The Joey Kelly Circus
 at the Emmett Kelly Festival

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of All Ages, It's Circus time again.  The 2008 Edition of The Joey Kelly Circus is returning to Houston for another performance on May 3rd.  New this year, is their patent pending, tripod aerial rigging that towers 20 feet tall, the center-piece of  their new appearance.  Each pole has a carpeted wooden shoe allowing performances on pavement, indoors, literally anywhere, without need of guy wires or driving stakes in the ground.

Suspended underneath their specially designed rigging, Bethany will once again present her aerial ballet, attractively entwined within her fabric routine.  She will also perform a Trapeze routine, new this year thanks to the trapeze bar uniquely crafted atop the rigging that Joey personally designed.

Ring Mistress Lindy will open this year's show with her new Comedy Bell Routine, a first time solo performance right in the heart of Houston.  Last year, Lindy got her clown shoes wet as Joey's capable sidekick.  More importantly she impressed those in attendance with her quick wit and charm.  Lindy, as well as Bethany and Nathan, each were a "First of May" last year, a first time performer.

Nathan will once again dazzle you with his charm, good looks and a with a new, improved Diabolo routine replete with more difficult and amazing tricks that you will not want to miss. This year, Nathan shows his versatility by adding Juggling Pins, Balls, Rings and the Rola Bola to his act.  With him handling the skill toys and his sister floating like an angel overhead, The Joey Kelly Circus is growing into a very nice, little family circus that means to please and garner your applause and favor.

Penny, their cute little baby lion, Okay, their Pomeranian trimmed to appear as if a Lion, will be seated (hopefully) upon her Lion's Perch, in plain view, throughout the entire performance.  Her active participation is on a time permitting basis.

Last, but certainly not least is Joey, Emmett Kelly's grandson, the namesake of the circus.  If you were in attendance in last year's show, you noticed that Lindy did the talking, not Joey.  That worked wonders for Joey, allowing him to do different material.  That theme will continue.  Having a Ring Mistress and fellow clown as his front person, allows him the opportunity to return to pantomime.  This year, Joey is presenting "The Bird," an original routine of his that he created in the 1980s as one of three initial, "signature" routines.

You'll want to attend this show for all the right reasons.  As if the new acts to be performed aren't enough, you'll not want to miss another first time performance when Joey performs an adaptation of one of his grandfather's routine, "The Spotlight."  For the first time ever, Joey will perform one of the greatest clown gags in circus history, one of his grandfather's favorite and original gags, as a tribute to Joey's favorite and beloved clown.  Joey hopes to see his grandfather smiling at him from within the light shining down from above.

The Joey Kelly Circus comes to town with new rigging, new routines and a new appearance for the 21st Annual Emmett Kelly Festival performance.  Centered within the 30 foot ring that formerly belonged to his father's Emmett Kelly Jr. Circus and under their tripod rigging is their new stage.  No more "mud shows" for the Joey Kelly Circus! 

The Joey Kelly Circus offers their appreciation for the praise and kind words of encouragement extended by the fine folk of Houston during last year's festival and since then.  Joey and his family look forward to meeting each and everyone of you.  Be sure to stop and say hello.  More than anything, enjoy the show.