Sailor Circus

08/26/2026

🎪 Meet the Cast: Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2026

Meet your host! Chris Allison's love for circus life began with a school trip to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and the rest, as they say, is history.

After graduating from the legendary Ringling Bros. Clown College, Chris spent eleven years touring with The Greatest Show on Earth, including three years as Boss Clown. He has performed across the U.S., Europe, China, Hong Kong, and Mexico, entertained guests at Walt Disney World for eight years as Coney Island Chris, and appeared on America's Got Talent, The Late Show with David Letterman, Oprah, and The Today Show.

Sarasota already knows and loves him from Circus Sarasota, and this Labor Day weekend, he takes the Rotunda stage at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival as host of our world-class productions. Three shows daily, September 5-7. Free and open to the public! 🎪

08/26/2026

🇺🇸 As America celebrates 250 years, the story of the circus runs right alongside it. Few art forms are as woven into the fabric of this country and this Labor Day weekend, the Circus Arts Conservatory gets to tell that story on the National Mall.

We are so proud to be part of this moment. September 5-7 at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Free and open to the public!

📸 from The CAC at Smithsonian in 2017

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08/26/2026

🎪 Big news, Sarasota. The Circus Arts Conservatory is heading to Washington, D.C. this Labor Day weekend, and we're bringing 26 Sailor Circus Academy students, 12 world-class professional artists, two trucks of equipment, and about a hundred years of circus tradition with us.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival called. We answered. 💛

08/08/2026

🎪🌟 CLOSING DAY! Today is the FINAL performance of the Summer Circus Spectacular at the Historic Asolo Theater - shows at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM.

This is your last opportunity to witness this extraordinary cast of world-class circus artists. We are so grateful for an incredible summer. Thank you, Sarasota!

🎟️ Tickets HERE: https://www.ringling.org/event/fy27-summer-circus/
The curtain falls tonight.

08/06/2026

🚨 This is your final warning, Sarasota. 🚨

The Summer Circus Spectacular closes THIS SATURDAY, and there are only FIVE shows left. Today at 2:00 PM, tomorrow at 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM, and two final shows Saturday at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM at the Historic Asolo Theater.

This is a world-class cast of international circus artists you will not see together again. When the curtain comes down Saturday night, that's it. Don't be the person who meant to go and didn't. 🎪

🎟️ Grab your tickets now: https://www.ringling.org/event/fy27-summer-circus/ This one you'll regret missing.

07/17/2026

🌧️ Gray skies, rain, and nowhere to go? We've got you covered, Sarasota.

While it's wet outside, every one of these seats is dry, comfortable, and waiting for you. The Summer Circus Spectacular performs TODAY at 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM at the Historic Asolo Theater — and honestly, a rainy day at the circus sounds pretty perfect to us. 🎪

Come in, dry off, and let the show begin. 🎟️ https://www.ringling.org/event/fy27-summer-circus/

07/14/2026

🌟 A new week of wonder begins! This is Yelitza Vivas and what you're about to witness on that apparatus behind her will leave you speechless.

The Summer Circus Spectacular is back on stage TODAY at the Historic Asolo Theater - 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM.

There's still time this summer to see some of the world's finest circus artists perform live in Sarasota. 🎟️ https://www.ringling.org/event/fy27-summer-circus/

07/10/2026

🎭 Friday spotlight: Duo Transcend!

🎡 Mary & Tyce Nielsen are performing duo roller skating AND duo trapeze in the Summer Circus Spectacular TODAY at 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM. As seen on America's Got Talent - now live on the Historic Asolo stage.

🎟️ https://www.ringling.org/event/fy27-summer-circus/

07/10/2026

🎪 Calling all tiny acrobats! The Little Circus Sampler is HERE! There are still spots available for this Saturday (TOMORROW!), July 11!

Designed for ages 3-5, this fun, play-based class introduces your little one to the exciting world of circus through movement, imagination, and play. Think aerial activities, hula hooping, juggling, balance challenges, and so much more, all in a safe, encouraging environment built just for them.

Saturdays | 9:30-10:30 AM | $25 per class
Pre-registration required.

Your future aerialist is waiting. 🤸 https://circusarts.org/programs/classes-training/

07/02/2026

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Florida leans hard into sun, sand and surf. But Sarasota has way more going for it than just its beautiful beaches