By Karen Bloom
The first New York-area stop on the Cole Bros. Circus' 2003 tour will be in Queens, at Flushing Meadows and Corona Park, July 25-31. Or you can wait and see the show at three eastern Long Island locations: Middle Island, Greenport and Lake Grove, Aug. 1-10."Sailabrate," the all new edition of Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus, takes audiences on a thrilling, three-ring tour of far-away ports of call, populated by exotic animals, aerial daredevils, jesters, and what the circus folks describe as "the perkiest pack of pirates on or off the seven seas."From India, Royal Bengal Tigers in hues ranging from standard, to Golden Tabby and Snow White, dominate center ring, under the direction of 26 year-old Andrew Spolyar, their dynamic trainer. A newcomer to the circus, Andrew debuts as a Center Ring attraction this season with a magnificent group of large cats. Each one, captive-bred and hand-raised since birth, represent the circus company's commitment to help preserve this and raise awareness of this rapidly vanishing species. According the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. representatives, this is their most unusual assemblage of tigers to date. The audiences will delight in an especially rare snow white tiger, and the golden tabby, whose unique markings and golden fur has rarely been seen outside of India's jungles.Besides the big cats, you'll see something not ordinarily considered a circus attraction: housecats. Yes, these famously "indifferent" household pets actually perform! The circus' star elephants, Tina and Jewel, continue the Indian theme as they present an exotic tribute to that nation, displaying their yoga abilities. "We salute India's civilization and its tradition of domesticated working elephants, an essential force in the shaping of the nation's commerce," a circus spokesman said. For the first time, these massive cast members are joined by a passing caravan of North African camels.Of course, no circus is complete without the clowns, trapeze artists, and high-wire acts, and Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. offers plenty to astonish and delight. The Russian Air Force extreme flyers execute new and daring assaults on the laws of gravity as they soar through inner space at the top of the tent. Recalling Carnival in Rio, the "Romeiros Teeterboard Troupe," direct from Brazil, turns the Big Top into a spectacle of lights, music, martial arts, stilt-spinning and dance, underscored by the rhythmic beat of giant drums. South American sensations, "The Casalino Comics," take the circus on an excursion on the wheels of The World's Largest Bicycle built for this gaggle of gagsters. Bulgarian beauties hang by their hair, twisting and turning in ever wider arcs across the hippodrome. "Wireflies" Gulvyerd and Jaime span East and West, treacherously traversing the tightwire. The circus concludes in a classic, "big finish" with "Zarina the Ukrainian Siren," who skyrockets from the mouth of the Ship's massive cannon, bidding all who see her to return next year for another circus adventure!
Raising Animal Awareness
At The Big Top
Cole Bros. Circus animal trainers make it a practice of inviting the community to the circus grounds on the morning of opening day. They offer free tours of the circus "backyard" during the circus' tent- raising. Spectators can view the exotic array of animals, including the Bengal tigers, miniature horses, dromedaries, llamas, and elephants.At 9:15 a.m., Animal Superintendent Adam Hill conducts an interactive educational program about animal training and husbandry practices. The show's biggest star, four and half-ton pachyderm Tina, will assist. Tina will preview her center-ring talents, as well as show off some special skills seen only at this program.Adam and Tina demonstrate that through behavior modification and positive reinforcement of desired behaviors, elephants learn to repeat natural behaviors. According to Adam, "although people refer to certain behaviors as 'tricks,' there's no tricks to animal training. Patience and mutual cooperation between trainer and pupil produces pachyderms like Tina." Guests will also learn about the animals' nutritional requirements and some unique aspects of circus care, such the pedicures elephants receive to keep their feet comfortable and healthy. It's all part of the circus company's efforts to increase public awarenes of the quality of care received by performing animals.
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus
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Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27 at Forest Park, Queens (Bandshell Parking Lot, Woodhaven Blvd.).
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Monday, July 28 through Thursday, July 31 at Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, Queens (adjacent to Fountain of The Planets).
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Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 3 at Middle Island (next to KMart, Middle Country Rd.)
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Monday, Aug. 4 and Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Greenport Polo Grounds, Greenport (Moore's Lane).
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Wednesday, Aug. 6 through Sunday, Aug. 10 at Smithhaven Mall, Lake Grove (Rtes. 25 & 347).
Tickets: Advance Sale $14-20 adults, $9 children 12 and under, seniors.Show Day $14-22 adults; $9 children 12 and under, seniors. Order at www.tickets.com or by phone (888) 332-5600.
For circus information
call (800) 796-5672.
