A Spectacular Summer Circus Full of Hoops, Swoops, and Whoops

By Sylvia Whitman  |  Photos By Cliff Roles

Ham and eggs, Bogie and Bacall, circus and Sarasota—certain combos seem inevitable. Once the winter home of the mighty Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sarasota remains a year-round mecca for both retired and practicing show folks. Inspiring new generations of both performers and appreciators, Sarasota’s Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) is partnering with The Ringling Museum for the 12th time to present the Summer Circus Spectacular in the Historic Asolo Theater from June 11 – August 3.

“It’s a show that people look forward to every year,“ said Pedro Reis, founder and CEO of the Circus Arts Conservatory. “We are excited to announce that, due to its popularity, we’ve added a week of performances.”

Every summer, Reis, himself a trapeze artist, remixes acts from around the world to create a new “hour of traditional circus fun,” says CAC marketing manager Beth Graves. With fewer than 300 seats, the ornate Historic Asolo Theater allows an up-close experience that can include audience participation with the clowns. After the show, patrons can tour the Circus Museum on The Ringling grounds for a discounted $5 admission.

In addition to tapping his circus network, Reis finds talent for the Summer Circus Spectacular through the internet. “We get so many emails from performers who want to come here to perform because we have a wonderful, wonderful reputation around the world,” explains Graves.

Sarasota’s circus history contributes to the draw. “The circus community is a very tight-knit community, so even though these people are coming from all over the world, they’ve worked with artists who live here. It’s kind of like a homecoming,” adds Graves.

The long gig—eight weeks this year—also makes the Summer Circus Spectacular desirable. For performers without local connections, CAC houses them at Sun N Fun Resort. There they can relax by the pool after each of their 80 or so shows—or head to the beach.

“And we have great audiences here because it’s such a circus community,” says Graves. “The people really, really appreciate them.”

The acts bring their own music and costumes. This year’s lineup (still in progress at press time) includes several performers familiar to TV viewers and fans of Circus Sarasota. Cuban born Carlos Rodriguez Diaz—Rokardy—graduated from the island’s National Circus in 1995 and has toured from Norway to Vietnam, bringing his hand balancing act to season 9 of America’s Got Talent. This summer Rokardy will raise adrenaline levels in the Historic Asolo Theater by balancing on a precarious stack of chairs, a stunt he originated for Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba at Disneyworld.

Another America’s Got Talent alum,  Alesya Gulevich tangoes with hula hoops. Born in southern Russia to a “noted aerialist” (mom) and a “famous clown” (dad), she was tumbling by age 5 and unicycling at 12. Three times she’s set the Guinness Book record for spinning the most hula hoops simultaneously.

Another circus nomad from Russia, Kirill Rebkovits excels at rolla bolla, seesawing on a teetering tower of planks over cylinders. “It’s incredibly exciting and scary,” says Graves. She reports that Rebkovits is currently training for American Ninja Warrior.

This year’s clowns, Slappy & Monday, will provide the laughs alongside the gasps.

In addition to the Summer Circus Spectacular, CAC is running its usual one- and two-week summer camps, where kids can sample different circus disciplines. Who knows who might rise one day to the high wire?

Camper or not, every kid can dream big at the Summer Circus Spectacular.

“This is an affordable way for the entire family to enjoy a world-class circus performance in the intimate Historic Asolo Theater,” says CEO Reis. “To enjoy an authentic circus performance on the grounds of the historic Ringling estate is quite special and unique to Sarasota!”

The Summer Circus Spectacular takes place at the Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling (5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota). Show times are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Tickets for preview shows, June 11-14, are just $12; for the remainder of the run tickets are $16/adults, $12/children 12 and under.