The 2015 Detroit Shrine Circus is headlining some of the greatest circus acts that have ever been performed in the United States at Hazel Park Raceway on March 20–22. Everything from a daring “cloud” swing, risky wire walkers and one-of-a-kind tigers and elephant acts will be performing under the circus Big Top.
Rick Wallenda, heir to the daredevil legacy of his grandparents, Karl and Helen Wallenda, will, along with his star-studded Troupe of performers, electrify and mystify audiences with their special brand of hair-raising and heart pounding high-wire mastery. As Circus Royalty, Wallenda’s Troupe will, among other things, carry on the family’s age-old tradition by attempting the always uncertain and dangerous pyramid--a re-creation of the fabled chair balancing act made famous years ago by the original Flying Wallendas.
Yeisy Tabares, the newest member of the Wallendas, is one of the best wire walkers in the world. A native of Colombia, Yeisy wowed audiences in Korea when she made her way across a river on a wire one kilometer in length in just 16 minutes, completely out-shining the other competitors in her class.
John “Tarzan” Zerbini, another revered name in Circus history that goes back to 1763 will amaze the audience with a variety of unusual and one-of-a-kind tiger and elephant acts that will astound and mesmerize young and old. Tarzan and his daughter Patricia are one of the most famous and revolutionary lion and tiger trainers in the world. During a 1967 performance in Cleveland, Ohio, Zerbini was attacked by an 800-pound lion. He suffered a broken arm and numerous other injuries that required over 500 stitches.
This year’s Detroit Shrine Circus will also showcase the Cortes family, who will tempt fate with a “cloud” swing, an aerial act that combines static and swinging trapeze skills, drops, holds and rebound lifts. Marcello Cortes will perform a ceiling walk upside down on an apparatus with loops attached to his feet.
And what would a circus be without clowns? They’ll be there in all shapes, sizes and costumes, providing belly-laughs for audiences with their unpredictable and zany antics and routines.
Founded in 1906, the Detroit Shrine Circus is the oldest Shrine Circus in North America. Over the years, the Detroit Shrine Circus has hosted such notables as the sad clown, Emmett Kelly, world-famous animal tamer Clyde Beatty and the Flying Wallendas.
Sponsors include Dunkin Donuts, Garden Fresh Gourmet, George W. Auch Company, Oakland County Credit Union, Oakland County, Torre & Bruglio Landscape Construction and Maggie Allesee.
Donations are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. For information on show times and to purchase tickets please visit our website at www.detroitshrinecircus.com.
