How many circuses are there

But the perilous standing of the Big Apple Circus, which hopes to reorganize and reopen, is primarily financial. Lauded throughout its history , the beloved circus offers audiences an intimate one-ring experience celebrating individual artistry, similar to popular European circuses. But like other cherished local institutions, the Big Apple Circus is being priced out of existence in the Big Apple.

True to the countercultural vision of its founders, Paul Binder and Michael Christensen, the nonprofit circus kept ticket prices affordable and continued its vibrant tradition of community service, offering free charity shows and programs for sick, infirmed and impoverished people. But this generosity of spirit has left the circus vulnerable. But after , these events have disappeared. The Big Apple Circus filed for bankruptcy on November 20, If the circus is to survive, it may have to relocate away from its unaffordable namesake home.

Follow CNN Opinion. The Big Apple Circus' specific economic circumstances are grave, but its birth in paved the way for today's one-ring circus renaissance. Although Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil faced a dip in ticket sales after the financial crisis, the show is expanding in the United States and around the world. Cirque du Soleil employs over 1, performers in 19 shows and it expects to hire new artists each year: newcomers will work on two to eight new projects annually in development.

The remaining will replace retiring performers in extant productions. See my definitions here. The tenting circuses are out in force this year, so do keep your eyes peeled to see who might pitch up near […]. I wonder what you think of these…? When I made the list, the info I could find about them on the web suggested that they tie their acts together with a narrative, which is a step away from the strict classical model.

Not in a pejorative sense but for act or circuses that reference the past. They spend their lives being carted from town to town, state to state, for 11 months out of the year. Often, the boxcars wild animals travel in have no climate control, meaning the animals endure extreme weather conditions.

They also are forced to eat, sleep, and defecate in the same space. The transport cars are often in poor shape and circuses have been repeatedly cited by the USDA for trailers with splintering wood and sharp, protruding metal pieces that could hurt the animals. Due to long hours standing on hard surfaces and lack of appropriate exercises, the leading causes of death among captive elephants are foot infections and arthritis. Elephants in captivity can carry the human strain of Tuberculosis TB.

Those in circuses are particularly at risk due to consistent exposure with infected humans or other elephants. Some elephants who did not exhibit symptoms were confirmed positive during necropsies, possibly infecting other elephants with the disease. In , a tiger named Apollo escaped a Cole Bros.

Circus and ran through the busy New York City borough of Queens. Apollo ran through a crowded park during a busy Saturday and then caused multiple accidents on the Jackie Robinson Parkway, resulting in several severe injuries of drivers. Just nine years earlier, elephants escaped from the same circus in Queens, causing a panicked stampeded that injured a dozen people.

Visit their website for more information. Both units have aerials, trapeze, floor acrobatics, motorcycle globe, trampoline, contortionists, clowns and the like, under the Big Top. III leads the flyers—watch him throw quadruple somersaults to his brother and catcher; Marco Antonio Caballero. For performance information, visit their Facebook page. Traveling in Florida, the show is about 90 minutes long. For information, visit their website or Facebook.

Circus Lena, located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, offers 90 minute performances 6 days a week at various locations. No animals, but the show highlights traditional floor and aerial acts under a big top tent. Visit Circus Lena for more information. Located in Florida but with bookings around the United States and Canada, Circus Spectacular features aerialists, acrobats, animals and more.

Produced by Cindy Migley, Circus Spectacular books fundraisers, Shrine productions, corporate events, town celebrations, and music festivals. Visit Circus Spectacular on the web or call for more information. Circus United presents shows for communities and Shrine and other charitable organizations fundraisers. Acts are tailored for each performance. Visit their website or contact the administrators of Circus United for specific information on what will be in the show of your choice.

Circus United is also on Facebook. Cirque Dreams is a modern look at circus theatrics. Located in Pompano Beach, Florida, the show combines athleticism with theater arts. Visit Cirque Productions. Since the early s, Cirque Du Soleil has created its own tradition in performance and dramatic arts.

Animals are not part of the Cirque Du Soleil experience. Email contact cirquedusoleil. Under a Big Top, the shows feature stages with cascading curtains of water, colorful lights and vibrant music. Traveling in Florida, the Water Circus Gold Unit has aerialists, acrobatics, trampoline artists, hand balancing, and contortionists.

The shows are touring; visit the website for more scheduling information. Generations of circus traditions come to life in Cirque Legacy, based in Arizona.

The show has aerials and floor acts but no animals. Check Facebook for more information. Cirque Ma'Ceo has a long history, focused on equestrienne arts and aerials under the Big Top.

This show performs at various state and county fairs. Check out the Cirque Ma'Ceo web page or their more updated presence on Facebook. Along with traditional circus acts but no animals , Cirque Mechanics uses industrial gadgets in its performances, including the Open Air Circus. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, a Cirque Mechanics show is something like "picnic meets circus" with outdoor seating.

Visit Cirque Mechanics online for more information. Cirque Mundial performs at many fairs, festivals and private events; the show's traveling schedule lists mainly midwest and southern states. Cirque Mondial has a Facebook page for updated touring information. The performances feature trapeze, contortionists, dogs, wire walkers, clowns, horses, big cats and other elements that make up traditional circus. The public is invited to visit the grounds as the Big Top rises; there are free tours where participants can meet the animals and learn about their care.

Animals are regularly inspected by veterinarians and government authorities. For more information, visit their website. Scheduling updates are on Facebook. Jugglers, acrobats, magic acts, aerials, and of course, beautiful showgirls adorable the circus ring. Do Portugal Circus. The show is presented in Spanish, featuring acrobats and aerials under a spacious tent. Find more information at Circo Delman and on Facebook.

Audience members view the show from their own cars. Performing in Texas and nearby states. Flynn Creek Circus is a tent show that brings a vintage style to the modern circus. Pole work, trapeze, acrobats, juggling, hula hoop tricks and aerial ropes are some of the acts in this performance—no animals. Flynn Creek offers a circus camp in the summer. For more than years, Garden Bros.

Circus has been in the center ring. Currently at indoor venues, performances are about 90 minutes long; they include motorcycle daredevils, acrobats, camels, clowns, aerialists and the basic circus fare. The show has been known to have animals depending on whether the local municipalities allow them , however, the Garden Bros. Still, circus tradition lives on with this one-ring show that travels mainly in the northeastern parts of the United States.

During special promotions, the show offers free tickets for children with paying adults. For more information, call Garden Bros. Circus at or visit their website. This show—about 90 minutes long—provides family entertainment in a traditional circus atmosphere; clowns, juggling, contortion, aerialists, acrobatics and etc. The circus offers special online pricing.

It tours in select U. Check out the full schedule online. Hamid Circus features traditional circus acts in the air and on the ground. The show also has its host of animal acts, although performances would vary.