Blake Wallenda, from the world renowned Wallenda Family, will be walking a high wire above the Baldwin Auditorium this weekend as part of the Super American Circus.
Performing death-defying acts while balancing on a wire multiple stories in the air is thrilling, fun and even sometimes scary for daredevil Blake Wallenda, a member of the famous high wire walking “Flying Wallenda” family.
As part of the Super American Circus’ 2020 Hawaii Tour, Wallenda will be performing high wire walks outside the Baldwin High School Auditorium in Wailuku on Friday night and three times each on Saturday and Sunday.
“I get nervous a lot of the time but it’s just one of those things where you have to calm those issues whenever they come at you,” said the 31-year-old Wallenda in a phone interview with The Maui News on Tuesday afternoon. “You just have to be confident in your abilities.”
Tightrope walking requires many hours of practice, weightlifting and engineering “to pull something off like that,” said Wallenda, the seventh generation of high wire walkers.
“It takes a constant amount of practice,” he said. “Even if you get the skills, you have to keep up on your game.”
Wallenda said he doesn’t always use the traditional 50-pound pole many high wire walkers carry as part of their acts. The pole offers balance and stability on the wire and is used when performing daring tricks.
“I’m thrilled to be able to come to Maui and share our talents with you,” he said.
Showmakers Inc. will host a variety of acts for the Super American Circus, some of which have never been performed in the Valley Isle before. Spectators can look forward to superhero-themed performances inside and outside of the auditorium, which includes Wallenda, the headlining act; Matthew Richardson, aerialist and finalist from the 2019 America’s Got Talent television show; Martin Espana on the Wheel of Danger; Chicago Boyz, acrobatic team and America’s Got Talent alumni; Cristina Holt and Alexander Knapp, contemporary, comedic, action-based duo-jugglers; Olexandr Kartukov, clown; and Elaine Alcon, aerial ballet dancer on the Spanish web and Ringmaster.
“It’s a huge cast of performers from around the world, and just a lot of family fun,” said Cornell “Tuffy” Nicholas, Super American Circus presenter, who has produced and managed more than 5,000 shows in the U.S. and around the world, including 17 years in Hawaii.
“I suggest bringing the kids all the way to the aunties and the grandparents, bring everyone,” he said.
On a windy Monday afternoon in Honolulu, Wallenda performed Hawaii’s first-ever skywalk. He traversed a 200-foot-long high wire between two points of the Ala Moana Hotel at the 14th floor level.
Nicholas said it was “heart wrenching to watch because his safety became a concern,” but Wallenda still managed to complete one trick — balancing on one foot while saluting to the crowd below.
“I didn’t get to do as much as I originally intended to do, but fortunately enough it wasn’t so windy that I had to cancel it,” Wallenda said. “It was a great event, there was a huge turnout for something that has never been in Hawaii before, and it was a huge opportunity for us to promote the circus to let everybody know that we’re coming to town.”
The circus tour will start on Maui, travel to the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu on Feb. 28 and 29 and March 1, continue to Hilo on March 5, 6 and 7 and end on Kauai on March 14 and 15.
Pre-show and intermission activities at the Baldwin Auditorium include photos with superhero characters and face painting. Traditional treats, such as snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn, will be available.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit superamericancircus.com. Nonprofit Kamaaina Kids will benefit from tickets sold.
* Dakota Grossman can be reached at dgrossman@mauinews.com.
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• What. Super American Circus 2020 Hawaii Tour.
• When. Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
• Where. Baldwin High School Auditorium.
• Cost. (online and at box office). Adults General Admission, $32, $38; Children General Admission, $16, $19; Adults Preferred Seating, $40, $48; Children Preferred Seating, $20, $24; Family Pass (2 adults and 3 children, online only), $99; VIP Ringside Seats (200 seats sold per chair regardless of age, online only) $65.
• Web site. www.super americancircus.com.
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