Howl about that?… On January 29, performer Sabrina Martinez dances during the first act of the Horror Circus at the Daphne Civic Center. The troupe, based in Argentina, traveled throughout the United States staging both their Horror Circus and Circus on Ice shows. “This is my first time in Alabama, so maybe it could be my favorite audience,” Martinez said. “I really like it. It’s very pretty. Actually, now is all, like, Mardi Gras, so it’s all pretty.”
Howl about that?… On January 29, performer Sabrina Martinez dances during the first act of the Horror Circus at the Daphne Civic Center. The troupe, based in Argentina, traveled throughout the United States staging both their Horror Circus and Circus on Ice shows. “This is my first time in Alabama, so maybe it could be my favorite audience,” Martinez said. “I really like it. It’s very pretty. Actually, now is all, like, Mardi Gras, so it’s all pretty.”
Jillian Surla
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Circus of Horror haunts Daphne with international scares

Byline photo of Jillian Surla
Jillian Surla, editor-in-chief
February 6, 2025
Full Moon Feats… Werewolf-costumed performers prepare to use a teeterboard to jump and flip from, reaching above the curtains. The spotters for each stunt ensured no one sustained an injury after each trick. (Jillian Surla)
Chip on the Shoulder… Chef entertainers pretend to be confused on how to attach the plates to the poles. Prior to the act, the entertainers tossed various plastic appendages into a pot before throwing them backstage in frustration. (Jillian Surla)
Round ‘n’ Round… A chef focuses on placing the plate in the direct center of the pole. By the end of his act, all 15 poles ranging in height held a perfectly balanced spinning plate. (Jillian Surla)
Juggling away… Juggler Steven Taconhy slowly descends into a kneeling position, keeping the balls in his sights. After rising again, his assistant tossed him another ball and he continued his show. (Jillian Surla)
Stuntin’… Taconhy finishes his act with flair, thanking the audience and wishing them an enjoyable rest of the show. The performers hoped every act brought a smile to their guests’ faces. “The most important part is if people like the show, and that’s about it,” Taconhy said. (Jillian Surla)
Children of Talent… A child contortionist dances into her introduction, her moves corresponding to each beat of creepy lullabies. Attendees watched, enraptured as she twisted her into near-impossible shapes. (Jillian Surla)
Cycling about… Unicyclists spin in circles hand-in-hand, only for a stagehand to place a colorful set of cones on the floor for them to traverse. After completing it, the young performer returned to pick up each cone while cycling. (Jillian Surla)
Pins and Wheelies… A unicyclist club juggles while pedaling across the stage in circles. He stepped off of his unicycle and climbed atop a taller one, balancing while cycling back and forth at a precarious pace. (Jillian Surla)
Like no Tomorrow… Zombified performers carry a young performer as she turns on a neck hang. Spectators held their breaths for this seemingly dangerous and difficult trick. (Jillian Surla)
Scariest of All… The ringmaster flashes the crowd with the “horrifying” intermission announcement. Before revealing it to the audience, he opened his robe to the remaining entertainers on the stage, who all ran away in fright. (Jillian Surla)
A Darling Devil… Dancer Margarita offers to take photos with the audience on the stage. For her act, she comically stomped away from a planted actor who refused to react to her dance, only for the actor to take out sunglasses and a folding blind cane as he walked to the exit. (Jillian Surla)
Shopping for Scares… Attendees browse the wide selection of foods, toys and photos for purchase. An animatronic sat next to the concession stand, occasionally screaming and thrashing around. (Jillian Surla)
Balloons for Buy… A performer walks around the floor, offering light up balloons for purchase. Soon, most seats filled with glowing balloons. (Jillian Surla)
“Fun” in Funeral… The ringmaster instructs the audience to clap along to the “Addams Family” theme song. It took multiple tries, but, eventually, he applauded and said everyone did amazing. (Jillian Surla)
What a Clown!… Acrobats, dressed in bright colors and clown masks, flip over each other. They slammed on the tumbling mat and ran around to do more stunts. (Jillian Surla)
Hoopin’ it up… A performer completes an upside-down trick on the lyra aerial hoop. She executed many stunts, ranging from the simple Delilah Mount to the more artistic Man in the Moon. (Jillian Surla)
Skaters gonna Skate… Margarita maintains balance as her skating companion prepares to hold her only by her foot. They spun and twirled, continuing a dance inspired by their figure skating backgrounds. (Jillian Surla)
Curtain Calls… As a final farewell to the audience, all circus members dance on stage. After, they went backstage to change out of their costumes and start deconstructing the props. Taconhy implored people to see their next show on February 6 at 7 p.m. in Bessemer, Alabama. “We are really happy with this event, this town. We travel around the country and we really… really like it,” Taconhy said. (Jillian Surla)
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