In The Ring

The old cliché about running away to join the circus has some appeal. You don’t have to deal with carnies, which makes it a more viable option than joining a traveling carnival. Life in the circus means befriending fire breathers, acrobats, and elephants. So, what’s not to love? Okay, cleaning...

By Melissa Fossum

June 27, 2013

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

The old cliché about running away to join the circus has some appeal. You don’t have to deal with carnies, which makes it a more viable option than joining a traveling carnival. Life in the circus means befriending fire breathers, acrobats, and elephants. So, what’s not to love? Okay, cleaning up elephant poop and dealing with crazy clowns every day would get old, but would-be performers can live out their circus fantasies at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Circus. The traveling circus returns with Built to Amaze, featuring such standard big top fare as elephants, tigers, and women being shot out of cannons. The show promises some new entertainment, too, including a husband and wife duo that can lift each other with jaw strength.

Check out the greatest show on earth on Sunday, June 30, at noon and 4 p.m. at US Airways Center, 201 East Jefferson Street. Performances continue through Monday, July 1. Tickets start at $15, call 602-379-7878 or visit www.ringling.com.

June 26-July 1, 7 p.m.; Thu., June 27, 11 a.m.; Fri., June 28, 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Sat., June 29, 11 a.m., 3 & 7 p.m.; Sun., June 30, 12 & 4 p.m., 2013

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.