wcw JUNE 2022

focus on the arts
Summer
hanks to the
continued partnership
of the Circus Arts
Conservatory and The
Ringling, audiences
can enjoy world-class entertainment,
once again, during the 2022 Summer
Circus Spectacular.
Circus fans of all ages, from near
and far, can beat the heat at reasonable
prices while experiencing the best of
the circus arts at the Historic Asolo
Theater on the grounds of The Ringling.
Some of the circus world’s most exciting
acts have signed on for the annual
show, with performances presented
for nine weeks this summer. The show
runs from June 10 - August 13, 2022.
This celebrated summertime event
has become a seasonal highlight for
locals, visitors, families and groups.
To complete their circus experience,
Summer Circus Spectacular patrons can
enjoy access to the Circus Museum on
the day they attend a show for just an
additional $5 – an incredible value for
a full day’s entertainment.
“Each year we are thrilled to partner
with the Ringling to present the Summer
Circus Spectacular,” said CAC Executive
Vice President Jennifer Mitchell. “This
show not only offers an affordable entertainment
option for all ages but is also
the perfect summer family-friendly activity.
With nine full weeks of shows, and
afternoon and evening options, there will
always be a convenient time to come and
enjoy the magic of the circus arts!”
The lineup
for the Summer
Circus Spectacular
includes:
Heidi Herriott, Master
of Ceremonies: Herriott
is proud of her heritage as a third-generation
American circus artist. She has
traveled North America performing as
an aerialist, equestrian and Ringmaster.
Career highlights include appearing on
"America’s Got Talent" and with Studio
54 Nightclub, Animal Planet, Walt Disney
World, Ringling Bros. Circus, Circus
Sarasota, Big Apple Circus, Excalibur/
Las Vegas and more.
Chris Allison, Comedy:
Allison was 12 years old when he
took a school field trip to the Ringling
Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (RBBB)
Circus that left him determined that he
would grow up and become a clown
with the Greatest Show On Earth ® .
After graduating from the RBBB Clown
College with a major in pie throwing
SUMMER HEATS UP WITH
and a minor in pratfalls, he spent the
next 11 years touring with the circus,
the final three years as the Boss Clown.
Since leaving the show, he has toured
all across the U.S. as well as internationally.
He has been seen on MTV's “Road
Rules,” MTV'S “ODDVILLE,” Natalie
Merchant's music video for her hit song
"Kind and Generous," “The Oprah Winfrey
Show,” “The Today Show,” “Emeril
Live,” Comedy Central’s “Strangers with
Candy,” “The Late Show with David
Letterman,” and he was a semi-finalist
on “America’s Got Talent.”
Olga Coronas and
Holly Legare, Duo
Lyra: This aerial dream team is
honored to bring their aesthetically-pleasing
artistic fusion of dance and
aerial acrobatics to Sarasota. Coronas,
an accomplished, professional aerialist,
and Legare, an award-winning dancer,
have joined forces to create a beautiful,
captivating performance that’s sure to
inspire audiences.
Spectacular
Runs June 10- Aug. 13 at the Historic Asolo Theatre
Hand
balance
contortion
artist
Ricardo
Sosa
Chris Allison
will keep
circus
patrons
laughing
with his
clowning/
comedy
act
Rolla
bolla
artist
Abreham
Mola
Olga Coronas
and Holly Legare
will perform on
the duo lyra
Dust In the Wind, Hand
Balance Adagio: Seida Maite
Ramírez Lobaina and Julio Fajardo Arjona
are artistic partners who have taken
their act to the next level. Their hand-tohand
balancing and adagio act has taken
them all over the world and seen them
earn many prestigious awards. Among
their many accolades, they have been
invited to the elite Monte Carlo International
Circus Festival in 2023.
Abrehem Mola, Rolla
Bolla: As an agile and athletic youth
born and raised in Ethiopia, Mola was
destined for his art. At the age of 12, he
joined the first of many circuses, performing
as an acrobat and juggler before perfecting
his rolla bolla routine. Since then,
he has been a sought-after artist, thrilling
audiences while performing all over the
world in circuses and festivals. He came
to the United States to perform in 2016
and has since made the U.S. his home.
Ricardo Sosa, Hand
Balance Contortion: Sosa
hails from Havana, Cuba; he began
studying ballet at the age of 6. He went
on to train in the state-sanctioned circus
school in Cuba. Three years into
his professional career, he became a
highly-regarded teacher and mentor:
his students have gone on to win many
national competitions. Offered his first
U.S. contract with an American circus
in 1999, he has since performed in
circuses all over the U.S. and Europe
as well as Las Vegas nightclubs and
hotels. He now resides permanently in
Miami, Fla. but still performs all over
the world.
“It is such a pleasure and an honor
to bring a live, professional circus
show to the beautiful Historic Asolo
Theater at The Ringling, which works
to preserve the history and legacy of
the circus,” said CAC founder and
president/CEO Pedro Reis. “Our missions
are so closely aligned – we both
strive to inspire, educate and entertain;
our collaboration has been such
an organic and fulfilling effort.”
The show, which will take place
at the Historic Asolo Theatre at
The Ringling (5401 Bay Shore Rd.,
Sarasota), runs Friday, June 10 – Saturday,
August 13, 2021. Show times
are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays
through Fridays, and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
on Saturdays. Tickets are $18/adults,
$12/children 12 and under. To complete
their circus experience, Summer
Circus Spectacular patrons can enjoy
access to the Circus Museum on the
day they attend a show for an additional
$5. Go to ringling.org or call the
Box Office at (941) 360-7399.
About Circus Arts
Conservatory
The mission of the Circus Arts
Conservatory is to engage and
educate students using unique and
innovative learning programs; to
measurably improve the quality of life
for individuals in care facilities; and
to advance the extraordinary legacy
and heritage of the circus. The CAC
is home to world-class performances,
excellence in training the circus arts,
and community-based education and
humor therapy outreach programs. Visit
CircusArts.org or call (941) 355-9335.
22 WEST COAST WOMAN JUNE 2022
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