SACRAMENTO—For children at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento, Wednesday was filled with laughter, wonder, and a touch of magic as Circus Vargas performers rolled in to bring the joy of the big top directly to them. Before the striped tent opens in Folsom this week, the cast took time away from rehearsals to delight young patients and families with a special mini-show that proved sometimes the circus’s greatest act is its heart.
Prior to Thursday’s opening in Folsom, circus performers filled the hospital’s community space with smiles, cheers, and wide-eyed excitement. The condensed production featured jugglers, acrobats, clowns, and other signature talents from the Circus Vargas repertoire, scaled down into a mobile “mini-show” designed to bring the same thrills and laughter of the big top to those who couldn’t attend in person.
“Circus Vargas has a long history of philanthropic contribution,” said Rolanda Kaiser, the circus’s community relations director. “Whether through financial means, ticket donations or special performances, we are always pleased to be able to give back to the community. If we can raise awareness for a worthy cause, entertaining people and making people happy, then we are doubly fortunate.”
For many of the children at Shriners Hospital, which provides specialized care for burns, cleft palate, musculoskeletal conditions, and other complex health needs regardless of a family’s ability to pay, the visit was a chance to experience something unforgettable. “It’s amazing, the feeling you get when you’re able to bring the circus to an audience that might never have been able to see it otherwise,” Kaiser said.
Performers echoed that joy, noting that the interaction with the children was every bit as rewarding as performing under the lights. “It’s not only gratifying and rewarding for the performers, but it’s exciting, entertaining, and therapeutic for the children,” Kaiser added. “We think everyone should have the opportunity to experience the magic of Circus Vargas, and so we are very pleased to be able to make that happen.”
Special visit a prelude to Folsom opener
That same spirit of wonder and community will now extend to Folsom, where the Circus Vargas tent has already been raised at East Bidwell Street and Oak Avenue Parkway near Lakeside Church. As reported in Folsom Times, performances of the brand-new production Hollywood Dreams begin Wednesday, September 25, and continue through October 6.
The show transforms the tent into a glamorous homage to Hollywood’s golden age, featuring two hours of aerial artistry, acrobatics, comedy, daredevil stunts, and more. At the helm is ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, a classically trained opera singer and actor who has performed with luminaries such as Stevie Wonder, Lena Horne, Luciano Pavarotti, and Tony Bennett. Iverson made history in 1998 as the youngest and first African American ringmaster of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, a role he held until the circus closed in 2017. His deep, resonant voice and charismatic stage presence guide audiences through the show, creating an unforgettable journey under the tent.
“Circus Vargas is always anxious to get back to the great city of Folsom,” Iverson said. “The presence and energy of the Folsom audience is truly second to none. The community itself is so very welcoming, from the great parishioners at Lakeside Church to the amazing staff at In-Shape Family Fitness, it feels like home. My only regret is that our engagement isn’t longer.”
Audiences in Folsom will be treated to a showcase of international stars, each bringing their own specialty to the stage. Among them is Liina, whose aerial artistry blends elegance with daring; the heart-racing Globe of Death, where riders speed through a steel sphere; and the Meza Troupe, masters of high-wire excellence. The Faltyny’s amaze with both unicycle and juggling acts, while internationally famous clowns Steve and Jones Caveagna deliver timeless comedy. Martii and Liina thrill with an archery act that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, Vlastia dazzles with her mesmerizing hoola hoop skills, and Emelin and Dasha astonish with lightning-fast quick-change transformations.
Circus Vargas is proud to be an entirely animal-free production, focusing solely on the artistry and athleticism of its performers. Founded in 1969 by Clifford E. Vargas, the show grew from modest beginnings to feature the world’s largest circus tent, the size of a football field. After Vargas’s passing in 1989, longtime colleagues carried on the tradition until Katya Arata Quiroga and her husband Nelson Quiroga took over in 2005. Under their leadership, Circus Vargas has embraced a modern, family-friendly format while remaining rooted in the magic and nostalgia of the classic American circus.
Tickets for Circus Vargas in Folsom are on sale now with full showtimes listed at www.circusvargas.com. Prices range by seating location: VIP Experience seats are $85 to $75, Ringside Reserved are $70 to $60, Arena Front is $55 to $45, Arena Side is $45 to $35, and Back Arena seats are $35 to $25. Children under 2 are free if seated on a parent’s lap, children ages 2 to 10 qualify for child pricing, adults are 11 and older, and seniors 60 and older are eligible for discounts.
The red carpet may be hundreds of miles away in Los Angeles, but for the next two weeks, Hollywood’s golden age will shine brightest under the tent in Folsom.
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