All the sights and sounds of Carnival

TICKETS may still be available for the Brazilian-themed Circus Rio, which finishes its run in Melton West this weekend.

The circus, which revolves around the sights and sounds of the world-famous Brazilian Carnival celebration, started its series of shows at the Woodgrove Shopping Centre in High Street on Wednesday.

Remaining days and times on the schedule are 7pm tonight, 11am and 4pm tomorrow, and 11am Sunday.

If all Melton West sessions are sold out, the circus moves on to Ballarat’s Morshead Park for another run from 4 to 13 April.

Circus Rio bills itself as the biggest circus in Australia and features acrobats, jugglers, clowns and three-time Guinness World Record FMX stunt rider Brodie Carmichael, who performs motorcycle stunts through the tent and high above the audience.

Carmichael, a professional stunt rider, performs his finale – a somersault – at a height of 15 metres.

The circus toured Australia for the first time in 2019 and has a brand-new cast and a brand-new show for the current tour.

Circus Rio brings together a team of internationally acclaimed performers and is promoted as being suitable for families, teenagers, singles and couples alike.

The two-hour show also features aerialists, a Cyr wheel, hand-balancing and illusions, with interactive roaming performers, balloon animals, a fully stocked canteen with classic circus refreshments like popcorn, fairy floss, ice cream and coffee also among the attractions.

Ticket holders also have an opportunity for taking photos with performers during an after-show meet and greet.

The Brazilian Carnival is an annual festival held the Friday before Ash Wednesday at noon, which marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter.

Carnival is the country’s most popular holiday and has become an event of huge proportions.

The country unifies almost completely for as much as a week, with many businesses closing while festivities take place both day and night in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife, Olinda, Belo Horizonte and Sao Paulo.

Times and dates for the Ballarat performances are 7pm on Friday 4 April, 11am and 7pm on Saturday 5 April, 11am and 3pm on Sunday 6 April, 11am on Wednesday 9 April, 3pm on Thursday 10 April, 11am and 7pm on Friday 11 April, 11am on Saturday 12 April, and 11am and 3pm on Sunday 13 April.

Tickets are available through Ticketek.