I would be remiss if I didn't stop and discuss the show itself, before I show you some more great pix!
The basis of the Zing Zang Zoom show is that the Ring Master,Alex Ramon, is a reknowned master illusionist being helped by his
assistant Levitytia, in this 139th edition of the RBBB circus! Between acts Ramon performs wonderful feats of
magic and illusion, including making a four-ton elephant disappear! But he doesn't have an easy time due to clown,
Mr. Gravity, and his gang of Heavies, trying to thwart his magic tricks. Meanwhile traditional and new-twist on traditional circus acts perform in the 3 rings. It is a jaw-dropping show involving 97 performers and 82 animals (including 11 Asian elephants, 10 horses,
four miniature horses, 13 tigers, five zebras and 33 performing dogs). PT Barnum was a master at promotion and inspiration, and the Feld family continues the tradition 100%! THIS is THE circus to see!
Many of the performers are multi-talented and they perform in many different ways during the show- for example Levitytia is also an aerialist and swings from the velvet rope as easily as she performs an upside down, ON THE CEILING, act (after Mr. Gravity turns her upside down) with Fabio Melo Da Silva. It is an astounding piece- the audience literally gasped every time the glow in the dark badmition fly (the glow in between the performers below) was hit by the performers!
Can you believe they only lost TWO of the flys? AND their volleys lasted at least 10 hits each!
The strengths of the Qi Qi Har Acrobatic troupe were beyond stunning-whether it was part of the opening sequence of bamboo walkers, or swinging of the silk scraves WHILE holding another person (yes, this was RIGHT in front of us-AWE inspiring!)
to balancing on a SWINGING trapeze swing WHILE doing stunts and throws (sorry for the not so great shot- the double motion confused the camera and had problem trying to stay in focus- that's what you get for having a smart camera-LOL)
You can see the amount of sway by looking at the bottom acrobats and how much they are leaning into the ropes! The throwers and throwees all had guide ropes on them- no net, due to the swinging, but still WOW due to the difficulty!
Dancing dogs are always a delight for little girls and daughter was no exception!
But of course, they're just the warm up for the horses- can you imagine trying to control SIX horses at the same time, keeping 3 abreast of each other in 2 groups? Animal trainer/performer Tabayara Maluenda is a 6th generation circus performer, and does it easily!
But his true love is the tigers, and a circus isn't a circus without the tigers, and the potential for chaos and harm that they represent! Maluenda has a way with the cats- they obey and he obviously trusts them VERY much!
Almost as heart stopping is his dance with the BIG cats at the end (that was a young one above!)- they sat SO still and calm during the other cats show, but then came ALIVE!
(yes, he's jumping!)
and should you forget these are WILD animals, this pix may remind you
(this cat had an 'attitude' the whole performance -click and look at his eyes up close....
not a picture of a happy camper huh?)
not a picture of a happy camper huh?)
And no circus is a circus without the high wire! The wire was to our right and WOW did it seem SO unstable as 5 performers from the Lopez family boogied on the ladder, while the other one performed on the wire! I was really happy to see the guide wires, as boy did that wire look miniscule!
Yup- that's a HEADSTAND on the wire! YIKES!
SO it was with relief to see the elephants coming back out!
Daughter was THRILLED to see the elephant performing up close to her!
Can you tell?
Seeing these massive animals perform together was really super for her!
And the final performance that literally took everyone's breath away, was RIGHT in front if us as well- the Fernandez Brothers with their dueling gravity wheels! NO guide wires, NO net- THIS was the circus as we remembered from our childhood- pure adrenaline and suspense!
When he jumped the ENTIRE audience gasped as one!
Daughter was holding our hands and beyond astounded!
It was sad to see it come to an end, but at over 3 hours (including pre-show),
she was pooped and ready for some down time after the final parade!
All in all, a spectacular day and a gorgeous wonderful family event and something that should be on EVERY child's bucket list BEFORE they become teens (when awe can still be inspired)!
Thanks again Ashley and Deveney Communications for giving us memories to last a lifetime!