Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey presents Dragons Celebrating the Year of the Dragon!

Laughter Amid Tragedy: The Life of Clown Alex Barney 
By Annie Rivera

Flying over Colorado Springs on his way to Las Vegas, Nev. one July morning was tough for this highly energized circus performer. From the airplane, Alex Barney could see the plumes of smoke from the Waldon Canyon Fire that devastated over 300 homes. In times like these Barney feels the need to “step up his game” a little more than usual.

"Anytime tragedy strikes,” Barney said, “clowns work that much harder to help people relax and forget about troubles and worries even for a little while.” Barney calls the profession of clowning “therapeutic and a form of community outreach” by providing families a temporary escape.

Barney’s main priority is taking care of parents and care professionals. “It’s stressful enough to see children in hospitals but when moms and dads are crying, children know something is wrong,” Barney said. “It’s my job to provide relief for parents, doctors and staff. When grown ups laugh, children laugh too and vice versa. I feel this is my calling, what I was meant to do in life.” 

Barney, a second-generation clown, followed in his famous father Joseph Barney's footsteps, began performing at a very young age. Originally from Bridgeport, Conn., Barney was intrigued by the Ringling Bros. show that stopped in his town every year and was determined to learn the ways of clowning. Inspired by the great performers Chuck Sidlow and Chris Allison, Barney joined the Ringling Bros. team and has enjoyed every minute entertaining hundreds and thousands of people.

As a member of the renowned Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clowns troupe traveling from city to city, Barney said clowns become “ambassadors of the world” by the way in which they reach out to people. “We don’t need to speak the native language to make them laugh because laughter is truly universal.”

Coming to the Honda Center (2695 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806), Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents “Dragons,” a never-before-seen circus spectacle celebrating the Year of the Dragon!

The Greatest Show on Earth includes Kung Fu martial arts, an American debut of Alexander Lacey’s mixed-cat act featuring tigers and lions together, majestic equestrian acrobatics, the Flying Caceres’ tantalizing trapeze act, daredevil motorcyclists, and the showstopper Ringling Bros. Asian elephants. 

One hour before every show, guests can visit the All-Access Pre-Show for FREE. Learn juggling and balancing skills, get autographs from or take photos with performers, and interact with Ringling Bros. Clowns.

When: Friday, July 27 through Sunday, August 5.

Tickets: $20, $26, $42 (VIP), $70 (Front Row) and $100 (Circus Celebrity) Opening Night tickets are $12 (not valid for VIP or premium tickets)

All seats are reserved; tickets available thru Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or visit the venue box office.

 For show times and more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

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