'Greatest Show on Earth'

Animal performances and high-wire acts captivate children and adults alike with a circus performance that continues the 138-year tradition of Ringling Bros. entertainment.

The "Boom A Ring" show in Odessa from Thursday to July 27, gives children a close-up view to the exciting action of talented circus stars with the free, interactive All Access Pre-show an hour before showtime.

And the regular performances provide plenty of laughs, awe and amazement with six white Bengal tigers, elephants, Dachshunds, comedians, aerialists and acrobatics - proving it's still "The Greatest Show On Earth."

WHO'S WHO IN BOOM A RING
>> Liina Aunola, cloud swing; Martti Peltonen, crossbow master: Thrills, suspense, and amazement grip audiences as Liina and Martti trust and assist one another in their individual acts.

>> Valentin Dinov and Borislava Vaneva, perch act: Newlyweds "Bobby and Valio" return to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey for their second year - this time they perform an intrepid perch and bicycle act, where Valio performs on an apparatus as Bobby balances it on top of his forehead.

>> Vicenta Pages, tiger tamer: Despite the danger, long-time performer and animal trainer Vicenta Pages continues a family legacy of circus skills with a show of her six white Bengal tigers: Spirit, Fiona, Cia, Mikayla, Mohan and Taurus.

>> Los Scolas/Duo Cruzado, high-wire act and double wheel: Los Scolas, a daredevil high-wire troupe, performs three feats of fearlessness and flight on a wire no wider than a person's thumb, suspended 25 feet in the air.

>> Negrey Troupe, tumbling and acrobatics: Cartwheels, handsprings, back flips, and tucks are just a few areas of expertise that the tumbling and acrobatics ensemble of the Negrey Troupe bring to the show. All eight members hail from Russia: troupe leader Yulia Negrey, Volodymyr, Evgeny, Andrey, Ilya, Leonid, Denis and Ruslan.

>> Vas, Stas and the Safargalina Jugglers, comedy charivari and juggling: This Russia-born comedy duo and juggling troupe, makes its debut in the United States and the "The Greatest Show On Earth."

>> Diana Vedyashkina, dog trainer: Coming from a big family of performers, Russia-born Diana Vedyashkina directs a pack of canine comedians as they perfect Dachshund acrobatics.

>> Justin Case, eccentric extraordinaire: After studying circus skills and acrobatics with a Chinese master in Australia, Justin Case perfected his bicycle act with his original, hilarious antics between the show's other acts.

>> Patti Zerbini, elephant trainer: A circus-raised performer, Patti Zerbini displays the magnificent size and power of trained elephants, captured in their graceful movements and stunts.

WANT TO GO?
>> ‘Boom A Ring,' the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, is scheduled Thursday to July 27 at the Ector County Coliseum, 4201 Andrews Highway.

SHOW TIMES:
>> 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
>> 7:30 p.m. July 25.
>> 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. July 26.
>> 2 p.m. July 27.
>> Tickets are $30 for floor seats, $20 general admission and $15 for balcony seating.
>> Call 800-462-7979 or visit central ticketoffice. com.

ON THE NET
>> Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: www.ringling.com