Courtesy Circus Smirkus
Circus Smirkus, the international youth circus, returns to the outdoor soccer field at the Saratoga Casino Hotel for four performances this summer.
On July 9 and 10, families can gather as the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs presents the Circus Smirkus 2018 Big Top Tour.
The theme of this year’s circus tour is “Vaudeville!” a celebration of the grand American tradition of variety entertainment. The show will include acrobats, magicians, jugglers and wirewalkers.
Thirty budding circus stars ages 10 to 18 perform in the circue circus. The 2018 performance troupe, comprised of 30 troupers, come from 14 states—California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington—as well as Canada. The show is full of talent and spectacle, with aerials, acrobatics, wire walking, juggling, clowning, live music and an array of brilliant costumes.
The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs first brought Circus Smirkus to Saratoga in 2007 as a fundraising and outreach event.
“Presenting Circus Smirkus in Saratoga allows us to bring something truly wonderful and extraordinary to the larger community beyond our enrolled families, and that is consistent with who we are as a school, citizen and neighbor,” said Anne Maguire, school administrator. “In addition to being an amazing event, it’s a wonderful way for our school to give back. Through our ‘Magic Matinee’ program we donate tickets to local not-for-profits that serve underprivileged families so they can attend the circus too.”
Astrea Ravenstar, faculty member and lower school chair of the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, said “the skill and agility of these young circus performers is inspiring for the children of our community. It demonstrates the power of practice and setting your mind to a task that you will see through to the end. It is collaboration and confidence, very much in the same spirit with which we teach at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs.”
Performances are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day. Tickets are $25 for adults 13 and older and $19 for children 2-12. Children younger than two are free on an adult’s lap. All proceeds raised will go directly to the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs.
Tickets are available starting by calling 1-877-SMIRKUS toll-free or visiting www.smirkus.org. Tickets can be purchased locally in Saratoga Springs at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga on 69 Caroline St. and at G. Willikers at 461 Broadway. For information on group rates, call 518-365-3459.