Frank Erwin Center | Press Releases

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® PRESENTS
BELLOBRATIONSM AT THE FRANK ERWIN CENTER
An Electrifying Celebration to Captivate Children Of All Ages

Tickets on Sale Now!

AUSTIN, Texas – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® invites families across Central Texas to join the BellobrationSM at the Frank Erwin Center for multiple performances August 20-24, 2008. It promises to be an extravaganza at The Greatest Show On Earth® where comic daredevil Bello and his fantastic friends throw an amazing party that can’t be topped.

Circus fans won’t know whether to laugh or gasp as they witness Bello tempting fate by jumping rope atop the spinning Wheel of Steel or balancing on a 7-story high sway pole. Bello also performs alongside exotic animals, including majestic and agile Asian elephants, Royal Bengal and white tigers. Plus an international cast of gravity-defying acrobats are featured in an electrifying story line guaranteed to captivate Children Of All Ages.

Bellobration Highlights Include:

Tabayara, a legend in the making, takes command of 12 rare Royal Bengal and white tigers, leading them through twists, turns and leaps, proving that he is the most acrobatic and innovative tiger trainer in the world. His wife and daughter also travel and perform with the show.

The Palazovi teeterboard troupe raises the bar on balance by performing a rarely attempted five person tower reaching an astonishing three stories in height. A feat not found anywhere else on the planet. This 12 member troupe includes founding member Renato, his wife Galina, their two sons, and eight fellow Bulgarians they have “adopted” into the act.

The fast and furious Aguilar brothers will have audiences gasping at the ever increasing speed they take, running, dancing, and even jumping rope simultaneously on parallel high wire cables no bigger than the width of a thumb and 25 feet in the air.

Human cannon balls increase the detonation as the tenacious twosome, Brian and Tina Miser, undertake a dual cannon shot with an explosive costume transformation.

Nikolas Wallenda, great-grandson of famed Karl Wallenda and his wife, Erendira, are both descended from many generations of circus artists. It was a match destined from on high as Nikolas proposed – on bended knee – from the high wire. Their act features sway poles, the wheel, and every aerial skill imaginable.

If there is a theme to all these examples it is this: in a very real way BellobrationSM is a family affair. Of course, the Wallenda’s are famous in the chronicles of circus lore. But many of the performers featured on this tour represent additional well established circus families. Whether through marriage or being born into the tradition, circus folks tend to “keep the business in the family.” Even Bello himself allows his children to join him during various shows throughout the tour. Every year Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® provides quality family entertainment, performed by families to the enjoyment of hundreds of audiences filled with families, all across the globe.

Pre-Show Highlights:

One hour before show time, audiences can join Ringling Bros. for the interactive All Access Pre-show to learn circus skills, become CircusFit®, meet Ringling Bros. performers and get an up-close look at the animal stars of The Greatest Show On Earth – FREE to all ticket holders!

One and a half hours before the show audiences are invited to visit the Animal Open HouseSM and discover the efforts that Ringling Bros. makes to save the endangered Asian elephant at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation®.

Ticket Information for Ringling Bros. at the Frank Erwin Center
Tickets for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey at the Frank Erwin Center Wednesday, August 20 thru Sunday, August 24 are $15, $25, $40 VIP, $60 VIP Gold and $80 Circus Celebrity and are on sale now at all Texas Box Office Outlets (includes select H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Kyle, Leander, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos and Temple; Ft. Hood ITR and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512-477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or order online at TexasBoxOffice.com.THE FOLLOWING DISCOUNTS AND DISCOUNTED TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE on all ticket prices except VIP, VIP Gold & Circus Celebrity: Opening night, SAVE 50% and Groups of 15 or more SAVE $4 on tickets for Thursday, Friday, Saturday (7:30PM only) and Sunday performances. Groups should call the Group Sales Department 512-232-4343. No Double Discounts. Convenience charges may apply. All information is subject to change. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke free facility. Convenient parking is available within walking distance in nearby state and University lots. For more information, call 512-471-7744 or visit uterwincenter.com.

Media Interview Requests
Anyone interested in requesting an interview with circus performers should contact Adriene Tanamachi via reply email, or by phone. Both English and Spanish interviews are available. Specific performers cannot be guaranteed, but may be requested.

For all ticket inquiries, please contact Texas Box Office at
512-477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386.