Lions host the big top

Circus to raise money for charity.

By: Joseph Harvie
   A human cannonball, a Chinese acrobatic troupe and a man in a multicolored Slinky costume.
   Put them under a big-top tent, add some popcorn, a few clowns and what you have is a weekend full of circus fun from the Cole Bros. Circus.
   The circus is scheduled to visit Crossroads South on Major Road Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., and is being sponsored by the South Brunswick Lions Club.
   There also will be performances by Maya Panfilova and her Performing Pussycats; the Astrocycle, which will make a motorized run up the inclined high wire; and a slew of other performers. There also will be a special program featuring superhero legends, the Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man.
   The performers will be kept on track by the Ringmaster Chris Connors.
   Mr. Connors said there are two parts to his job: To announce the acts before they enter the ring and to make sure the acts run on time.
   "The side that the public sees is the guy talking with a deep voice, wearing the red tail jacket and the black top hat that is a traditional costume," Mr. Connors said. "I introduce the acts and get people in the mood for the show.
   Mr. Connors said that he also has to make sure each show is the same as the previous one, from town to town.
   "I have to make sure everything starts when it is supposed to start and ensure the safety of the performers and the public," Mr. Connors said.
   Mr. Connors said the Cole Bros. Circus has changed this year, and has taken the theme of "The Superheroes of the Circus."
   "Besides having Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk performing, we are showcasing superheroes of circus world," Mr. Connors said. "We have the best of the best from the whole world."
   The Yan Dong Chinese acrobatic troupe has a varied performance, from contortionists to aerial acrobatics. Mr. Connors said the troupe is one of a kind and its members range in age from 16 to 35. He said most have been performing since they were 4.
   The circus also will welcome Tetyana Synovyat of the Ukraine, who each night gets fired out of the world’s largest cannon.
   "She’s one of the only people who can say she gets fired from her job two to three times a day and doesn’t complain about it," Mr. Connors said.
   The circus will also welcome Romanian George Munteanu as he performs his contortionist stunts as the Human Slinky. His wears a multicolored, oversized costume that Mr. Munteanu said would leave the audience in amazement.
   "It is a very big costume and the people don’t know it is me inside, they think it’s three or four," Mr. Munteanu said. "They will try and guess where is my head or where are my legs or arms."
   Mr. Connors said although the performances are entertaining, it is the audience that makes the performers stride for perfection.
   "The people in the audience are the jewels of the big top," Mr. Connors said. "Without the audience we can’t do a show."
   Lew Schwartz, co-chairman of the circus committee for the Lions Club, said money raised by the event will go to charities including the Delaware Valley Eye Bank, Lions Eye Research Foundation, a K-9 hearing group and Seeing-Eye dogs.
   Mr. Schwartz said the club provides six, $500 scholarships for South Brunswick High School seniors. He said the Lions also donate money to the three township first aid departments, to a family whose son has cancer and a family who lost their child in a fire last year.
   Mr. Schwartz said those interested in attending the circus should try and buy tickets in advance. He said the Lions receive 30 percent of advance ticket sales, but only 10 percent of the sales at the door. He said the organization does not make any money on concessions.
   Tickets will be on sale until the day of the event, but can be purchased in advance at Pierre’s Deli on Georges Road, the South Brunswick Post on Ridge Road (near Culver Road) and at Planet Pets and Hobby World on Route 27.
   General admission tickets cost $15, $10 for anyone 62 and over. Children under 2 are free. Reserved seats at either end of the big top cost $2 extra and VIP seats in the first five rows, along the sides of the ring, cost $5 extra.