Circus Sarasota offers an ‘Ovation’ for the modern circus

The annual show from Circus Sarasota under the big top is one of the most highly anticipated circus events of the year, even in an area that’s overflowing with great circus events.

This year, Circus Sarasota is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the modern circus with a show it’s calling “Ovation.”

There are 32 performances in all, starting Friday and continuing through March 4, under the red-and-white big top in Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.

Among the performers in “Ovation” are ringmaster Joseph Bauer Jr., Sylvia Zerbini and her Liberty Horses, AJ Silver (a Wild West act), comedian Jimmy Folco, Anastasini Soccer Dogs, high-wire artists Julia Figuière and Julien Posada (together known as JuJu), quick-change artists Vladimir and Olga Smirnov, juggler Kris Kremo, the Flying Cortes, rola bola artist Kirill Rebkovets and hand-balancing act Duo KVAS.

Circus Sarasota prides itself on being a show designed for children of all ages – audiences young and old flock to the big top at Nathan Benderson Park year after year to indulge their senses in the brave, beautiful acts that have transfixed the world for two-and-a-half centuries.

Details: Feb. 9-March 4, Nathan Benderson Park, 851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday. $15-$55; children younger than age 2 free. 941-355-9805, CircusArts.org/BuyTickets.

This story was originally published February 7, 2018 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Circus Sarasota offers an ‘Ovation’ for the modern circus."