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• Circus Chimera

Circus Chimera came to El Cerrito plaza over the last week of August. I took my very demanding 7 yr old son and my "Been there, done that" in-laws and we were all very impressed with the quality of the performances. It was a good value for the money (especially if you get the two for one coupons they give to merchants in the vicinity of the actual performance), and there were no animals, thus avoiding any ethical/animal rights issues that seem to come up with circuses, especially budget affairs. It had a very nice family feel, the size was not overwhelming, it wasn't too commercialized, and the ringmaster greeted everyone outside the tent after the performance. Several people I know liked it so much, they went twice while it was there. Enjoy!

I took my 3-yr-old & 8-yr-old daughters to see Circus Chimera when they were in El Cerrito & we all loved it. The circus is acrobatics/trapeze/etc. only, no animal acts & only one occasional clown (my kids are scared of clowns). If I had it to do over I would definitely pay the higher price to get a real seat (not a space on a bench) in the part of the tent that faces the action. The cheap seats are all on the sides and *very* uncomfortable -- the "bench" is about 6 inches wide! Also when we came back from intermission our relatively good bench spaces had been taken by other people & we watched the 2nd 1/2 up in the rafters.

I've heard from two friends that this is wonderful for families. Lots of gymnasts and acrobats -- sort of like Cirque du Soleil without the drama and the mystery.

I know public schools are giving out coupons so a child gets in free with each adult ticket. (I think adults are $15.) Pick a coupon up at the front desk in the Columbus School office (Addison/7th Street).

We saw them when they were at the El Cerrito Plaza with our almost 4 yr old son. We all enjoyed the show. It's mostly acrobatics and the members of the circus seem to really enjoy themselves. The big top is pretty small, the acts are close to the audience, and there's a little kid in one act. We found discount coupons at a store in the Plaza. You might be able to find something like that at Jack London Square shops.

Truly fun. My 4 yr. old son & I saw it in El Cerrito on the advice of people in this newsletter. He mostly liked the bouncer things outside before & after, and he REALLY liked the very good cotton candy & real sno cones. You gotta figure it's mega-treat day. (Also, I folded & bought the $5.00 light-up sword. My husband loved it so much when he saw it later, he said we should have bought more for gifts. It is really cool.) However, the circus kept him occupied for almost 2 hours. The less expensive seats are hard tiny bleachers, so if that's a problem buy the real seats. It's not a super-professional circus, very homey & friendly, but very good acts, & very new. We were told that the performers developed it themselves. It's a lot like Cirque de Soleil - one ring, running theme (sort of), various acrobats, no animals. Oh yes, there are plenty of chances to buy treats inside, people come around constantly. Don't bother trying to juggle food, child(ren), etc. before finding your seats.

Circus Chimera is great. We went to Ringling Brothers in August and "ran into" Chimera in El Cerrito's shopping mall 2 weeks later. Ringling Bros was awful and Chimera was great fun. We got 2 for 1 coupons at Long's Drugs, and I think they are available at other places for the the Jack London stop. General Admission seats are about the same at reserved, since the one tent is so small. They are benches and Reserve have seats with backs.

It feels like a home town 1950's circus in some ways. It is lots of gymnastics, clowns, trapeze stuff. No animals!! The music is taped and it is somewhat amazing that they stay on schedule with the music. The performers have lots of interactions with the audience. I think a 3 year old may be bored since they won't know how hard the stuff these folks are doing really is to do. My 5 year old loved it, and we know several other families who did too. They even took our picture with a clown and during the second act came back with a little slide in a light box/telescope for $5.00. They also have an astrojump outside, a tiny train ride, a few souvenirs and drinks, snow

I took my 2 1/2 year old to the Chimera circus, and found that she was more interested in the playthings outside and the food than in the circus itself. She kept waiting for the animals --- I had no idea that there wouldn't be any. She did watch the first half of the show, but lost interest during the second half. She had fun, but was a little young for this.

We took 2 girls aged 4 1/2 and 5 to this circus and we all loved it. In fact the girls (and we) liked it better than the much higher priced Barnum and Bailey Circus. There are no animals--it's lively upbeat, multi ethnic and just terrfic. Well worth the highest priced tickets and well worth every one's support. They're a new unpolished troupe but just great. Go enjoy!!!!

My family and I went to see the show in El Cerrito. I strongly recommend it. My four year old son was tired and didn't enjoy it too much, except for the little train ride and a novelty flashlight we got him. I was taken by the magic of the show, which has a feel that might not be as polished as other larger circuses, but for that very reason made it more charming. Having said that,though, some of the acts are truly amazing. The circus also forgoes the use of animals, which is a plus for those concerned about their treatment in the circus world. I would recommend considering the open seating area, since in our case, the bleachers were only filled to about half capacity, which left seats fairly close the the ring available at a lesser price. You can also pay for tickets by Visa/MC/check.

I want to put in a plug for going to see Circus Chimera at Jack London Square while they are still here. Based on all the recommendations I read on this listserve, my family went to see the show on Sunday, and it was outstanding. It was not as slick and professional as some circuses I've seen, but what it lacked in polish it more than made up for in providing a warm, intimate, and thoroughly entertaining show. This company is brand new, having just been formed in April, and they really deserve an audience. At the conclusion of the show we attended, the whole company received thunderous applause. My young children were enthralled for the first half of the show, then spirits flagged as they got tired, but overall they loved it.

Circus Chimera will be at Jack London Square through November 15. From now through Halloween, any kid who comes wearing a costume gets in free, and on Halloween anyone wearing a costume gets in free. I have two "Two-for-One" coupons which I would be willing to drop in the mail to anyone who wants them and truly intends to go. Just e-mail your name and address to me. With the two-for-one coupon and your kids wearing costumes, a family could get in for as little as $15 for section C seats. I would definitely recommend springing the extra $ to get the section A seats. Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday at 7:30, Thursday and Friday at 4:30 and 7:30, Sat-Sun at 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30.