The Cat Circus Comes to Roanoke

A few weeks ago my running friend Trina invited me to go see a touring Cat Circus.  The tickets were a little expensive so I couldn't take the whole family (plus, Paul made fun of me for wanting to go).  But I bought a ticket for myself and Pierce.  At the last moment, Pierce decided not to go, so in the end I took Cort with me. 

It wasn't just about cats.  There were rats.  And a chicken named Gregory Peck.

And a groundhog.  Whose name I don't remember.  But I do recall that he could bowl.  Yes, bowling.  Like the sport.

This is Tuna, the superstar of the show.  He took his job seriously.  All the cats are trained using clickers and whistles.

This is Oz.  Not all of the cats do what they are supposed to do all the time.  And all the cat lovers in the audience understood that.  As did the performers, who made a lot of hilarious jokes about cats.  It was part comedy act, part circus.

Some of the cats were rescues.  There were even some kittens in the show that were being fostered.

Cort's favorite part was when the cats would jump off the stage to wander around the audience.  He would get so excited when a cat would pass under his chair.

Part of the proceeds for the show went to a local no-kill shelter where I used to volunteer before I had kids.  So I was happy to know part of my ticket purchases were helping them.

The cats all seemed to enjoy doing their part - after all, many of the tricks they performed are things that a cat can do anyhow.

I thought this orange cat was gorgeous.  I've always been partial to long haired orange kitties.

The big finale was The Rock Cats band.  The cats actually played the instruments.  And in the bottom right corner you can see Gregory Peck on the tambourine.  The music wasn't pretty, but it was amusing.  The lady behind me laughed so hard I thought she'd fall out of her seat.

Tuna played the cowbell.  He was very good at it, and devoted.  I think he would've played cowbell all night long.

What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon!  Readers, are any of you fellow cat lovers?