PREMiERdrum Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Call me old fashioned, but I've always been a circus fan. From the smallest bigtop mudshow, to the largest Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey arena spectacular, I just love the art form. I hadn't made the time, however, to see Columbus' Aladdin Shrine Circus in many years. The last time I saw the show (probably late '90s?), it was being played at the relatively huge Expo Center Coliseum and was being produced by the always sterling folks at Royal Hanneford Circus. In the last few years, the show has switched venues and switched companies, both with great result. The show moved from the Coliseum (basically an arena, former home of the Columbus Chill hockey club) to the gigantic, open concept Celeste Center, also at the Expo Center / State Fairground. This allowed them to switch up their concept: half the building is set up with tiered seating and a 3 ring circus, and the other half is a large indoor carnival with rides, games, and concessions. These weren't small rides, either. Durant Shows brought in a gigantic Ferris Wheel, Roundup, Fun Slide, Fire Truck pendulum ride, several kiddie spinners, and a large carousel. Besides being a hook to drive up popularity for the circus, it also surely helps drives up revenues for the great work that the shriners do. As I mentioned, the show is no longer produced by Royal Hanneford Circus of Sarasota, FL, it is now produced by Hamid Circus Incorporated, from New Jersey. I couldn't have been more impressed with the quality of show they put together. Plenty of top-tire acts, including the spectacular Flying Pages trapeze act opening the show, and the wonderful animal acts of Laura Herriott (Horse, Pony, Dogs, camel) and Brian Franzen (Tigers and Elephants). A rarity in today's circus, the show also featured a live band (keyboard and drums) providing about 75% of the shows music. They got a huge rise from the crowd when they played OSU's Across The Field to start the 2nd half of the show (OSU basketball was just taking to the court against Kansas in Final Four play that night). We started our evening (about 90 minutes prior to showtime) with something my daughter had been talking about for 2 weeks: Riding an elephant. Now, I thought she would change her mind once she was so close to these huge animals, but she was more convinced than ever once we arrived. We climbed aboard Okah, the first elephant owned by Brian Franznen's famous father, Wayne, and made several laps around the ring. The look on Avery's face was priceless! We rode a few other small rides, took her over to Ring #1 where a camel ride had been set up inside the steel arena (already inplace for the tiger act), where its handler very cordially let Avery meet and pet the camel, even though we didn't want to ride. I was shocked to see the amount of entertainment we got for our $30 worth of "reserve" tickets: We spent 6pm-7:30pm enjoying the rides, sights, and chatting with the Ringmaster on the show floor, the show began at 7:30, and the last act didn't end until nearly 10:30pm! Talk about value; I couldn't have been more impressed. Hamid Circus Inc produces several Shrine Circus dates around the country, as well as circuses for other fundraising organizations. Avery and I, at the back, aboard Okah the Asian Elephant Avery, still unsure of the loud music, provided by the Aladdin Shrine Band The show's setup, inside the Celeste Center at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds This camel was actually very affectionate, both with its handler and us As the show prepares to begin, large transport cages move in 6 tigers for Brian Franzen's cat act It's showtime! Ringmaster Peter Sturgis appears amidst beautiful showgirls in a cloud of smoke The Flying Pages Before the cat act started, this White Tiger (no more than 20' from our seats), kept staring at us. Snacks? The cats all went through their paces easily and without drama, with little more than verbal commands from Mr. Franzen. He could be seen petting and loving on the cats through the sides of their transport cages before the show The Laura Herriott mixed animal act, featuring Camel, Horse, Miniature Ponies, and Dogs Miss Mercedes and her Horseback Acrobatics She was captivated! Ending Act 1, a Copyright-infringing yet hilarious Clown act featuing Johnny Rocket and "America's Favorite Tow Truck" "When will the show start again, guys?" Mermaid-themed blacklight Aerial Ballet, staring an 8 year old performer on the center rope Laura Herriott presents her dogs The Brian Franzen Elephants were among the last acts (and our last pictures of the night) Okah is reportedly the only elephant in the world who can balance on a globe, a trick she mastered with Brian's father Wayne way back in 1979 DISCLAIMER: A note on the animals: This can be a divisive issue (and once I've found myself on both sides of), but I wanted to point out a few things about our experience. During the elephant rides, none of the 4 employees working the ride (1 on each staircase, 1 leading each elephant) had a bullhook (or any instrument, for that matter) at all. They led the elephants using vocal commands only, and could be seen giving the animals affectionate rubs and treats between rides. The elephants skin was clean and moist with no visible injuries, and their nails were all impeccably maintained (a big issue for pachyderms). During the act, trainer Brian Franzen did carry a bullhook, but never touched the animals with it, only using it as a pointing aide. Before the tiger act, as the transport cages were rolled into the arena, trainer Brian Franzen was witnessed pressing his hands and face against the sides, where the tigers chuffed and rubbed their heads against his. Other show workers could be seen doing the same thing, with positive responses from the cats. The ponies and horses all showed normal behavior and had clean and well groomed coats. The camel was oddly affectionate with its handler in the ring, as well as the man leading it for camel rides before the show and at intermission. While there are obviously multiple views on this issue, I came away from this show confident that these animals were loved, cared for, and generally healthy. 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jcgoble3 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Again, great report and photos! It's nice to hear that the animals appeared to have been treated well. I've usually been against circuses because of inhumane practices, but this one appears to be an exception to that, and I appreciate that they make the effort to take proper care of the animals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I'm a huge circus fan, and not just at work! Thanks for the great report! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Another great PTR, thanks for sharing your experience with us PREMiERdrum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 Again, great report and photos! It's nice to hear that the animals appeared to have been treated well. I've usually been against circuses because of inhumane practices, but this one appears to be an exception to that, and I appreciate that they make the effort to take proper care of the animals. I can't say with absolute certainty, but it seems most of the "bad ones" have been squeezed out of the industry. Ringling Brothers Barnum & Baily have a sterling, and very transparent, operation, Armondo Loyal (elephants) and Adam Easley (tigers) do a superb job on the John Ringling North II owned Kelly Miller show, The Byrd family is running a very tight ship over at Carson & Barnes, and the independent guys like Adam Burck, Brian Franzen, and Casey Cainan are all incredibly good to their cats. While I do think there is an ethical argument as to if these animals should be "forced" to perform and travel (though that can get to be a very slippery slope, considering the agriculture and science industries), I have no reservations taking my family to see these shows. I've had the pleasure of meeting many of these people and getting to visit with them away from the crowds and spotlights, and I've always been impressed with the way they loved their animals. I'm glad you all enjoyed the photos! It was a great show. It looks like the Kelly Miller, Carson & Barnes, and Culpepper and Merriwether tented shows will be coming back through Ohio in May, June, and July, and I'd recommend you at least consider attending a showing nearby. The only way to keep this classic artform alive is to support it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jr for Birdy Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Elephant rides were 10 dollars,rides were 3 dollars,food was expensive.Next time i will pick a kid instead of bringing them all!(just kidding) Half the crowd left at the half because after 2 hours kids are ready to go eat and play circus in the backyard. I would have loved to seen the second half and we did have fun but when you spend 18 dollars for your family to ride an indoor ferris wheel one time,just a bit to much! Glad we have gold passes,"ride all you want kids!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jr for Birdy Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 thanks for the pictures,i will show the kids the elephant balanced on the globe,WoW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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