Today in Lansing: The traveling Kelly Miller Circus comes to Abundant Grace Faith Church

Kelly Miller Circus

Aug. 13, 14, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

$13 adult, $8 child

5750 S. Cedar St., Lansing

Click here for event page

Who said the weekend is the only time for entertainment? The traveling circus, with its old school charm, will be out and about in Lansing.

Performers includes motorcyclists, aerialists, hula hoop artists, fire breathers, clowns and a Mongolian stunt troupe.

Since 1938, the Kelly Miller Circus is one of the last ‘big top’ circuses roaming the country. It packs a fleet of 20 vehicles and an 800 person capacity circus tent.

Changing ownership in 2007, John Ringling North II, of Ringling Circus royalty, took over the production to recreate the travelling circus experience he remembered in his youth.

But the old ways of doing business conflicted with many state laws banning animal performers.

This year — due to protests in the circus industry over animal performers and state laws prohibiting animal performers — the circus decided to change, according to their website.

“While Kelly Miller Circus still supports circuses with exotic animals, we have chosen, this year to be exotic animal free,” the site reads.

Though the changes are new, the circus experience Kelly Miller offers entertained millions of Americans and Canadians in its 80 year history, said their site.

“From the early morning hours, when the big top is raised into the air to the very moment when the king pole races to the ground at the end of the day, you the public are invited to come and be a part of the magic of ‘Circus Day’ as it has been experienced for over 200 years!”

“Phantom Thread” Monday Movie Matinee

1 p.m., East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road

Caleb Teicher and Nic Gareiss: Movement and Sound at the Robin Theatre

7 p.m., $15, The Robin Theatre, 1105 S. Washington Ave.

Cocktail Dinner at Red Cedar Spirits

6 p.m., $55, Red Cedar Spirits, 2000 Merritt Road