At Circus Smirkus, coming to Maine on Aug. 5-6, kids entertain kids (2024)

Sayad Moudachirou brought his daughters to see Circus Smirkus last year, figuring it would be a fun family thing to do.

It was. But he also left the show with a couple aspiring circus performers on his hands.

IF YOU GO

CIRCUS SMIRKUS

WHEN: 1 and 6 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6

WHERE: Cumberland Fairgrounds, Cumberland

HOW MUCH: $25 to $40

INFO: portlandovations.org

WHAT ELSE: Circus Smirkus will also be performing Aug. 8-9 in Kennebunkport and Aug. 11-13 in Fryeburg. For more info, go to smirkus.org.

“As soon as the show ended, they wanted to enroll in circus camp. They appreciated that all the performers are still kids, and that makes it so relatable,” said Moudachirou of Scarborough.

Circus Smirkus will be back in Maine for more than a dozen shows under the big top this summer. The Maine tour begins with four shows at Cumberland Fairgrounds on Aug. 5 and 6. There will also be four shows at Rockin’ Horse Stables in in Kennebunkport on Aug. 8-9 and five shows at Fryeburg Fairgrounds on Aug. 11-13.

Moudachirou will be there with his daughters, Maya, 9 and Shoshana, 7. Both are interested in taking classes at their local neighborhood circus school, The Gym Dandies Circus School of Maine. Last year, when Moudachirou and his family saw Circus Smirkus, the show was at Payson Park in Portland. But this year, the presenter of the Portland-area shows, Portland Ovations, picked the Cumberland Fairgrounds to provide more parking and a better site for the giant tent, which holds 750 people.

At Circus Smirkus, coming to Maine on Aug. 5-6, kids entertain kids (1)

Circus Smirkus features performers between 10 and 18 years old.Photo by Justin Miel

Circus Smirkus is a traveling advertisement for the new generation of circuses, focused on young, skilled performers who take classes and study things like juggling, acrobatics or unicycling. The days when circuses were known largely for lion tamers and elephant riders are gone.

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Circus Smirkus was founded in 1987, as an arts and education organization, training performers, offering camps and classes, and putting on family shows. It’s based in Vermont.

The performers are between 10 and 18 years old, and this year’s tour theme is “The Imaginarium,” a magical toy shop that comes to life with performers taking the roles of tumbling teddy bears, high-flying marionettes or a jumpy Jack-in-the-Box.

One of the performers coming to Maine is Cora Williams, 18, of Ithaca, New York, in her third summer season with the circus. She took lessons at a circus school near her home, then studied at a circus school in Montreal.

At Circus Smirkus, coming to Maine on Aug. 5-6, kids entertain kids (2)

Circus Smirkus, based in Vermont, is a circus for kids by kids. Photo by Justin Miel

She remembers seeing traditional circuses as a kid, including Ringling Bros. and Big Apple Circus. But when she first saw Circus Smirkus, she realized entertaining people under the big top was something she could do sooner, rather than later.

Williams said she loves the fact that when she does a show, she could be inspiring the next generation of circus performers.

“The nice thing is this is a show for kids by kids, but we don’t dumb it down. I love it when the kids (in the audience) come and talk to us,” said Williams. “We have lots of little kids who come up to us. That’s how I got into it. We teach them some tricks, and we get lots of hugs.”

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Williams says it took her three or four months to learn unicycle tricks. She can do spins and pirouettes and “wheel walking,” where it seems as if the cycle’s one wheel is walking, one step at a time. She’s also an acrobat, standing on others’ shoulders and being flipped and tossed through the air.

Because she’s 18, Williams is “graduating” from Smirkus. She’s excited to be part of a “new generation reimagining what circus is” without animals and without limits. She says that young performers go on to careers using their circus skills in a variety of places and fields, including with touring circuses, as part of cruise ship shows, or in companies that put on shows for businesses.

At Circus Smirkus, coming to Maine on Aug. 5-6, kids entertain kids (3)

Circus Smirkus is coming to Maine this month. Photo by Justin Miel

Moudachirou said his is one of about five Scarborough families he knows that are going to the show this year. Some went last year, and some heard from others about how engaging the performances are for kids.

He said that, as a parent, he’s glad to see groups like Circus Smirkus and The Gym Dandies offering a fun activity and a chance to learn a skill, besides the traditional offerings of sports or music lessons for kids. He also thinks that from what he’s seen so far at Circus Smirkus, the performers learn more than just juggling or acrobatics.

“For me, as a parent, it was great to see the performers taking ownership of what they were doing. It goes beyond performing; it’s almost about leadership,” Moudachirou said of the show he saw last year. “They were going into the crowd and talking to people, sharing their excitement.”

At Circus Smirkus, coming to Maine on Aug. 5-6, kids entertain kids (2024)

FAQs

What age is appropriate for circus smirkus? ›

Live your best circus life at Smirkus Camp in a session designed for campers of all skill levels, ages 8 to 16.

How long is a circus smirkus show? ›

Circus Smirkus performances run 2 hours in length including the intermission. There is plenty of seating for Circus Smirkus, but tickets do not have assigned seat numbers so we recommend showing up at least 30-45 minutes prior to the show, especially if you are a large group looking to sit together.

Is there food at Circus Smirkus? ›

The Smirkus Midway opens one hour before showtime and features splendiforous Smirkus Novelties and Food concessions that include, popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, ice cream and ice cold bottled beverages of water, lemonade and iced tea. We do not sell peanuts and our popcorn is popped in coconut oil.

Does Circus Smirkus have animals? ›

ABOUT THE BIG TOP TOUR

Backed by professional coaches, cooks, musicians and crew, our Smirkus perform to sell-out crowds in Circus Smirkus' very own 750-seat European-style one-ring big top tent. There are no animals in this event.

What age to take kids to circus? ›

There is no definitive answer to the question of at what age kids can see a circus. It depends on each child's maturity level, attention span, and understanding. The noise of the circus environment could also be overwhelming for some youngsters. If you're unsure, it's best to wait until your kids are a bit older.

Are kids allowed in Circus Circus? ›

Circus Circus Las Vegas is a family-friendly resort and casino, so there is no age limit for entering the property. However, individuals under the age of 21 are not allowed to gamble or consume alcohol in any part of the property, as per Nevada state law.

How long does circus circus show last? ›

You'll find what's claimed to be the world's largest permanent circus at the Midway, slightly above the casino floor. Here, there are free daily 10 minute circus shows.

How long do Cirque shows last? ›

The duration of each touring show is typically between 2 and 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission. Permanent shows are usually between 70 and 90 minutes in length without an intermission.

What do you wear to a circus show? ›

The circus is a great opportunity for you to dress in frills, pleats, and colorful attire which you would've otherwise shunned during the day. Wear comfortable shoes, especially when kids are around. Depending on the circus' show location, some may have a big tent placed on open ground.

Can you bring your own snacks to the circus? ›

Sorry, your own food is not allowed inside the Big Top, but we have a hot food counter, hot and cold drinks stalls, candy floss and pop corn, slushies and a licenced bar to please everybody.

What food is sold at a circus? ›

During intermission, some of the Troupers and a few of the concessionaires hawk. This means they go into the crowds and sell food items like popcorn, cotton candy, and lemonade or novelty items like clown noses, fairy wands, and plush animals.

Does Circus Circus include breakfast? ›

Is breakfast offered at Circus Circus Hotel, Casino & Theme Park? Wake up to an exceptional buffet and a la carte breakfast at Circus Circus Hotel, Casino & Theme Park. Visitors can enjoy breakfast offered with an additional charge of 18 USD for adults if not included in the room rate.

What animals were banned in the circus? ›

These U.S. states have statewide bans on certain animal acts in circuses: California—Bans the use of all animals in circuses except domesticated dogs, cats, and horses.

Which animal never performs in circus? ›

But it is practically impossible to train a wolf. This could be the main reason on why we do not see a wolf performing in a circus. The difficulty to train wolves basically is due to their intrinsic character of suspiciousness and unwillingness to have belief in the trainer.

Is Circus Smirkus a non-profit? ›

Circus Smirkus is a nonprofit arts and education organization based in Greensboro, Vermont. Our mission is to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus, and to inspire youth to engage in life-changing adventures in the circus arts.

What age is circus Mirandus appropriate for? ›

This book is perfect for all ages.

What age is appropriate for Ringling Brothers circus? ›

Children of all ages are welcome, but all children two years and older must have a ticket.

What age is appropriate for Cirque du Soleil? ›

While some of these shows require children to be at least 5 years old to attend, we offer performances that the whole family can enjoy. We encourage parents to exercise caution and check out some of the trailers for the show they want to attend if they plan to bring younger children.

Is the Amazing Digital Circus ok for 10 year olds? ›

This show is a mixed bag; while it boasts creative animation and a unique setting, the constant chaos and darker themes aren't suitable for younger children.

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