THE BALLOON MAN: 2013-03-31

Sunday, April 7, 2013

LEWIS & CLARK #1

Lewis & Clark Circus #1

Happy to be in Marion, NC!
from: facebook.com
Marion, SC
April 4. 2013

Our Lewis and Clark Family after a successful opening in Seneca, South Carolina!

Olessya Kurgayeva and Lorelei Elizabeth Owens.

Lorelei Elizabeth Owens and Lena Timonova Reis.

Shrine Circus Coming to a Close

from: kulr8.com

By Dustin Askim

Apr 6, 2013

BILLINGS - The Shrine Circus is in town one more night, but there's still time to witness their magic.

With only three shows left, Shriners say tickets are nearly sold out for its 7 p.m. show Saturday and two shows Sunday.

Shriner Bart Hensley says the group starts meetings in December to organize the event. The group travels to trade shows and seminars to improve the circus more each year. He says the two-hour show is a great break from normal, everyday life.

"There's so many things you see every day that don't make you feel good, but right here, these eleven shows, they make you feel good," he said. "You're fatigued and tired when you go home, but we just smile all day long and just love it."

Hensley says the circus is the largest event the Billings Al-Bedoo Shrine organizes. The final shows will be Saturday night at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 and 4 p.m.

LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS #2

Olessya Kurgayeva.

Lorelei Elizabeth Owens.

Ariel Valeiras and Chelcie Carpenter

Little Liza — with Lena Timonova Reis and Vandeir Reis

1902 : “Diavolo performing his bicycle daredevil act before a large audience”
Curated by Chris Wild
from: retronaut.com

UniverSoul Circus performs their Mash It Up tour in Oakland
from: mercurynews.com
Apr 05, 2013

Adults and children watch the UniverSoul Circus perform under the big top on Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, April 5, 2013.
(Jane Tyska/Staff)
The UniverSoul Circus performs under the big top on Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, April 5, 2013. They will be performing their “Mash It Up” set, which is led by ringmaster Casual Cal, from Thursday, April 4 to Sunday, April 14. Show times are 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day. The troupe is based in Atlanta and was founded by Cedric Walker in 1994.

Ringmaster Casual Cal makes an appearance as the UniverSoul Circus performs under the big top on Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, April 5, 2013.
(Jane Tyska/Staff)

Dancers do their routine during the Caribbean segment as the UniverSoul Circus performs under the big top on Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, April 5, 2013.
(Jane Tyska/Staff)

Dancers do a Motown routine as the UniverSoul Circus performs under the big top on Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, April 5, 2013. (Jane Tyska/Staff)

People make their way in as the UniverSoul Circus performs under the big top on Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, April 5, 2013.
(Jane Tyska/Staff)

A contortionist in the Shaolin Warriors perform during the UniverSoul Circus show under the big top on Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, April 5, 2013.
(Jane Tyska/Staff)

Dancers do their routine during the Caribbean segment as the UniverSoul Circus performs under the big top on Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, April 5, 2013.
(Jane Tyska/Staff)

A child holds a lit star aloft as the UniverSoul Circus performs under the big top on Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, April 5, 2013.
(Jane Tyska/Staff)
read more:
http://photos.mercurynews.com/2013/04/05/universoul-circus-performs-their-mash-it-up-tour-in-oakland/#25

Cole Bros. Circus shows canceled

from: jdnews.com
By DAILY NEWS STAFF
April 5, 2013
Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars has canceled its 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Jacksonville shows today, April 5.

Marketing Director Bill Dundee said that rain during the week caused the circus grounds to become muddy and difficult for vehicles to utilize.

COLE BROS CIRCUS

Cole Brothers Circus is in Havelock this week
Shows run Monday through Wednesday

Cole Brothers Circus Clowns
Drew C. Wilson
from: havernews.com
By Drew C. Wilson/Havelock News
Saturday, April 6, 2013
John Flanigan says that going to the circus makes him feel like a kid again.

“It reminds me of when my mother and grandmother and grandfather took me to the circus as a young kid,” he said. “It’s a show that’s designed for everybody. They’ve been doing the same kinds of acts for many, many years. It’s all pure entertainment of different varieties.”

Flanigan, of VFW Post No. 7315 in Havelock, is in charge of promoting the upcoming three-day appearance of the Cole Brothers Circus of the Stars next week in Havelock.

Proceeds from ticket sales go to support military members in the area.
read more:
http://www.havenews.com/news/local-news/cole-brothers-circus-is-in-havelock-this-week-1.123083

Tightrope Across Grand Canyon to Air Live on Discovery Channel

Published on Mar 19, 2013

Nik Wallenda plans to cross the 1,500-foot-deep canyon without using any safety harness or net because similar precautions diminished his satisfaction with the Niagara walk.

BARNUM

"Barnum" (Mercury Theatre): Less Circus, More Narration

from: chicagonow.com
by Katy Walsh
April 6, 2013
Mercury Theater Chicago presents BARNUM. P.T. Barnum (1810-1891) is a name associated with circus, specifically; the Ringling Bros’ Barnum & Bailey Circus. Interestingly, Barnum didn’t throw his hat into the ring until age 61. Even before he became the ringmaster, Barnum had a colorful life. He was a showman, con artist, entrepreneur and politician. He boasted a museum of human oddities, including; the smallest man, the oldest woman and the Feejee mermaid. He had a wife named Charity and a leading lady named Jenny Lind. This show is described in the playbill as ‘a musical suggested by the life of P.T. Barnum.’ BARNUM is less of a three ring circus and more of a man-behind-the-big-top narration.
With a name like BARNUM, I expected a spectacle. And I was curious to see how the intimate Mercury Theatre would stage death-defying feats. Although there are bursts of mini circus acts sprinkled throughout the show and ten minutes of full-on carnie-inspired pandemonium, BARNUM is more about the perceived influences in P.T.’s life leading up to founding a circus. Mark Bramble wrote the book as a personal contemplation. Gene Weygandt (Barnum) delivers the long orations as a charismatic virtuoso. The role is perfect for Weygandt’s natural exuberance. He swindles the audience in to rooting for his success despite his humbug methodologies. Although the show is pretty focused on the man himself, the steadfast Cory Goodrich (Charity) and the alluring Summer Naomi Stuart (Jenny) lend their vocal talents for memorable melodies. Goodrich sings a wistful rendition of “Colors of my life” while Stuart delivers a splendid aria in “Love makes such fools of us.”
read more:
http://www.chicagonow.com/the-fourth-walsh/2013/04/barnum-mercury-theatre-less-circus-more-narration/

GREAT RUSSIAN CIRCUS

Circus still working its magic

The Great Moscow Cicrus is coming to Canberra.
Photo: Scott Burrage
from: canberratimes.com.au
by Ron Cerabona
April 7, 2013
It isn't often I can say I have risked my life in the line of duty. But this was one of those times. In a moment of madness, I had volunteered to take part in an act of the Great Moscow Circus to get a bit of a feeling for the institution.

At first it was going to be in the Globe of Death - standing inside a not-very-big metal globe while one, two, three, four and then five motorcycles whizzed around in gravity-defying and all-too-close patterns. But then the circus's general manager, Greg Hall, decided that would be too difficult. I was relieved - until he mentioned the alternative: having knives thrown at me by sixth-generation Brazilian circus performer Alfredo Silva.

''I call him Alfredo the Inaccurate,'' Hall says, a wicked twinkle in his eye.
''At least you've got him in the afternoon. He's not very good in the morning. We're trying to give you a fair chance.''
This did nothing to boost my confidence. Not being asked to sign a waiver did, sort of, until I wondered just why that might be. But there wasn't time to think about it too much: I was told to lean against the slightly tilted board with my back to it and my hands crossed over my chest. It was like being in a coffin, as Hall took pleasure in noting.

Ron Cerabona braves some knives thrown by 'Alfredo the Inaccurate'.
Silva stood only a few feet away and pulled out his knives, six of them, and I was reminded to stand still. Not that it was necessary: I was petrified. My brother-in-law turned on his video camera: if it came to the worst, at least there'd be a record of my last moments. It would be something to sell to a tabloid TV show, or at least put on YouTube.

And lives to tell the tale.
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
I could feel the impact as each knife plunged into the wood. I couldn't see how near they came, but it may have been better that way, and I flinched a bit - but not too much, mindful of the potential consequences.

Then it was all over - or so I thought.

''Turn to the side,'' I was ordered, and then I was told to lean back a little. I don't have a svelte figure, unlike Silva's usual assistant, and thus the amount of board for him to aim at was considerably reduced. Once again came the series of thwacks, from my legs to up around my torso, higher and higher. Again, I flinched a little. But not too much.
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/entertainment/stage/circus-still-working-its-magic-20130402-2h4h5.html#ixzz2Pm3Z7tyS

Deggeller Attractions

CLAY COUNTY FAIR

Deggeller's new Sky Ride

BOLLYWOOD CIRCUS POSTERS

Bollywood Circus
www.bollywoodcircus.co.uk

LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS #1

Lewis & Clark Opens
in South Carolina

Happy to be in Marion, NC!
from: facebook.com
Marion, SC
April 4. 2013

Our Lewis and Clark Family after a successful opening in Seneca, South Carolina!

Olessya Kurgayeva and Lorelei Elizabeth Owens.

Lorelei Elizabeth Owens and Lena Timonova Reis.

Lorelei Elizabeth Owens and Lena Timonova Reis.
(Editor's Note)
If I've mis-identified anyone I must apologize and
let me know. I'll change them!
Dick

Saturday, April 6, 2013

MORENO VALLEY: Circus told not to perform exotic animals

BRIAN ROKOS/STAFF PHOTO
Zebras are displayed in a pen outside the Ramos Bros. Circus on Perris Boulevard in Moreno Valley on April 5, 2013. The operator's permit for exotic animals such as zebras and camels expired, so they will not be part of this weekend's performances, which will go on as scheduled.
from: pe.com
BY BRIAN ROKOS | STAFF WRITER
April 05, 2013
MORENO VALLEY, CA--The show will go on in Moreno Valley, minus a few zebras and camels.
The Ramos Bros. Circus’ federal license for exotic animals is no longer valid, so the shows Saturday, April 6, and Sunday at 13250 Perris Blvd. will not include those animals.
It’s not clear why the license is not valid.
David Perle, a spokesman for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, wrote in an email that the U.S. Department of Agriculture canceled the circus’ license on April 2.

Alex Ramos, one of the brothers who operate the circus, said outside the red and white big top Friday that the license expired after the renewal paperwork he sent was lost in the mail. He said he spoke with the USDA on Friday about resubmitting the paperwork.
PETA had complained to Moreno Valley officials that the circus was illegally exhibiting the exotic animals because the license had lapsed, and Ramos said a city official told him Thursday not to perform them. The animals were still being displayed in a pen Friday.
Moreno Valley city offices were closed Friday and no one could be reached for comment. A USDA spokesman could not be reached after hours.
Ramos acknowledged that when he set up in Corona last year, he was forced to move his exotic animals out of the city because the municipal code there does not allow them to be exhibited.
Ramos denied Perle’s assertion that his circus “regularly abuses animals.” The circus also features llamas, horses and ponies.
“They are in good health. We treat them the best we can – better than my wife,” Ramos said.
The Ramos Bros. Circus is on the road 10 months a year in California, Arizona and Nevada, Ramos said. Performances this weekend are at 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 , 5 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
READ MORE:
http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/moreno-valley/moreno-valley-headlines-index/20130405-moreno-valley-circus-told-not-to-perform-exotic-animals.ece

Cole Bros. Circus acts clown around the Cape Fear

from: wwaytv3.com

Submitted by Allyson Lorick

04/05/2013

http://www.wwaytv3.com/2013/04/05/cole-bros-circus-acts-clown-around-the-cape-fear

JOANNE WILSON
AND
"SPIRIT"

NEW FROM LANE TALBURT---

After taking a hiatus of almost half a year from YouTube, here are links to two new videos that I uploaded today, based on interviews with Elliana Grace, the 20-year-old human cannonball on the Ringling Red "Built to Amaze" edition, and her mother, Jessica Hentoff, a former aerialist and founder of Circus Harmony; and with Floyd "Sweets" Harrison and Kip Jones, representing the first and third generations of the King Charles Troupe.

Enjoy!

Lane

Grace-ful cannonball