Monday, July 07, 2008
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Carson & Barnes Circus performs in Lincoln tonight

Big circus features their kids as stars

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[July 07, 2008]  Generations of family will be part of the mighty Carson & Barnes Circus when it comes to Lincoln today (Tuesday). Hosted by Zion Lutheran School and sponsored by Graue Inc., the 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. performances will be at the Logan County Fairgrounds.

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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