Judging from the fact that it was only a one-ring circus, I expected the show to be quick and unimpressive.
I was wrong.
Here's the first thing I learned: I don't hate circuses. I just hate the kind with animals; captive elephants being whipped make me sad. Also, I don't like the huge, three-ring kind of circuses where you can't possibly see everything because either (a) there's something happening in all three rings at one time or (b) some of the rings are so far away that you might as well be watching the circus on TV.
Cirque Cirque Millennia's one-ring circus is an intimate experience. I was sitting in the center second row, and yet I felt as if one of the trapeze artists was going to fly into me. She didn't of course, but the close proximity was absolutely thrilling!
Another thing about the Cirque Millennia's one ring circus: you can see EVERYTHING. You can see the acrobats' facial expressions as they mentally prepare to awe and amaze you. You can see their flexing muscles, which because of their smiles and grace, are the only things to clue you in to the fact that what they are doing is really, really difficult (impossible for most of us).
Things like this:
And this:
And this:
And this man:
he's jumping rope on that thing and that thing is moving!
Please also note: there were NO NETS!
Please also note: there were NO NETS!
These are world-class performers that you get to see right here in our small community!
I also appreciated that the Cirque Millennia did not use animals in their show. (They do have ponies available for pony rides.) For those of you with a fear of clowns, no worries -- Cirque Millennia doesn't have any clowns either. Instead of clowns, kids get to see these two guys have a dance-off.
My life is complete now that I have seen Sponge Bob do the worm.
This guy also made my little girl laugh and cheer.
He is the son of the woman on the right,
who also is one of the beautiful acrobats.
I hope I have convinced you that you can't miss this circus! There are shows tomorrow (9/6) at 3pm and 7 pm. Dress light, bring a camera and cash (there are refreshments for sale, entry is $15 for adults; Brookie was admitted free tonight but the poster says kids are $7.50), and most of all come prepared