LUCKY IRANI CIRCUS

CHRISTMAS FUNNIES

THE CIRCUS IS COMMING!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performers prepare for the upcoming 141st edition of The Greatest Show on Earth. TAMPA -

The circus is coming to town.
The 141st edition of The Greatest Show on Earth will perform Jan. 5 to 9 at the St. Pete Times Forum.
Clowns, elephant riders and other Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus performers rehearsed Tuesday at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
Tickets range from $15 to $85 and are on sale at www.ringling.com or at www.ticketmaster.com. You can also call (800) 745-3000 or go to the box office.

CIRCUS IS A SIGN OF HOPE

GLOBAL ZENIT NEWS

Rome's Zenit News

Circus Is Sign of Hope, Says Archbishop Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglió stated this in an address at the 8th International Congress for the Pastoral Care of Circuses and Fairs, which took place in Rome last week.
The congress, which ended Thursday, was attended by 70 people who work in the pastoral care of this sector, including bishops, priests, men and women religious and laity, entrepreneurs, workers and artists.
Archbishop Veglió stated, "With their art and ability, with imagination and creativity, persons of circuses and fairs are prophets of a humanity rich in promises and hopes."
The environment of circuses and fairs "is the place in which, beyond the cultural barriers and linguistic and religious separations, persons meet, recognize one another as brothers and sisters, accepting each other in their diversity," he noted. "It is in this that the importance and value of the circus and of Luna Park consists."
The prelate stated that those who work at circuses and fairs "are bearers of peace, joy and serene relaxation."
The archbishop observed that the reality of these workers, "positive because of the values with which these 'artisans' of celebration, of marvel and wonder give joy to the societies of the whole world," is characterized by "a certain temporariness of life" and a "continuous uprooting of environments and persons."
Because of the "singular mobility of their life," he added, these workers "do not have a sense of belonging to a parish community and this is reflected negatively on religious practice, frequentation of the sacraments and catechesis."
"Yet their itinerant nature increases in them the desire for genuine ecclesial participation and spiritual growth," Archbishop Veglió affirmed.

more at:http://www.zenit.org/article-31291?l=english

Tulsa State Fair Wins Award

Expo Square CEO Mark Andrus and key Tulsa State Fair staff were presented with several top awards at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions conference held recently in Las Vegas, Nev.

In total, the 2010 Tulsa State Fair won 17 awards in the top division of fairs with more than one million attendees.
“I’m so proud of our 2010 Tulsa State Fair,” says Commissioner John Smaligo, Fair Board Chairman. “Our staff worked extremely hard to put on a quality, entertaining fair, and this long list of awards shows that our peers at other fairs and IAFE members agree that we held the top fair in the world. This is a huge deal and I hope we can continue building from here.”

Included in the photo are Fonda Cooper, Kara Eschbach, Amanda Bretz, Amanda Blair, Mark Andrus, Tresa Tryon, Sarah Thompson, Phil Cooper, Brandi Herndon and Commissioner John Smaligo.

Four circus bears go into hibernation

Published: Dec. 20, 2010
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- A Russian circus bear trainer said four of his animals went into hibernation after a truck carrying them broke down during a long trip.
Vladimir Dobryakov said the female bears, named Varya, Manyasha, Lyalya and Lyusya, were making a 2,800-mile trek from Irkutsk to Vladivostok, RIA Novosti reported Monday.
"It took us eight days to cover the distance ... which was, of course, a lot of strain for the animals," Dobryakov said.
Dobryakov said he attempted to keep the bears awake with strong tea and chocolate candies, but the strain of travel coupled with low temperatures caused the bears to go into hibernation.

Cirque du Soleil coming back to Baltimore

Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is known for its acrobatics and whimsy.
Baltimore Business Journal - by Rachel Bernstein , Staff
Date: Monday, December 20, 2010

Cirque du Soleil is heading to the city's Westport waterfront for its latest return to town.

The high-flying French-Canadian circus will hold its new “Totem” show Apr. 7 at Patrick Turner’s waterfront proposed development along the Middle Branch in South Baltimore. Turner is working on infrastructure at the sight currently.

Cirque du Soleil will pitch its famous Grand Chapiteau — otherwise known as a large tent for those non French speakers — on the property until April 24.

Tickets are available to Cirque club members for an exclusive period through Jan. 15. Membership is free. Until Jan. 15, ticket prices range from $28.50 for children to $350 for front row seats for adults.

In 2009, the troupe set up its blue-and-yellow grand chapiteau, in Lot O off Ostend Street near M&T Bank Stadium for its show “Kooza.” Previously, Harbor Point was the tent's home for a bit.

Meanwhile, Cirque — a mix of acrobatics, music and dance — has said it may bring its indoor “Quidam” show to First Mariner Arena toward the end of next summer.

Cirque operates 20 shows simultaneously around the world. Since 1984, more than 90 million spectators have attended Cirque shows in more than 200 cities.

FROM LARRY SNYDER--

Circus Clowns Bring More than Laughter to Area Children
from www2.wsav.com

The Chinese State Circus At The Spa Bridlington

Published: 18th December 2010 22:02 http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/

From the land of legends and warrior Shaolin monks comes the incredible new Chinese State Circus production - the live acrobatic spectacular - Mulan.
A breathtaking fusion of precision acrobatics, Shaolin martial arts, dazzling circus skills, colourful characters from Peking Opera, physical theatre and drama choreographed to an original music score, Mulan is based on the legend of one of China's greatest heroines. Although the tales of how a peasant girl led an army to save her nation from invasion have spread over the world in poems, songs, books, and films, this is their first incarnation in the all-action world of international circus. Entertainment for all the family- from the world's leading Chinese acrobats.
"A show of daunting athleticism" -The Observer.
PRICES
Band A £25 adult/ £22 conc./ £65 family (2+2)Band B £18 adult/ £15 conc./ £50 family (2+2)Band C £12 all
DATES
Wed 2 Mar 2011 19:30 Thu 3 Mar 2011 17:00 and 20:00
http://www.zirkus-charles-knie.de/cms/

Baby Bison Party
from www2.wsav.com

The circus is coming to town
By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark (The Philippine Star) December 19, 2010

Set for Dec. 21 to Jan. 4, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center, the Great American Circus features breathtaking acts.
MANILA, Philippines - Performing in a circus is an exercise in trust. You trust the guy on the other flying trapeze will show up just in time to catch you fall. You trust your co-performer in the human pyramid act won’t sit down or step out of line lest you stumble and fall — to your death.
That’s why the revered Ringling Brothers Circus depends on its members’ family ties to pull through, show after show. The Great American Circus is no exception. It has seven generations of families who perform around the world. The acts are so dangerous performers just have to pray the other guy won’t fail them when the time comes.
Says ringmaster Cornell “Tuffy” Nicholas, “We treat each other like family. And many of our members come from the same family.”


The Valencia brothers, for instance, come from a seven-generation family of performers who trace their roots to Argentina. They will show off their acrobatic skills on a 30-foot human-powered Wheel of Death when the Great American Circus mounts shows on Dec. 21, 2010 to Jan. 4, 2011 at SMX Convention Center. The cast will also perform at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu on Jan. 8 to 10 and at Cebu Coliseum on Jan. 11 to 11.

The Valencias’ derring-do is matched by a husband and wife in their forties who shoot apples on their respective heads in the daring Crossbow Act. One false move and the arrow can just slice through one of the husband or wife’s vital parts.

“You entrust your life to the other every day,” says Tuffy. “So there should be a lot of trust and honesty in the relationship.”

And there is. Tuffy — and the rest of the circus members — have known each other for years. They’ve traveled, rehearsed and performed together — for the longest time.

They’ve done a mean aerial ballet on silks, the classic flying trapeze and other numbers in a two-hour show, without missing a beat.

Raved Guam’s Pacific Daily News: “(The show) is ‘a real crowd-pleaser (with) plenty of head-scratching acts that leave you in how did they do that?’ amazement… truly a jaw-dropping spectacle!”

That spectacle didn’t happen by accident. Tuffy attests to the performers’ dedication in practicing for years on end and “knowing their limits.”

Age is clearly one of them. Those who hang precariously by the cable wires, for instance, must be young and nimble. So you have people in their teens or early twenties.

Tuffy himself used to do all those daredevil acts until he decided to leave them to younger performers.

Thus, no one knows more than he does that you just don’t go out there and put your life on the line without making sure you’ll live to tell the story.

“We check everything thrice. We replace all the cables often,” he reveals. That’s how they’ve kept their record of no accidents intact all these years
The group literally sets the stage for their shows— aerial trusses, building risers and all.
“We’re transforming the venue from that of a convention center into a grand circus arena,” crows Tuffy.
The result, he goes on, is something borrowed and something new. You have the traditional elements — the flying trapeze, the crossbow and balancing act, etc.
But must always keep with the times. Tuffy promises special effects galore and a Michael Jackson impersonator named Michael Kiss, whose resemblance to The Gloved One — not only in terms of looks but voice — is uncanny.

To make sure everyone has the time of his life, Tuffy and friends have prepared clown face painting and picture-taking sessions with the circus artists before the show and during intermission.
Those who go for other types of diversions can visit toy and souvenir stands in the venue.
The Manila leg of the Asian tour is special for Tuffy and company because it’s their very first stop.
“We have managers from several other countries coming here to the Philippines to watch our show,” explains Tuffy. “That’s why it’s that crucial. What they will see here is a showcase of what we are.”
The Hawaii-based ringmaster has another reason for performing in Manila first.
“When I visited here for the first time, I noticed right away that the families here are large,” he observes. “The circus is the perfect family entertainment. It’s the best Christmas present you can buy for your family.”
From one (circus) family to another this Christmas — that’s not a bad idea at all.

SUNDAY FUNNIES (1950's)

CIRQUE MAXIMUM

FROM BILL PRICKETT---

Dick.....here are two pics of American Circus Corp.,Winter Quarters, Peru, Ind. The first is circa 1924 and the second is circa 1928.
#3 is the Circus Big Top, Circus Hall of Fame, Peru, Ind, circa 1996 #4 are clowns Pat Kelly (L) and Bob-O (Bob Hurley),Circus Hall of Fame, Peru, Ind, circa 1996 #5 is Larry Allen Dean, Circus Hall of Fame, Peru, Ind, circa 1996 Bill Prickett

The Great American Circus is out-of-this-world amazing!
from: manila-life blog--
Get ready to stay on the edge of your seats as Nicholas Harris Entertainment and Tropical Productions, Inc., present the biggest, the best - the Great American Circus.
Featuring an astounding roster of acts that is sure to rivet the kids and the kids-at-heart at very affordable prices - truly the Must-See event this holiday season.

Showing at the SMX Convention Center from December 21, 2010 to January 4, 2011.
For tickets call TicketWorld 891.9999, or visit SM Ticketing.
The Great American Circus is out-of-this-world amazing! It is 90-minutes of breath-taking, high-energy entertainment for adults and children that showcases internationally-acclaimed daredevils, aerialists, dancers and acrobatic artists. The jaw-dropping acts and side-splitting comedic antics is something to marvel at. Cornell "Tuffy" Nicholas, producer and show maker of the Great American Circus explains, "This is a huge, modern day circus, with everything from the best clowns in the business to trapeze artists." Some of the acts featured in this circus are the Montalvo Troupe who shows off their synchronized acrobatic skill on a 30-foot human-powered "Wheel of Death". The circus also pays homage to the late, great American Pop icon Michael Jackson with a performance by entertainer Michael Kiss whose uncanny resemblance and powerful vocals are nothing short of a Thriller.

The Great American Circus has travelled expansively across the US. According to Pacific Daily News in Guam, the show is "a real crowd-pleaser [with] plenty of head-scratching acts that leave you in "how did they do that" amazement" truly a jaw-dropping spectacle!" As the show kicks off its Asian Tour in Manila, aside from the fascinating acts of the show, audiences can engage in a wide-array of activities such as clown face painting and picture-taking with the circus artists during the pre-show and intermission. Also, those who come can visit the delightful concessions and toy and souvenir stands in the venue.

The Great American Circus is being produced by Nicholas Harris Entertainment, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, in partnership with Tropical Productions, Inc., Guam's largest event organizer and concert promoter for nearly 20 years. Nicholas Harris Entertainment also operates the International All Star Circus and Cirque Polynesia at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.