The Royal Canadian Circus is in town this weekend, with one of the shows being held to benefit Fort McMurray relief efforts.
Admission for the May 13 show will be by donation. It starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Doors open half an hour before. The circus is advising people to come early.
Regular admission will be charged, but donations will still be collected by volunteers at the other performances. All proceeds from the weekend will go toward the Red Cross. The provincial and federal governments are both matching donations.
The approximately 2,500-seat big top will be set up on the Olds College grounds.
Initially, the circus was scheduled to be in Fort McMurray before the venue change.
"We're really sad that we can't go up to Fort McMurray and do this amazing production," said Cathy Sproule, director of public relations.
Sproule said setup for the show will take a few days. It usually takes months.
Headlining will be the Zerbini Circus cast, which brings more than 60 performers from China, Chile, Cuba, Romania, Kyrgyzstan, Switzerland and Argentina.
They are happy to hold a benefit for Fort McMurray. According to a statement from the circus, it was Tarzan Zerbini's suggestion that all the money from Friday's show be donated to the Red Cross.
"I've been coming to Alberta with my circus for over 50 years. My family has been in the business since the 1700s. I was born in France, but grew up in North Africa. My family left Algeria in the 1950s during a time of insurrection. I've seen it all, and I personally know the pain these people are enduring. I want to help."
Location: Olds College
Dates:
Friday, May 13:
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 14:
Noon, 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 15:
1 p.m., 5 p.m.
