Pictured: Slack Wire artist Antino Pansa. Photo courtesy of CAC.

The Ringling Circus and Sarasota have been joined at the hip since 1927, when John Ringling moved the circus’ headquarters to the Gulf Coast. From then on, Sarasota became known as a circus town, a cultural hub for artists and creatives in the Southeast. The Ringling blossomed into the region’s preeminent arts organization and although the institution no longer produces a circus of its own, the tradition of circus in Sarasota lives on. For the past 18 years, The Ringling has partnered with the Circus Arts Conservatory to produce the Summer Circus Spectacular. The show, which began its nine-week run at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theatre earlier this month, brings some of the best of what the circus world has to offer back to Sarasota for an extended run.

This year’s lineup features a number of exceptional acts including Zore Espana on the Cyr Wheel, a 6th generation circus artist from Englewood, Florida. Espana, who hails from a legendary trapeze family, dazzles on the Cyr wheel and is just one of the artists in this year’s lineup making their Summer Circus Spectacular debut. “Zore has such a captivating act and is a beautiful, flowing, energized representation of what the Cyr wheel act is,” says Pedro Reis, Founder and President/CEO of the Circus Arts Conservatory. Other artists include Antino Pansa on the slack wire, Camille Langlois with the hair hang, the contortionist Uranbileg Angarag and more. “The show is so exciting because we have a very, very strong ensemble of artists. What Antino Pansa does on the slack wire is just amazing–he does handstands, one-armed handstands, splits and more. Camille has a hair hanging act that is unique and quite powerful, it has a message that I think is going to resonate with both children and adults,” says Reis. “Uranbileg is going to perform a piece called Broken Doll, where she performs contortion which is very unique and spellbinding.”

Audience members of the Summer Circus Spectacular also have an opportunity to explore The Ringling’s circus history at a discounted price. For just an additional $5, attendees can gain access to The Ringling’s Historic Circus Galleries and Tibbals Learning Center.

June 14 through August 17, The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, Box office: 941-360-7399.

Pictured: Slack Wire artist Antino Pansa. Photo courtesy of CAC.

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