Circo Hermanos Vazquez at the Arsht Center Through September 15

The name might not be familiar to circus laymen, but Mexican's Vazquez brothers are like the Ringlings of Mexico, founding a circus in 1969 with nothing but a handmade tarp and rented equipment and emerging as one of the most powerful entertainment brands in their country. After nearly four decades...

By John Thomason

September 12, 2013

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The name might not be familiar to circus laymen, but Mexican's Vazquez brothers are like the Ringlings of Mexico, founding a circus in 1969 with nothing but a handmade tarp and rented equipment and emerging as one of the most powerful entertainment brands in their country. After nearly four decades of wrestling alligators, bringing the first baby gorilla to Mexico, and staging elaborate productions of Star Wars, Tarzan, and Planet of the Apes, Circo Hermanos Vazquez finally made its Miami debut in 2008. Now operated by the third generation of the Vazquez clan, the circus returns for its latest extravaganza, which includes animal trainers, ballet dancers, an ice show, clowns (who appear no less scary south of the border), gymnasts, trapeze artists, daredevils, jugglers, a "Pork Chop Revue" of adorable piglets, pole dancers (not that kind), and a seven-piece orchestra. Many of them dress like a '50s sci-fi television costume designer's idea of the future; luckily, it's not a fashion show. The big top is open nightly, with two performances Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.