125th edition of Cole Brothers Circus starts Friday
The 2009 edition of Cole Bros. Circus celebrates 125 years of circus history with a special performance, reprising legendary circus acts of the past, along with showcasing the talent of cirque nouveau artists. The Toprasta Troupe, from Columbia, recreates the treacherous, three-tier, 7-Man Pyramid on the high wire.
"It's great that we can transform Hank Aaron Stadium into the big top for a few days," BayBears assistant GM in charge of entertainment Mike Callahan said. "It gives people a chance to have some family fun, even when we are not playing baseball."
Cole Brothers Circus started to humble beginnings wowing crowds with incandescent light --- a single, glowing glass globe, powered by a steam engine --- in 1871. Record crowds came to witness the impossible invention. This year's Big Top will resemble that of W.W. Cole's 19th century attraction, which will have several dynamic shows.
The Cole Bros. Circus says Russia's Svetlana Gololobova exhibits grace that belies her strength in an exquisitely executed gymnastic routine on aerial silks. Circus daredevils cast caution aside as they challenge "The Globe of Death" and "Giant Gyro Wheel", while the zany Cole Brothers Clown Crew will arrive in the nick of time to provide comic relief. Elephants, acrobats, camels and jugglers, dogs and ponies, and arguably the world's funniest mule take turns in the spotlight. Even with all of that excitement, The Human Cannonball might be the biggest hit of the show.
"The circus provides good fun on a family budget," Callahan said. "Hank Aaron Stadium is about entertainment for the family during baseball season and after baseball season, and the circus is a great demonstration of that fact."
Tickets can be purchased at any Mobile area CD Warehouse as well as www.tickets.com or 1-888-332-5200. Adult seats are $17 and children ages 2-12 are $12. Free tickets for kids are also available at www.freekidstickets.com. Showtimes are 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.