CIRCUS THRILLS, MINUS THE BIG TOP

Circus Thrills, Minus the Big Top
By SUSAN HODARA
Published: May 20, 2010
On Memorial Day weekend, circus acts similar to those that traveled the Hudson Valley more than 200 years ago are coming to Van Cortlandt Manor for three days of performances. With participants in period costumes and acts like slack-rope walking, sleight of hand, storytelling, mime and Punch and Judy shows, “Animals and Acrobats,” in its 21st year, recreates the origins of the American circus.
“The roots of the circus go back to ancient Rome,” said Michael Natiello, the special events project manager for Historic Hudson Valley, which maintains seven sites, including Van Cortlandt Manor. The Latin word “circus” comes from the Greek “kirkos,” meaning circle or ring, he said.
The main stage at “Animals and Acrobats” is a ring 42 feet in diameter, the standard size in circuses since 1768; performances will also be held in two smaller areas. This year’s lineup includes several new acts, like a Different Spin, a troupe of fire jugglers and acrobats who met while they were students at Vassar; Bells & Motley, two musicians who play rare instruments like the hurdy-gurdy; and the Invisible Lady, who answers audience questions from her glass box. Cristal Stevens, one of the three musical acts, will play guitar while stilt-walking. And Jonathan Kruk, an award-winning storyteller, will serve as the Menagerie Man, providing historical context for the acts.
Live animals — kangaroos, lemurs, a kinkajou and more — will be presented by Two by Two Zoo, and the Flight of the Raptor, a demonstration of birds of prey, will take place three times daily. Atka, the ambassador wolf from the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, will be on hand Sunday and Monday.
Visitors can also tour the ferry and manor houses, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, buy picnic food (provided by Geordanes in Irvington) and browse a shop selling period books and toys.
“The circus is a timeless thing,” said Mr. Natiello, who estimated that between 6,000 and 9,000 people would attend the event, which will span 10 acres.
“Ten acres may sound like a lot,” he said, “but there is so much to see and do that it doesn’t feel like it.”
“Animals and Acrobats,” May 29 to 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Van Cortlandt Manor, off Route 9 in Croton-on-Hudson. $12; $10, ages 62 and older; $6, ages 5 to 17; free under age 5; horse-drawn wagon rides $4. For tickets, a full schedule of events and more information: (914) 631-8200 or hudsonvalley.org.
from the NY TIMES