could not fault ANYTHING!
Bought a great Disney deal with this company and let me tell you now, it felt too good to be true! Value that can not be beaten anywhere else! I contacted customer services in the lead up to the trip, just to check some finer details, and they were so friendly and helpful, really put my mind at ease. The deal its self was truly magical and gave us the best few days away that we’ve had in years. On arrival at the Disney hotel we chose, we were given a welcome envelope with everything we needed, all sorted by travel circus. The group check in desk were expecting us as per the instructions from travel circus and we were left to enjoy the magic of Mickey and co. Don’t hesitate to book with this company as it was A1 amazing all the way! I’ll be keeping an eye out for more deals in the future. Thank you ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Date of experience : January 16, 2024
Disney wasn't crowded at all
Disney wasn't crowded at all, hotel was good even had a small bath. Only downside parking was €15 a day. Price was unbeatable. Normal Disney tickets were more expensive than now hotel and Disney access.
Date of experience : November 30, 2023
We had a wonderful time
We had a wonderful time, the thermae offers a great experience for relaxation, swimming and sauna! Everything was clean and well equipped. They even offered vegan options at the restaurant. We had a good time and would love to come back soon!
Date of experience : October 29, 2023
Das Holiday Inn Hotel in Essen und…
Das Holiday Inn Hotel in Essen und Event Starlight Express in Bochum waren super organisiert. Auf Wunsch bekamen wir im Hotel ein Zimmer mit Klimaanlage. Das Personal im Service, Bereich Bar und Frühstück war sehr aufmerksam und zuvorkommend.
Date of experience : September 08, 2023
Good communication in advance of the…
Good communication in advance of the concert - very convenient to pick up the tickets at the venue. The clerk in the ticket office helped us get in via a side entrance so we did not have to stand in the long line.
Date of experience : May 26, 2023
All was perfect
We bought Depeche Mode concert tickets and Clarion hotel package. Hotel was perfect and in best location, and tickets were in front of stage! Everything was perfect and better than expected
Date of experience : May 28, 2023
Thanks to you and your concert+hotel offer I could attend the Warsaw Depeche Mode concert, despite the sold-out tickets on the ticket-selling websites:) Thanks a lot! I was very content with your communication, everything worked smoothly and well!
Date of experience : August 02, 2023
Evereything went smooth and easy
Evereything went smooth and easy. The hotela was good and easy to find. Consert tickets were easy to get from the container. The whole experience was very positive.
Date of experience : June 21, 2023
The combination ticket moviepark and hotel was very good, the moviepark was a great experience and the hotelWas lovely
It was a beautiful dat, not to hot, not to cold. moviepark is a beautiful park, with a lot to see and to do. The que wasn’t as long as in the Efteling Or Euro Disney, and the staff is friendly. The hotel we’ve booked, was wonderful, we’ve enjoyed the breakfast. The rooms where clean and it was a chique hotel.
Date of experience : April 23, 2023
Hotel was good but till the last day I did not receive info about tickets.
The hotel was good, the concert was excellent. The only problem is that I plan to travel from Croatia to Vienna and you did not send me any information about the concert ticket and accommodation (not a single word). I spent more than one hour on an international phone call to check if I have a hotel, and in the late afternoon, before the concert, you told me that I would have a ticket. The ticket was not one that I paid for, but ok. I paid year ago for this package, so you need to be much client oriented.
Date of experience : July 18, 2023
Concerttickets were available at the…Olympiastadium
Concerttickets were available at the Olympiastadium. Very easy to pick up. Hotel room Yggotel Spurv was small and there was no airco. With 32 degrees celcius it was hard to get a good sleep. Communication with Travelcircus was perfect.
Date of experience : July 09, 2023
I was verry pleased
I was verry pleased. Everything was good planned. Only 1 small thing, I choose for fri 23/06 to go to Moviepark, i understood, i could go straight to the entrance ports, but apparently, we first had the book our day on the site from Moviepark. We did it on our cellphone, so it was only a small thing. Still 5 stars. And hotel The Niu Hub Dusseldorf, was a great hotel :o)
Date of experience : June 23, 2023
The whole package
The whole package, hotel and concert was as described. The help and response when we wanted to extend our stay was Superb
Date of experience : July 14, 2023
we had good email-contact when we…
we had good email-contact when we phoned that we would be late, and we were let in even after closing time, when the lady saw us. Very very good!
Date of experience : July 20, 2023
Great hotel
Great hotel, great food, great location, great friendly staff. What is missing and must become available at the hotel is carging for EV cars.
Date of experience : July 24, 2023
Depeche Mode concert
I reserved a package hotel + tickets for Depeche Mode in Bratislava. All went smooth.The hotel and the concert seating place was great.
Depeche mode in Hamburg
I am English and bought tickets to see Depeche Mode in Hamburg. I paid £600 for two tickets (which the face value was €151 each) and one night in a hotel. The hotel was 30mins drive from the arena., in the middle of a retail park and cost around £135 a night. So how this all comes to £600 I don't know! Absolute con! We ended up having to book another hotel nearer the arena. Also, you pay all this money and book flights etc and the tickets don't appear in your ticketmaster account until a week before you go. A very anxious wait. I will not be doing this again!
Date of experience : February 17, 2024
Amazing Service
Amazing Service, booked many times and got the best always!
Date of experience : April 28, 2023
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Jan 11, 2024 3:57 PM EST Despite the closing of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (May, 2017), circus performances continue to amaze and amuse audiences in the United States and around the world. (In fact, these shows now have more incentives and opportunities to play a fuller schedule). Some of these circuses have animal acts; others do not.
A trip to the circus is truly a luxurious experience, but it's also one that's worth spending. After all, how often is it that you can say you've watched a circus live? Don't let the opportunity pass and book ticket passes now. Go front row if you can. Younglings and even the kids at heart will truly enjoy the magical night.
Traveling Circuses for hire across the U.S. and Canada: United States: Alabama Birmingham Huntsville Montgomery Mobile Auburn Decatur Madison Florence Phenix City Prattville
Circus Circus Las Vegas has announced plans to unveil its brand-new SpongeBob SquarePants-themed Dark Ride on March 1. The $6 million "SpongeBob's Crazy Carnival Ride" attraction was created by Sally Dark Rides and inspired by Nickelodeon's hit animated series. According to the family-friendly Vegas ...
So here are the five best traveling circuses in the world. The Golden Dragon Acrobats If you want to eschew the usual elephants on parade in favor of death defying antics, then the Golden Dragon Acrobats have got you covered.
Some circuses stay in one place (like Cirque in Las Vegas), but most are touring companies. Working with a traveling circus is exciting, but the lifestyle requires a real commitment and a...
A Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's circus truck is unloaded as the "Out of this World" show is set up at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. This was one of the last few stops on the...
Travel Proof Go Inside the Magical Life of Europe's Family Circuses Get lost in the drama of the contemporary circus world. Les Pêcheurs de Rêves, a small family troupe that performs throughout...
People say when traveling, you should dress in layers. I also recommend packing in layers. For example, I have one normal size rolling suitcase, which is my Circus Bag. Within my Circus Bag, I have smaller bags that I can easily pull. My Trapeze, Rope, hardware, rosin, and chalk will always live in this suitcase.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus will stop at the Wells Fargo Center for a set of shows over the holiday weekend. Showtimes are: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb 17; noon and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18; and noon on Presidents Day. Tickets start at $35 and are available for purchase online.
6:00 PM on Feb 21, 2024 CST. LISTEN. In the mad rush to get on the plane first, things are getting even madder. Passengers are finding new — and not necessarily ethical ― ways of accessing ...
Every year thousands of performers and technicians, producers and directors travel with one of the many circus acts around the US and even the world. As with any performing job, much practice and skill is required to get that job with the big top, but it is very possible. These jobs fall into the entertainment category of work travel employment ...
These groups travel around the country with a variety circus entertainers that are sure to please young and old alike! With clowns and animals for the young at heart and aerialists and stunt performers that never cease to amaze, a traveling circus is a fun and original entertainment to bring to town. So come one, come all and book a traveling ...
With those best in the know sharing their top travel tips for the City of Lights. Metro. Why Las Vegas should be on your 2024 travel bucket list ... part circus, part cocktail party - the ...
A new R-rated traveling circus called Paranormal Cirque will be coming to the Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio this week. Tickets are on sale now. San Antonio Express-News Hearst Newspapers Logo.
I Joined A Traveling Circus - YouTube © 2024 Google LLC Thank you to Shopify for sponsoring today's video! Get a free trial at http://www.shopify.com/michellekhare!!💪🏽 Download my workouts...
Jones Traveling Circus. Howdy! We're a nomadic family of six that ditched the "American Dream" and instead sold everything we own, quit our jobs, and set out on an adventure. We had plans to circle the globe in 2020, but Covid changed that. Instead we spent 2020-2021 exploring Colorado, Utah, and Hawaii.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, American circus that was the best-known traveling circus in the United States in the 20th and early 21st centuries. It had its roots in the circuses guided by P.T. Barnum, James Bailey, and the Ringling Brothers, which ultimately joined forces. It closed in 2017.
The American Traveling Circus. In the early nineteenth century, the United States was a new, developing country with few cities large enough to sustain long-term resident circuses. Furthermore, settlers were steadily pushing the American frontier westward, establishing new communities in a process of inexorable expansion. ...
These groups travel around the country with a variety circus entertainers that are sure to please young and old alike! With clowns and animals for the young at heart and aerialists and stunt performers that never cease to amaze, a traveling circus is a fun and original entertainment to bring to town. So come one, come all and book a traveling ...
1 Start honing a skill. Circuses have many different acts - and that opens up many different jobs. What's more, there's different types of circuses, creating even more opportunities. In order to join a circus, you will need one or more specific skills or talents that a circus would find valuable.
Last updated on December 2nd, 2023 at 11:08 am Flying often evokes anxiety in people on it's own, let alone with twins or more in tow. Here are some tips to ensure that your trip goes as smooth as a baby's bottom. When To Travel Traveling for pleasure? Travel "off season" as much as possible.
What It's Like to Work at a Traveling Circus To answer this question personally, what you experience in the circus very much depends on the type of circus and what kind of job you're doing. Touring shows are full of hard work, bad food, and incidents that make for great stories later on. By Quora, Contributor The best answer to any question
The Traveling Circus: An American Spectacle in Photographs. Maybe e.e. cummings was right... As the Ringling Bros. closes its curtain for its final show in May 2017, a look at the impact of the great American spectacle. by Rasheeda Smith 7/7/2017. Cowboys and Indians: Western-themed shows staged sharpshooting battles and rodeo events.
There have been many famous modern circuses since the first modern circus was staged by Philip Astley in London on January 9, 1768. Many are best known by the name of their principal owner. The following is a list of both circuses and their country of origin. For more information on circuses in general see Circus, or Contemporary circus, or for ...
3000 NE Alberta St. Portland, OR 97211. The following description was submitted by the event organizer. Night Flight proudly presents SEA OF DREAMS, a dazzling circus spectacular featuring aerialists, hand-balancers, contortionists and more. Raise the anchor, hoist the mainsail and journey with Pirate Captain Jack StockLynn of Sir Cupcake's ...
With Travelcircus, you can book concert tickets and accommodation at a premium hotel with extras like breakfast. Which hotel will I be staying at? You can choose from a selection of premium hotels during the booking process. Who can I contact if I have any questions? If you have questions about your booking, the Travelcircus team is happy to help.
The Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) also known as the white-chested bear is native to Asia. It has a medium-sized build with females significantly smaller than males, weighing around 127kg.
1 review Nov 3, 2023 We had a wonderful time We had a wonderful time, the thermae offers a great experience for relaxation, swimming and sauna! Everything was clean and well equipped.