By Karen Bloom
Its “Circus of the Stars” holds true to an American tradition. Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, Cole Bros. Circus the last of the large traveling tent circuses.
Known as the “The world's largest circus under the Big Top,” the Cole Bros. Circus presents 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.
W. W. Cole, who inaugurated the Cole Bros. Circus in 1884, began his circus career in 1871, amassing fortune and fame by bringing to cities and villages the most astounding marvels of the day. Among the amazing attractions promoted by W. W. Cole, incandescent light – a single, glowing glass globe, powered by a steam engine – drew record crowds, with young and old alike filling Cole’s tent to witness the seemingly impossible invention. The brightly lit tent of Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars bears slight resemblance to W.W. Cole’s 19th century Big Top, but the tradition of watching what appears unbelievable happen right before your eyes remains at Cole Bros. Circus.
The 2009 Edition of Cole Bros. Circus celebrates 125 years of circus history with a special performance reprising legendary circus acts of the past, showcasing the talents of cirque nouveau artists. The show includes the usual circus fare, with clowns, jugglers and an array of animals. But there also are special acts, including the Wheel of Death, which features a motorcyclist performing acrobatic tricks inside and outside a wheel, and a family of high-wire performers known as the Toprasta Troupe.
The circus’ elephants, Viola, Mina and Lilly, lead a cast of animal and human stars who aim to thrill and amaze their guests.
Animal antics include a performance by Carolyn Rice’s dog and pony act, “Moxie Montana and Her Routin’ Toutin’ Wild Wild West Revue.” Rice leads her six dogs through what she describes as a “Western whip cracking and rope spinning dog trick routine.” Rice, who is in her second year with Cole Bros., also performs with a spotted mule who does addition and subtraction tricks with the kids in the audience. “It’s a favorite with the kids,” she says. Rice, along with her husband Mike, further entertain audiences with four camels who are joined by six belly dancers in the ring.
Then there are the amazing feats done by the human circus stars. The Toprasta Troupe, from Columbia, recreates the treacherous, three-tier, 7-Man Pyramid on the High Wire. “I’s a dangerous trick and every time you see it you’re amazed,” says Rice.
Russia’s Svetlana Gololobova exhibits grace that belies her strength in an exquisitely executed gymnastic routine on aerial silks. Circus daredevils cast caution aside as they challenge The Globe of Death and Giant Gyro Wheel, with the zany Cole Bros. Clown Crew arriving in the nick of time to provide comic relief. And, of course, the Human Cannonball gets fired at every show!
“Come out to the show, it’s great family entertainment that parents and kids can enjoy together,” says Rice. “It draws you in and you become part of something.”
Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars
Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 3-4, 5 and 8 p.m. daily.
$17 adult, $12 child/seniors; reserved seat upgrade $3, VIP seat upgrade $5. Adult admission is $12 when purchased in advance. Sponsored by the Fire Companies of Oceanside, at Firemen’s Memorial Field, Mott St. off Long Beach Rd. Buy tickets in advance at Oceanside Fire Headquarters, 65 Foxhurst Rd., and at Fireman’s Ticket Wagon (weekends only) in the Sands Shopping Center parking lot, also Tickets.com or (888) 332-5200.
