'Bello Comes Home' when Circus Sarasota comes to town

Comic daredevil Bello Nock highlights Circus Sarasota 2009, opening March 6 and running through March 29 at the big top at Gulf Coast Town Center.

Comic daredevil Bello Nock, who spent eight years as the face of the Ringling Bros. Circus, joins world-class aerialists and illusionists, a celebrated contortionist, a Chinese foot juggler, equestrian beauties and a troupe of trained Pekingese pups when Circus Sarasota comes to town. Opening night is Friday, March 6, and the shows go on through Sunday, March 29, under the big top at Gulf Coast Town Center.

In conjunction with its stay in Southwest Florida, Circus Sarasota is also beginning an ongoing presence at the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. Part of the circus' Laughter Unlimited program, "Jolly-Ologist" clowns will take smiles and special projects to pediatric patients to help them overcome the fear and anxiety of a hospital setting through laughter and humor. Nursing home visits are also part of Laughter Unlimited.

The mission of Circus Sarasota, a one-ring show in the European tradition founded by CED Pedro Reis 12 years ago, is to raise the level of the circus arts and continue the circus legacy in Southwest Florida. "Each season brings news surprises and thrills for our audiences, many of whom return year after year to see some of the greatest circus acts around the world," Mr. Reis said. This year's headliners are:

Aerialist Dolly Jacobs, co-founder of Circus Sarasota

. Ringmaster Joseph Bauer Jr., a star of Bauer's Circus Maximus and a 15th generation member of one of Switzerland's oldest circus families.

. Bello Nock, a seventh-generation performer called "the Jackie Chan of physical comedy." Time Magazine has declared him "America's Best Clown."

. Dolly Jacobs, "the Queen of the Air," and Yuri Rjkov performing aerial pas de deux. The daughter of legendary circus clown Lou Jacobs, Ms. Jacobs has been invited twice to the Circus Festival of Monaco and has won the festival's prestigious Silver Clown and Le Dame du Cirque awards. Mr. Rjkov, a graduate of the Moscow Circus School, has performed with the Moscow Bolshoi Circus, Circus Scott in Sweden and the Big Apple Circus in New York City. He has won first place at the Moscow All-Union Circus Festival, Grand Prize at the Gran Premio Del Circo in Rome and a Special Prize at the International Festival of Monaco.

. Dog trainer David Rosaire and his Perky Pekes have performed at the London Palladium, Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas, New York's Lincoln Center and the Cirque d'Hiver in Paris. Mr. Rosaire's parents were the principal acts of Circus Rosaire, one of England's largest shows in its day. A devout animal lover, Mr. Rosaire relies on training methods that have been lovingly passed down through five generations.

. The elegant and mysterious Vladimir and Olga Smirnov, quick-change artists and illusionists in the classic Russian style.

. Eighth-generation circus equestrian Caroline Williams.

. Russian contortionist Alexey Goloborodko.

. Semeon Krachinov, a 20-yearold juggler who has been training since he was 11 and who has been featured at the Russian State Circus.

. Wang Hong, a Chinese foot juggler who won a Gold Medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain for her "Magic Feet of the Orient" routine. Circus Sarasota will deliver 32 performances during its stay at Gulf Coast Town Center. Tickets for matinee and evening shows begin at $10 and can be purchased online at www. CircusSarasota. org or by calling the box office at (941) 355- 9805. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the box office.

If you go

 

>>What: Circus Sarasota 2009:

"Bello Comes Home" >>When: March 6-29 >>Where: Under the big top at Gulf Coast

Town Center

>>Cost: $10, $22, $32, $42 and $47

(limited VIP box seats) >>Visit: www.CircusSarasota.org