It brings tears to my eyes to write this post marking this the first and last Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® is Bringing the Out Of This WorldTM Circus Experience for my family. While we thought we had more time to catch one of these amazing shows in the near future we were saddened to learn how this year (2017) is their last and final year of performing. Just a year ago the Elephants retired and now we have the circus making their final farewell. Although I have tears in my eyes as I write this they are a combined tears of joy and sadness for what is truly The Greatest Show On Earth.
To rewind to my very first Circus Experience from when I was 6 and my father brought me to one of the shows Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® was hosting here in the Washington D.C. Area. My father bought me an elephant which I keep to this day in storage to remember just how amazing that show was when I was a child.
Fast forward 21 year’s and you find us in 2017 making our final farewell to this amazing show. I couldn’t help but be excited to attend this show as I hadn’t been since I was a little girl. Life is funny that way where you think you have more time to go and then boom it’s the Final Farewell. We arrived pretty early and found our seats quickly. I promised the kids we would grab some goodies during the intermission and grab some souvenirs on the way out.
I’m happy we did get seated early on because we were able to catch one of the mischievous clowns who made everyone laugh as he shared popcorn with one of the guests. A fun tip I can give you is if you arrive early and catch a few clowns clowning around you may just be able to snap a selfie or two with them. A selfie or a funny photo like this one of a clown posing for a photo just for you.
Arriving early also means you can hear from some clowns tell you about the history of this circus and all the things they are involved in. Things such as a Center For Elephants Conservation, facts about some of the stars in the show such as Alexander Lacey who works with the big cats in the show. I loved sitting and listening to the many FAQS they shared as well as get a glimpse into what show we were about to see.
The show kicked off after a countdown and blasted off to an amazing show that we will never forget. Here is what you are in store for.
The story begins with magical circus Starseeker Paulo, who travels the universe with a Magic Telescope in search of the greatest and most talented circus stars. Paulo discovers two hopeful young stars, Johnathan and Davis. After an audition, the Magic Telescope selects Johnathan as a future Ringmaster. Davis is then recruited by Tatiana, Queen of the Circus of Fire, to join her on her evil quest for intergalactic circus domination.
After searching the galaxy far and wide, Starseeker Paulo and Ringmaster Johnathan have all of the stars needed for their circus. The two are ready to bring The Greatest Show On Earth® back to Earth, when Queen Tatiana captures their circus stars and hides them on distant planets across the galaxy to ensure that her own Circus of Fire can rise unchallenged.
Paulo and Johnathan’s mission to retrieve their circus stars from across the galaxy begins!
The Spacewalk by Simet Troupe. Making their U.S. debut, the Simet Family open the new show and immediately transport audiences to outer space with an Out Of This World, gravity-defying spacewalk. The only performance of its kind in the world, the Simet Wheel combines the skill of tightrope walking with the added challenge of a rotating wheel. The intergalactic circus adventure unfolds as the three performers, dressed as astronauts, give the impression that they are defying gravity. My kids loved this act and were amazed, I held my breath during most of the act as I was on the edge of my seat excited.
Art of Clowning: Bounce Rope: Davis combines his tightrope expertise with daring acrobatics, including a triple somersault, in his Bounce Rope performance. Queen Tatiana’s army of six clowns contributes to the comedy of the routine, as Davis’s first performance in the Out of This World show sets the stage for future awe-inspiring tricks and laugh-out-loud amusement. The Clowns in this show are so much fun, they had some really great acts in this show and just about stole the show with all of the laughs they created.
Torres Family — Inside the Vortex of Ice: Emerging from inside a glacier on the Ice Planet, the Torres Family dare the impossible in a 16-foot diameter steel-mesh globe, swirling around on motorcycles at high speeds. Riders on space bikes orbit at 65 miles per hour, passing within inches of one another. We are still wrapping our heads around how they were able to do this act as I know my family and I would have surely run into each other. It’s usually a stampede to get to the dinner table so I know this was an act that should only be done by professionals.
Tunziani Trapeze Troupe: In a synchronized performance, these incandescent comets perform the galaxy’s only simultaneous, side-by-side triple somersault. A beautiful meteor shower to behold, the elite group of high-flying artists forms a dream team of aerialists. The troupe executes routines requiring precision, stamina, strength and perfect form on the double-wide flying trapeze, an apparatus custom-designed for Ringling Bros. This act truly takes your breath away so please remember to breathe. I loved this act and I was so amazed at how easy they made this act look.
Big Cats. Alexander Lacey, King of the Big Cats, presents the most magnificent and majestic creatures in space on the Sand Planet. The performance demonstrates a lifetime of dedication, training and caring for his animals. Lacey’s passion is evident as he shows off their agility and strength, demonstrating unconditional respect and cooperation between man and animal. In this performance, heralded as the most diverse presentation of big cats in the US, audiences will see two tigers and lionesses as well as two male lions, Masai and King, marking the first time Lacey has presented two male lions within the same act.
If a huge lion staring at you while they are performing doesn’t excite you I do now know what would. It was amazing how well these big cats listened to Alexander and each of the bonds he had with each animal was clearly visible. The love the animals have for him and him for them was beautiful. My kids absolutely loved seeing the big cats this up close and they said they wish they could pet them, me too kids! If you wait patiently until the end you will catch King laying on him as if they are both watching a great show on Netflix.
There are so many other acts that you must see in person! So head over now and grab some tickets for the next show, you won’t want to miss this Out Of This World Show! Grab Your Tickets Here or at the EagleBank Arena box offices.
FAIRFAX, VA SHOW
The Patriot Center | April 7 – April 16, 2017
Performance Schedule:
- Friday, April 7 | 10:30 AM, 7:30 PM
- Saturday, April 8 | 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM
- Sunday, April 9 | 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM
- Thursday, April 13 | 7:00 PM
- Friday, April 14 | 1:00 PM, 7:30 PM
- Saturday, April 15 | 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM
- Sunday, April 16 | 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM
Will you be catching Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Greatest Show On Earth Out Of This WorldTM Circus Experience? When was the last time you caught a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® show?
Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to attend this show, all opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Robin Rue says
I am hoping to get to see the circus one last time before they are gone forever. I have so many fond memories going to see it as a child.
Ana says
Aww, I love the circus and I am sadden that they will be retiring after all these years.
Michelle Gwynn Jones says
Wow – that really is sad. I can’t imagine children never getting to experience this amazing circus. I have enjoyed so many shows.
Alicia Taylor at Taylorlife.com says
I know so many people are upset about this being the last year for the circus. I remember going when I was a kid.
Alayna says
I have a lot of mixed feelings about Ringling Bros closing. It has a troubling history, but they have brought a lot of joy to people and have made a lot of strides in the past few years. Glad you got to take in one last show!
taylermorrell says
It’s sad that they are closing. I know why and understand why, but circuses are such a big part of childhood!
Emily says
Wow, what a show! I remember seeing this as a kid and it stood out to me with all of the lights and performers!
sparkofsouthernmoms says
I have always wanted to go to the circus! I would love to take my son I think it would be a great experience. I think we would have a blast going. I hate to hear they will be shutting down.
eazynazy says
i have never been to circus and its really sad to hear that it’s closing
Yeu Doi says
Looks like a blast! The characters look so colorful and full of life.
Wendy Polisi says
They deserve to retire and settle down. The circus life is quite the busy one!
vishalgmr1971 says
I can understand your feelings. I’ve had these feelings when my favorite circus shut down because of the evolution of technology and not enough attendees to make it work. I guess now tech is taking over these small and beautiful activities.
Cynthia Nicoletti says
Always loved this circus. Have been going for years. Going to miss it.
E H says
This is an amazing performance! We saw a circus with our kids last year, but it was not like this one, this is an absolutely incredible performance. Will be hard to say good-byes
Elizabeth O. says
It would be nice to see them for the last time. It’s been a long time since I last watched the circus with my kids and this would be perfect.