Fernanda Evans hangs by her hair high above the crowd during a performance Saturday at Cirque Italia, a traveling Italian water circus that stopped this week in West Dundee.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Colorful and theatrical acts of contortion, aerial acrobatics and magic were among the highlights of a traveling Italian water circus performing Saturday in West Dundee.
With a 35,000-square-foot water stage resembling a ship, Cirque Italia featured artists from across the globe - and even some local audience participation - in performances centered around Italian culture. The theme of each act is based on a port town in Italy.
Held under a white and blue big top tent, the circus takes about two days to set up and is torn down overnight after its last show. The artists travel for 11 months out of the year and perform eight to 11 shows per week.
Cirque Italia has been performing since Thursday in the Kohl's parking lot in Spring Hill Mall. The final shows of this stop will be held at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Daily Herald photographer Brian Hill contributed to this report.
A spellbound audience watches closely Saturday during the Cirque Italia show in West Dundee.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Emillo Rivera sells light-up toys prior to the start of Cirque Italia, a traveling Italian water circus that brought its show to West Dundee from Thursday through Sunday. The event aims to showcase Italian culture, with the theme of each act centered around a port town in Italy.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Rafinha the Clown performs Saturday during Cirque Italia, a traveling Italian water circus that stopped this week in West Dundee.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Samantha Kulinski performs on a giant ring over a traveling water stage as part of the Cirque Italia show in West Dundee.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Aerialist Samantha Kulinski hangs from a large ring during the Cirque Italia traveling water circus Saturday in West Dundee.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Rafinha the Clown helps Angela Bjork of Hampshire was pulled out of the crowd Saturday to help Rafinha the Clown perform during the Cirque Italia show in West Dundee. The traveling water circus features artists from across the globe who perform acts of magic, archery, acrobatics and magic.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com