Performer Spotlight - the Amazing Anastasini's

This month we are spotlighting a family of performers who are accomplished circus performers as well as show producers. This family represents eight generations of circus know how.

Luciano Anastasini currently performs as "Luciano's

Pound Puppies" with an adorable and charming mix of mutts who as their name suggests came from various pounds around the country. The act is fast paced, colorful and inventive. Most recently they were featured on the PBS Series - "PBS Circus" which began airing late in 2010. Luciano also performs Diablo juggling and his wife Gladis is an aerialist.

Giovanni Anastasini is a ringmaster, Diablo juggler and aerialist. His daughter Chiara is also multi-talented, she performs a breath hand balancing, as well as hula hoops and aerials. Chiara's brothers Fabio and Guiliano are accomplished in their Risley act and have spent the last few years traveling around the world.

The Anastasini's produce and perform in a variety of venues as well as their own show. The can perform in circuses, cruise ships, fairs, festivals, corporate events and more.

Their show can be performed in a building, on a stage, outdoors or when you are ready to take your event to the next level, in their own European Big Top.

Having a Big Top Circus whether at a theme park, fair, corporate event or private party takes you to the next level. It is also a fantastic options for your guests. Did you know circus tents can be heated and air conditioned? A local vendor can be hired to climate control the big top!

Some of the venues the Amazing Anastasini's have performed at

include: The Big Apple Circus, Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, Busch Gardens, Disney Land, the White House for President George Bush, Circus Conelli, Wild Adventures Theme Park, the Champlain Valley Exposition and many many more.

August Performer Spotlight - Johnny Peers & the Muttville Comix

What better way to celebrate the "Dog Days of Summer" than learning a little more about this months featured act: Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix. Johnny grew up on the road with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus where his father worked concessions. In 1970 he graduated from the famous Ringling Brothers Clown College where he developed his character in the style of Charlie Chaplin, who Johnny idolized.

In 1972 Johnny rescued his first dog "Freckles" from the Brewster Humane Society in New York. Freckles was a sweet little beagle mix who quickly picked up tricks even though Johnny knew very little about training dogs. She and Johnny soon worked out an act together.

In 1980 after adopting more dogs and learning better training techniques, Johnny introduced the Muttville Comix. Together they have toured from coast to coast and to four different continents. They have appeared on the David Letterman show, Prime-time Live, Circus Flora, Big Apple Circus, Royal Hanneford Circus, the Big E, the Vermont Balloon and Music Festival, and many fairs, festivals, July 4th Celebrations and stage appearances. In 2003 he won the $25,000 Grand Championship on Animal Planet's "Pet Star" season 1 with Mario Lopez.

Johnny's current line up of Muttville Comix include dogs who walk tight rope, climb ladders, skateboard, and generally get the best of Johnny. Dogs such as Daphne, the worlds only skateboarding Basset Hound, Squeaky the ladder climbing Fox Terrier, Mr. Pepe who only responds to commands in Spanish. There are 15 dogs in all in the show who eat over 50 pounds of dog food per week. When not on the road they are at home in Florida running around their fenced in yard just as any dog would.

We would recommend Johnny Peers for nearly any type of fair, festival, or special event. They are comfortable indoors or outside, on the ground or on a stage. The show is truly for the whole family and for the dog lover in all of us.