Germany’s Great Bavarian Circus will make its Golden Triangle debut this week, providing Columbus residents of all ages with an interactive opportunity to experience German culture up close.
Marvin Spindler, a Bavarian clown and juggler who grew up in the circus, said he is excited to bring it to Columbus for the first time. As a performer, he hopes to conjure smiles while showcasing his culture to Mississippians who may not know much about Germany.
“We want to bring our culture here, (so) they can see how we are and how our show is,” Spindler told The Dispatch on Tuesday.
According to a press release, this multi-state tour marks Germany’s Great Bavarian Circus’ first time in the United States. There will be shows at 7 p.m. Thursday, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday under the big top at the Columbus Fairgrounds.
Spindler, whose grandfather started the circus in München, Bavaria in 1985, said the family-friendly shows will include aerial artistry like trapeze acts, juggling, acrobatics and five different clown acts. There will also be animals like dogs, “dinosaurs” and elephants, he said.
Each show will last two hours and include an intermission, Spindler said. Traditional circus food, like popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy will be available for purchase.
Germany’s Great Bavarian Circus promises everything a traditional circus does, but with a few German twists, Spindler said.
One key difference, he said, is Germany’s Great Bavarian Circus takes place in one ring, while traditional circuses have three rings. He said there’s more audience interaction with performers and animals than during a traditional circus.
Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the traditional German costumes.
“I go into the show with my Lederhosen,” Spindler said. “The girls, they have the dresses from the Oktoberfest.”
Tomi Rodgers, media buyer at Sarasota Box Office, said 15 to 16 people travel from city to city with the circus. Twelve of those are performers, she said, who also help with the all-hands-on-deck approach to setting it up.
“The entire family helps with the set-up,” Rodgers wrote in an email to The Dispatch. “There are three RVs and seven trailers, so 10 trucks total.”
Spindler said tickets are available for purchase on the Germany’s Great Bavarian Circus website or at the box office starting an hour before showtime.
Opening night tickets are $10 for general admission, and tickets for all other shows will vary in price depending on the seat.
Spindler said his main goal as a performer is to spread happiness, and he hopes people leave excited to return in the future.
“(The) circus (has been around) for a thousand years, and it will be (around for) a thousand years.” Spindler said. “They love it, and we love to do it.”
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