Teatro ZinZanni performers Eric Newton, Trevor Nassler and Manuela Horn are offering free shows at 6 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday through August 31.

Normally part of a three-hour-long show of cirque, comedy and cabaret paired with a five-course meal, the trio will perform a short 20-minute show, Aerial Antics in the Atrium, at Pacific Place in downtown.

Nassler performs first on the diabolo, a 2,000-year-old device from China. The diabolo involves two sticks connected by string that spin cone-shaped wheels resembling spools. Manipulation of the string allows Nassler to perform impressive tricks involving the whole body.

“If you spin it fast enough, it makes a whistle,” Nassler said. “It’s an interesting apparatus.”

Newton emcees in a slick pinstripe jacket, black tights and a flashy top hat with red feathers before stripping down to his tights to perform stunning acts on a static trapeze.

“It was pretty cool,” said Sean Knight, a UW senior and audience member. “The best part was probably when [Newton] suspended himself by the neck on the trapeze.”

Newton has been performing aerials for 15 years and “clowning” for 25. The performer has also studied ballet, jazz, character work and acting.

“You need to keep in shape, even if you don’t work full time,” Newton said. “I got into it because I loved it.”

Horn performs as the character Gretchen, a yodeling sheepherder who towers more than 6 feet tall and drags along her goat pal Baaab.

Known for her versatility, with years of experience as a yodeler, comedic singer, actress, host and a tour as Barbie, Gretchen adds some comedy to the short show.

“My father taught me when I was 12 years old to yodel on a long drive from Germany to Austria,” Horn said. “I was bored as hell. … [Yodeling] opened up everything; … [it’s] a good tool to have.”

Horn is reinventing yodeling, trying to bring it to a younger audience with disco yodel.

“[You] have to imitate a fire car, [up and down] with your voice and learn the words,” Horn said.

Teatro ZinZanni originally opened in 1998 and has been keeping Seattle audiences entertained by constantly changing shows and artists, combining improv, comedy, music, dance and cirque with a hint of sass.

“It’s just fun to watch,” Knight said. “It’s stuff you don’t normally see in everyday life.”