Cirque Italia’s ‘Water Spectacular’ returns to the Palmetto big top

Cirque Italia isn’t one of the oldest circuses in the country. It’s not even one of the oldest in the Bradenton-Sarasota area.

But even though it was founded only six years ago, the Sarasota-based Cirque Italia has roots that go back generations.

It was founded by Manuel Rebecchi, who has a long history in European circus. When Rebecchi moved here, he saw a gap in this country’s circus culture. He decided he wanted to show Americans what a European-style circus was all about.

Since then, Cirque Italia has traveled around the country, performing more than 1,000 shows.

It will return to Palmetto for three shows this weekend.

It’s a traditional circus, but not a typical circus. The show is titled “Aquatic Spectacular,” and it features a custom-designed stage that holds 35,000 gallons of water. Performances take place in, on and around the water. The show includes aerial acts, hand balancing and contortionists, but no animal acts.

Cirque Italia was in Palmetto last year with a water circus, but this is an all-new show.

Cirque Italia will set up its big top at Riviera Dunes Marina, in Palmetto near the Desoto Bridge.

Details: Feb. 1-4, 102 Riviera Dunes Way, Palmetto. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Adults $25-$40, children $10-$35. ADA or companion adult $30, ADA or companion child (2-12) $15. One child (2-12) free with the purchase of an adult ticket. 941-704-8572, cirqueitalia.com/tickets.

This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Cirque Italia’s ‘Water Spectacular’ returns to the Palmetto big top."