CIRCUS | Animal-free antics

Founded in 2011, Cirque Italia is the United States’ first traveling water circus. This magical Europeaninspired spectacle is the brainchild of Manuel Rebecchi, who spent his childhood traveling across Italy and Europe with his late aunt Moira Orfei, who ran one of Europe’s largest circus shows. Cirque Italia’s extraordinary stage features a 35,000-gallon tank with a mechanized lid that can be lifted up to 35 feet in the air, allowing water to “fall like rain from above as fountains dazzle below.” This one-of-a-kind show features performers from all over the world. Acts include a contortionist, an Italian singer who balances stacks of chairs on his hands, a crazy clown by the name of Alex, a jet-ski act, twin acrobats, laser man, plus high-wire maniacs, jugglers, mermaids and more. Tickets to Cirque Italia range from $10-50, and can be purchased online at http://cirqueitalia.com or at the on-site box office, located next to the majestic blue and white swirled tent, imported from Italy in 2003.