THE BALLOON MAN: 2013-12-29

Friday, January 3, 2014

Photo by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Super Circus Heroes is led by ringmaster David Shipman.
from: gonaples.com

PROTESTERS PLAN TO PICKET TOURING CIRCUS OVER ANIMALS

Lion trainer and handler Mohammed Jratlon of Lennon's circus says his lions are humanely treated. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily
john mccutcheon
WARREN Lennon doesn't mind protesters picketing his circus, as long as they're respectful to him and his customers.

Mr Lennon, a fifth-generation family member behind the Lennon Bros Circus, can expect at least 50 people on his doorsteps today about 10.30am, but not for tickets to the show.

They will be there to protest the travelling show, which is based at the Maroochydore Primary School sports field off Maroochydore Rd until Australia Day on January 26.

An invitation to protest is doing the rounds on Facebook. It says anyone who supports the show supports animal cruelty.
From:caboolturenews.com.au

FEEDING THE LIONS

From:caboolturenews.com.au
Patrick Williams
3rd Jan 2014
Feeding the Lions

CIRCUS CLOWNS ENTERTAIN KIDS AT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

The Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus clowns made a special visit to Tampa General Hospital, taking time out of their schedule to bring some smiles to pediatric patients.

An American Dream" A YMCA with a circus

An American Dream: A YMCA With a Circus
FROM: theatlantic.com
By Deborah Fallows.
James Fallows
Jan 2 2014
Performer at the Great Y Circus in Redlands, California.
By Deborah Fallows
For those of you who have always dreamed of running off to join the circus, here is a close second: move to Redlands, California, and join the YMCA. Not only will you get the chance to be a circus star but you’ll also find yourself living in a friendly town with wide palm-lined streets, orange groves, and century-old architecture, not to mention the locally-owned-and-made big four: craft beer, ice cream, chocolate, and coffee. What more could you want?

Reinvention and resilience across the nation
Read more I went to see Darwin Barnett, the CEO of the Redlands Community YMCA, to find out about the circus, among other things. Barnett has been a lifer in the world of the YMCA, getting his first job there during his college years in Plainview, Texas. He moved up the ranks, and about a year and a half ago, he was looking to find a smallish city where his family could settle in and be part of a strong community.

Redlands came onto Barnett’s radar for those reasons, but also because in the YMCA world, Redlands is unique and famous for its circus.

The Redlands Y circus is not just a tumbler’s wanna-be circus. It is The Great Y Circus, as it is fondly called, a serious circus with high-flying acts, trapeze, rings, unicycles, acrobatics, and teeterboard, where one person jumps onto one end of the teetertotter, launching the partner into the air. The Circus was founded Roy Coble, a former performer with the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, shortly after he moved to Redlands in 1927. Once smitten with the circus; always smitten with the circus.

After modest beginnings, the circus has now grown to 350 kids, from toddlers on up who compete for the spots, and dozens of volunteers, many former circus members themselves, who train the performers for several months each year. The Circus plays to sell-out crowds inside the YMCA gym, which was built with extra-high ceilings designed to accommodate the show, for 3 weekends each spring
read more:
https://mail.verizon.com/webmail/driver?nimlet=showmessages&view=emails

THE GREAT Y CIRCUS

The Great Y Circus"

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

CIRKOPOLIS--CIRQUE ELOISE

From: nyuskirball.com
Bursts of color pierce a grey industrialized landscape and awaken one office worker who finds himself propelled on a journey of circus, dance, acrobatics and theater -- finding real connections through his fantasies in an isolating factory-city.

“The acrobats defy gravity in a dazzling display of jaw-dropping performances. A body-twisting delight! It’s hard not to deliver an ovation. At one point, a little girl behind me burst out, 'I wanna do that! Funny, I was having the exact same thought!” THE NEW YORK TIMES
One man’s imagination transforms piles of papers, looming towers, and giant gears into a vibrant, romantic, and lavish cityscape. He is joined by twelve eclectic and mysterious characters rebelling against monotony in a wildly energetic show that twists and turns between acrobatic prowess, heartrending poetry, and irresistible humor. The multi-disciplinary talents of these twelve performers will be on full display in several advanced acrobatic disciplines, including diabolo, rope, teeterboard, Cyr wheel and contortion. Guided by striking projections that add dizzying dimensions to pivoting set pieces, performers and spectators will slip between dream and reality in an uninterrupted stream of music, images, drawings and mind-bending acrobatics.

VIP TICKET EXPERIENCE available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday 5pm performances: VIP experience includes post-show access to VIP Lounge to meet performers, plus photo ops, complimentary beverage, gift bag with Cirkopolis program and CD, and VIP lanyard.

Sunday 1pm performances: VIP experience includes exclusive pre-show access to watch the artists rehearse up close, complimentary beverage, gift bag with Cirkopolis program and cd, and VIP lanyard. Arrive 75 minutes before the performance for pre-show access.

"There’s the circus, and then there’s Cirque Éloize. These guys are on a whole other level. It seems that everything is more: more difficult, more daring, more ambitious. Extraordinary athletic feats and gravity-defying exploits!" NY POST
"If Christopher Nolan directed the circus, it would be CIRKOPOLIS! Moody. Sexy. This human-only circus is a must-see! Serving up acrobatics and drama, mixed in with romance and some beautiful dance moments too. We truly loved it!" PEREZ HILTON
"If you like a circus that balances “Holy Cow!” physical feats with Shakespearean poetics, step right up to CIRKOPOLIS! As eloquent as it is impressive. The highly polished and stylish show is the latest work from Montreal’s Cirque Eloize, a troupe so terrific at giving audiences plenty to look at." NY DAILY NEWS
Positioned at the heart of the renewal of circus arts, Cirque Éloize has been changing the face of circus and carving out a niche in the growing popularity of the field. With ten original productions to its credit, Cirque Éloize has presented more than 4,000 performances in over 440 cities and 40 countries. Their trademark efficiency and mastery of the proscenium stage sets them apart and they often work with talented directors from other disciplines to infuse new concepts into their work. For Cirkopolis, Cirque Éloize’s Artistic Director Jeannot Painchaud - the architect of the astonishing acrobatic numbers at the 2006 Olympic Games closing ceremonies - joined forces with Dave St-Pierre - the world-renowned choreographer of Cirque du Soleil’s shows Zumanity and LOVE - to create a piece that is the perfect escape from the daily drone.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CO-DIRECTOR JEANNOT PAINCHAUD
CO-DIRECTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER DAVE ST-PIERRE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JONATHAN ST-ONGE

RECOMMENDED FOR ALL AGES

Monday, December 30, 2013

BROADWAY SHOW BLENDS CIRCUS ACTS, AFRICAN PERFORMING ARTS

from: cbslocal.com
December 29, 2013
A contortionist from the “Circus Der Sinne” performs at the CBS 2 studio. (credit: CBS 2)
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — “Circus Der Sinne” mixes modern circus acts with traditional African dance and music.
The show is running on Broadway through Jan. 5.
“Mother Africa is basically bringing Africa to New York,” one of the show’s stars, Theresa Makaita Muteta, told CBS 2′s Jessica Schneider in an interview Sunday morning. “We have circus acts. We have acrobats. We have music and dance going on. We have a lot that we’re bringing to you guys from the New Victory Theater on 42nd Street.”
The show is running on Broadway through Jan. 5.
“Mother Africa is basically bringing Africa to New York,” one of the show’s stars, Theresa Makaita Muteta, told CBS 2′s Jessica Schneider in an interview Sunday morning. “We have circus acts. We have acrobats. We have music and dance going on. We have a lot that we’re bringing to you guys from the New Victory Theater on 42nd Street.”

The performers come from all over Africa, Muteta said.
“What has basically happened is our producer and director have come together and they did form a school in Tanzania, and this is where many of the artists, many of the acts have gone through, have the platform to practice, to rehearse, to have the grilling and the drilling of how the acts should be going,” she said. “And from there, they put the show together, and it’s been seven years now we’ve been on tour.”
“Circus Der Sinne” is being performed at the New Victory Theater on West 42nd Street. For showtimes and tickets, visit the theater’s website.

ROLL UP FOR CIRCUS THRILLS

PREP: Members of Zirka Circus L-R: Lilly 17, Chelsea 16, Cherry 16 and Jade 14 put on their eye make up before the performance.
from: stuff.co.nz
December 30, 2013
Send in the Clowns!

The Zirka Circus is in town, with 17 young performers from China putting on a show of acrobatics, magic, contortion, juggling and clowning.

The show is now in Christchurch, with the tent located at Kyle Park on Waterloo Rd, behind The Hub at Hornby.

The show runs twice daily until January 12, with its next stop in Rolleston.

Tickets range from $19 for a child to $38 for a VIP adult seat. Family passes for four are $84.

THE GIRL WHO SAT ON AN ELEPHANT

from: leamingtoncourier
The circus owner and ringmaster are pictured along with a small crowd of children and adults admiring the huge animal.

Jeff, who used to be a town guide, lived with his family in Union Walk at the time.

He said: “They used to weigh the elephants at the weighbridge next to the railway along the Old Warwick Road.

“The site now houses Jewsons builders merchants. I believe the weighbridge hut in the background is still there.”

Jeff says that his sister, who now lives in Hampshire had to have a bath after sitting on the elephant because of the oil which was smeared all over it.

Reader Jennie Haynes remembers elephants parading through Leamington in the 1960s. She said: “My journal from 1966 quotes ‘April 7. Took boys (our sons Greg age 4, and Keith age 3) into Leamington Spa to see the elephants on the Parade.’

“As I recall they walked from the station too. Hope others have memories too.”
http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/nostalgia/the-girl-who-sat-on-an-elephant-1-5757567

Sunday, December 29, 2013

ASS'T FOTOS FROM FACEBOOK

SPOTTED AT THE SHOWFOLKS CIRCUS

Animal activists protest against the use of animals in circuses
circus says that their animals are well taken care of and trained.(REUTERS)

from: sabc.co.za

Jurie Blignaut

Saturday 28 December 2013

The circus is in town, but not everybody is going. The McLaren circus has set up the Big Top in Port Elizabeth and the show that is put up includes wild animals like tigers and lions, raising the ire of animal rights activists.

Groups of activists held a silent protest against the use of animals in circuses and animals in captivity. The protesters say they are not just targeting this circus but captivity of wild and cruelty against animals in general. They want the public to become the voice for these animals.
However, it is more than just taking a stand.
" We are trying to make people aware of this with the hope that if it is done countrywide, like it is, that we can eventually address it with legislation. Now we are a leading country with legislation, we have gay marriages, women's rights, we need to take a lead on animal rights,” says animal activist Linda Lewis-Swan.
The animals are an integral part of the business.
McLaren Circus says their animals are part of the family and receive excellent care. The circus says they are trained through positive re-inforcement and not by instilling fear and that they are running their business within the prescripts of the law. Circus owner David Mc Laren says he is not considering getting rid of any of the animals.
“The animals are an integral part of the business. The people who are against the circus are against all zoos, against all animals in captivity and not just the circus. But the paying customer who supports the circus enjoys seeing our animals and understands our animals are cared for and loved and are part of the business,” he explains.
Animals, especially the big cats, have always played a central role in circus shows. Even to this day it remains a big draw card.
Some of the local people say that the circus helps children in knowing different kinds of animals.

fromhttp://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/2cc79d00425a480fa7b7ff56d5ffbd92/Animal-activists-protest-against-the-use-of-animals-in-circuses

Bristol roller derby team visits Gerry Cottle's CircuS

roller skaters at Gerry Cottle's Circus in Bristol

By The Bristol Post

Posted: December 28, 2013Bristol’s roller derby team literally met circus performers head on at the weekend.
The roller derby players showed the performers on skates how to bump and shove each other out of the way in complete safety.
One of the Gerry Cottle circus acts is based on roller derby - Britain’s fastest-growing sport.
And Mr Cottle himself thought it would be a good idea to get some members of the team to pass on their skills and advice to his performers.
Roller derby referee Rachel Britton, 39, from Portishead, said: “The circus performers are elegant and graceful - we are all about knocking each other over.”
She said the rules were strictly enforced so that players were not seriously hurt.
Tilly Latimer, 34, an ecologist from Long Ashton, said: “Gerry watched our loat game and realised there was a lot more to it than he first thought.
“He invited us along to show some of our skills.”
The circus, which is based near Wookey Hole in Somerset, is currently putting on shows at Creative Common, next to Bristol Temple Meads until January 5.
Animals are no longer used in the circus but roller skating has now become one of the most popular acts.
Mr Cottle said: “I sold all my animals 20 years ago and now we give the circus a more modern look.”
When the circus finishes in Bristol, it will be moving on to Swindon as part of a national 37-week tour.

Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-roller-derby-team-visits-Gerry-Cottle-s/story-20375625-detail/story.html#ixzz2ou8SS2zG

FAREWELL TO SHRINERS CIRCUS PARADE

The long-running Shrine Circus parade has run its course. Insurance liability concerns prohibited elephants from participating in the parade which was a main draw for many people. The circus will still occur on June 28, 2014. Pioneer photo by Jaci Conrad Pearson

FROM: bhpioneer.com

By: Jaci Conrad Pearson

December 28, 2013

DEADWOOD — Deadwood Mayor Chuck Turbiville announced that there was no need to hold a public hearing for the Shrine Circus parade portion of an item which appeared on Monday night’s agenda. There won’t be a parade.

When the Shrine Circus has its day in Deadwood June 28, 2014, the Main Street parade which traditionally precludes the afternoon and evening performances to kick off the event, will not be held.

“One of the big draws for the Shrine Circus parade each year was seeing the elephants parade down Main Street,” said Northern Hills Shrine Circus committee member Dave Ruth. “But circus officials have informed us that their animal handler insurance won’t cover the liability of them being paraded anymore. They don’t want the liability of having them walk down the street and be startled by a dog on the sidewalk or a loud noise from a car and having something unfortunate happening. That, consequently, has caused us to not have the parade anymore up Main Street.”

Former Shrine Circus Chairman Paul Holtsclaw, who along with John Jackson instituted Deadwood’s Main Street parade in 2005, was saddened by the decision to pull up the stakes on the parade.

“I’m very sad,” Holtsclaw said. “Deadwood is a parade town. People love it. People support it. It hurts that it’s gone. That was mine and Jackson’s baby.”

The Northern Hills Shrine Circus began 78 years ago in Deadwood and in 1995 was moved to Belle Fourche.

Holtsclaw became parade chairman in 2003 and explained that his committee felt that the parade belonged back in Deadwood.

“We moved it back in 2005 and said, ‘What can we do to promote it?’,” Holtsclaw explained. “John Jackson of Belle Fourche suggested a parade. So I called up Jody Jordan, owner of the circus and asked if we could do it. He gave me a long list of reasons why not and we argued back and forth, but in the end he agreed to it. After it was over he said, ‘This was fantastic.’ I said, ‘Does that mean you’ll do it again?’ And he said, ‘yes.’ I went off the circus committee in 2011, so what happened after 2011, I don’t know.”

For eight years, the elephants, circus performers, other animals, Shriners and clowns paraded down Deadwood’s historic Main Street, unaware they were making their own type of history.

“It was really a unique situation they allowed us to do,” Ruth said. “It hasn’t been done anywhere else in the nation. Unfortunately, the insurance companies take over and say, ‘We aren’t going to cover this.’”

This is actually the second year the elephants won’t parade in Deadwood.

“They did not notify us of the inability of the elephants to participate until the night before the parade last year,” Ruth said. “Because they were such a draw, without the elephants, we ultimately decided that it was more prudent not to have the parade.”

Ruth said the elephants will still be at the parade grounds, located at the Days of ’76 arena.

“The way we want to focus on it is that kids can still see the animals up close at the circus and they can even ride the elephants before the circus and at intermission, which they couldn’t during the parade,” Ruth said.