The circus is back in Venice, Fla., once the winter circus headquarters of the entire nation.
This time it is the International Czechoslovakian Circus, a unique troupe from the Coronas family, which will give sixteen performances between Thursday, January 10, and Sunday, January 27 under a traditional “Big Top” tent. This fast-moving production is called “CirKus Snu” or “Circus of Dreams” and features daredevil aerial acts, unusual animal acts, a quick-change artist with an illusion act and a comedian clown who is also a skilled gymnast. The engagement is being sponsored by the Venice Circus Arts Foundation as a fundraiser to help restore the historic Venice Circus Arena.
The Coronas family has circus roots that go back nearly 200 years when they began in what is now the Czech Republic, and they have been part of the American circus scene since the 1950s when Charles Coronas, the 100 year-old patriarch of the family, came to the United States. Today, son Serge Coronas heads the enterprise along with his wife Stevana and daughters Crystal and Nicole. “We are the only true family circus in the country,” he said. “More than that, we are a circus for the entire family. Nothing in our entertainment has ever been R-rated and can be enjoyed by children of all ages.”
Daughter Crystal has just come back from a European tour. She and her whirling hoop act are also well known on the USO circuit where she has performed for American military personnel throughout the world.
Coronas’ wife Stevana works with a team of Friesian stallions, the only one of its kind in this country. This ancient breed from the Netherlands was originally used as war horses which do a precision drill directed only by her hand signals. Another distinctive act involves performing Bactrian camels, the ones with the double humps.
All shows will be held under a traditional circus tent in the Jacaranda Plaza (1687 Tamiami Trail), located on U.S. 41 ByPass between Center Rd. and Shamrock Blvd.
Ticket prices range from $15 to $35 plus tax and are available at the on-site ticket booth. In addition, tickets can be purchased through the Foundation website, venicecircusarena.com. Tickets are also on sale at these Venice businesses: Brindley’s Liquor Wine and Cheese Shop, Collectors’ Gallery and Framery, and the Madison Avenue Hair Spa.
The Foundation is an all-volunteer 501 (c) 3 organization and a portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.
The magnificent team of Friesian stallions with flowing, dark manes perform their precision moves with only the guidance of hand signals from Stevana Coronas.
These two-hump Bactrian camels, an Asian breed, are another one-of-a-kind act from the Coronas circus family.
Renowned clown Alex Acero is also a world-class gymnast.
