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

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.

How much does it cost to go to the circus smirkus? ›

To purchase tickets in advance to Circus Smirkus, please visit www.smirkus.org or call 877-SMIRKUS. Details: Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors (65+), $25 child (2-12), under 2, free on lap. Groups of 10 or more will receive a 10% discount. Gates open an hour before the show.

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 use animals? ›

ABOUT CIRCUS SMIRKUS

That means the stars are kids, not adults, not animals, and it performs under authentic European-style circus tents where patrons experience the authentic and historic flair of the traditional circus.

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.

How long are the shows at Circus Circus? ›

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. The shows start at 11am and there are a range of performers who appear throughout the day.

Is circus circus free to enter? ›

The midway surrounds the circus stage which showcases free world class circus acts daily starting at 1:30 PM. Extended hours during holidays and summer vacations.

How long does a circus tour last? ›

The performance is just under two hours. Approximately 40 minutes for each half with a 20-minute interval.

How to join circus smirkus? ›

All applicants must submit a video audition and application form.

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 have free breakfast? ›

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.

Can you take food into a circus? ›

Can I bring my own food? 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 popcorn.

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.

Is Circus Circus animal friendly? ›

Pet Policy

General: Pets allowed Dog Friendly Only. 25.00 USD per night. Max 50 lbs, 2 pets per room.

Which animal Cannot perform in circus? ›

While it is possible that domesticated dogs could enjoy the stimulation of certain types of circus training and performance, for wild species such as tigers, bears and macaques, performing on stage is deeply traumatic.

How long is an average circus show? ›

How long is the show? You and your family will not want the fun to end, but even though the entire experience is about 120 minutes, the memories will last forever…and ever! You may be on the edge of your seat the whole time – except for snack breaks during a 15-20 minute intermission.

How long is the circus show on for? ›

The Circus performance is 2 hours long with a 20 minute interval included.

How long are circus soleil shows? ›

Performances under Big Top and in Arenas last around two and half (2h30). This includes two acts, with a 25 minute intermission during which you have access to an on-site boutique. Our Las Vegas and Orlando Resident shows vary between 80-90 minutes, with no intermission.

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