Site Logo

Up Up Up’s circus truck troupe rolls into downtown Everett

Published 1:30 am Saturday, August 20, 2022

By Andrea Brown

Performers show off their mop talents during Up Up Up Crane Circus’ evening performance Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in the empty lot at Hewitt and Oakes in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
1/8
Performers show off their mop talents during Up Up Up Crane Circus’ evening performance Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in the empty lot at Hewitt and Oakes in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A trapeze artist performs above a crowd of hundreds during Up Up Up Crane Circus’s evening show Friday, in the empty lot at Hewitt and Oakes in downtown Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Performers show off their mop talents during Up Up Up Crane Circus’ evening performance Friday, in the empty lot at Hewitt and Oakes in downtown Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A performer hula hoops with well over a dozen hoops during Up Up Up Crane Circus’ evening performance Friday, in the empty lot at Hewitt and Oakes in downtown Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Jason Webley plays a sing-along song on accordion to get the crowd warmed up before Up Up Up Crane Circus’ evening performance Friday, in the empty lot at Hewitt and Oakes in downtown Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Up Up Up performers introduce themselves during their evening circus performance Friday, in the empty lot at Hewitt and Oakes in downtown Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Performers enter the stage during Up Up Up Crane Circus’ evening performance Friday, in the empty lot at Hewitt and Oakes in downtown Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Two performers spin in circles during Up Up Up Crane Circus’ evening performance Friday, in the empty lot at Hewitt and Oakes in downtown Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

EVERETT — When the circus platform is a big truck instead of a big tent, engine issues can be a real show stopper.

Up Up Up’s Friday show in downtown Everett was almost canceled after the transmission on the touring troupe’s 24-foot flatbed truck with aerial crane kicked the bucket a few days ago, while on the road on Whidbey Island.

But the determined crew somehow managed to get a loaner ride and a makeshift gizmo for the acrobatics. And the show went on, grand piano and all.

An excited crowd of all ages gathered in the vacant lot on Hewitt Avenue across from Angel of the Winds Arena to see the feats and hear the sounds from the circus artists. It was a hit, just like the show here a year ago in the same spot. Admission was by donation.

Everett singer-songwriter Jason Webley, who has traveled the world playing music, was among the featured acts. Four of the Up Up Up performers were part of his Flotsam River Circus, which recently finished a river and bay tour in California.

In addition to public events, Up Up Up performs at shelters, nursing homes and community fundraisers.

The stop in Everett is part of a month-long tour in Washington and Oregon, in places including Langley, Bellingham, Seattle and Portland.

Next stop: Olympia.

Herald photographer Ryan Berry contributed to this story.

You Might Like