The sadistic circuses include non-human animals, which are trained to do various tricks, or not kill the trainers, and which live horribly unnatural lives. There are some organizations that seek to take possession of these animals, and to allow them to live out their lives in animal sanctuaries in various places. On a loosely related note, I donate to two organizations that try to get non-human animals that would otherwise be slaughtered, and allow them free range and pasture. The organizations are Skylands, in NJ, and "The Gentle Barn," which is at least in California and Tennessee, and possibly somewhere else, and which allows contact between human animals and non-human ones.
Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus went out of business in 2017, because it depended too much on non-human animals, and people didn't want to witness that kind of mistreatment any more. But they resurrected themselves last year, no longer using non-human animals. Other smaller circuses are also going out of business, or on the verge of it.
The circus industry has changed. Or it's finishing changing. It's now human performers, and it's mostly acrobatics. I suppose it could include magic, but I haven't seen that. The first human only circus I saw was Cirque Du Soleil back in the early to mid-1990s. I've probably seen about 4-5 of their shows (I remember two in Boston, one in Miami, and one in Orlando), and they're terrific. It's the acrobatics, the themes, the costumes, and the music, which is live and written for these shows. I haven't seen any of the Las Vegas Cirque Du Soleil shows, of which I think there are three, and one is the Beatles.
Last year, in Massachusetts, I went to a show of an organization called Circus Smirkus. This is typical circus-like acrobatics, although not at the level of Cirque Du Soleil, and the performers are kids. The organization is in Vermont, it's residential, and the kids, up to age 18, get a normal academic experience plus training in circus arts. It was a very well put together and well executed show.
There's a similar organization in Miami. It's called Miami Circus Arts. I discovered it on Give Miami Day, so I gave. I'm not sure if Miami Circus Arts is residential, as Circus Smirkus is, but they have a summer camp for kids. It starts on June 12, runs until August 18 or 22 (both end dates were listed), is a 9:00 AM-3:00 PM day program, doesn't specify age of intended participants, and costs $385 per week. And it's close to here, at NW 14th Ave and 22nd St. If you have athletic/acrobatic kids who might be interested, the website is laddmiami.org, or you can contact Cecile Melanie at cecile@laddmiami.org.
The e-mail about the summer program says "Enroll your child in a thrilling and immersive circus adventure at our 2023 Circus Summer Camp for kids, where they'll have the opportunity to explore a wide range of captivating circus disciplines. Our highly skilled and experienced instructors, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities, create an unparalleled learning environment that fosters joy, self-confidence, and a genuine sense of accomplishment." The website says "Children and adults, curious beginners and professionals, come foster your inner circus star with the help of the world's most talented Circus professionals."
If you do have potentially interested children, you probably already have plans for them for this summer. But whether you do or you don't, it's something to think about. I just heard on the radio yesterday about the problems teachers (!) have with students who can't get their faces out of social media on their smart phones. During class! Learning about circus arts sure beats that.
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