Only three performances remain: today at 3:30 and at 7:30 and tomorrow at 1:30. This is the Ringling red circus, the one with Bello the clown, he of the stand-up coiffure. The live component of the band is bigger than it’s been sometimes of late. I saw a trombone, two trumpets, a saxophone, and two guitars, plus whatever percussion and electronic augmentation there may be. My favorite act of all was the astonishing balletic pole-climbing exhibition by the troupe of acrobats from Inner Mongolia, which must be seen to be believed. I hadn’t seen Friesian horses since I was a child. These are the light draft horses of handsome form and black coats. Their beautiful gaits are a highlight of the liberty act. Arriving early is fun for children, who may go down on the floor before the show begins and meet some of the performers and participate in circus-related activities, including costume dress-up. I’m really sorry that I forgot my camera, because this year it’s possible to see the “backstage” part of the circus: a commissary, the performers in partial costume, the animals being groomed and harnessed up, and more. The walk from the State garages up to Erwin is as pleasant as always, and there’s live music to be heard along the way, courtesy of the KLBJ Red, White, and Blues festival in Waterloo Park. We witnessed one of the great examples of targeted marketing ever: the principal performer of Chicken Dog Circus was handing out his cards to every doting parent and grandparent headed for the show. He’ll be seeing some birthday-party business soon for “Juggling, Unicycling, Dogs, Yo-Yo, Storytelling, Parrot, Accordion” and whatever other attractions he offers. The circus is not just for children and it’s worth every penny, starting right out with the dual human cannon balls and on to the very last minute.