The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed its final show ever on Sunday.
It was a bittersweet day for Las Vegas local Jon Weiss who was a 25 year veteran of the “Greatest Show on Earth.”
“Everybody comes to see the circus because it’s fun. You can break away. Whatever is going on in your life, you can break away from it and spend two or three hours at the circus, and we’ll create a memory that lasts a lifetime,” Weiss said.
Weiss got his start in clown school back in 1981.
“I was like wow I’m going to be the big shot. Yay!” Weiss exclaimed.
He discovered his passion for clowning because he loved to make people laugh, but it wasn’t until he was blasted through the air that things really took off for him.
“The highlight of my career. Shooting out of a canon for Ringling Brothers. Oh my gosh, the first time in front of an audience I was overwhelmed,” Weiss said.
During his time with the circus, Weiss was shot out of a cannon more than 5,500 times.
“It’s like being in a car accident except you’re ready for it when you are shot out,” Weiss explained.
Weiss said he will miss the circus dearly, but he’s found a place right here in Las Vegas to fill the void. It’s called Trapeze Las Vegas.
“If you have a circus dream, we can make it come true,” said Lisa Cote, Trapeze Las Vegas.
Folks can learn circus skills ranging from silk trapeze ropes to tumbling and trampolines.
Cote says it’s not just the instruction that people find at the studio.
“A lot of people find their home here at Trapeze Las Vegas. A lot of people talk about the vibe here,” Cote explained.
For Weiss, the studio is a new place to call home, and the circus lifestyle is alive and well.
“It’s encouraging, and it’s supportive, everyone is together,” Weiss said.
If you have Big Top ambitions and want to learn some circus skills, you can visit the website for Trapeze Las Vegas by clicking here.
