Under the big top: the circus is here!Posted Sep12, 2008 at 03:09 PM
The Cole Brothers Circus is in town, starting with the first showing tonight from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center. Saturday and Sunday showings will begin at 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 general admission, and $12 for ages 2 to 12 — but free tickets for kids 12 and under can be found at freekidstickets.com. Ringmaster Chris Conners has been employed by the circus for ten years now, but he’s been a fan of the show for his whole life, thanks to his parents. His father built miniature circuses as a hobby, and both of his parents were members of “Circus Hands of America — an organization that loves the circus — the groups in this country, they help circus people, they go see the shows, they have dinners, conventions, just like a baseball fan, circus fans get a chance to get a little more involved. He “worked the normal nine-to-five jobs, and did not enjoy that so much,” but even as a kid, he felt like he really wanted to join the circus. The legend of Jimmy James—Cole Brothers Ringmaster for 35 years — stayed with Conners, so long that when a friend asked him to join the circus for a year, he did. Ten years later, while with a different circus (he’s been with Cole Brother’s for seven years now) he loves it. “You sleep here, you eat here, you work here, you have friends , an adoptive family from people around the world.” But his favorite part of working with the circus is the world-class-variety of people involved. “It’s a big melting pot on wheels,” Conners said. “The greatest thing about the circus is the circus kids — you do have kids who are either Spanish, Russian, Chinese, or Bulgarian … to see the kids mix and mingle and play — circus is the internal language here.” |
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Welcome to The Notebook, the community gathering place for news and tidbits from So Salem, by community journalist Miranda Adkins (that's Miranda on the left). You'll be able to find the most up-to-date news, events and stories in Salem, Glenvar and western Roanoke County here at this blog. And please join in! You can share your comments, stories, links and ideas here, too. This is your community conversation. .....Advertisement.....
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Comments
[September 13, 2008 9:57 AM]
Tim OrrisGreat interview. One correction, On Sunday there is no 7:30 PM show.However great seating still available for 1:30, 4:30, & 7:30 on Saturday and 1:30 & 4:30 on Sunday.