BY BILLY COX — HERALD TRIBUNE: Hundreds of thousands of Americans, maybe upwards of a million, are about to learn that reports of the circus’ death have been greatly exaggerated when they visit the National Mall in Washington, D.C., over the next few weeks. But local audiences can get a sneak preview at a fundraiser Tuesday night. That’s when the Circus Arts Conservatory and its versatile Sailor Circus students will stage their final dress rehearsal before joining the Smithsonian Center’s Folklife and Cultural Heritage Festival in the nation’s capitol from June 29-July 4 and July 6-9. MORE
BY NIKI KOTTMANN — OBSERVER MEDIA GROUP: When Alice Hafner joined Sailor Circus, she just wanted to learn to unicycle. Now, she and 30 other members will head to Washington, D.C., to unicycle, walk the tightrope and perform various other acts for millions later this month… Hafner will bring her unicycle act — along with three other acts — to Washington, D.C., to perform in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival with 30 other Sailor Circus members. The festival is run annually by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage… It was only recently that the circus arts was added to the list of cultural traditions celebrated at the festival… MORE
BY WADE TATANGELO–HERALD-TRIBUNE: The Circus Arts Conservatory is hosting a special performance here before heading to Washington, D.C. Sailor Circus students will entertain inside the iconic arena on Bahia Vista before they head out to represent Sarasota at the 50th Anniversary of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Sarasota attendees will get an exclusive look at what the students will be presenting to an expected audience of a million people on a “circus playground” on the National Mall. MORE
BY NIKI KOTTMANN — OBSERVER MEDIA GROUP: All eyes were on them. High above the ground — 24 feet, to be exact — five teenagers prepared to cross a wire only 5/8 of an inch in diameter. The daredevils are members of Sailor Circus, the nation’s longest-running youth circus, whose roots date back to 1949 Sarasota when it began as a small high school gymnastics class. However, what’s grown to be called “The Greatest ‘Little’ Show on Earth” is just one of the many components of the Circus Arts Conservatory, which shared its mission with both old and new supporters alike at La Cirque Appetit on May 16 at Sailor Circus Arena. MORE
BY SCOTT DENNIS — ABC 7 WWSB: After 146 years, the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus will end performances on Sunday for good. But here on the Suncoast, those involved with the circus arts say the “circus” is not closing, just the one named Ringling. Let’s not forget, Sarasota would not be what it is today without a man named Ringling. MORE
BY OBSERVER STAFF — OBSERVER MEDIA GROUP: High school seniors from the Sailor Circus Academy ended their final season with the circus arts training program by receiving scholarships, awards, and special accolades at a banquet on April 27, 2017. The six seniors, who have been training for up to 10 years in the program, received a total of more than $10,000 in scholarships. The seniors are: Sophie Watkins, Michael Mitchell, Silas Bichler, Alice Hafner, Owen Leonard and Lydia Nord… MORE
BY LINDA CARSON — MY SUNCOAST ABC7: Every year for 68 years, Suncoast students from 4th grade to senior year, have been putting their best foot forward in Sailor Circus, to entertain audiences. This Spring , with their show “Once upon a Circus”, they have reached new heights. You won’t believe your eyes, as these amazing young performers transport you a magical world of make believe and athletic talent. MORE
By ABC 7 Sarasota — WWSB: A video segment, hosted by Linda Carson of ABC 7 Sarasota, that puts Sailor Circus 2017 Spring Performance directly in the center spotlight. “You won’t believe your eyes as these amazing young performers transport you to a magical world of make believe and athletic talent!” says Carson.
BY MARTY CLEAR — BRADENTON HERALD: For its 68th annual spring performance, Sarasota’s Sailor Circus is offering a circus centered around fairy tales and other timeless stories. The show is called “Once Upon a Circus” and it opens Tuesday at the Sailor Circus Arena, and runs for six performances through April 15, 2017. MORE
BY BERKLEY MASON — OBSERVER GROUP: When Lakewood Ranch’s Alyssa Nucci was performing aerial acts, such as hanging from silks, a year ago in the Sailor Circus Academy’s spring performance, she wanted to reach new heights. This year, she will, literally. Nucci, a freshman at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton, will be part of Sailor Circus Academy’s four-person, flying trapeze act in the spring performance… MORE
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