Zuzana Vinicka’s family has been in the circus longer than anyone can remember.
“Since I was born, my siblings and me, we are already in the circus,” she said.
She doesn’t know how many generations of circus performers are in her family, but said there has been many. “It’s a long line,” she said.
Her grandparents worked with circus animals, her father was a juggler and her mother was a gymnast who worked with horses and elephants.
She was 10 years old when her parents started teaching Vinicka and twin siblings Petr and Lenka, then 7, how to juggle. They formed a juggling group with their father in the Czech Republic and traveled throughout Europe.
These days, the three siblings perform as the Smaha Troupe in Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey’s “Fully Charged.”
The traveling show will make a stop in Everett from Oct. 10 to 13 at Comcast Arena.
Ringmaster David Shipman will command the circus, featuring animals, acrobats and stunts of all kinds.
“It’s so simple. It takes you back to a fun, carefree time where you can focus on what’s right in front of you and create memories you can take with you for the rest of your life,” he said. “And for me, it’s really, really cool to do say you’ve been part of the circus of multi-generational circus families.”
Performances include the Lopez Family, who perform knife-throwing, high-wire and motorcycle stunts; Monogolian strongman Battulga Battogtokh, who juggles bowling balls; and Goodies, a 2-foot-tall horse that can moon walk.
Before the show, audience members can go back stage for a free one-hour visit.
“You can meet the animals, learn how to juggle and low-wire, interact with performers, try on costumes and take pictures,” Shipman said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Vinicka and her siblings will be there to sign autographs and teach audience members a little about juggling.
“We have, all of us, a specific different style. My sister, she throws five clubs. My brother is a foot juggler and I’m more with the passing stuff,” she said. “Families can come to the preshow and try this out with us.”
Tickets are $10 to $65 at 866-332-8499 or www.comcastarenaeverett.com.
For more information about the show, go to www.ringling.com.
Ashley Stewart: 425-339-3037; astewart@heraldnet.com.
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