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The Carson & Barnes Circus includes multi-generation family
performances. Here Brandon Cavallini teams up with his uncle, Tito,
on the flying trapeze. Performances are scheduled for 4:30 and 7:30
p.m. Tuesday at the Logan County Fairgrounds. Featured in the
circus' 72nd annual tour are several children of performing families
whose talents just about steal the show.
Seven-year-old Brandon Cavallini is known as "the daring young
boy on the flying trapeze." Soaring more than 30 feet in the air,
Brandon swings from the trapeze bar before diving into the safety
net below. He's coached by his uncle, Tito, who proudly proclaims,
"Brandon is a natural flyer. He has perfect form and an innate
instinct to be a trapeze star. I am really not surprised because
circus performing is in his genes." With Hollywood good looks and an
engaging personality, little Brandon always has a fan club wherever
he appears.
Francesca, age 12, is known as "the sweetheart of the circus."
With her uncle, Antonio, she performs an adagio acrobatic act that
is astounding. This limber and athletic youngster is tossed into the
air, executes a split-second somersault, then is caught in her
uncle's hands to thunderous applause.
Stepping back into the age of drive-ins, saddle shoes and
doo-wop, producer Barbara Byrd has assembled a trio of high-energy,
fast-paced hula hoop stars. "Kids see so much fantastic special
effects in the movies and in video games; I wanted to show the kids
in our audience what can be done with a simple toy of yesteryear,"
she said. The hula hoop stars, Francesca, Julia and Natalie, will
attempt a record-breaking gyration of 50 hula hoops each at every
performance.
Amanda Loyal, age 11, traces her family's circus heritage back
seven generations to the gentle countryside of France. She appears
in the show with her father and coach, Armando, and her favorite
horse, Antoinette, a 1-ton Percheron. Amanda is an accomplished
bareback riding ballerina. "My act is not just riding a horse in a
pretty costume," she said. "I have to be in top physical shape and
be very strong to have the correct posture and balance while
Antoinette is galloping around the ring."
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All the children who work in the Carson & Barnes Circus attend
school while traveling. School is right after breakfast and
continues to midafternoon. Doug Munson, a retired teacher from
Kansas, formulates an individual education plan for each student.
"It is very rewarding teaching the circus children," he said. "They
are highly trained professionals with an excellent work ethic, a
serious discipline and a great capacity for learning. The kids speak
upward of five languages, so they are teaching me while I am
teaching them."
Don't miss these young circus stars along with over a hundred
other performers and animals when the giant circus comes to town.
Tickets on the day of the performances will be $16 for adults and
$8 for children.
On circus day, advance general admission tickets can be upgraded
to preferred seating for an additional charge.
Advance tickets were available at Graue, Dairy Queen, IGA,
Prairie Years, Brandt's Arcade, Mary Todd Hallmark, McEntire's
Appliance, State Bank, Illini Bank, Sheley Service, Sheley Repair,
Lincoln Radiator, Modern Brake and Alignment, Logan County Farm
Bureau, Zion Lutheran School in Lincoln, Johnson's Food Center in
Mount Pulaski, Oney's in Mason City, Hartsburg State Bank, New
Holland Banking Center, Atlanta National Bank and Hopedale Banking
Center.
Circus goers with advance tickets can turn them in at Graue Inc.
the week after the circus for a chance to win a high-definition
color TV.
[Text from news release received]
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