We have never been to a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus before, so our family was thrilled to be invited to see their newest (the 144th edition!) show, LEGENDS, which is at the Verizon Center this weekend only and then in Fairfax in April (the week of Spring Break!). The two kids were thrilled (big brother had to stay home and do middle-school homework). I wasn’t feeling well (thanks to my youngest getting me sick earlier this week), but their enthusiasm for all of the acts was so infectious, so we all got into it. Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson (the first African-American ringmaster of a major circus) was amazing.
The two kids kept debating which act was the best. My daughter, 10, was partial to the acrobats and trapeze artists, and she went crazy with excitement with the dog and llama act. My 7-year-old son loved the Torres Family extreme cyclists, who manage to fit all SEVEN of them in the Globe of Steel:
My husband loved the Ringmaster’s voice and all of the different acrobats. He is in awe of what these performers can do with their bodies, when he can barely touch his toes without groaning. He even took video of one amazing moment:
WASHINGTON, DC SHOW
The Verizon Center | March 19 – 22, 2015
Show times:
- Thursday, March 19 | 7:30 pm
- Friday, March 20 | 10:30 am, 7:30 pm
- Saturday, March 21 | 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm
- Sunday, March 22 | 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm
FAIRFAX, VA SHOW
The Patriot Center | April 8 – April 19, 2015
Show times:
- Wednesday, April 8 | 7:00 pm
- Thursday, April 9 | 7:00 pm
- Friday, April 10 | 7:30 pm
- Saturday, April 11 | 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm
- Sunday, April 12 | 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm
- Thursday, April 16 | 7:00 pm
- Friday, April 17 | 10:30 am, 7:30 pm
- Saturday, April 18 | 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm
- Sunday, April 19 | 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm
If you have the time this weekend, take your family to see the Circus. And if you’re wondering about the elephants, Ringling Bros. recently announced it will retire its elephant acts by 2018 (just so you understand why there are so many PETA representatives in front of the Verizon Center).
Ticket Information: All seats are reserved. Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, via www.ticketmaster.com, and the Verizon Center or Patriot Center box office. For group rates and information, call 202-661-5061.
Prices: $75 Front Row, $55 VIP, $35.00 (Verizon Center only), $30.00, $20.00 & $15.00
Use your SmarTrip Card to SAVE $8 on Tickets. Visit the box office and show your SmarTrip card at the venue box office. Offer expires April 3, 2015. Savings coupon valid for up to six (6) tickets. Discounts do not apply to Front Row or VIP seats. No double discounts. Offer subject to ticket availability. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Service charges, facility and handling fees may apply. Applies to all performances except Opening Night at each venue.
Disclosure: My family received complimentary tickets to review the show. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are my own (or that of my children).