CHICAGO — Red and white pinstripes line the walls, as multicolored balloons hover above the group of magicians, contortionists and jugglers hard at work. Sticky fingers and faces wander about with sugar-fueled smiles, parents in tow.
While you might assume that you’ve stumbled into the circus, you’d only be about half-right. In reality, you’ve happened upon Sideshow Gelato — a new Lincoln Square gelato shop with a niche twist. Each of the “scoopers” are young performers honing their sideshow acts. While serving gelato, they sharpen their juggling, magic and performance skills before customers.
Behind the counter, you might find Dylan Snow — a close-up magician who left his electrician apprenticeship to pursue a performance career. Maybe you’ll run into Elise Eshu, a juggler who started training in a youth circus at the age of 11. Or perhaps you’ll meet Raven See. After obtaining a master’s degree in literature and poetry, intent on becoming a professor, they decided to take a leap of faith and pursue a two-year professional degree in circus arts.
