Mexican circus rolls into Queens

The Vzquez Brothers Circus is making its stop in Queens through the 13th of November and the entertainers are raising the crowds' hackles.
The clowns perform a variety of acts that include tightrope walking, gymnastics, balancing on alternating hands and many more physically demanding stunts. In addition, how can anyone forget an act where a clown submerges himself under water in a glass cylinder while gasoline is poured on the water above him and set on fire?
Another clown acts has an announcer asking all the kids in the audience to come forward. The clown lines them up in the ring and plays a &#8220Simon Says” type game with them. Every time a child makes a mistake, the clown becomes enraged and begins to chase the kid with a paddle. The children immediately trickle out of the ring toward their parents. Whichever child wins the &#8220Simon Says” contest receives potato chips and a soda.
The Vzquez Brothers Circus, established in 1969, employs 63 people including 17 performers. Approximately two dozen additional local employees are hired to help set up the circus. The circus is carried in eight tractor-trailer trucks. The entertainers live in their own trailers.
This circus is a combination of American and Mexican styles. While the big top tent is a symbol of an American traveling circus, one of the main attractions is known as the &#8220Giant Mexican Armadillo” monster truck.
The circus troupe has six clowns, including Marco Antonio, an engaging 35-year-old dwarf who has been working with the company for over 20 years. He was spotted by Mr. Vzquez doing his act in Mexico and was asked to join the troupe.
Antonio also does a pantomime using a whistle to organize the audience into two competing applause groups. While the crowd percolates with laughter, it reminds the spectator that pantomime can breach geographical, racial and language barriers.
One of the founders, Jos Vzquez, can be seen directing his monster truck, the &#8220Texas Armadillo,” waving to the crowd, while his wife and co-founder, Aurora Vzquez, is considered the &#8220circus mother.”
Whatever you do, do not miss the tight rope act because it provokes an oohing and aahing session for the children. Performing roughly 15 feet high with no safety strap or net, the tight rope walker wears a loose-fitting purple velvet waistcoat and pants with gold filigree borders, along with a cream colored Middle Eastern style shirt with a Nehru-type collar, long white socks and ballet slippers. As he skims along the wire, his head and neck remain rigidly aligned vertically in contrast to the sinuous side-to-side adjustments of the rest of his body.
The applause is thunderous.
The circus is being held in the parking lot of Shea Stadium, located at 123-01 Roosevelt Avenue. Admission for adults is $30 and for children it is $10. For more information, call 1-877-829-7839 or 1-956-455-1560.