Under the circus tent

The Vazquez family, the legendary circus dynasty, is bringing their new Flip Circus to the Rio Grande Valley, betting a smaller, 800-seat tent, closer-to-the-action experience will do what a smartphone screen never could: make the audience feel the vibration and excitement of the circus, according to ring master Jan Vazquez.

Flip Circus will run until Feb. 24 outside the McAllen Convention Center and from Feb. 27 to March 9 at the  Sunrise Mall parking lot in Brownsville. 

Vazquez, a fourth-generation circus performer, said the show was born from a need to bring the circus experience to dense urban areas such as New York City. 

This year, the family “switched places,” sending the larger Circus Vazquez to New York while Flip Circus makes its debut in the Valley.

Growing up in the industry had its perks, Vazquez said.

“We got to play different ways than other kids,” he said. “We could get on the trapeze and jump on trampolines and learn to juggle and stuff like that.”

Vazquez said carrying the family legacy is demanding, though.

“We are involved in everything concerning, not just the show, but the operations of it,” he said.

In an age of instant digital entertainment, Vazquez insists live performance remains king. 

“You cannot get that same feeling, that immersion from a phone,” he said. “You can see the visuals, but you cannot actually feel it.”

Flip Circus distinguishes itself through intimacy, Vazquez said. The smaller tent ensures every seat is close to the action, sitting no further than 50 feet from the ring.

“You can get really creative with the way you set up the lights and the type of artists that you will bring to the aerial acts,” he said. “Just overall, the vibe is completely different.”

Vazquez is also taking a personal plunge this year, performing his first-ever trapeze act.

“Since it is a smaller circus, we do fly really near the audience,” he said “… It’s a great visual experience.”

Vazquez added standing high above the crowd is a mental battle.

“It might be the hardest thing that I’ve done in my life,” he said. “The very first time that I swung on the trapeze, my heart was gonna jump out of my chest. And so, each time, you have to confront that emotion, and the adrenaline is buzzing through your body at all times.”

Audiences will experience the acrobatics and the athleticism of the circus but can also find entertainment in the quieter moments–specifically with the clowns.

Misha Usov, a 38-year veteran of the ring, who is the founder of the Professional Clown Institute and author of the book “The Invisible Clown,” has elevated clowning from slapstick to a masterclass in silent narrative.

“If you study it … you will see how difficult [clowning] is,” Usov said.

He said he takes inspiration from legendary clown Joe Jackson, particularly his ability to move audiences without a single word. 

“I will not steal his act, I will not steal his joke, I will not steal his costume and makeup,” Usov said. “But I will steal his attitude.”

Unlike other stage actors, he is his own “writer, director, light designer.” For Usov, the relationship with the audience is vital.

“You can’t ask a fish how it feels without water, right?” he said. “For me, it’s the same. I cannot [live] without this; it’s my destiny.”

For the performance schedule and to purchase tickets, visit tickets.flipcircus.com. 

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