Cirque Ma’Ceo by Cavallo Equestrian Arts is returning to South Jordan at the Utah State University Bastian Agricultural Center April 28-30 and May 5-7.
Cirque Ma’Ceo is not just another circus. It is a revolutionary equestrian phenomenon where highly-talented acrobats and exotic horses come together to deliver a dramatically-beautiful, awe-inspiring performance you’ll never forget—there’s nothing like it in Utah, Las Vegas, let alone North and South America. We’ll be touching ground in South Jordan for two weekends leaving an impression on audiences for years to come.
You’re invited to step into the show’s luxurious, custom-designed black and white Italian Big Top theater, then sit back and relax in brand-new, state-of-the-art seating surrounded by rich, luxurious stained wood. You’ll enjoy mesmerizing aerial dancing, acrobatic feats, and exotic horses where two worlds—man and horse—are beautifully intertwined as one.
(Cirque Ma’Ceo, sponsored) You’ll enjoy mesmerizing aerial dancing, acrobatic feats, and exotic horses where two worlds—man and horse—are beautifully intertwined as one.
The rich history behind Cirque Ma’Ceo
Olissio Zoppe is the owner and director of Cirque Ma’Ceo. Zoppe is an eight and ninth-generation acrobatic equestrian of Italian heritage. Both sides of his family are multi-generational equestrian-circus families from Italy.
Zoppe’s father became an innovator within his family when he got into the film industry and began building Renaissance fairs. According to Zoppe, his family has performed in movies, music videos, and photo shoots—a broad spectrum of media involving horses. “The show part is our passion, and it’s something we’re truly proud of, and that we love,” Zoppe says.
Cirque Ma’Ceo was created out of Zoppe’s family heritage act, which was bareback riding where the performers stand on the backs of horses and do jumps and build pyramids.
(Cirque Ma’Ceo, sponsored) Zoppe family photo.
“My brothers and I had our own act; we eventually learned to trick ride, do liberty work and classical dressage,” Zoppe says. “We took these other equestrian skills and created a show.” According to Zoppe, the show started out very small as a 30-minute outdoor show the brothers did at Renaissance and state fairs, then it grew into a full production.
Now, the show has expanded beyond horse acts and has human acts that include gaucho dancing, fire dancing, aerial chandeliers, and aerial silks. “It’s woven together with the theme of horses and the connection between man and horse, but we make sure to have a variety, so you don’t have to be an equestrian to enjoy the show,” Zoppe says. “The show is very exciting. It’s very beautiful and very original.”
Cirque Ma’Ceo is not your traditional American circus with a ring announcer or clown; instead, it is an old-fashioned, European-inspired theatrical experience with acts that transform from one to the other—imagine choreography, rich colors, and beautiful music like the Spanish guitar all rolled into one magical series of performances.
Zoppe describes the show as “amazing, fun, family entertainment” and you don’t have to be an equestrian to enjoy it. “It’s a great opportunity to see something you’ll probably never see again until it comes back to South Jordan because it’s such an original, beautiful experience.”
(Cirque Ma’Ceo, sponsored) This theatrical event is truly one-of-a-kind due to the connection and love between horse and performer.
This theatrical event is truly one-of-a-kind due to the connection and love between horse and performer, explained Zoppe. “There’s a lot of love and a lot of trust. The overall connection we share with the horses on stage, and being in an intimate environment—you’re able to see and understand that. We’re dancing together [with the horses] out there,” Zoppe says.
Cirque Ma’Ceo stands for, “Where hoofbeats and heartbeats become one.” Over the course of 90 minutes, audiences of all ages enjoy stunning performances that combine thundering hooves, acrobatic stunts, dance, and dramatic music, creating incredible memories that last a lifetime.
Cirque Ma’Ceo returns for its second year to South Jordan, April 28-30, 2023 and May 5-7 at the Bastian Agricultural Center located at 2100 W 11400 S, South Jordan, UT, 84095. Click here to buy your tickets!