Names synonymous with breathtaking feats – Zerbini, Wallenda, Cortez – headline “Spectac,” the 2015 edition of the Alhambra Shrine Circus, which is set up through the weekend at Camp Jordan in East Ridge.
The shows are presented by TZ Productions – TZ short for Tarzan Zerbini, a descendant of circus performers from as far back as 1763 in Italy.
Tarzan’s daughter Erika Zerbini performs with horses and elephants in this edition of the Shrine Circus. A ninth-generation circus artist and animal trainer, she and her three sisters (Patricia, Sylvia and Christine) have all made names for themselves as aerialists, thrill artists and exotic and domestic animal trainers.
On the highwire will be Rick Wallenda, a grandson of Karl Wallenda, who founded the daredevil circus act The Flying Wallendas. (Nik Wallenda, whose daredevil stunts are often televised, is also part of the famous family; he’s a great-grandson of Karl Wallenda.)
The Cortez family offer one of the finest flying trapeze acts in the business. Brothers Robinson and Alex Cortez form the basis of the act, with flying partners Alida Walenda Cortez (Robinson’s wife), daughter Ysabela and world-class gymnast Rachael Hutinger. Also featured in the show this year is Alida’s solo act on the Cloud Swing.
Other featured acts are Marcelo Videla, the Human Spider, who performs on a unique aerial apparatus; and the Videla family performing as Piolita the Clown, with his mini-me sons Crithian and Sebastian. Guillermina Videla is featured on the Spanish Web, a classic aerial act, along with several other aerial artists.
Richard Curtis, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in the Persian Gulf War, oversees the action as ringmaster and performance director. His children perform as the Real Steel Riders in the Motorcycle Globe of Fire.
If you go
‘ What: Alhambra Shrine Circus
‘ When: 7 p.m. today, Oct. 8; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; noon, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Staurday, Oct. 10; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11
‘ Where: Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge
‘ Admission: $20 ($5 discount coupons online)
‘ Phone: 423-892-0223
‘ Website: www.alhambrashrine.com/circus.htm