SOUTH LAKEVIEW — The show must go on, even when customs prevents one of your acts from entering the country.
Still, the Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival is expected to entertain crowds this weekend with acrobats, cycling, burlesque and clowning at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave.
"For a generation that grew up with the old-fashioned circus, this really focuses on performers and performance-driven art. And for kids that have not seen the circus, this is a good introduction, a much more approachable form of circus," said Jeff DeLong, marketing and development director for The Athenaeum.
Tickets for individual shows range from $22-51, although $150 Main Stage passes are good for eight shows and the closing party.
The festival prides itself on elevating the circus experience beyond the elephants and schtick American circus is known for. Instead, each circus act tells a story through acrobatics, dance and music.
While there aren't any animal acts (which could actually be seen as a benefit for those who fear circus animals are mistreated), the athleticism of performers is sure to astound, DeLong said.
"It's not special effects or CGI. It's human bodies and gravity. They defy the laws of physics in some ways, and that's what I find so magical. It's something you can't get on TV," DeLong said.
It's the second year the festival will be at The Athenaeum, which DeLong said he hopes will become a Lakeview tradition.
While rainy weather did little to dampen the circus experience, one act did hit a snag and was forced to cancel its June 20 show. The festival said US Customs and Border Protection had approved artist visas for the Gandini Juggling performers, but failed to process their passports, possibly aftermath of a May government computer hacking.
The festival is honoring refund requests for the tickets. For a full list of weekend performances, click here.
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