6 minute read
The Royal Canadian International Circus
Comes To Columbus For Final Stop on 2023 Tour
By Bolden Sams
It takes a lot of guts to walk on top of a spinning wheel 50 feet in the air, but Joseph Dominic Bauer has wowed audiences for thirty years doing just that. Often, he does it while juggling flaming torches, skipping rope, or even while completely blindfolded.
A lifelong daredevil and circus ringmaster, Bauer calls his jaw-dropping act the “Wheel of Destiny.” He’s bringing it, along with the Royal Canadian International Circus, to Columbus for eight performances Sept 29 - Oct 1.
“I think the people of Columbus are going to be really, really blown away by this show,” Bauer said. “We’ve got an amazing cast of international stars and we’re really excited about the show. It’s really something special.”
Among this year’s performers are America’s Got Talent alumni, the African Bone Crushers contortionists, and the Guerrero High Wire Troupe. The Bone Crushers appeared on AGT in 2020. The Guerrerro's were a golden buzzer winning act on the German version of the show.
They, along with an array of aerialists, clowns, comedians (plus some other daredevil performers who will brave the “Globe of Death”), will perform under the big top in the parking lot at Peachtree Mall. The Royal Canadian Circus tent has room for 2,800 spectators. They’ll hold two performances Friday, Sept 29, three performances Saturday, Sept 30, and three more Sunday, Oct 1. Columbus will be the final stop of their 2023 North American tour.
The Royal Canadian International Circus has brought together a spectacular mix of performing families from across the globe. No exotic animals are used in their acts. Bauer himself is a ninth-generation member of a Swiss circus family. His wife, Claudia Alvarado Bauer, is a fifth-generation flying trapeze artist from Mexico.
“It’s really a unique show,” Bauer said. “We have the original Wheel of Destiny, which I’ll be performing on at the beginning of the show. We have beautiful aerial artists in a big production. We have the Bone Breakers. The show is just multitalented.”
Bauer calls their show, which travels from town to town, a European style circus. All the action happens in one ring at the center of the big top. Bauer said the wandering circus, with its origins in Roman arenas, was designed to be presented in the round. Using just one ring allows the audience to focus on the act in front of them, and not be distracted by other performers.
“We always wind up coming back to that traditional and beautiful style,” Bauer said. “It’s the oldest form of family entertainment. We’re older than baseball! It’s a great time for people to come with their families, turn off their cell phones for a while and enjoy live entertainment.”
As both daredevil and ringmaster, Bauer pulls double duty. He opens the show with his death-defying Wheel of Destiny.
When he’s done astounding audiences in the air, Bauer takes to the ground to wow them as ringmaster. It’s something he absolutely loves. Even after he retires from the Wheel of Destiny—something he said could likely happen this year—he will still be active with the circus.
“This year looks like it will be the final tour for [the Wheel of Destiny], but it’ll never stop me from being the host and moving on to other elements of the circus,” he said. “This will be one of my last tours this year, so I’m excited to come to Columbus and show the audience the original wheel.”
It should be no surprise the ringmaster isn’t ready to hang up his top hat quite yet. The circus is quite literally in his blood. Bauer’s family has spent generations traveling in circus troupes across Europe. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Bauer, came to America in 1954 and joined Ringling Bros Circus. Bauer himself is celebrating 50 years in show business this year. He began performing with his family as a kid in Japan. Since then, he has traveled all over the world with his family and the circus.
“My family [are] still functioning circus entertainers in Switzerland,” he said. “It’s been my whole life.”
The Circus is about giving children and adults alike a glimpse into a traditional world where “10th generation circus families are performing for your families”, and where everyone can enjoy a truly affordable show together regardless of age. Because of the uncompromising quest for excellence, you’ll be amazed by this year’s all-new Royal Canadian International Circus 2023.
The Royal Canadian International Circus will open its doors thirty minutes before each show in the Peachtree Mall parking lot.
Come early and enjoy food, popcorn, and face painting among other activities. There will also be a photo opportunity with the Bone Crushers at intermission.
Tickets can be purchased at royalcanadiancircus.ca or at the box office at the front of the big top. Use promo code “thelocal” to get a 2-for-1 discount on General admission tickets.
Want that up close and personal experience? See the exciting action RIGHT UP FRONT by upgrading to exclusive VIP seating OR, PLUSH RINGSIDE SEATING!! royalcanadiancircus.ca
Friday September 29 4:00PM & 7:30PM
Saturday September 30 12:00PM 4:00PM & 7:30PM
Sunday October 1 12:00PM 4:00PM & 7:30PM
