Five things that make Circus Xtreme extreme

Circus Xtreme looks to update the greatest show on earth, combining traditional circus elements like clowns and elephants with some modern showmanship. Here are five things to watch out for.

The music

Ringmaster David Shipman leads a live band through the show’s upbeat, energetic sound track. The music changes nightly and was written specifically for Circus Xtreme.

Gemma “The Jet”

At 25 years old, Gemma is the youngest human cannonball in the world. From the mouth of the cannon, she flies 100-feet across the arena at seven Gs — the same G-force experienced by fighter pilots and astronauts.

Choreographed chaos

This freestyle sports display runs on, over and around the entire arena. It features BMX bikers, “slackline” walkers, trampoline acrobats and parkour runners.

The Pendulum of Steel

Daredevil Benny Ibarra sets off inside this whirling wheel as it spins above the arena. While it spins, Ibarra flips forward and back and jumps rope, all without a safety harness.

Angelic aerialists

Six performers take part in this acro-ballet — a bungee skydiving mash-up of synchronized-circus skills, done under ultra-violet black light in fluorescent costumes.

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Five things that make Circus Xtreme extreme."