Clowns only part of the circus act at 'Zing Zang Zoom'

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' Zing Zang Zoom

The circus visits Knoxville next week with seven shows in four days at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

This version of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is called 'Zing Zang Zoom Gold Edition,' and it combines magic and illusions with aerialist feats and animal acts.

The circus uses the word 'thrillusionist' and 'modern Houdini' to describe David DaVinci. He performs magic feats throughout the show. Among them is escaping from a straitjacket while suspended above a den of lions. DaVinci also performs with some safer animals. One of his acts involves working with eight African grey parrots, cockatoos and macaws.

The circus also includes several aerialist acts. Among them are the Kung Fu Kings who combine martial arts in their show and dive through hoops made of sabers while they are blindfolded. And then there are the members of the circus' Urias Family who ride motorcycles at 60 miles per hour inside a steel globe.

'Zing Zang Zoom' also includes the circus staples — clowns and animals. There's a dog act, where 10 canines jump, walk on their back legs and do back flips. Other animals performing in the shows include lions and Asian elephants.

Shows are 7 p.m. Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 25, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Feb. 26, and 2 p.m. Feb. 27. Tickets range from $13 to $60 for the Feb. 24 show; from $15 to $60 for the other shows, plus service fees.

Circus-goers who arrive early can get close to the performers and some of the animals. Free, all-access preshows, which include a chance to get autographs, participate in a dance-off and learn to juggle, begin an hour before performances for ticket holders. There is no preshow for the 10:30 a.m. Feb. 25 show.

© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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