Still Time to Catch Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents DRAGONS in Chicago #ChiRingling

We've gone to the circus for the last several years.  I went regularly as a kid.  You'd THINK I'd have seen it all by now. You might even think the boys would get tired of the same old thing every year.  But then again, if you thought that, you've probably never been to a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® circus.  Yes you can count on several of the same types of acts each year.  There will be clowns and elephants and some sort of motorcycle at to be sure.  But there is ALWAYS something new and exciting at the circus.

This year's theme was Dragon and the whole show the ringmaster's side kick was trying to prove that he had the four characteristics to slay the dragon.  It is a cool way to tie all the acts together despite their diversity.  Plus it meant there was a super cool animatronic dragon that came out at the end of the show, a huge hit with the boys!!

I'm personally a fan of the acts involving skill and strength like the trapeze.  This never fails to thrill me.  But this year there were a few acts that were incredible even if they did make me question....why exactly did they ever decide to try that in the first place????  One act broke thick piece of wood and metal on their heads and then bent pieces of metal with the necks.  CRAZY! But the finale of one act took the cake for me.  You'd have to see it to believe it but it involved blades and flames and blindfolds!

Don't forget to go early and enjoy the preshow on the circus floor where you can try on costumes, get your very own clown nose and take photos with clowns and other members of the show.

 Click Here for dates and time and to Purchase

Save 40% on all weekday shows 

and 

Save 20% on all weekend shows!

Promo Code: MOM 

Weekday is defined as any show Monday through Thursday or Friday matinee, not including holidays such as the day after Thanksgiving.  Discount does not apply to Circus Celebrity, Front Row, or VIP seats.  No double discounts.  Service charges, handling, and facility fees may apply.

FREE PARKING in all official Allstate Arena and United Center parking lots.  Visit arena website for more information.

Our family received complimentary tickets to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed are my own honest personal feedback.

Halloween Trick or Ringling Treat! #ChiRinglingTreat

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents Dragons invites you to Trick or Treat for a FREE Ticket to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Dragons!  Simply visit one of the 5 Halloween Ringling Treat Houses during their Ringling Treat hour:

House 1 – Bronzeville/Chicago, 4655 S. King Dr. – 3pm – 4pm
House 2 – Aurora, 1140 Symphony Dr. – 4pm – 5pm

House 3 – Crystal Lake, 66 Barrow Dr. – 4pm – 5pm

House 4 – Oak Park, 300 Forest Avenue – 5pm – 6pm

House 5 – Clarendon Hills, 124 Arthur Ave. – 5pm – 6pm

Parents who visit a Ringling Treat House with children between the ages of 2 and 12 will receive one voucher for a FREE Kid’s Ticket for each child present.  Voucher is redeemable for a ticket to any Monday – Friday performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Dragons at Allstate Arena and United Center. Voucher must be redeemed for Kid’s Ticket at the arena box office.  Additional tickets and adjoining seats may be purchased at that time.  Trick-or-Ringling Treating is available on Oct. 31 until the end of the hour noted or until 100 FREE Kids’ Vouchers are distributed at each house, whichever occurs first.

Disclosure: Our family receives tickets from Feld Entertainment in order in exchange for help in promoting their fabulous shows.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents DRAGONS #ChiRingling

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents DRAGONS is a once in a millennium event that honors The Year of the Dragon. Circus performers from the farthest reaches of the earth have assembled for Ringling Bros.® Presents Dragons to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and astonishing athleticism. Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson presides over this fantastical celebratory tournament of circus champions that brings together mystic dragon lore with authentic circus feats. Dragons is a never-before-seen blend of renowned spiritual and real life legends that can be found only at The Greatest Show On Earth®!

Save 40% on all weekday shows 

and 

Save 20% on all weekend shows!

Promo Code: MOM 

Click Here to Purchase

Weekday is defined as any show Monday through Thursday or Friday matinee, not including holidays such as the day after Thanksgiving.  Discount does not apply to Circus Celebrity, Front Row, or VIP seats.  No double discounts.  Service charges, handling, and facility fees may apply.

FREE PARKING in all official Allstate Arena and United Center parking lots.  Visit arena website for more information.

Circus Celebrity seats sell out fast, as they include more than 20 minutes where you and your family become a part of the show on the Arena floor.  Get these tickets EARLY if you're interested!
The shows on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 5 pm and Sunday, Nov. 18 at 5 pm include post show Hispanic concerts.  Ticket prices for these shows are $5 more for each price level.

Opening night tickets on Thurs., Nov. 1 at 7 pm at Allstate Arena and Weds., Nov. 14 at 7 pm at United Center are just $12!

I have to say that we've been to the circus several times now and it is new and fun every single time but this year looks like it will really be a hit with my boys.  I can't wait to see Dragons with my little dragon fans!!

Want to take your family to see DRAGONS? Enter to win a Familt FOUR pack below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclose: My family was given complimentary tickets to the event.

Windy City Circus at Navy Pier Feb. 17-26, 2012

Windy City Circus, an all-new locally produced professional circus featuring jaw-dropping circus acts and hilarious characters from around the world, will make its debut inside Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Feb. 17-26, 2012. This exciting “circus with a purpose” will have a strong hometown feel, featuring cameo appearances by an assortment of famous and infamous Chicago area historic figures. 80% of net ticket sale proceeds will go to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana and the Special Olympics Chicago and co-sponsor Special Children’s Charities.

Windy City Circus is proud to announce its new partnership with the City of Chicago to celebrate the city’s 175^th birthday.  This will include a special salute during every performance of the circus throughout its 10 day run.  Further details will be announced at a later date. 

David Maas is the Big Top producer and founder of Windy City Circus, and also will serve as master of ceremonies.  A renowned magician and the star of many American and international circuses, Maas is best known as the co-star of the “World Renowned David & Dania Quick Change,” in which he and Moscow Circus veteran Dania Kaseeva Maas perform an astonishing series of split-second costume changes, an act that has been featured on such programs as “America’s Got Talent” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and also has wowed stage and arena audiences world-wide.

Have you seen David and Dania's act? If not check them out here.  I LOVE THEM!!

Want to see them LIVE?  Use promo code CHICAGO  for $15 grandstand tickets, valid for any performance.

At Navy Pier, a colorful circus scene will be designed inside Festival Hall, and Windy City Circus audiences will sit within 50 feet of the performance ring.  In addition to David and Dania’s “Quick Change,” Windy City Circus will feature an internationally acclaimed roster of circus stars, including aerial and trapeze artists, clowns, jugglers and animal acts.

                                                                                   

Among those performing in the Windy City Circus are:

·         Acrobat and juggler Vladik was born into a circus family and began his training at an early age. Taking the stage for the first time at age nine, he has since performed in more than 30 countries in various circuses including “Lido de Paris” in Paris, “Le Cabaret” in Monte Carlo, and Cirque du Soleil’s “Dralion.” He has also won numerous awards including the gold medal in Paris’ “Cirque de Demain,” for his act which includes a modern mix of juggling, dance and acrobatics.

·         Jenny Vidbel is a third generation circus performer and animal trainer who grew up traveling with her grandparents and their animals in various circuses throughout the United States.  At the age of 12, she trained her first pony and presented him in her grandparents’ show, Vidbel’s “Olde Tyme Circus,” which she later owned and managed. Over the years, she has trained and presented a 12-pony drill team, a 2,000-pound draft horse, goats, llamas, a large variety of dogs, three beautiful Arabian horses, a Capybara and an African Porcupine.  For the Windy City Circus, Vidbel will bring her Miniature Champion White Horse act.

·         The Winn Family has been involved in daredevil stunts for nine generations. Originating in France and Germany, the Winns came to America in the early 1960s and raised five sons and a daughter to continue the family tradition. The Winn Family has entertained audiences in America for more than a half century.  They continue to amaze crowds all around the globe to this day with a full showcase of daredevilry at levels from the ground to sky-scraping high towers. 

·         As a young man in Argentina, Jonatan Riquelme developed talents as a trampoline performer, trapeze artist, balancer and horseback rider. He began performing in 1999 and his act has brought him around the world dazzling audiences in places such as Brazil, Japan, Mexico, China, Puerto Rico as well as the United States and Canada.

Ticket Information and Performance Schedule

Individual tickets range from $17.50-$45 for weekday performances and $20.50-$60 for weekend performances. Four-ticket family packages are available for prices starting at $63. Special group rates are available for school and charitable organizations.

Performances will run Feb. 17 – 26, with performances every day.  Performances are:

Tuesday – Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

There will also be performances on Monday, Feb. 20 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Individual tickets are available online at windycitycircus.org or by calling 312-803-0096.  Groups of 10 or more can purchase discounted tickets by calling Grouptix at 773-327-3778 or visiting Grouptix.net.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Fully Charged Family Four Pack Ticket Giveaway {closed}

Don’t miss Fully Charged^SM, the all-new surge of circus entertainment from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® where megawatts of thrills explode off of the arena floor with breathtaking dare-devilry, superhuman stunts and never-before-seen performances that energize Children of All Ages!

The most electrifying edition ever of Ringling Bros.^® celebrates performance power that boosts circus-goers excitement. The amazing acts, which can only be seen at The Greatest Show On Earth^®, include Tabayara, a dynamic animal trainer whose rare ability to communicate with animals allows him to ride rearing stallions at a fully charged gallop and orchestrate majestic four-ton Asian Elephants in a symphony of dance. When he stands inside a cage, eye to eye with twelve ferocious tigers, Tabayara sees family where others see danger.

Audiences will feel the earth shake when the Ukrainian strongman duo of Dmitry Nadolinkskiy and Ruslan Gilmulin, who are as wide as they are tall, enter the arena.  The brawny twosome give the word manpower a whole new meaning as they lift large cumbersome telephone poles, which weigh up to half-a-ton, and twirl them above their heads while acrobats balance atop.

The Fearless Fernandez Brothers dial up the thrills as they perform daring feats of athleticism on the Twin Turbines of Steel, including, extreme jumps and twists inside the moving wheels! Audiences will crackle with excitement as they watch Guillermo perform a three hundred sixty degree flying forward somersault, three stories in air, a feat so difficult it has only been attempted by one other person in the 141-year history of Ringling Bros. The Human Fuse, Brian Miser, sets the arena sky ablaze as he rockets through the air from his self-made human crossbow.  Don’t blink as he flashes across the sky in less than a second, and travels 80 feet at 65 miles per hour.

Ever wonder how many clowns it takes to change a light bulb? The hilarious hoopla continues to flow as the clowns from the world-famous Ringling Bros.^® clown alley charge up the audiences’ funny bones with hysterical silly antics and clownish comedy.

You can only experience this current of excitement at Ringling Bros. Fully Charged! Get your ticket for high-voltage fun today!

All Access Pre-show:

Join us one hour early on the arena floor to get charged up before the show! Meet your favorite animals and performers and even to see an elephant that paints! All this and more at the All Access Pre-show Power-up Party—Free with your ticket! Playing Allstate Arena Nov. 3 – 13 and United Center Nov. 16 – 27.  Get your tickets today at Ringling.com.

Enter to win a family four pack of tickets to Fully Charged!

Giveaway Rules

Required Entry: Leave a comment sharing which date you would chose to attend if you won!

Additional entries: (Extra entries are only valid after completing the required entry. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry)

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~Enter any of my other current giveaways (listed at the top of my page) - 1 entry per giveaway

PLEASE NOTE: I will do my best to mediate any problems in delivery of giveaway prizes with the sponsor, and I do my best only to represent companies I trust, however I am not personally responsible for any prizes which are not received for delivery or any other reasons.

**Winner **

1. Tricia @Nightowlmama said...

We'd love to go NOVEMBER 3rd. The 2nd is my son's birthday and this would make a fantastic Birthday present. They've never been to the circus.

October 10, 2011 8:40 PM 

Contest ended 10/24/11!

Tickets will be available to winner only (with ID) at Will Call!

Please be sure that I have a way to contact you either with a email available on your blogger account or leave your email in your comment. If I can not contact you via email, or you do not respond with in approx. 48 hours to my email, I have to pick a new winner. And I really hate doing that!

Disclosure:  The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Fully Charged

Don’t miss Fully Charged^SM, the all-new surge of circus entertainment from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® where megawatts of thrills explode off of the arena floor with breathtaking dare-devilry, superhuman stunts and never-before-seen performances that energize Children of All Ages!

The most electrifying edition ever of Ringling Bros.^® celebrates performance power that boosts circus-goers excitement. The amazing acts, which can only be seen at The Greatest Show On Earth^®, include Tabayara, a dynamic animal trainer whose rare ability to communicate with animals allows him to ride rearing stallions at a fully charged gallop and orchestrate majestic four-ton Asian Elephants in a symphony of dance. When he stands inside a cage, eye to eye with twelve ferocious tigers, Tabayara sees family where others see danger.

Audiences will feel the earth shake when the Ukrainian strongman duo of Dmitry Nadolinkskiy and Ruslan Gilmulin, who are as wide as they are tall, enter the arena.  The brawny twosome give the word manpower a whole new meaning as they lift large cumbersome telephone poles, which weigh up to half-a-ton, and twirl them above their heads while acrobats balance atop.

The Fearless Fernandez Brothers dial up the thrills as they perform daring feats of athleticism on the Twin Turbines of Steel, including, extreme jumps and twists inside the moving wheels! Audiences will crackle with excitement as they watch Guillermo perform a three hundred sixty degree flying forward somersault, three stories in air, a feat so difficult it has only been attempted by one other person in the 141-year history of Ringling Bros. The Human Fuse, Brian Miser, sets the arena sky ablaze as he rockets through the air from his self-made human crossbow.  Don’t blink as he flashes across the sky in less than a second, and travels 80 feet at 65 miles per hour.

Ever wonder how many clowns it takes to change a light bulb? The hilarious hoopla continues to flow as the clowns from the world-famous Ringling Bros.^® clown alley charge up the audiences’ funny bones with hysterical silly antics and clownish comedy.

You can only experience this current of excitement at Ringling Bros. Fully Charged! Get your ticket for high-voltage fun today!

All Access Pre-show:

Join us one hour early on the arena floor to get charged up before the show! Meet your favorite animals and performers and even to see an elephant that paints! All this and more at the All Access Pre-show Power-up Party—Free with your ticket! Playing Allstate Arena Nov. 3 – 13 and United Center Nov. 16 – 27.  Get your tickets today at Ringling.com.

Allstate Arena: Nov. 3 – 13, 2011

Circus Celebrity - $90

Front Row – weekend =$60 / weekday = $50

VIP - $40, P1 – $25, P2 – $19,  P3 - $13

·         Purchasing Link - http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/32958/1507334

·         Facility and handling fees may apply to ticket prices.

Schedule:

Thursday – 7:00

Friday – 10:30, 7:00

Saturday – 11:30, 3:30, 7:30

Sunday – 1:00, 5:00

Wednesday thru Friday – 7:00

Saturday – 11:30, 3:30, 7:30

Sunday - 1:00, 5:00

United Center:  Nov. 16 – 27, 2011

Circus Celebrity - $90

Front Row – weekend =$60 / weekday = $50

VIP - $40, P1 – $25, P2 – $19, P3 - $13

·         Purchasing Link - http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/32882/1507334

·         Facility and handling fees may apply to ticket prices.

Schedule:

Wednesday – 7:00

Thursday & Friday – 10:30, 7:00

Saturday – 11:30, 3:30, 7:30

Sunday – 1:00, 5:00

Tuesday & Wednesday – 7:00

Friday – 11:30, 3:30, 7:30

Saturday – 11:30, 3:30, 7:30

Sunday - 1:00, 5:00

Use code MOM at this Ticketmaster page to purchase seats for Fully Charged -- and get 4 weekday performance tickets for $44 or save $4 on all weekend tickets!

           Doors open an hour prior to each performance ALL tickets holders are invited down to the arena floor for the FREE ALL ACCESS PRE-SHOW Power Up Party!!  Arrive early and bring your cameras for a chance to meet your favorite performers and animals.

       

      FREE PARKING in all official United Center parking lots (not applicable to Allstate Arena).  Go to www.unitedcenter.com for more information.  

 

Disclosure: Our family will receive complimentary tickets courtesy of Feld Entertainment for review purposes.

The Greatest Show on Earth review

The Greatest Show on Earth, and that's no lie!!  We've been to the circus a few times and I don't know how but it seems to get better each year. 

This year we arrived early to get down on the floor and check out the preshow.  I have to say I am NOT big on big crowds and rude people so I'm not sure I'd rush to get there in the future. But we DID get some pretty cute pictures with the clowns.

There were also costumes out that you could try on, some trapeze acts going, temporary tattoos, the elephant painting, and one of the motorcycles that the kids could sit on and get photos. 

But it was a tight squeeze and there were a ton of inconsiderate people. So only you can decide how important the preshow is, whether it's worth it or not.  We were also surprised that with the preshow starting an hour before show that the stadium doors were still only opened an hour before also.  Not a huge deal really except that it was pouring the night we went.

 

Me with my own little clowns!! (The clown noses were found at the preshow too.)

My camera battery was almost dead when we got there so I didn't get many photos at all. But it was a GREAT show!  Some of the big boys (including my husband's) favorite parts were the motorbikes in the cage and this motorcycle on the highwire.  We were RIGHT under the motorcycle as the photo is an uncropped view of the bike right above us.  He flipped around the wire just above our heads.  The motorbikes in the cage (the big giant ball) was pretty cool as they put more bikes in there then I've ever seen before!  It is intense enough that the thought crosses my mind, what would I do if this doesn't go well in front of my kids?

If you've never been to a Ringling Bros circus, it is truly indescribable how there is always something going on and often  more things than you can watch going on at once.  The time goes so quickly while we're watching, its amazing!

I mentioned the big boys favorite parts.  I'm not sure if I can pick a favorite, I love the artistry of it all really.  And Bryan's favorite part was the elephants.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® opens TONIGHT in Chicago

There's still time to get your tickets to see the 

Greatest Show On Earth!!

We're going tonight, so give me a shout if you'll be there.

##Please note $44 ticket price does NOT include a $4 per ticket fee from ticketmaster. Total for 4 tickets will be $60!

Click on the graphic above to get the full size printable page for your kids to color while you order your tickets from Ticketmaster online or by phone!!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®; Barnum’s FUNundrum!

Reminder of the promo code for the upcoming Ringling Bros circus that is coming to Chicago SOON! I know we can't wait to go to the circus this year.

Here are our photos from last year's trip to the Circus.

Add caption