THE RACES COME TO DOVER--

Oregon Trials: the Circus in Southern Oregon

By Ron Brown

May 13, 2011

Ministers appear to be wobbling over banning wild animals in circuses

Around 20 wild animals, including tigers, perform in British circusesCircus animal ban is held up as ministers wobble over legal risks

By Martin Hickman, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

from: www.independent.co.uk.

Friday, 13 May 2011

Ministers appear to be wobbling over banning wild animals in circuses, after a campaign by The Independent.The Government had been expected to announce that it was abandoning its previous support for a ban and instead opting for a system of self-regulation. But at Commons question time yesterday, the Animal Welfare minister failed to announce voluntary regulation. Instead, he said the Government was concerned about a potential legal challenge to introducing a ban on wild animals in the big top.
The exchanges took place at Environment questions as The Independent's online petition calling for a ban passed 15,000 signatures.

Pileup on the 101 Freeway!

By Derek Thomas

Call it Cirque du Soleil Lite, nestled beside the Hollywood Freeway. Circus Vargas harkens back to the early days of the traveling circus, a family-friendly spectacle akin to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. This, however, is an "animal-free" show, so no Gunther Gebel-Williams types to get PETA's panties in a twist. Among the acts: the Flying Tabares' double trapeze, African acrobatics by the Zinduna Brothers, the Garcia Family Cyclists versus the Globe of Death, a bungee ballet, high-wire artists and clowns, clowns, clowns. You've been warned.

Circus Vargas
Thu., May 12, 7:30pm, Fri., May 13, 7:30pm, Sat., May 14, 1:30pm, Sat., May 14, 4:30pm, Sat., May 14, 7:30pm, Sun., May 15, 12:30pm, Sun., May 15, 3:30pm, Sun., May 15, 6:30pm, Mon., May 16, 6:30pm Under the Big Top

SHRINE CIRCUS IS ROLLING BACK INTO KEARNEY, NEBRASKA

The Shrine Circus returns to Kearney’s Viaero Event Center for a pair of performances at 4 and 7:30 p.m. on May 26.
Hosted by the area Tehama Shrine Temple, the shows are presented by the “James Cristy Cole Circus” and feature many longtime circus performers and legendary acts.
Tickets are $10 for advance sales and $12 the day of the show. Children age 12 and under are free. All seats are general admission.
Tickets can be purchased from area Shriners or by visiting the Event Center box office in person.
Highlights of this year's show include: dancing cowgirls, aerial divas, swinging trapeze artists and exotic animal trainers featuring lions, tigers and elephants.Other acts include the popular dancing elephant, Anna Louise, and trick roper Vince Bruce, who has two Guinness World Records in trick roping.

Naperville hosts elephant documentary

Flora the elephant cuddles with circus producer David Balding in a scene from "One Lucky Elephant." Courtesy of Raffe Photography Inc.

By Katie Foutz For Sun-Times Media

May 12, 2011

Evelyn Gluting of Aurora had no interest in nature until her 5-year-old daughter, Alyssa, started asking questions about elephants — and Gluting didn’t like the answers she found.
“In Africa, there’s 600,000 elephants,” she said. “She asked, ‘How many were there when you were born?’ Thirty-seven years ago, there were 1.3 million elephants in Africa — issues with poaching, illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, just all these issues I had never been aware of. So it was hard to try to explain to her because she asked, ‘Will they be like dinosaurs?’ I said I don’t know.”
Gluting and a like-minded friend, Mary Jane Stein, helped organize the local pre-screening of the documentary “One Lucky Elephant” to raise hometown viewers’ awareness of elephant issues.
The “lucky elephant” is Flora, an African elephant who was orphaned as a baby, adopted by an American circus producer, raised as a member of his family and made the star of his show. When she loses interest in performing, the circus producer hopes to return her to the wild.
But where does an elephant raised among humans go to retire? The documentary follows the man-and-beast pair for 10 years as they try to answer that question. Meanwhile, many more questions come up about keeping wild animals in captivity and encroaching on their natural habitats.
The film is showing May 22 at Naperville’s Ogden 6 Theatres, before it opens nationally June 9 and Oprah Winfrey airs the film on her network, OWN. Proceeds from ticket sales and a silent auction at the screening will benefit Ahali Elephants, a non-profit organization that protects the rights, welfare and habitats of elephants through the power of networking groups, media and educational outreach.
Gluting and Stein do not work for this charity, the film or OWN. Gluting has met the producer and supports a 400,000-acre elephant preserve in Burma, the country where Gluting was born. She said it’s one way she can help teach her 5-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son about the world outside of their everyday activities.
She won’t be taking her kids to “One Lucky Elephant” — it’s unrated, but she describes it as PG. Still, they get the elephant thing. When the director of the elephant preserve emailed a time-lapse picture of an elephant wrecking their motion-sensor camera, the kids were thrilled.
This is something we wouldn’t have seen if we hadn’t supported this group,” Gluting said. “My 2-year-old was going around pretending to be an elephant and destroying things with his arm-trunk.”

Cirque Éloize offers deft, surprising fusion of acts

Cirque Éloize’s “iD’’ is set in a futuristic urban environment and features some electrifying performances. (2009 Theatre T & Cie/Valerie Remice)

By Don Aucoin Globe Staff / May 13, 2011

In Cirque Éloize’s “iD,’’ the city is alive, a place of wonder where anything can happen.Face-offs between rival gangs, attempts at love and friendship, and seemingly random street encounters in a futuristic urban environment give rise to displays of agility that are not just astonishing in the way they challenge the capacities of the human body — we expect that from circus performers of this caliber — but something even better: surprising.For example, in the production of “iD’’ that is at Citi Wang Theatre through Sunday, an in-line skater (Xuan Le) pivots and pirouettes, then suddenly leaps off the stage and dashes madly up the aisles with a stunt biker (Thibaut Philippe) in hot pursuit. As the pair make a furious circuit of the theater, with the biker popping wheelies inches from the delighted faces of audience members, it’s as if the venerable Wang has turned into the host venue for the X Games.
Founded in 1993, the Montreal-based Cirque Éloize specializes in the fusion of circus arts, music, and dance — all of which contribute to making “iD’’ a memorable evening in the theater. Though Cirque Éloize signed a strategic partnership last year with Cirque du Soleil, the troupe’s sensibility seems more akin to that of Les 7 Doigts de la main, a contemporary circus ensemble (also based in Montreal) whose dazzling “PSY’’ was presented in January at the Cutler Majestic Theatre by ArtsEmerson.
read more at:http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2011/05/13/cirque_loize_a_deft_surprising_fusion_of_circus_acts/

Circus Sarasota, in collaboration with the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, will entertain “children-of-all-ages” when an all-star cast of circus artists and entertainers take over the stage at Sarasota’s Historic Asolo Theater Wednesday, June 22 through Sunday, July 31. Showcasing an international cast performing together onstage, the production is entitled “Grandma and Friends!” featuring one of America’s most celebrated comic entertainers, Barry Lubin, a 1974 graduate of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Clown College, and a 2002 inductee into the International Clown Hall of Fame. Lubin’s alter ego is “Grandma,” who has generated raves and recognition throughout the world. Grandma guarantees that audiences will be “rolling in the aisles”!!
Joining Grandma on-stage will be the celebrated Cristiani Family Trampoline act. The Cristiani name is considered circus “royalty” today, as it has been for generations; even the youngest members of the family have performed for audiences in venues from Las Vegas to Berlin, from Tokyo to Stockholm. Next? America’s Circus City, Sarasota! Miss Gena, a fourth generation circus performer, will perform a jazz-inspired juggling act. Her dazzling split-second dexterity makes Miss Gena’s juggling a unique addition to this fantastic show. Also on the Historic Asolo stage will be La Vision: an award-winning acrobatic duo direct from Cirque du Soleil. Their incredible display of human strength, poise and manipulation reflect the circus arts at the highest level. Of course, no Circus Sarasota presentation would be complete without the extraordinary aerial artistry of Dolly Jacobs: The Queen of the air!

Spider-Man still a hot ticket on Broadway

The troubled show resumed performances last night to strong sales and the weekend shows are expected to sell out

Spider-Man took in around $200,000 at the box office on Friday, in line with the amount of tickets it was selling daily before it went on hiatus

By Miriam Kreinin Souccar

from: www.crainsnewyork.com

May 13, 2011

In its newly retooled iteration, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark resumed performances on Broadway Thursday night, and demand for the controversial musical is as high as ever.
The show, which closed three-and-a-half weeks ago for a creative overhaul after numerous accidents, mechanical malfunctions and blistering reviews, took in around $200,000 at the box office on Friday, a source said. The numbers are in line with the amount of tickets Spider-Man was selling daily before it went on hiatus. Performances over the weekend are expected to sell out.
“Tickets are selling briskly, and the response since performances have resumed is extraordinary,” said Rick Miramontez, a spokesman for the show.
Of course with a $70 million capitalization—the most expensive musical ever made—and a reported weekly running cost of around $1.2 million, the show needs to nearly sell out every night to make a profit. Before it was revamped, Spider-Man grossed nearly $1.9 million during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and was taking in about $1.4 million in the weeks before it shut down for its overhaul.
The new version of the musical, which is set to open June 14, is under the direction of Philip William McKinley, who has directed the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus and the Broadway musical The Boy From Oz. He replaced Julie Taymor, who was ousted in early March.
Group sales agents, who had soured on the musical after it kept delaying its opening and announced a hiatus, said the new version is selling well.
“The producers listened and learned and made all the right changes,” said Stephanie Lee, president of Group Sales Box Office, who has sold more than $1.5 million in tickets for future performances and has seen the show. “We’re thrilled and telling our clients about it.”
Ms. Lee has been switching a large volume of school and camp groups that were signed up to see Wonderland, to Spider-Man. Wonderland is closing on Sunday, less than a month after its opening.

Circus of Dancers The Big Apple Circus' "Dance On!" features eclectic variety, steeped in familial tradition.

The Big Apple Circus returns for its 33rd year with an international cast at Cunningham Park in Queens. Called “Dance On!” it will run from May 21 to June 5.

By Arlene McKanickThursday, May 12, 2011
Jenny Vidbel, a third-generation circus performer who brings her little white equines and goats to the show, spoke to the TimesLedger about the upcoming performance and her entertainment influences.
Vidbel’s grandfather was an exotic animal trainer, specializing in elephants, and her grandmother also trained the horses.
“I was around lions and tigers and all sorts of critters,” Vidbel says. “My grandparents taught me to respect them and they were really a part of the family. Elephants were very close and protective so it was a great feeling growing up. I just loved them so much.”
Vidbel’s performers — her “boys” — are 11 Welsh ponies and one tiny, 32-inch tall American miniature horse who brings up the rear. He’s the only one, by the way, who’s, well, whole.
They’re Kenny, George, Jodie, Ian, Tommy, Tarzan, Hank, Randy, Willie, Toby, Cash and Frankie. They’re boys because girls are too temperamental, and the boys “really show the true spirit of the horse,” Vidbel says. Moving them around could be compared to a military campaign.

read more at:

http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2011/05/12/queens_village_times/ent_news/qv_ent_news_big_apple_circus_20110512.txt

SORRY!

THIS MORNING AT 6:00 AM I GOT UP,

CAME INTO THE DEN,

SIGNED IN AND ACCESSED THE BLOG.

BUT GUESS WHAT!

COULDN'T GET INTO THE POSTING PART OF IT.

IT WAS DOWN FOR REPAIRS.

AND STAYED THAT WAY ALL MORNING.

SO I APOLOGIZE FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS

OUT OF MY CONTROL.

I'M AT WORK NOW, BUT WILL TRY TO POST SOMETHING

LATER.

THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING!

DICK (THE BALLOONMAN)

Dogs... Love.... Food.

Zoo Leopard Under Watch For 30 Days

The Sedgwick County Zoo is keeping Nia the leopard in confinement for 30 days following an attack on a 7 year-old. Reporter: Deb FarrisEmail Address: dfarris@kake.comWhicita, KS

Circus on the clock

Circa will attempt a feat never seen before in the Englert

May. 11, 2011

Written byStephanie Wise

Iowa City Press-Citizen.com
To hang suspended in the air by a flying trapeze or balance your body, one-legged, on a person's shoulder are feats in themselves.
To complete 61 circus acts in exactly one hour -- well, that's a different story.
Circa, an Australia-based circus group, is coming to Iowa City to prove to audiences that not only can they provide what they call "circus without the boring bits," but that they can jam-pack more than five dozen acts in 60 minutes or less. Can they do it?
You'll have to see for yourself Saturday at The Englert Theatre.
Daniel Crisp, one of four performers on the Circa tour and the only one with an aerial act in the show, said so far on tour they've finished five, two and less than one second under the clock.
"It's stressful," he said. "I nearly had a nervous breakdown when we finished (the) shows."
Circa will perform two shows on its five-and-a-half-week tour this spring, including 61 circus acts in 60 minutes and a shorter version, 46 circus acts in 45 minutes. A stop clock is onstage at each show, counting down the minutes the group has to complete their high-end acrobatics, Crisp said, from plate-spinning to tossing people across the stage.
"The show's all about power, tension, excitement," he said.
Crisp and his circusmates all graduated from the National Institute of Circus Arts in Melbourne last year and were hired immediately after graduation, he said. The members come from all walks of physically active lives, from gymnastics to synchronized swimming to martial arts.
Crisp said he joined the circus for "the rush of the lifestyle."
Circa is no Barnum & Bailey-esque company. Founded in 2004, it's very much a professional community, Crisp said, with structure and a lot of hard work to produce high-end skills. They also don't use animals, elaborate sets or props.
"People think circus is a bit wild, but it's very professional and everyone respects and loves each other," he said.
Circa's performance in Iowa City is sponsored by Spot -- The Hancher Family Arts Adventure, an ongoing program in which area communities host an artist for free residency events and a public performance. Most Spot performances, like Circa's, are geared toward families. Circa will offer residency events in McGregor and Iowa City schools before its performance Saturday afternoon.
Erin Donohue, education programming director for Hancher, said bringing in a circus act like Circa is unusual for Hancher's final show of the academic year -- let alone its season.
"(We) were really looking for engaging family programming, not just something good for children but fun and really good, interesting, effective art that's applicable for children but also for families," she said. "Circa is a really contemporary circus group."
Though Hancher doesn't stage strictly children's shows, Donohue said, Hancher staff hopes the younger crowds will be more engaged in the arts through similar future programming.
"I love it when the kids are leaving, saying, 'That's the best thing I've ever seen,'" she said.
Crisp said he and his group look forward to seeing the audience's reactions. That, and finishing the show on time.
"It's always a really awesome feeling finishing under the clock," he said. "That's definitely my favorite part."

From Mike Nughton--

May 11, 2011

Press Agent Jack Ryan and Ringmaster Norman Barrett will be inducted into the International Circus Hall of Fame on July 23 in Peru, Indiana.Jack created the phrase, "May All Your Days Be Circus Days" when he was appointed press agent by Irvin Feld. Norman is currently appearing with Zippo's Circus with his charming performing parakeets (budgerigars in England).

‘Circus of the Stars’ coming to Hudson in June

Wednesday, May 11,2011

Nashua, NH Telegraph
Live animals might be long gone from Benson Park in Hudson, but a group with ties to the park is bringing a new attraction to town in June.
Next month, the Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars will perform at The Hill House on Derry Road in Hudson, hosted by Friends of Benson Park Inc.
The circus will be in Hudson on June 18 and 19, with two shows on each day.
Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars calls itself the “World’s Largest Circus Under the Big Top” and advertises a variety of entertainment and animals, including: Bengal tigers, elephants, ponies, dogs, llamas, camels, clowns, flying trapeze, aerial ballet, motor show and human cannonball. Elephant, pony and camel rides are also available an hour before the afternoon and evening shows.
Tickets are $19 for adults and $14 for children age 2-12. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Hudson True Value, Eastern Mountain Sports Nashua, online at www.tickets.com or by calling 1-888-332-5200.
Representatives with Cole Bros. said the Hudson shows will be the only appearance for the circus in the area this summer.
– CAMERON KITTLE

Circus to benefit fire department

May 11, 2011

By Brian Englar News-Post Staff

The circus is coming to Woodsboro, MD and — depending whom you ask — it might be a first for the town."I'm 70-couple years old, and I don't recall the circus being in Woodsboro," said resident Kay Ensor, who is helping put the event together. "Someone said we had, but I don't remember it. It must have been a long time ago if we did."
The Oklahoma-based Kelly Miller Circus is scheduled to put on two shows — at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. — on Tuesday, May 31, at the Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Co.'s Activities Complex, 10307 Coppermine Road. Proceeds will benefit the fire department.
Ensor, a member of both the fire company and the auxiliary, said a representative from the circus came to the April meeting to see if there was any interest in having it stop in Woodsboro on an open date between nearby shows.
"We decided to give it a shot," Ensor said.
The Kelly Miller Circus, established in 1938, features acts including tiger, camel and elephant shows; jugglers; trapeze artists; fire manipulators and a dog-and-pony show.
"It should be a very good circus," Ensor said.
Tickets, which cost $10 for adults and $6 for children, are available at locations including the Southern States Woodsboro Cooperative, the town offices, N.Z. Cramer and Son Inc., Woodsboro Savings Bank, Trout's Market and the Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Co.
Ensor said ticket sales started slowly, but organizers hope posters placed around town will help get the word out.
"It's been a slow get-off, but hopefully it will pick up since we're actually starting to advertise now," she said.
The public is invited to come to the grounds at 9 a.m. the day of the show to watch as elephants help to erect the circus tent.

NORTH WEALD: Circus seeks magician's assistant

NORTH WEALD: Circus seeks magician's assistant

11th May 2011By Tom Porter » from: http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news

EVER dreamt of running away and joining the circus?
Well here is your chance.
Uncle Sam’s American Circus, which is in North Weald Airfield from Wednesday, May 11 to Sunday May 15, is hiring a magician’s assistant.
The circus, which is touring the south of England over the summer, needs a female assistant to help their magic act, Trio Chicago, with their tricks.
The circus features Miss Vicky, a native American Indian with her sword and dagger balance presentation, and the death defying Los Marinos with their 40-foot-high balancing act.
Ringmaster Matthew Wingate said: “If you have experience in cabaret or performing and are intrigued by the excitement of life in the circus please apply.”
Uncle Sam’s American circus is transported round the country in one of the biggest fleets of American trucks outside the US.
Tickets prices begin at £7.00 for children.
Auditions for the position will be held in June and those interested should contact the circus on info@americancircus.co.uk

.VIDEO: Death-defying stunts as Moscow State Circus rolls into Hull's West Park

Legion Fair in Millington pinning hopes on drier draw

Charles Lehman, 23, of Johannesburg, South Africa (far left), leads a crew of contractors setting up a ride Tuesday for the American Legion Fair at USA Stadium in Millington. After a rainy event washed out attendance last year, organizers are hoping the weather cooperates and crowds return.
By Erica Horton, horton@commercialppeal.com
Memphis Commercial Appeal
May 11, 2011
Despite a $10,000 shortfall and flooding in its inaugural year, the American Legion Fair returns to Millington this week.
The 10-day fair runs Thursday- May 21 at USA Stadium.
The fair was started as a fundraising idea, said Lee Buchschacher, chairman and president of the American Legion Fair committee and a former Marine. But last year, it rained three of the four days the fair was open and Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington was underwater due to flooding.
Instead of the the 30,000 visitors organizers were anticipating, just 6,000 came through the gates, resulting in a $10,000 loss for the event.
Buchschacher said an improved economy and fewer people affected by flooding in the Millington area this year should yield a greater turnout than last year. "But, it's bad to have high expectations because they are easily dashed," he said.
So far, organizers have spent $60,000 on entertainment and advertising for this year's fair compared to $50,000 last year, but Buchschacher said the money is a long-term investment to help more people and charities sponsored by the American Legion.
Money raised from the fair will go to national and local efforts by the American Legion.
read more at:http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/may/11/legion-fair-pinning-hopes-on-drier-draw/

From: Kari Johnson <kari@havetrunkwilltravel.com>Subject: AR video

Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 11:17 AM

Hi - This is our response to the animal rights extremist video that is going around. Feel free to pass it on. ~Kari
We are so disappointed that the wonderful opportunity presented by Tai's role in "Water for Elephants" to raise awareness and funds for elephant conservation and Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) is being exploited by animal rights extremist groups.
We are unwavering in our commitment to elephants. We stand by our care and training methods. We are proud of our contributions to elephant welfare and conservation.
Animal rights extremist groups are using Tai’s role in Water for Elephants as a vehicle to take advantage of her celebrity to further their efforts to remove elephants and all exotic animals from entertainment. These groups have no basis of knowledge or experience working with elephants. They have an agenda and a history of using less than honest means to achieve their goals.
The video shows heavily edited and very short snippets, obviously taken surreptitiously six years ago, purporting mistreatment of our elephants. If there was truly any abuse going on why wait six minutes, much less six years?
None of the footage being shown was taken during Tai’s training for Water for Elephants. Tai’s celebrity and the popularity of the movie seem to be the motivation for the extremist groups to garner publicity for themselves and their cause. As our work in the movie proves you can make something look like anything to suit your purposes. That is why they call it “movie magic”.
Rest assured that we will continue to provide Tai and all of our elephants with the love and excellent care they deserve.
Gary and Kari Johnson
Have Trunk Will Travel, Inc.

Barnum & Bailey celebrate birthday bash in Columbus

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will visit Columbus at Nationwide Arena this weekend. / Submitted photo

May. 10, 2011

Written byAbbey Roy

CentralOhio.com
COLUMBUS — The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey have spoken: The Greatest Show on Earth has just gotten greater.
It will stop — along with a score of trapeze artists, contortionists, balancers, characters, elephants and more — in Columbus from May 12-15, entertaining audiences for seven performances at Nationwide Arena.
Barnum 200, celebrating “The Biggest Birthday Bash in Circus History,” invites audiences of all ages to step right up and enjoy acts ranging from the Flying Cacares attempting a quadruple somersault on the flying trapeze to China’s Puyang troupe bouncing on a two-tiered trampoline.
Also featured will be Mighty Meetal, the world’s strongest man, capable of lifting 1,200 pounds; and Duo Fusion, a husband-wife balancing act.
For animal fans, tigers, Asian elephants and zebras as well as horses, goats, llamas and alpacas will be on site for viewing and performances.
Clown around with the 12-member troupe of Clown Alley, whose boss clown, Sandor Eke, is sure to be good for a laugh or two; or hold your breath as members of the Sky-High Ice Gliders high-wire act attempt suspenseful acrobatic feats.
At the free All-Access pre-show, guests who attend an hour before showtime can mingle with acrobats, clowns and other performers for photo-ops and tips on daily health and fitness, in addition to catching a sneak peek at a few circus animals and watching one of the elephants paint a work of art.

Ringling Brothers Circus Heirs Give New Meaning to Family Feud

By Danielle and Andy Mayoras

May 10, 2011

¦Irvin Feld was a rock-and-roll promoter who purchased “The Greatest Show on Earth” in 1967. He created a promotion company to manage the Ringling Bros. Circus, along with Disney on Ice and monster truck shows, but none of his shows have been as eventful as what’s happened between his two children the last few years.
Feld died in his sleep in 1984. He left most of his assets and his business to his son, Kenneth. His daughter, Karen, reportedly received very little and sued her brother claiming he tried to kick her out of her house. They settled and she was allowed to remain.
Karen also sued Kenneth when he was the trustee of a $5 million trust that their uncle set up for them; that was recently settled as well. The siblings agreed to divide the trust in two so Kenneth would not manage the money left in trust for Karen.
But neither of those fights are the ones that produced so much drama. Rather, the big fight started a few years ago with an actual fight. Yes, as in a physical altercation.
It happened, in all places, during a memorial service for their late aunt, who died in 2007. While a rabbi was performing a religious ceremony during shiva (a traditional gathering of family and friends during the evenings that follow the passing of someone who was Jewish), an altercation started.read more at:http://www.bankinvestmentconsultant.com/blogs/ringling-brother-mayoras-2673164-1.html

At Morey's Surfside Pier, new It ride seeks to offer 'maximum fear' and zing

By Jacqueline L. Urgo Inquirer Staff Writer

May. 10, 2011

NORTH WILDWOOD - When a new, $1.5 million, pendulum-style ride known simply as "It" officially opens on Memorial Day weekend at Morey's Surfside Pier, it will be the culmination of more than two years of designing, manufacturing, and installation.
Probably no one understands the gestational process of a Shore amusement attraction better than brothers Will and Jack Morey, whose company, Morey's Piers, operates three locations - Surfside Pier and two water-amusement parks - on the North Wildwood and Wildwood boardwalks with more than 100 rides, games, and attractions.Their father, Will, and uncle, Bill, started the business in 1969 with a giant slide called Wipeout in Wildwood, and added rides annually through the 1970s and 1980s. By the 1990s, the younger set of brothers was running the show and adding attractions. Last year, Morey's Piers was voted the third-best seaside amusement park in the world by Amusement Today, a trade publication.read more at:http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20110510_At_Morey_s_Surfside_Pier__new_It_ride_seeks_to_offer__maximum_fear__and_zing.html

Junk on the trunk
Be careful what you fish for...

EMBED-Crocodile Attacks Elephant - Watch more free videos

May 9, 2011
Illinois State University is home to the oldest college circus program in the country. CNN's Ted Rowlands reports.

Carnival, seafoood fest comes back around again on Tybee Carnival

The beachfront Ferris wheel was the centerpiece of the second “37th annual” Tybee Island Seafood Festival and Carnival.
from: savannahnow.com

May 8, 2011

Like a woman fudging her birthday, the Tybee Seafood Festival and Carnival turned 37 for the second time this year.
But festival organizers were fibbing in reverse. This year is actually the second time the “37th annual” Tybee Seafood Festival and Carnival has been held.
Richard Adams, who helped put together the event, said it was inspired in part by the Miley Cyrus movie “The Last Song,” which was filmed on T
ybee in 2009. The movie featured a “37th annual” seafood festival and carnival, and Adams said organizers decided seafood and carnival rides would be a great way to draw visitors to the island.
“A Ferris wheel is something that gets you a buzz,” he said.

The event featured carnival rides set up in the Ocean Plaza Beach Resort parking lot starting on Wednesday. The rides were supposed to shut down on Sunday night, but Adams said organizers will decide today whether to extend the carnival through this week.
The seafood festival portion of the event consisted of six Tybee restaurants that sold dishes in booths on the Tybee pier from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The event is sponsored by the Tybee Arts Association and the city of Tybee. Adams said that, in an effort to attract more visitors, organizers plan to push the event back next year so that it coincides with spring break.

Circus scions bring feud into federal courtroom

Associated Press - May 9, 2011
WASHINGTON (AP) - The scions of the family entertainment empire built on the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey circus have brought their decades-old feud into a federal courtroom.
In opening arguments Monday, Karen Feld and her brother Kenneth Feld impugned each other's motives during the 2007 memorial service for the woman who reared them.
Karen Feld is suing her brother for $110 million because she says his long-running hostility toward her led him to have his security guards assault her as they removed her from their aunt Shirley's memorial service. An attorney for Kenneth Feld, who now owns the circus, responded that his sister "lives in fantasy land" and suggested she had more interest in grabbing their aunt's jewelry than mourning her death.
The judge says the trial may last three weeks.

A sneak peek at the circus

May 07, 2011

from: theeagle.com

Byran-College Station, Texas--Johnson Elementary kindergartner Jackson Petty, 6, watches as a trio of elephants scarf down a breakfast of bread, bananas, carrots and apples during an Elephant Brunch at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Friday. The youngsters got a chance to learn about the creatures from the circus staff.

Georgia State Fair creates memories for adults and children

By LINDA S. MORRIS - lmorris@macon.com

GRANT BLANKENSHIP/THE TELEGRAPH

Macon, GA 05/08/11 Cash is exchanged for admission to the State Fair in Central City Park in Macon Sunday. Sunday was the final day for the fair.

Going to the 156th Georgia State Fair on Mother’s Day seemed like a great idea to Kim Jackson of Round Oak.
Jackson was keeping watch over her 2½-year-old son Nicholas, as he reached to pet a dog that had just performed in a Frisbee-catching show Sunday afternoon at Central City Park.
“We thought we would bring him out and have some fun,” Jackson said. “He loves to be outside, he likes the rides and he loves the dogs.”
Nicholas’ father and grandparents also came to the fair.
“Anytime I get to spend time with this one (pointing to Nicholas), it’s a great day,” said the boy’s grandmother Barbara Jackson, also of Round Oak.
Both Barbara and Kim Jackson said they have fond memories of coming to the fair when they were younger.
“We always brought our children on the first night,” Barbara Jackson said.
“I’ve enjoyed my Mother’s Day,” Kim Jackson said.

GRANT BLANKENSHIP/THE TELEGRAPH Kids drive miniature bumper boats Sunday at the Georgia State Fair in Central City Park in Macon. Sunday was the final day for the fair.
Adults who went to fairs as children are taken back in time as soon as they walk through the gates. The smell of corn dogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes and stuffed pizza greet everyone. Then the barkers call out trying to lure people to take a chance to win one of the prizes hanging from their tents. The music coming from the horse carousel seems to be playing the same tune from years ago.
This is the second year that the Georgia State Fair has been held in the spring after it was moved from the fall since it was close to the date of the Georgia National Fair in Perry.
The Georgia State Fair was begun in 1855 and has been operated by the Exchange Club of Macon since 1942. The fair is a fundraiser for the club to support local non-profit organizations.Read more: http://www.macon.com/2011/05/09/1553914/georgia-state-fair-creates-memories.html#ixzz1LqnyMqYd

Shrine Circus coming to town

May. 8, 2011

Written byJosh O’Leary

Iowa City Press-Citizen
The Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds see their share of enormous livestock each summer, but nothing that compares to the larger-than-life animals set to take center stage there today and Tuesday.The Shrine Circus is wheeling into town this week, bringing five Asian elephants — including 6.5-ton Bo, who is said to be able to throw a football and hit a baseball — and a team of seven Siberian tigers.Five semis and a cavalcade of RVs, the modern day circus train, was set to arrive Sunday night in Iowa City to set up the three rings for four shows in two days.“It’s kind of like a moving city,” spokeswoman Amanda Tackett said of the circus, which performs nearly 500 shows a year across the country.Tackett calls the production a “cruelty-free circus,” saying the animals, which are born and raised into the show, share a unique bond with their trainers.

Elephant trainer Larry Carden, whose family has operated the circus for decades, said the animals are the true stars of the show, and they enjoy living the lifestyle of entertainers.“They enjoy being around people; they enjoy the attention,” Carden said. “It’s just like your dog at home, they enjoy the love and the bonding.”Carden, 30, has been touring with the circus for 15 years, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

He is one of the 70 to 80 members of the company, which features performers from around the world.“It’s a great life,” Carden said. “It might sound tough every day, but you get in a routine, just like someone who gets up 6:30 or 7 in the morning, and that’s a grind, too. We have a lot more fun than a regular job.

”In addition to the elephants and tigers, the two-legged performers are just as impressive, Tackett said.“This is a completely fresh show,” she said. “We have a bunch of new acrobats, aerialists. These people are elite athletes and gymnasts.

”Proceeds from the event benefit El Kahir Shrine of Cedar Rapids, a philanthropic organization that supports the Shriner network of children’s hospitals.

Montreal’s Cirque Eloize a ‘never-ending onslaught’ of action

By Jim Sullivan

Monday, May 9, 2011

from: bostonherald.com

Cirque Eloize is a Montreal-based troupe that formed out of the same “contemporary circus” scene that launched the world famous Cirque du Soleil.
But Cirque Eloize is different. Unlike the better-known Cirque du Soleil, which performs mostly in tents, this theatrical circus favors a traditional stage.And “iD,” the Cirque Elozie production coming to the Wang Theatre Tuesday through Sunday, is a techno-electronic music-fueled foray into the world of urban dance.
“The idea was to create a show in a future city, similar to ‘Sin City’ or ‘The Spirit,’ said dancer Christian “Sancho” Garmatter. “Something that’s out of a comic book and brought to the stage... and to have this work with video projections and have all these characters in these two gangs.”
Those two gangs nod toward “Romeo and Juliet” and “West Side Story.” The show encompasses 12 circus disciplines, with performers using the trampowall to bounce from trampoline to wall. There is also stilt walking, rope skipping, balancing acts, pole acrobatics, juggling and bicycle stunts in a never-ending onslaught.
“I always like to find something unique,” said Jeannot Painchaud, Eloize’s artistic director, “like a duet with a b-boy and a contortionist, or a roller skater doing a ballet with an aerial silk lady. It’s two different languages and when you put that together it brings you to some other place.”
Garmatter, 28, spent three years in Las Vegas with Cirque du Soleil doing the Beatles show, “LOVE.” With Cirque Eloize, he performs one of the centerpiece acts, as the b-boy dancer in tandem with contortionist Emi Vauthey.
“I’m onstage basically the whole show,” Garmatter said. “As a dancer you’re really active. There’s a lot of supporting scenes and working with the circus artists in their pieces. They call the show ‘iD’ ’cause we want to show the identity of the artists. Each one brings his own skills and it’s part of a game. Sometimes, in my head, I feel like a street fighter.”
Is there real danger in “iD”?
“This is a difficult question,” Painchaud said. “There’s always an element of danger in a circus show. It’s like doing high-level sports. There’s always the risk of breaking your body. But we work with professional people and we train.”
“The people in the audience,” he added, “are at the edge of their seats.”

Video: Amusement Rides at the Dixon, CA May Fair
The 2011 Dixon May Fair offered more than 20 different carnival rides for fairgoers. Dixon Patch decided to ride them all and find the best.
By Jeremy Ogul May 8, 2011



No festival is complete without amusement rides, and the Dixon May Fair has dozens to choose from. Rides designed for younger children are located near the middle of the fairgrounds. The "big kid" rides are located on the southern end of the fairgrounds. Ride tickets are $1 each, with each ride costing 3 to 5 tickets. All-day passes are available for $29.

After scoping out the options, I settled on a few rides that looked scary and exhilarating. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to ride the Zipper or the Ferris wheel, since there was a "no single riders rule" -- I'll know not to come by myself next time. I did, however, bring my camera and made a video of the experience!

Warning: This video might make you dizzy!

Circus plans 2 performances in LIberty

May. 9, 2011
Written byPalladium-Item

LIBERTY, Ind. — The Kelly Miller Circus will perform Thursday on the Union County Middle School grounds in two shows.The circus’ appearance is sponsored by the Liberty Lions Club. Shows will be at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.Tickets are $6 for children under 12 and $10 for adults if purchased before circus day. On Thursday, tickets will be $7 for children under 12 and $15 for adults. Tickets are available at Carl Sharp’s State Farm Insurance Agency, The Country Store/Design Connection and Liberty Elementary School and at College Corner Union School.At 9 a.m. Thursday, the Kelly Miller Circus will raise its “Big Top” tent using elephant power. The public is invited to watch free of charge. The circus fleet includes 25 vehicles, and the tent will seat 1,500.Clowns from the Kelly Miller Circus visited Liberty last week, greeting children at area preschools and senior citizens at Sycamore Springs Nursing Center.

CIRCUS GATTI

MARCH 10, 1996

PART 1

CIRCUS GATTI...While visiting another show in Texas, 3-10-96, I was told that Circus Gatti was showing in Belton,TX, some 50 miles away. I checked the map, jumped into my Van, arrived in Belton, found the building, and arrived 10 minutes before the second show.The equipment was packed into small area adjacant to the building. All photos Bill Prickett

Patti Gatti & Eric Braun

Alex Bradley, Ringmaster


Alex Bradley & Lalo Murillo

Emil Toca, One Man Band

Band Equipment

CIRCUS GATTI

MARCH 10, 1996

FROM BILL PRICKETT

PART 2

Laura Herriott

Jason Walker

Jennifer Walker

Jennifer Walker

Sleeper

CIRCUS GATTI

MARCH 10, 1996

FROM BILL PRICKETT

PART 3

Elephant Ride


Lalo Murillo

Troupe Sandou

SUNDAY FUNNIES

NEW VIDEOS

Uploaded by LaneInConn on Apr 13, 2011

Jack Cook's 1923 Ford has been misbehaving in front of circus audiences for four decades, as Jack volunteers in this interview on Piccadilly Circus on April 7, 2011, in Danbury, CT

Uploaded by ringlingbros on May 7, 2011

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will participate in Amtrak's 4th Annual National Train Day festivities at Union Station, in Washington, D.C this Saturday May 7th. Come see a Ringling Bros. model circus train, learn about Ringling Bros. history with the railroad, and get silly with hilarious clowns from The Greatest Show On Earth who actually lived and toured the United States on the mile-long Ringling Bros. circus train! Hope to see you there!

Uploaded by ringlingbros on May 4, 2011

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a mother traveling with The Greatest Show On Earth®? These mothers share their experiences with us!

Learn more about what it is like to be a mom traveling with The Greatest Show On Earth®! Greetings from the Stars of the Show!! Celebrate your mom on Mother's Day at Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey®!!

Protesters campaign outside circus

CONTROVERSIAL ... the Bobby Roberts Super Circus still uses animals.By VICKI NEWMAN from: www.shieldsgazette.com

Published on Friday 6 May 2011
PROTESTERS turned up on the opening night of a circus in South Tyneside this week vowing to maintain their campaign against the use of animals.
The People’s Voice for Animals (PVFA) staged a protest outside the entrance to the Bobby Roberts Super Circus when it opened in Whitburn on Wednesday night.
The circus, which runs until Sunday at Wheathall Farm in Mill Lane, has come under fire from activist groups who object to the use of animals in the show.
As reported in the Gazette this week, the circus now uses only domesticated horses and ponies, which appear for only nine minutes of the two-hour performance.
Protesters outside of the grounds said: “We’d just like to say we’re urging people to boycott circuses that use animals. It’s not just wild animals who suffer, it’s domesticated animals too. There are lots of circuses with all-human casts that are just as good.
“In the wild, animals would cover up to 30km a day, but they can’t do that in captivity.”
The Roberts family attracted attention last year when a video was released that showed their elephant, Anne, 59, who has since retired to Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, being beaten by one of the circus grooms.
Anne is the oldest elephant in Europe, and is reported by vets to be in excellent health.
Since then the family has received threatening e-mails, phone calls and even death threats.
The story on the Gazette’s website sparked a discussion with more than 30 comments being added to the page.
Josser Anna wrote: “When I was eight my mum hired a violin teacher who hit me. As soon as she found out, she sacked him. Does this make my mum a child abuser?
“This type of ‘logic’ many protesters seem to be using against the Roberts family – if they are animal abusers for hiring a bad groom, then my mum is a child abuser for hiring a bad teacher.”
Biggreenvanman said: “I think circus shows are a thing of the past ... if you want to see animals, book a holiday to Kenya and go and see them in their natural habitat, not in cages being carted around from place to place.
“I asked my kids if they wanted to go and they all said no. So, we’ll not be going.”

Celebrate Mother's Day at Morey's Piers At the Shore Today

Sunday, May 8, 2011

from: www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Free rides for moms at Morey's Piers
What Is It: It's a good day to be a mom - especially if you love roller coasters and other thrill rides. Moms get a wristband that lets them ride free all day at Mariner's Landing and Surfside Pier on the Wildwoods Boardwalk.
What To Expect: Free rides for moms on their special day is a longtime tradition at Morey's Piers. Moms just have to stop by a ticket booth or the guest-services area to get their wristbands, then enjoy the rides. Plus there's more entertainment for the guests of honor - and for all the paying customers who escort them around the piers.
Event Info: The amusement piers are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Mariner's Landing is at Schellenger Avenue on the Wildwood Boardwalk and Surfside Pier is at 25th Avenue in North Wildwood. For more details, visit www.moreyspiers.com or call 609-522-3900.

Clearfield County, PA Fair Expo II Entertainment

May 7, 2011 by Gant Team

CLEARFIELD – The slate of entertainment in front of Expo II at the Clearfield County Fair was announced on Wednesday.
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The 2011 edition of the spectacular Walker Brothers Circus is headed your way with a show jam-packed with fun and excitement for children of all ages. This year’s edition features the finest circus acts in the entertainment world. Aerialist, horses, dogs, contortionists, clowns and the biggest stars of the circus world, will all be here. In this day and age, the need for family entertainment, laughter and joy are all found in this hour-and-a-half performance. Join with millions and stand up to cheer the American way. Don’t miss America’s favorite circus when it’s in your town.
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Bring the kids and make a lasting memory at the First Bite Fishing Tank where they can learn how to handle different species of fish; learn how to handle different species of live bait; and overcome their fears of fish and bait. New this year is a small fish tank for the little kids.
All fish are returned safely to the tank.
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Bar C Ranch will be bringing a free educational petting zoo to this year’s Clearfield County Fair. The zoo features friendly domestic and exotic animals from around the world. They will also be offering dromedary camel rides for a small fee. Bar C Ranch is a family owned and operated business based in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northern Virginia. The owners of Bar C Ranch are dedicated to sharing their knowledge of and enthusiasm for animals with people of all ages. Come out and pet, feed, and learn about their wonderful animals and take a spin on the “ships of the desert”. If you would like to learn more about Bar C Ranch and their animals you can visit them online at http://www.barcranch.org/.
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Cirque du Soleil takes 'normal' to the next level

The flamboyant costumes of the "The 'Nostalgic Old Birds' are hand-detailed with feathers, sequins, lace and colored fabrics. While the 'Nostalgic Old Birds' represent the self-indulgent old aristocracy, 'Alegria' embraces joy the new. Cirque du Soleil translated into English means "Circus of the Sun". A contemporary circus that mixes artistry with athleticism. Cirque Du Soleil's "Alegria" comes to the Colonial Life Arena May 11-15. - Kim Kim Foster-Tobin /kkfoster@thestate.com

Sunday, May. 08, 2011

By OTIS R. TAYLOR JR. - otaylor@thestate.com

GREENSBORO — A Cirque du Soleil performance is anything but normal, so, naturally, one would expect an abnormal backstage area. Not necessarily anything that rivals the extravagant and physically-wowing movements on stage, just something.But when we got a behind-the-scenes look at Alegria, the Cirque production that opens Wednesday at the Colonial Life Arena, the only thing that looked out of place among the rolling crates and rolling garment racks was two Toro leaf blowers. Even the shirtless, barrel-chested stump of a man who was jogging backstage didn’t seem out of place when we visited the Greensboro Coliseum in mid-April on the opening night of Alegria’s five-day run there. It was my first time seeing a Cirque production. Before the assignment, frankly, I didn’t have an interest in seeing a show. The closest I had been to Cirque was watching a “60 Minutes” profile in 2005. I do enjoy non-traditional circuses, though, particularly the productions at Spoleto Festival USA. I can only hope the shows I see this year are as entertaining as Alegria. Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2011/05/08/1807117/span-classleadininformation-spanwwwtwctixcom.html#ixzz1Ll5kRExL

Ringling circus is mostly a waste

By STeve Barnes Senior writer

Saturday, May 7, 2011
ALBANY -- Rarely if ever have so many sequins and rhinestones been used in service of such an undazzling show as the current edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, performing at the Times Union Center through Sunday.
Circus press material puts the number of shiny costume adornments at 3.14 million, which works out to approximately a million glittery bits per genuine thrill during the show.
In one compelling moment, 16 acrobats, clad in blue bodysuits with long, wide orange fringe, bounce from tall towers onto and among a half-dozen trampolines. They spring and soar, jumping through hoops at times, to an almost hallucinatory effect, their parabolic arcs through the air mimicking the fireworks simultaneously shown on big screens along each side of the arena.Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Ringling-circus-is-mostly-a-waste-1369417.php#ixzz1Ll0CIXPw