Under a new big top Circus Sarasota returns with thrills and tradition
Circus traditions have been embedded in Sarasota history since the Ringling brothers set up their winter quarters in the community nearly a century ago, attracting locals and tourists who wanted close-up access to the performers and their acts.
That close intimacy has been one of the draws for Circus Sarasota, which returns for its 26th season under a brand new big top tent at Nathan Benderson Park beginning Feb. 16.
Circus Sarasota, which is produced by the Circus Arts Conservatory, comes on the heels of the extended run of “A Brave New Wonderland,” which the organization produced with wire walker Nik Wallenda, and its annual Sailor Circus holiday show featuring young performers. Other shows, including “Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium” and the long-awaited return of The Greatest Show on Earth also were in the area in recent weeks.
“There’s a real resurgence in circus. This is the year of circus with more shows going out performing,” said Jennifer Mitchell, managing director of the Circus Arts Conservatory. “We’ve always held the more we can have circus arts mainstreamed, the better for all of us. We’re in the circus capital of the world and what better way to show than to have two big shows back to back.”
Mitchell and several performers in this year’s show also credit a wider appreciation of circus arts to “America’s Got Talent,” the NBC competition series that regularly features a variety of circus artists.
The acrobatic hand-balancing act The Bello Sisters, who make their Sarasota debut in this year’s production, were featured on the TV competition in 2020 and returned in 2023 on “America’s Got Talent: All Stars.”
“Circus is always the key to the engine when I see ‘America’s Got Talent.' There’s always an unbelievably amazing act, whether it’s someone from a circus school or a multi-generational family. It shows you that circus is still a very serious heartbeat of the entertainment world,” said Joseph Bauer Jr., a daredevil performer himself who returns in his familiar role as ringmaster.
The Flying Tabares trapeze act represents both the passed-down circus traditions and the new.
Mariella Arata Quiroga, one of the flyers, is part of a multi-generational circus family, carrying on an act once performed by her parents Katya Arata-Quiroga and Nelson Quiroga, who operate the California-based Circus Vargas. One of Mariella’s flying partners is Isabel (or Izzy) Patrowicz, who is considered one of the few women in the world to consistently perform the triple somersault. She doesn’t come from a circus background.
“When I was first learning the trapeze, I would always study the Flying Tabares videos,” Patrowicz said. “This act is one of the best in the business. We’re able to take our act to all sorts of places.”
A fear of heights
Mariella Quiroga said growing up and watching her parents perform on the trapeze, “I always loved it, But it took a while before my parents took me seriously that I wanted to do it.”
Her mother, Katya, said she recalls her own beginnings on the trapeze in her early 20s. “I was always afraid of heights and I thought it would be too dangerous, too scary for her. We thought she’ll grow out of it, but I also loved it so much, even though I never got over the fear of heights.”
Whatever fears they may have during a performance are eased by working with catcher Thomas Payne Tobin, or Tad, who is Patrowicz’s boyfriend.
“He knows us. He knows if we’re a bit tired one day. He knows how to adjust his timing and height for us,” Patrowicz said.
The Flying Tabares, who recently won the silver medal at the International Circus Festival of Italy, are making their Circus Sarasota debut.
Other acts in Circus Sarasota
This year’s show also includes the horseback riding act of Caleb Carinci, who began his career at age 6 as an acrobat for the Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival. He has performed around the world, was featured in The Big Apple Circus and had a role in “The Greatest Showman.”
Duo Minasov is a quick-change costume act featuring married couple Elena and Victor Minasov. He is a sixth-generation performer from a Russian circus family and she was a champion acrobatic gymnast in Russia earlier in her career.
There are also several members of the Espana family featured in different acts.
The father Noe España performs with Marcos Ponce Lopez on the Double Wheel of Destiny. Espana is a fifth-generation circus artist who has toured with Ringling Bros. Lopez began his career as a breakdancer before moving on to circus acts.
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Elan España is a diabolo juggling act featuring the youngest member of a circus family that has been performing for eight generations. He received the Generation Next Award during the 2022 Ring of Fame induction for notable circus acts.
Noemi España performs a contortion and hand-balancing act.
There also will be clowning from Jimmy Folco, the character played by Luigi Rodolfo Folco, who comes from seven and 11 generations of circus performers over the last 300 years. He previously appeared in Circus Sarasota in 2008 and 2018. And Anton Monastrysky, a fourth-generation circus artist, will perform a Hula-Hoop act in his Sarasota debut.
Circus Sarasota
Runs Feb. 16-March 10 under the big top at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Friday and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $30-$80 with a 20 percent discount for the opening week. Parking is $10. 941-355-9805; circusarts.org
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Flying trapeze, balancing, juggling and more in 2024 Circus Sarasota
