Join us in welcoming The Flying Cortes as they ascend to the highest reaches of the Big Top and soar through the air in one of the most awe-inspiring acts in the circus world!

The Flying Cortes have appeared in various circuses and prestigious circus competitions around the globe. In 2013, they were recipients of La Piste d’Or (“The Golden Path” award) at The International Circus Festival in Massy, France. In 2012, the group also received the Kerstwintercircus (Christmas Winter Circus) Award in The Netherlands.

The troupe consists of Robinson and Alex Cortes, fourth-generation performers with roots in Colombia. They came to the United States with their parents in 1977 and each has enjoyed the circus spotlight since childhood in various troupes from families including the Wallendas, the Gaonas and the Poemas.

Also featured in the troupe is Robinson’s wife, Alida, and the pair’s daughter, Ysabella. Alida’s circus background features a number of recognizable names in the circus industry – Wallenda, Zoppe and Bertini, to name a few. Rachael Hutinger, who honed in on her skills at Florida State University’s acclaimed circus program, The High Flying Circus also joins the group.

As the troupe soars above the center ring, they ask the audience to remember two things: dreams can come true and people can fly!

These canine athletes will leave you howling with laughter – it’s the Anastasini Soccer Dogs, led by Luciano Anastasini!

 The name Anastasini is synonymous with circus, and eighth-generation performer Luciano is no stranger to the circus world. He has spent his entire life immersed in high-flying, daredevil acts that date back hundreds of years to his family’s roots in the Old Country.

 While his father was a wing-walker daredevil, his mother’s specialty was animals. As he put it, “you name it, she worked with it – elephants, lions and even baboons in South Africa!” Luciano thought at first he would follow in his mother’s footsteps, teaching stray dogs from the neighborhood to do tricks in his backyard. But the high-intensity daredevil acts called to him – before long, he was driving motorcycles across high wires, 13 stories in the air.

 Later, after a devastating accident stunted his daredevil career, he once again found his purpose in training man’s best friend to flip, jump and roll – something he hadn’t done since he was a boy. He decided he wouldn’t train just any dogs – he would work with “second-chance” dogs, ones that no one wanted any more. It would be a second chance for both Luciano and the canines.

Now, with a hoard of hounds ready to please, we invite you to sit back and enjoy the Anastasini Soccer Dogs!

Born in The Bronx, New York, Angelo Iodice (aka AJ Silver) grew up fascinated with the Wild West and all of its wonders. At the age of eleven, after witnessing his first rodeo at Madison Square Garden, he found his calling – he would become a rodeo trick rider!

His initial training began when he worked with the professional rodeo couple Nick and Helen Panzella, also Bronx natives. Helen, one of the nation’s top trick riders, was so impressed with Angelo’s determination to learn that she agreed to mentor him. Nick, a blacksmith and rodeo competitor, taught Angelo trick roping and prepared him for life on the rodeo trail. Every day after school, while his friends were playing stickball, Angelo was practicing the cowboy arts with the Panzellas.

He put his career on hold to attend Pace University where he later found there was an equestrian program – and the perfect opportunity to train in many equine disciplines. He became the captain of Pace’s polo team and was selected as a participant in the school-funded Leadership Program.

After graduation, Angelo taught high school for one term but quickly gave it up for the rodeo trail. He was immediately hired by the Longhorn Rodeo Company – the world’s largest producer of indoor rodeos. He traveled across the USA, garnering much attention for his outstanding trick riding and roping skills and signature showmanship.

Within one year he was honored as the Act of the Year by the International Rodeo Association at The Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma and was accepted as a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association. Now, his focus is turned more towards a western variety act, combining trick roping, bullwhip artistry, and boleadoras. Under the stage name of AJ Silver, he travels around the world performing in a variety of entertainment venues – including the place where it all began, Madison Square Garden.

All the world’s a stage for the talented AJ Silver – sit back and soak in all of the skill, speed and surprise this entertaining Bronx boy has to offer!

Back by popular demand, quick change artist extraordinaires Vladimir and Olga Smirnov return to dazzle audiences at Circus Sarasota!

This husband and wife team are wardrobe wizards as they quickly switch from one costume to another right before your eyes!

Born in Kharkov, Ukraine to an actor, comedian and circus-producing father and a magician mother, Vladimir has performance running through his veins. He began training at the early age of 6 and studied many disciplines including acrobatics, juggling, dance, perch pole and most importantly, magic!

His lovely wife Olga was born in Barnaul, Russia and is also a second generation professional circus performer. At the age of 10 she began practicing gymnastics, low-wire and acrobatics. Her circus career blossomed and she later met her husband  while working side-by-side in the Russian State Circus company.

The Smirnovs are masters of their craft, having performed this act together since 1993. The Russian-style tradition of this act defies magic and instead combines color, choreography, and music to present an elegant, graceful and fun presentation that is both marvelous and mystifying. Don’t blink – you just might miss it!