Remember going to the circus as a kid? The peanuts and cotton candy, the lights and colors, the amazing performances that stunned even your parents? Prepare to relive that giddy joy as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey comes to downtown Los Angeles for one week of its “Built to Amaze” Red Tour. This is the quintessential classic circus — and Ringling does it right. Ringmaster Andre McClain presents trained tigers, horses and elephants, tightrope walkers, aerialists and acrobats. The circus also features a performance by the King Charles Troupe, a special unicycling stunt basketball team, and, of course, plenty of clowns! Yes, it's kitschy, but if you've never been, you may as well never have eaten apple pie. So don't miss it — just try not to run away with them afterward. Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., dwntwn.; Wed., July 10-Tues., July 16; Sat.-Sun., 11:30 a.m.; Thurs.- Fri., noon; daily 7:30 p.m.; $26-$120. (213) 742-7326, ringling.com.

July 10-16, 2013

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