By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — This year’s 51st annual Anah Temple Shine Circus, which kicks off its six-show run tomorrow night at The Forum in Presque Isle, will feature performing cats and dogs, aerial artistry and more.
Shows will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, May 9 and 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Advance tickets are $4 for children and $8 for adults, and $5 for children and $10 for adults at the door.
“We have a quick-change act which is excellent,” said Jim Dwyer, one of the assistant circus chairmen for the Anah Shriners. “The two performers literally change their clothes so fast you don’t even realize they’re doing it. The costumes are bright and colorful and it’s an outstanding act.
“Brian Miser, the human arrow, is a performer who is actually on fire and launched using a huge crossbow. He literally flies across the arena from one end to the other. It’s quite spectacular,” he said. “There’s a dog act that’s very good, and with that, there’s a housecat act. Anyone who can train housecats to do anything is beyond amazing.”
The Anah Temple has once again contracted with the Royal Hanneford Circus of Sarasota, Fla., a professional touring circus.
This year’s circus production features Olga and Vladimir Smirnov, Russia’s premiere magical costume quick-change act; Susan Vidbel, aerial cloud swing sensation; Mike Ashton & Co., a foot juggling genius; Brian Miser, the human arrow; The Dancing Gauchos, from Las Vegas, an untamed array of Argentine fury; The Fernandez on the Whirling Wheel of Destiny; Mayya Panfilova and her performing housecats, Roger, comedy acrobat of the trampoline; unicycling champions, The Bertinis; Andriey’s Dogs, and the Anah Shrine Klowns.
“In addition, Charlie Van Buskirk, who is the ringmaster and has been the face of the Anah Shrine Circus for so many years, will be returning,” said Dwyer.
As a way of ensuring a successful local show, Dwyer, circus chairman George Watson, assistant chairman Bob Palmer and Ken Stewart, circus committee member, went to Bangor Saturday to watch the Anah Shrine Circus.
“That was my first time in the Cross Insurance Center, which is a fabulous venue. Going to a Bangor performance gives us a preview to make sure we can provide people here the best show possible,” said Dwyer. “It helps us identify any adjustments that may need to be made locally as the circus comes to The Forum.
“Having seen the circus there, I can safely say that we have an excellent show,” he said. “It’s a good, solid circus, with a variety of acts.”
The circus is always well attended when it stops in the Star City.
“We anticipate between 12,000 and 14,000 people to attend the circus throughout the six shows which shows a tremendous amount of support from this area,” said Dwyer. “We do get a number of people from western New Brunswick, as well. It’s really become a community event and almost a rite of spring.”
Circus proceeds benefit the Anah Temple.
“The money allows us to run our organization so that we can do other things to raise money for hospitals,” Dwyer said, noting that due to the unpredictable and hazardous nature of circus performing acts, the program is subject to change.
Volunteers have been working hard for the last six months preparing for the arrival of the Shrine Circus.
“It takes about 130 volunteers to put on each show,” Dwyer said. “We have a parking crew, a crew that works on the floor helping usher people to seats, we have a crew that makes cotton candy, a crew that makes snowcones, taking tickets, selling programs, the lighting crew and all of the Shrine Clowns are volunteers.
“The Aroostook County Shrine Club could not do this without the help of the Shriner ladies,” he said. “They’re part of the volunteers and we just couldn’t do it without them.”
Tickets are available at The Forum, York’s Bookstore in Houlton, Aroostook County Subways and Burger King restaurants, Clukey’s Auto Supply in Presque Isle, Caribou and Houlton, R.H. Foster in Bridgewater or from any Shriner.
The Shriners provide a free ticket to every fifth-grader in Aroostook County. Dwyer said those tickets are purchased by the organization’s 400 members. Thanks to the generosity of area sponsors, both a boy’s and girl’s bicycle will be given away at each show, as well.
“We really appreciate the support of our sponsors,” he said. “It’s truly a team effort, and we encourage everyone to come out and have a fun time at the circus.”
