A 'Shrine' to Sioux City entertainment

The George Carden International Circus sets up shop in the Tyson Events Center in May, marking the 65th straight year the Abu Bekr Shrine has made sure young and old alike may see the lions, tigers and bears. Oh my.

"We're doing the circus from May 6 through May 10, which is a little later than normal," says Phil Nugent, business manager for the Abu Bekr Shrine in Sioux City. "We usually do the circus in April, but we had to work through some conflicts."

Nugent believes the May date will serve the organization, and thousands of Siouxland circus-goers quite well.

"May 10 is Mother's Day, so we're looking at this as the perfect opportunity for a family to take Mom to the circus on her special day," Nugent says. "We're also getting the dates out to help teachers plan field trips. It's amazing how school groups from schools 100 miles out and more head to Sioux City for the Shrine Circus."

A May week of show dates may also help those in the Siouxland farming community, persons often knee-deep in corn or soybean planting efforts during April. By the second week of May this spring, they could have planting wrapped up.

Nugent and the Shriners note how essential the agricultural community is in Siouxland. He hopes to help deliver an entertainment showcase that helps farmers unwind after what can always be a stressful planting season.

The George Carden International Circus, which visited for a successful 2014 circus run at the Tyson Events Center, will be back in 2015, back by popular demand as last year's show rated among the most popular.

The show's floor manager says his circus has reciprocal feelings for Siouxland residents, many who showed their concern for stunt performer Ben Veyna, who was hurt when his cycle slammed through a metal door after a 75-foot jump.

Veyna was taken to Mercy Medical Center for tests and simply took the following day off to rest a bruised shoulder.

"The response in Sioux City makes us feel good, there is so much concern for Ben and our performers," Israel Alvarado, floor manager, said. "There is risk involved in stunts like this, and people like Ben train and train for it. If it was easy, anyone could do it."

Veyna thanked fans as they asked about his health following his return. It's maybe not the kind of treatment he'd see from the public in every circus stop.

"To have all this concern, it's really a homey feeling," Veyna said.

The fact Veyna could even attempt such a job is a testament to the space now found in the Tyson Events Center, Sioux City's state-of-the-art performance venue. Along with the long cycle jumps, aerial artist Dave Smith, can be shot from a cannon to the delight of fans. He did so to close the 2014 shows, marking the 17th year Smith has completed his 130-foot stunt to the delight of fans.

"The Tyson is much bigger and much better," Nugent said, offering a comparison to other venues. "The floor is also bigger. It's a great facility and the shows can do so much more there."

The circus has, for decades, served as the primary fundraising vehicle for the Abu Bekr Shrine, an organization that has helped serve the medical and transportation needs of children and their families since its inception.