Clown Around

 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has been around in some form since 1884. This was back when this country only had 38 states and everyone loved circus clowns. These days, it seems like there's a clown hater around every corner, and for the life of me I can't figure out why...but I do have a solution. All the coulrophobics out there need to attend Bellobration, featuring Bello Nock, the best clown ever. Throwing Stephen King's anti-clown propaganda to the wayside, Bello kicks it up a notch, performing daredevil stunts in addition to the usual clown fare, and he does it all wearing saddle shoes and a foot-high pompadour--sans the ever-frightening clown whiteface makeup. Face your fears, because the circus is back in town Wednesday night at 7 p.m. (with additional performances through August 10) at the American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Plaza. Tickets are $15 to $95. Call 214-373-8000 or visit ringling.com.
July 30-Aug. 10, 2008