By Karen Bloom
a summer fix of circus entertainment, the Cole Bros. Circus sets up in Oceanside this week, Monday and Tuesday, at Firemen's Memorial Field.Its "Circus of the Stars" holds true to an American tradition. It is the last of the large traveling tent circuses.Known as the "the world's largest circus under the big top," the Cole Bros. Circus has all the traditional circus acts - elephants, clowns, acrobats, and aerialists - all under its "Big Top" tent. That innovative Crimson and Gold Big Top measures 136 feet wide by 231 feet long.The circus' star elephants, Tina and Jewel, continue to delight audiences. They lead a cast of animal and human stars who aim to thrill and amaze their guests.Animal antics include a performance by Professor Elmo's Snickers, the mind-reading pony; Craig Rogers K-9 Air Sports Team, as seen on Animal Planet, along with Abuhadba's Fantasy Poodle Review.Among these four legged performers, it's a 19 pound Jack Russell Terrier named "Whiplash" who steals this year's show. No mere mutt, six-year-old Whiplash is superbly conditioned "canine athlete" whose aerial tricks and gymnastic feats can rival those of the human performers with whom he shares center ring. What's more, every performance affords Whiplash the opportunity to win lots of prizes: those flinging discs termed appropriately enough "Pluto Platters." All he cares about his catching hold of it with his tenacious teeth, and while in hot pursuit, he flies through the air executing double twisting somersaults that are as much for him as for those who are watching.Whiplash tours with his "Dad," K-9 air sports trainer Craig Rogers, and three adopted siblings that include Riggs, a four-year old Australian Shepherd; a six-year old border collie, Spy; and the semi-retired 13-year old lab mix, Bubka.Then there are the amazing feats done by the human circus stars. Marvel's Spiderman arrives to exhibit super-heroic moves on the Astrocycle, and promise to vanquish his nemesis, Green Goblin, in a fast-paced, fun-filled adventure on the Giant Wheel. South America's Bermudez Clowns cavort in a series of comedic mishaps concocted to bother Ringmaster Chris Connors. California aerialists Blaze Birge and David Jones make their East Coast debut in turns on the swinging single and double trapeze. Equally sultry and strong, Russia's Svetlana displays incredible power and poise, perching, turning and twisting on a single hand in a demonstration of amazing dexterity. Brazil's silliest strong man, "Pumped up" Andrey Medeiros will baffle audiences with brilliant feats of balance, and Cole Bros. singing host, the talented Ted McRae, offers audience members the opportunity to enter Center Ring and assist him in exhibiting most unusual circus attractions. Finally, the remarkable Zarina the Human Cannonball - actually Tetyana Sinovyat, who is billed as "Ukraine's Blond Bombshell" - bursts from the "world's largest cannon" to end the show with a bang!
Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars
Monday and Tuesday, July 24 and 25, 5 and 8 p.m. daily. $15 adult, $10 child/senior; reserved seat upgrade $2, VIP seat upgrade, $5.
Sponsored by Oceanside Hose Company #1 at Firemen's Memorial Field, Mott St. off Long Beach Rd. Tickets on sale through July 23 at Oceanside Hose Company #1 Firehouse, 49 Evergreen Ave. or (888) 332-5200. On show days, tickets are sold only at the circus box office.
