![circus2]()
The internationally-renowned Midnight Circus is back for the annual Midnight Circus in the Parks citywide tour, kicking off this weekend in Grand Crossing Park and running for eight consecutive weekends, concluding in Welles Park on October 18 (ticket and location details below). Fresh off a triumphant run at the world-famous Montreal Circus Festival, where they were honored to be the only American Company to ever play there, Midnight Circus returns home to Chicago with an all-new show and new award-winning artists to join its wildly eclectic cast of characters. The troupe features a wide-ranging ensemble of acrobats, aerialists, eccentrics, one rescued dog and even a few amazingly talented kids who don’t have to run away to join the circus…their parents own it!
“We’re staying true to our mission of creating community and rebuilding parks…one circus at a time,” says Midnight Circus creator/ring-leader Jeff Jenkins, who works in special stops at underserved neighborhoods each year. “We have built fantastic relationships through our tireless community outreach and have already sold over 1,000 tickets that are being distributed to families in need in communities such as Englewood.
“The Midnight Circus is committed to making the experience exciting and accessible,” added Jeff. “We work hand in hand with local park advisory councils, community leaders, alderman, religious leaders and hundreds of volunteers citywide to keep the ticket price affordable and in many cases absolutely free!” Since its inception in 2007, Midnight Circus in The Parks has played to over 15,000 attendees each year, raising over $800,000 to date for local park improvements.
This year, Midnight Circus will tour eight Chicago parks from August through October. Each 90 minute-show takes place under an intimate, little big top tent where there is no such thing as a bad seat. With new acts and returning favorites, including Jeff’s wife and two children, the Midnight Circus in the Parks Tour has quickly become a Chicago family tradition. Among the notable stops this year is the debut of the Midnight Circus in historic Wicker Park on the weekend of September 19th and 20th.
Schedule:
Grand Crossing Park – August 29 & 30
McKinley Park – September 5 & 6
Ogden Park – September 12 & 13
Wicker Park – September 19 & 20
Margate Park – September 26 & 27
Independence Park – October 3 & 4
Smith Park – October 10 & 11
Welles Park – October 16, 17 & 18
Tickets: Tickets are on sale now through www.midnightcircus.net and are $5 to $20, with children under two free. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. A heavy ticket discount is available for the first three weekend shows, which have been generously sponsored. For more information, visit the
website.
