FROM THE COLLECTION OF

BILL PRICKETT

1994^

TODAY'S LAUGH

There once was a pervert named Weiner

Who had a depraved demeanor

Forced from the Hill

For acting like Bill

Now Congress is one weiner leaner

Circus reinvented

VIVACITY, India

Friday, July 1, 2011
Mongolian theatrical act, Chengiz Khan’s band of jugglers, gymnasts and the technical pizzazz of the Kingom of Dreams creative team, made Acromania, high-energy, revitalised modern circus. Shana Maria Verghis reports
Mix and match. That’s what happened at the premiere of Acromania, a one-hour, fifteen minute show that will continue till August 7 at the Kingdom of Dreams. Its by a 20-member team of young Mongolians, aged 18-25, many of whom belong to families with circus members.Just like Poogi, the guy who started the troupe, which goes by the name of Chengiz Khan. A hearty chap, Poogi makes his performers “juggle, do acrobatics and gymnastics for about six hours everyday,” and speaks only broken English. Not that the two things are connected.
Seems the non-stop sound and light, loud pumping music spectacle that was Acromania, was very novel for his company, who apparently do a more traditional circus routine. The brains behind the theatrical extravagazana is Anindita Menon, who has been involved with several of Wizcraft'’s previous projects and is the creative head on this one.
The credit for the performance obviously goes to the Mongolians, who probably have their virtuosity handed down to them through their genes. But the good old Big Top with its Ringmaster, clowns and an array of freaks, trained animals and gymnasts, was replaced by a more edgy contemporanity thanks to Kingdom of Dreams creatives.
The first acts included attitude-laden gymnatics courtesy of hip-hop dance moves. And what was that Mongolian hip-hop in the background? Nope, but definitely modern trance, though something Mongolianish, or maybe Tibetan played for a later piece.
Anindita explained that Chengiz Khan who adapted their routine for the stylish stage at the Nautanki Mahal, “don’t do their act in specially choreographed theme sequences,” so the visuals we saw werw all new, really.read more at:http://www.dailypioneer.com/349699/Circus-reinvented.html

Fireworks return to the Salem Fair
The Salem Fair had to stop doing fireworks after an office complex opened across the street from the Salem Civic Center
from: WDBJ-7 TV

Crown Center contracts with new vendor for Cumberland County Agricultural Fair

By Gregory Phillips, Staff writer

FROM: fayobserver.com

Thu Jun 30, 2011

Fayetteville, NC--Hoping to attract more visitors, the Crown Center has switched operators for this year's Cumberland County Agricultural Fair.For the past eight years, J&J Amusements supplied the carnival rides for the event.

Since 2009, the company has been responsible for the whole fair.

But the Crown is contracting with Hildebrand Rides Inc. of Florida for this year's event, which takes place in September. Hildebrand last handled the rides for the fair at the Crown in 2001.

Crown officials have released few details of the change ahead of a public announcement expected in late July.Last year, patrons paid $6 for admission or $20 for an unlimited ride wristband. This year, tickets will cost $10, rides included, or $8 in advance, according to a memo detailing the contract.According to memos detailing the deals with each company, Hildebrand will pay $7,000 less in rent up front to the Crown than J&J did and a lower facility fee per ticket sold.

J&J paid $37,852 in rents and fees in 2010. After operational expenses, the Crown made $10,498 profit on the event.It's hoped the lower, all-inclusive admission price will attract more visitors and result in more revenue - and a better fair.

READ MORE AT:http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/07/01/1104051?sac=Home

FROM MIKE NAUGHTON

CIRCUS: THE AUSTRALIAN STORY,

release of new book (Australia, 2011)

As two fairs open in western Virginia, inspectors focus on amusement ride safetyThe Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department Carnival and Salem Fair run through the first week of July

 

BUCHANAN, Va.

FIREMAN'S CARNIVAL

If July fourth is just around the corner, fair season will soon be in full swing, and that means local inspectors are taking a closer look to insure amusement rides are safe.
The Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department Carnival opened Wednesday night, and Botetourt County Building Official Brandon Nicely spent most of the afternoon inspecting the rides set up at the Buchanan fairgrounds.
"We always like to talk about having a second pair of eyes looking at it," Nicely told News 7. "Normally the operators of this equipment and the owners do a great job of setting them up. As you've seen, everything we've found so far, they jump right on it and fix it up, because they want it safe also."
Cole Amusement Company of Covington is providing the rides for the Buchanan Carnival for the first time. R. C. Cole says he welcomes the inspections. "This is my livelihood. It may not look like much to the average person, but I've spent my entire adult life accumulating this and I'm not going to jeopardize it in any way, shape or form by cutting corners on safety." The company has hosted the state's training program for ride inspectors.
The carnival is the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department's only fundraiser, and Chief Billy Joe Carter says the department is looking forward to a safe and successful run through July 9th. "I don't want anybody to walk out of here with a scratch or a hurt feeling," Carter said.
The Salem Fair starts Thursday, and inspectors were also examining the rides there on Wednesday. The Salem Fair continues through Sunday, July 10th.

Historic Asolo Theater

Grandma and Friends!

Presented by Circus Sarasota and The Ringling Museum of Art
When: June 22 through July 31

Times: Wed & Thu at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. / Fri, Sat, & Sun at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Where: Historic Asolo Theater

Contact: Tickets and Information : 941.360.7399 Price(s): $15 for all seats Children age 12 and under: $10

Description: Join Grandma and Friends for an hour of incredible family fun and circus entertainment: acrobatics, aerial acts, juggling, balancing, and above all – hilarious buffoonery. The irrepressible Grandma will have you rolling in the aisles. She’ll be joined by the legendary Christianis, the beautiful Dolly Jacobs, and more.

Don’t miss this amazing show.

The Amazing American Circus Poster:

The Strobridge Lithographing Company

September 17, 2011 - January 29, 2012
Celebrating our fascinating circus heritage, The Amazing American Circus Poster showcases 80 brilliantly colored, boldly bombastic posters advertising the feature attractions from all corners of the globe and peerless performers of the big top. The Cincinnati-based Strobridge Lithographing Company was one of the country’s leading printers for the circuses. Their posters were unrivaled in their artistry and provide us with a detailed portrait of the American circus in its Golden Age, when it was unrivaled as the premiere entertainment institution in the country.
The Amazing American Circus Poster exhibition was organized by the Cincinnati Art Museum and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: “Because democracy demands wisdom.”

CIRCUS PROGRAMS & COLORING BOOK

FROM: BILL PRICKETT

Italian circus brings performance to Bolingbrook

(from blog archive)

By Don Grigas, dgrigas@mysuburbanlife.com

Suburban Life Publications

Posted Jun 30, 2011

Bolingbrook, IL — Alberto Zoppé would be proud.
The Zoppé circus, in existence since 1842, will open the doors of its big top tent Thursday at noon for the first of eight shows on the grounds south of the Annerino Center, 201 Recreation Drive, Bolingbrook.
The one-ring circus is a throwback to the days of “antique circus,” according to Giovanni “Nino” Zoppé, the sixth generation of Zoppés to manage the show.
“We have been providing an Italian family circus for more than 150 years, and it is quite different than the typical circus you see today,” Giovanni said during a Monday interview.
During a tour of the company’s new 64-foot-tall, 90-foot by 90-foot round tent, Giovanni spoke of the history of the Zoppé circus and his father — Alberto — who is enshrined in the Circus Walk of Fame in Sarasota, Fla.
“My father brought this circus to America from Europe after World War II,” said Giovanni, who plays “Nino” the clown during the show.
Although there are some animal acts — primarily horses and dogs — there are no large animals like elephants or lions. Horses are one of the mainstays of the Zoppé circus, which integrates animals and human acts into a performance-long story.http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/bolingbrook/topstories/x1722634578/Italian-circus-brings-performance-to-Bolingbrook

Circus comes to town, as big a draw as ever

Austin Conklin, 2, of Milford, Pa., enjoys his first circus experience with his mother, Christy.

07/01/11

For decades until the end of World War II, on a June or July morning, the circus train would arrive at the far end of the Erie Railroad tracks, almost into Sparrowbush.
Crowds would be waiting, watching the elephants lumber sleepily down large wooden ramps, as a lion would growl from the next car. The circus stars would rub sleep out of their eyes. The chuckwagon would serve piping hot coffee with scrambled eggs and thick slices of bacon.
At about 10 a.m., the performers would don colorful costumes and decorate the elephants with silk trimmings.
When everything was in order, the circus band would strike up its brassy music and the parade would start on Front Street in Port Jervis, then continue through the river city until it would land on the large fields next to where the high school now stands. All along the way, kids of all ages followed as if answering a siren call.
Who wouldn't want to run away and join the circus?
Times have changed, but the lure of the circus remains a force to be reckoned with.
Last Sunday, when the Walker Brothers Circus came to Matamoras, Pa., hundreds came to experience the same enchantment that filled the air in 1900, when the first circus arrived in the tri-state area.

read more at:http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110701/COMM011101/107010303/-1/SITEMAP

WALKER BROS CIRCUS

MILFORD, PA

PART 2

Theater: Cirque Du Soleil's Zarkana Murky But Fun At Radio City

Michael Giltz.Freelance writer

06/30/11

ZARKANA ** out of ****RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL REVIEW

The troupe Cirque du Soleil is a victim of its own success. Cirque virtually reinvented the circus for modern audiences. But over the years so many of their new shows have popped up all over the world it's inevitable that expectations have been raised and lowered many times. Sometimes they come up with a genuinely fresh way of presenting their acts that feels cohesive and original, that feels like a "show." Other times, it seems like Cirque has come to town and you've seen it before.
But that's what the circus is like too. When Ringling Bros. comes to town, you'd don't expect some radical new experience. You expect clowns and trapeze artists and animal acts and cotton candy. Sure, they usually give each edition a special name and hype some particular act, but it's the circus and you know what that means. read more at:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/theater-cirque-du-soleils_b_888054.html?ir=New%20York

Shrine Circus heads to Deadwood Saturday

Thursday, June 30, 2011

By Jaci Conrad Pearson

Black Hills Pioneer
DEADWOOD — The Naja Northern Hills Shrine Circus will call Deadwood's Days of '76 Rodeo Grounds its circus stomping grounds Saturday. Two shows, complete with a Main Street kick-off parade comprise just part of what will happen in the Jordan World Circus show ring.
Nine-year Naja Northern Hills Shrine Circus chairman Paul Holtsclaw said along with tried and true family favorites, a few new acts will roar into Deadwood this year.http://www.bhpioneer.com/local_news/article_c8fab43a-a33b-11e0-b1c0-001cc4c002e0.html

Circus Heads to Great Mall

Catch the show at the Great Mall from July 7 - 12. Nine shows featuring trapeze artists, acrobats and clowns

By Frank De Smidt

June 30, 2011

from Milpitas, CA Patch

Performers from the Circo Hermanos Caballero will perform under the Big Top in the Great Mall parking lot near Marshall's from Thursday, July 7 through Tuesday, July 12. The circus is currently at Hilltop Mall in Richmond.
The show features a motorcycle "Death Globe", clowns, trapeze artists 11-year-old Ruben Caballero III and his partner Marco Antonio, camels, jugglers, contortionists, and a mini ponies act according to Executive Promoter Bill Mendosa.
Circo Hermano Caballero, a six-generation circus family, is originally from Mexico, according to Mendosa. This is their first time in Milpitas.
He said, “We were in Las Vegas Circus Circus for 10 years, with Ringling Brothers for 6 years, 4 years in Japan, and 4 years in Russia.”
On Wednesday, Mendosa and Ringmaster Ruben Caballero appeared before the Milpitas Planning Commission at a special meeting to obtain a last-minute permit.

Circus Vargas is at the Madonna Inn through the Fourth

By PHOTOS BY DARIN BASILLE

Acrobat Danielle Espana and clown Matti Esqueda.

June 30, 2011

By Sarah Linn

Jon Weiss’ love affair with the circus spans three decades.Over the years, he’s worked as a clown, a human cannonball and a master of ceremonies.He even wed his wife under the big top at Madison Square Garden, arriving at the altar in a clown car. A bear served as the ring bearer. Elephants acted as bridesmaids.
“How many people can say that they create memories for people every day, that they create laughter?” asked Weiss, who has served as the host of Circus Vargas since late 2007. “I’m able to go in the circus ring every day and I’m able to do something that I really like.”
This Fourth of July weekend, Circus Vargas pitches its big blue-and-gold tent at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. The show, held in a theater- style tent that seats 1,500 comfortably, features clowns, acrobats, aerialists and more.
“At the very end of the show, (after) you’ve seen all the performers doing these amazing things … you get to meet them,” Weiss said. “Because of that, the memory is enhanced 100 times.”Read more: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2011/06/30/1663646/run-off-and-see-the-circus.html#ixzz1QqbNtPWs

Behind the backflip: The story of a street-performing family

The Sardine family flips up the meaning of familial trust on Pier 39

PHOTO BY SEAN HURD

06.30.11

by Sean Hurd

San Francisco--You can’t miss the acrobatic stylings of Orion, Alex, and Meisje Griffiths -- also known as the Sardine Family -- on a sunny day on the corner of Jefferson and Powell Streets. If the bold, baggy, crimson-colored pants don’t catch your eye, there's something about the energetic English accents pumping out of the subwoofer that have a way of pulling you in.
Pier 39 rarely disappoints when it comes to street performers at this time of year. Cloudy days be damned, if it's technically summer, a big heart with any kind of creative curiosity won’t be able to pass through tourist town without being reeled in by one of the different acts along the congested sidewalks. But who are these performers? How'd they wind up performing on city street corners? Who did I just give my money to?
Three second generation acrobats, along with longtime friend Kevin, make up the Sardine Family, a traditional circus act which weaves in plenty of comedic punch lines, showmanship, and charisma. And they deliver one hell of a street show. I was able to sit down with Orion Griffiths and get the story of how the Sardine Family set their clown shoes on the streets of San Francisco.

read more at:http://www.sfbg.com/pixel_vision/2011/06/30/behind-backflip-story-street-performing-family

Circus Vidbel returns this weekend at Saxe

Friday, 01 July 2011

from: acorn-online.com
Twenty-nine local businesses and individuals have rallied to support Circus Vidbel, the annual New Canaan YMCA and Kiwanis Club Circus Fund-raiser. Performances will take place at 3 and 6 p.m. each day tomorrow, Friday, July 1, Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3.
“Last year’s circus was such as success that we’ve added an additional day of shows,” said Y Executive Director Craig Panzano. “It’s a great family event for our community, and we are grateful that so many local businesses and families have rallied together to help us bring Circus Vidbel back to New Canaan.” Circus Vidbel, a family-run, one-ring, old-time circus, has been performing across the United States for more than 20 years. New performances this year include the Zamperla Brothers Bareback Riders showcasing impressive equestrian acrobats, Chinese Vase Jugglers, and a nail-biting archery act. Favorite acts from last year that will be returning will include aerialist Susan Vidbel in breathtaking cloud swing and lyra displays, the Darnell Sisters’ magic and dog act, Risley juggling and the Rola-Bola balancing board act.
“The Y and Kiwanis share a common goal of serving children and families,” said Kiwanis President Jenny Esposito. “The circus is our gift to the community, and we are looking forward to creating a family tradition here in town for years to come.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit youth development programs at the New Canaan YMCA and throughout the community.
Tickets for the circus are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate (children under two are free) and are on sale at the YMCA front desk, as well as these local merchants: Baskin-Robbins, Elm Street Books; First County Bank; Hawthorne, Ackerley and Dorrance; New Balance; and TD Bank.For more information, phone 203-966-4528, or visit newcanaanymca.org.

JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALD

Duchess poses for children from Camp Stanislaus during a promotional appearance for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi on Wednesday.Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/06/29/3236840/circus-time.html#ixzz1QqfFNCzD

Pony escapes from circus, tries to board tram

Jul 1, 2011

FROM: STRAITSTIMES.

COMBERLIN - A PONY who escaped from a circus in Germany tried to board a tram in its getaway attempt, only to be prevented by the driver and other passengers, police said on Tuesday.
The stallion was 'waiting patiently' with other guests at a tram stop in Nordhausen, central Germany, 'and wasn't bashful about trying to board when the doors opened', a police statement said.
'Other passengers and the tram driver took exception to this and held the animal back, however.
'It later became clear that the pony had just escaped from a circus that was in Nordhausen. Circus employees were already on their way to put an end to the pony's adventure.'
Last month a man made headlines in Wrexham, Wales, when he was captured on a security camera boarding a train with a pony. -- AFP

Triennial circus hits Littleton

By Nathan Lamb

GateHouse News Service

Posted Jun 30, 2011
Littleton, MA — The Russell Street athletic field was a circus — literally — the morning of June 28, with approximately 60 residents showing up to see elephants, camels and the raising of the big top.
The Kelly Miller Circus rolled into town early that morning, setting up shop for a pair of shows that will benefit the Littleton 300th anniversary celebration.
The summer circus was described as a local tradition by Joe and Kathy Knox, who have been arranging the recurring event since 1983.
“Joe and I usually bring the circus to town every three years and we always donate the proceeds from it to a cause in Littleton,” she said. “This year we decided, because we’re starting the 300th planning for 2014 and there are no town funds available for it…we thought this would be a good start for them.”
Joe Knox, a Selectman, said the circus typically raises $1,500 to $2,000 for local causes through “a small percentage” of the gate and a larger cut of pre-ticket sales.
“It’s a fundraiser, but it’s a great event for the whole family,” he said. “We’ll probably have 1,500 people at the two shows combined…it’s probably the highest attended summer event in Littleton.
Kathy Knox, who is a member of the celebration committee, said the group is in early stages of planning. She said their goals include a parade, fireworks, family activities and a ball.
“We’re going to kind of brand that year as a celebration year, so if other organizations want to get involved and plan something that goes along with it, we have a theme that ties into that year to bring the community together,” she said.
Among those watching the big top go up was Littleton resident Penny McCabe and her two children. It was the first circus for 6-year-old Mave, but her older sister Molly, 8, remembered going to the last one. Both girls said their favorite part of the experience was the animals — and their mother said it’s a nice way to spend a sunny June morning.
“This is a good way to start the summer,” she said. “Going to see the circus [big top] raise and then go to the lake.”
Read more: Triennial circus hits Littleton - Littleton, MA - Littleton Independent http://www.wickedlocal.com/littleton/archive/x2069931981/Triennial-circus-hits-Littleton#ixzz1QqgdfkNq

Uploaded by centralvalleyreport on May 14, 2011

Solihull Carnival Fun Fair Video Montage 2011, FunFairsUK



A video montage of the Solihull Carnival Fun Fair 2011

Circus magic arrives in Baker City, OR

Digital Journal Reports

by Scott Ungerecht

Baker City, OR - At the break of dawn on June 28, one man stood alone on the Baker County Fair Grounds in Baker City, Oregon. His mission: to stake out a large area where several large tents will be carefully placed for the famous Carson and Barnes Circus. One hour after the man completed his mission, six large semi-trucks arrived at the fair grounds in one group caravan, each one pulling a thirty-foot-long trailer filled with equipment, tools, tents, other gear, or exotic animals. Each rig quickly found a parking place on the flat, open fair ground that was covered with grass. Stenciled on the outside of each driver's door were the words “Miller Equipment Company of Hugo, Oklahoma”.

Suddenly, a small yellow cargo van pulling a white ticket booth trailer arrived next. Then six large RV motor homes arrived last, each one containing the show's human circus performers. Within 30 minutes, over a dozen Hispanic men wearing hard hats, jeans, t-shirts, and green safety vests started unloading the trailers. Some men started pounding large tent pegs into the ground with heavy sledgehammers. Others started unfolding the tents. Everyone had an important job to do.

Suddenly, the air was calm, birds were quiet, and neighborhood dogs sat riveted behind chain link fences as they watched miniature ponies, camels, Llamas, elephants, a zebra, and a pigmy hippo being guided off several trailers by experienced animal trainers. What were these odd looking creatures?

One hour later, the entire Baker County Fair Grounds had been transformed into an oasis of tents, animals, semi-truck trailers, RV motor homes, bails of fresh hay, short iron gates, ticket booths and security personnel to bring alive the magic and mystery of a real circus carnival.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/308523#ixzz1QkwB9OmW

Farmers Insurance zeppelin tour

June 29, 2011
By Greg Lindstrom The Muskegon Chronicle
Participants wait to board the Farmers Insurance zeppelin for a tour of Muskegon on June 29, 2011. The airship's visit is part of a cross country tour to raise awareness for Be a Hero for Babies Day, a campaign dedicated to developing treatments to prevent premature birth. (Muskegon Chronicle/Greg Lindstrom)

Circus Mondao pledges to return to Merseyside, despite animal rights protests

by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Echo

Jun 27 2011

A CIRCUS pledged to return to Merseyside despite facing a demonstration about their use of animals ahead of the final performance in their series of shows.
The Circus Mondao had been performing in Prescot since Wednesday last week but attracted the anger of local animal rights activists.
Around 25 protesters picketed outside the circus yesterday afternoon urging people not to visit the circus.
But Circus Mondao ringmistress Petra Jackson insisted their animals are well kept and content.
Their show includes performances involving two camels, zebras, lamas and numerous horses and ponies.
But Ms Jackson said: “This is the second time we have visited Prescot. People loved the show, and especially that they could come back stage afterwards and meet the animals. People seemed to enjoy that so much.
“We are a family show. The Circus Mondao has been performing for about six years, but we are all circus born and bred.”
Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/06/27/circus-mondao-pledges-to-return-to-merseyside-despite-animal-rights-protests-100252-28946767/#ixzz1Qc830GNO

Greeley woman works to give ‘Ten Circus Men’ from 1884 tragedy a name

Patti Morgan sits last week with the headstone she is looking to improve in Linn Grove Cemetery. Morgan has been researching the 1884 death of 10 unknown circus workers to identify the men and place their names on the headstone.

WHITNEY HIGHT / For The Tribune

By Mike Peters

FROM: www.greelytribune.com

June 26, 2011

LINN GROVE CEMETERY — One of the most famous graves in Greeley, where the remains of 10 unidentified circus workers were buried 126 years ago, may have to be changed, thanks to the diligent work of a Greeley woman.
Patti Morgan became interested in the Orton Anglo-American Circus workers’ grave in Linn Grove after reading about the 1884 tragedy. She began work on library computers and found something that wasn’t there before: the names of the victims.
“It made national news at the time,” Morgan said. “Papers all over the country had stories about the fire.”

One account Morgan found in the New York Times was especially graphic, even though the newspaper had no reporters at the scene:
“The odor of the roasting flesh and the distant cry of the coyote added to the general horror. The voices of the dying grew fainter and soon ceased.”
A later coroner’s inquest would show that 60 men were crowded into the railroad car, which also was carrying two barrels of gasoline. It was determined that the gasoline was ignited by a torch used to light the car. Luggage blocked one end of the car, the fire at the other, leaving only a small window for escape.
In addition to the 10 who died, dozens were injured in the fire. The engineer disconnected the car from the train and sped 10 miles to Greeley and returned with a doctor. Two more doctors came from Denver and treated the men while the train moved on to Denver.
The circus officials said they had to be in Golden for their next show. The burned car and 10 men were left behind.
Greeley officials and residents took over the scene. They removed the remains of the 10 men and placed them in a 10-foot-by-7-foot coffin. They buried the coffin in Linn Grove Cemetery with a tombstone that stated simply, TEN CIRCUS MEN.read more at:http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20110626/NEWS/706269976/1002&parentprofile=1001

Cranford NJ Circus Continues Through Thursday

Annual circus held at Hillside Avenue School in Cranford.

By Kevin Papa June 29, 2011
The Cranford, NJ Chamber of Commerce will host the Zerbini Family Circus this week at Hillside Avenue School. The old fashioned circus opened under the bigtop on Tuesday and will run through Thursday, with shows nightly at 5:15 and 7:30.
The circus act includes trapeze artists, trampoline artists, clowns, reptiles, doggie jumpers, balancing acts and more. Outside the big top, kids can enjoy camel rides, pony rides, moonwalks and slides. Advance tickets are $8 and available at TD Bank, Two River Bank, Tony's Cafe and Cranford Sunoco.

A Real Big Top Circus Plays Willimantic CT

ArtsPatch

By Stephanie Summers

Seems as if it's been a long time since the circus came to town.
Cole Bros. Circus, billed as the World's Largest Circus Under the Big Top, will put on two shows a night, Thursday and Friday, June 30 and July 1, at Jillson Square in Willimantic. Each night will run 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. performances.
Circus talent includes aerialists, acrobats, clowns and a seemingly impossible one-finger balancing act by equilibrist Svetlana Gololobova of Kazakhstan. Animal acts include Bengal tigers, camels, llamas, horses and poodles.
The circus boasts a Big Top that offers an unobstructed view. In January, President and CEO John Pugh was inducted unto the Circus Ring of Fame, which noted, “Few have done more to preserve the traditions of the traveling, 3-ring tented American circus,” the Cole Bros. Circus Web site reports.
Cole Bros. dates from 1884 and, their history says, once included a circus Who's Who of talent – wild animal trainer Clyde Beatty, classic sad clown Emmett Kelly, the Cristiani family bareback riders, the Great Wallendas and a youthful Burt Lancaster on the flying trapeze.
Tickets are $14 for ages 13 and older, reserved seating $17 and VIP seating $20. Upgrades are available for customers with “Free Child” coupons, which can be printed from the circus Web site or picked up in local stores. Children age 2 and younger are admitted free. Purchase tickets at tickets.com or call 888-332-5200. Or try getting them the day of the show.

Circus arts abound throughout the city when Montreal Completement Cirque, the only circus festival in North America, comes to town July 7 through 24.

Montreal gears up for summer circus Press-Republican Plattsburgh
Thu Jun 30, 2011
MONTREAL — By STEVEN HOWELL
Summer in Montreal is completely fun, completely festive and, now, it's completely circus.
La Tohu, the city's premier circus venue, presents Montreal Completement Cirque, a midsummer fest with all things circus in mind. The event combines free and ticketed circus-performance arts and activities with more than 80 events in all from July 7 through 24.
"The festival is held all over the city, so we really are trying to make Montreal completely circus," Tohu communications and marketing director Zoe Beaudry said. "And we are the only circus festival in North America."
La Tohu's main venue in the St. Michel neighborhood plays home to many events; as does Espace Go in the Plateau on St. Laurent Boulevard, along the waterfront promenade in the Old Port; and a temporary big top at the Radio Canada parking lot in the Gay Village, to name a few.
"We're very young and very new, but we had a great time last year," Beaudry said of this second edition. "That energy and diversity is one of our goals again this year, to show how diversified circus arts really are."
Another goal is affordability.
"We wanted something very family oriented so our events are free or very affordable for every show."read more at:http://pressrepublican.com/0500_what_to_do/x999477109/Montreal-gears-up-for-summer-circus

Every once in a while I get a nice comment from a reader.

I'm especially proud of the one I received this morning

from John Herriott.

One of the greatest show men on Earth!

How wonderful to see these young circus performers bringing back in its finest fashion certainly the very tradition of the circus from its beginnings, Almost a lost art here in America and seeing the public response for this wonderful art form would leave hope that we may see a recurrence in our circus arts.

The great tradition of the Italian families who gained prominence in the circus with, Caroli, Zoppee-Zavatta, Alberto Zoppee and Cuciolla, Cristianis, Loyal-Repenski and Zamperla. We have also been blessed with Hanneford, Scott from british isles and the great Hungarian riders of Richtor and others. So it is thrill for me as many generations of circus equestrian arts to see the extreme dedication of skill and hard work to once again take their rightful place as new princes of the circus.

I salute you. John Herriott

Plates presented by CGEAgency

SONOMA-MARIN-FAIR

PART 1

Sonoma-Marin Fair opening day--World's Ugliest Dog Contest
By LORI A. CARTERTHE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Sonoma-Marin, California
Monday, June 27, 2011
“We had a phenomenal fair,” said spokeswoman Vicki DeArmon, who was tallying up the five-day attendance figures on Monday.
Preliminary totals show attendance was up almost 5 percent from last year, although final figures won’t be complete until July. Several events were packed to capacity or had overflow crowds and attendance at every special event was up, DeArmon said.
Dual Saturday night concerts featuring Blue Oyster Cult and Foghat packed the crowds in almost 40 percent greater than last year and better than Saturdays in the previous five years. Sunday’s closing “family day,” featuring the car-crunching destruction derby and the popular Fiesta Latina, was the second-highest attendance day in the last five years.
“We had a constant flow of people at the gate,” said fair chief executive Patricia Conklin.
And, of course, the internationally famous World’s Ugliest Dog contest drew unfortunate-looking canines and their owners — and thousands of gawkers — on Friday night. Photos of the cringe-worthy winner, a 14-year-old fuzzy teacup-size mutt named Yoda, quickly made news dispatches sent out around the world. Yoda, all 1.8 pounds of her, and her owner, Terry Schumacher of Hanford, beat out 28 other contestants to win $1,000, a trophy 15 times bigger than Yoda and Internet fame.read more at:http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110627/COMMUNITY/110629533?Title=Sonoma-Marin-Fair-draws-record-crowds

SONOMA-MARIN COUNTY FAIR

PART 2

SONOMA-MARIN COUNTY FAIR

PART 3