Acro-Cats to return to Lincoln Park District with Christmas theme Dec. 7

[November 10, 2010]  The amazing Acro-Cats will celebrate the holidays with their "Meowy Christmas Show" on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Park District Ballroom at 1400 Primm Road. The Acro-Cats, featuring the Rock Cats all-cat band, visited Lincoln last December and have inspired, thrilled and mystified audiences of all ages coast to coast.

The "Circus Cats of Chicago" will celebrate Christmas (or Catmas) by jumping through wreaths, rolling an ornament, pushing a sleigh and performing an array of other seasonal tricks.

There will also be a special appearance by the Rock Cats, playing seasonal carol selections such as "A Cat in a Manger," "Catnip Roasting on an Open Fire" and "God Rest Ye Merry Kittens."

These special performances have a holiday twist on what has already proven to be a fun-filled and one-of-a-kind show for audiences and cat lovers of all ages.

Watch these not-so-ordinary Santa's kittens disprove the notion that "cats can't be trained" as they perform a variety of Christmas-themed tricks.

Under the careful direction of master trainer Samantha Martin, the performance offers a unique blend of spectacle, entertainment, education and public awareness.

This is also an adoption event and fundraiser for the Humane Society of Logan County.

Lincoln's local animal society is excited to be a recipient of a portion of the proceeds.

Martin and her Acro-Cats have worked with several animal shelters, and many of her amazing cat troupe are former shelter kitties she has adopted and clicker trained. She has routinely fostered cats and helped them find the right home.

The festive felines all live with Ms. Martin, who owns Amazing Animals by Samantha. The little Kat Kringles spend their days playing and training in rooms converted from a human's habitat into a cat playground of props, perches and platforms.

As a pioneering feline behavioral expert, Martin has devoted her life to animal welfare and public education, helping people better understand their animal counterparts.

She has a genuine dedication to animals, providing financial contribution, promotion, and rescue, rehabilitation, adoption assistance for animal welfare groups wherever she performs.

For more information about the Acro-Cats and their performances, visit www.circuscats.com or call Samantha at 773-391-3357.

Tickets for the Lincoln performance will be available at the door, or you can contact the park district, attention Christine, at 217-732-8770 or [e-mail]. Shows sell out quickly, so it is suggested to make your inquiry as soon as possible.

[Text from file received from Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County; LDN]

LDN album from December 2009

• Park district hosts cat circus