Free circus shows for unemployed

Jan. 31, 2011

Written byDesert Sun staff reports

Circus Vargas is offering unemployed families free admission to weekday performances at Westfield Palm Desert through Feb. 7.
“The economy has hurt so many people lately and has affected our business as well,” said Nelson Quiroga, president of Circus Vargas.
“As a family show, we are very sensitive to the economic situation and how it affects the local communities. We know that many people can’t afford to take their families for entertainment like Circus Vargas so we want to help them,” he said.
More than 10,000 people have been admitted free since Circus Vargas started its unemployment program in 2009, Quiroga said.
The program allows two adults and two children to be admitted.
To receive tickets, bring your layoff notice or stub from an unemployment check to the circus box office the day of the performance.
Circus Vargas shows are being performed at Westfield Palm Desert through Feb. 7.
Weekday performances are at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m. Feb.2-Feb. 4 and 6 p.m. Feb. 7.
Information: (877) 468-3861 or www.circusvargas.com

Animal rights advocates protest circus

http://charlotte.news14.com

Circus Aotearoa coming to town

The Rope Warrior, Michael Armstrong, of Christchurch, dazzles in mid-air, while Nick Name, of Auckland, bases the rope. Photo supplied.
Queenstown Lakes
By James Beech on Fri, 28 Jan 2011
from:http://www.odt.co.nz
A modern New Zealand circus is coming to Queenstown in early February, with tertiary educated performers and no animals on show. Circus Aotearoa announced this week it will raise the big top on Warren Park, Gorge Rd, and entertain Wakatipu audiences from Friday, February 4 to Sunday, February 6.
A cast of eight New Zealand and Australian performers play multiple characters in 15 acts. The line-up for the 90-minute summer spectacular includes aerial acrobatics, swing trapeze, juggling, contortionists, "red-nose and contemporary" clowning and more.
The Raglan-based directors and troupe are venturing to the South Island for the first time on their third tour.
Co-director Paddy Gordon told the Queenstown Times it was a very modern circus, with the cast qualified in the diploma in circus arts, at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.
The days were over of travelling circuses providing the only opportunity for rural communities to see exotic animals, and circuses had to move with the times.
"It's like a theatre version of what our view of the traditional circus is like," Mr Gordon said.
"It's more vaudeville, with banter from the ringmaster and the audience gets to interact with the acts. A little bit of magic and a lot of laughs."
Circus Aotearoa opens in Queenstown, next Friday, at 7.30pm, with performances on Saturday, February 5, at 11am and 7.30pm, and Sunday, February 6, at 2pm.
Tickets start from $17 for adults and from $12 for children, depending on age and seating option. Three-year-olds and under are free.
Tickets are available on site an hour before the show. The box office is cash only.
Group and family discounts are available.

High hopes of successStock Show & Rodeo starts Thursday with new events, exhibits.

Workers dump and spread 2,160 tons of dirt in the ATT Center in preparation for the 2011 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Bob Owen/rowen@express-news.net

By William Packwpack@express-news.net Monday, January 31, 2011
With a sub-freezing arctic front barreling towards San Antonio, it will soon feel about right for the city's winter ritual.
Yep, it's rodeo time in San Antonio, and the 62nd annual edition of that Western tradition has stirred up high hopes before it races out of the gates Thursday.
The roller coaster is about finished, and red dirt has replaced the gleaming court that the San Antonio Spurs call home.
“So far, it looks real good,” said Pam Rew, assistant executive director of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo as preparations for the 18-day celebration of rodeo skills and country culture revved up.
Advance ticket sales are strong, the number of commercial vendors and junior livestock exhibitors have grown and pre-rodeo events produced solid financial support.
“We're planning for a big show,” said Rew. “We're excited.”
Whether that means another record show won't be known for a while and will depend to a great extent on how agreeable the weather is. This week, overnight lows in the 20s are expected, but no showers have been forecast.

Cowboys lead Longhorns on Houston Street toward the Alamo during the Texas Longhorn Cattle Drive in downtown San Antonio.Photo: LISA KRANTZ/lkrantz@express-news.net / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Rodeo attendance, which counts those attending the rodeo in the AT&T Center and those who come to watch the livestock judging and taste the other rodeo offerings outside the arena, has set records the last two years. Last year, attendance fell just short of 1.4 million.
Tom Cannon, who teaches marketing and tourism at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said the popularity of the event stems from several factors: it's a well-managed activity that supports a good cause, education, while rekindling memories of the enduring themes that built the state, Cannon said.
“Cattle and cowboys are synonymous with Texas,” he said. “They come for the mystique and the fun they have.”
The rodeo raised $8.5 million for scholarships and other educational endeavors last year.
Rew said the event also has some new offerings to give people another reason for visiting.
An activity area for children, sponsored by H-E-B, demonstrates through interactive exhibits how food and dairy products go from the farm to grocery stores.
Children and adults might be attracted to a new wildlife and natural resources area where hunting, fishing, kayaking and other outdoor activities will be explored. In addition, a wine garden has been set up for adults to taste winning wine varieties from a competition earlier in the year and to learn about Texas wines.
Wade Shows Inc., which is putting on the carnival, reportedly is bringing in new rides after it recorded three, record-breaking attendance counts in 2010, said rodeo spokeswoman Jenny Nagelmueller.
“There is something for everyone here,” Rew said.
The cost of attendance has not changed this year. Getting on the grounds for the horse shows, livestock judging, commercial exhibitors and other activities costs $7. Tickets to the rodeo itself cost $10 or $25 and include admission to the grounds, a seat for the rodeo competition and the musical performance afterwards.
Sugar Reim, with Circle R Ranch Wear, one of the nearly 700 exhibitors who will be selling goods at the rodeo, said she's ready to get going.
“We've loved San Antonio since the beginning because they loved us,” said Reim, whose firm coordinates Resistol hat sales. “This is Western culture here. This is where people want to come.”
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/High-hopes-of-success-988300.php#ixzz1ChXjZPSH

February 10-21, 2011
www.floridastatefair.com

Billy Martin's Cole All-Star Circus amazes crowds in Oneida

Sunday, January 30, 2011

People watch during the Billy Martin's Cole All-Star Circus on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011, at Oneida High School. The circus was sponsored by the Zonta Club of Oneida.

Photo by JOHN HAEGER A circus performer balances atop a basketball during the Billy Martin's Cole All-Star Circus on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 at Oneida High School. The circus was sponsored by the Zonta Club of Oneida.

Photo by JOHN HAEGER Joanne Wilson performs with her dogs during the Billy Martin's Cole All-Star Circus on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 at Oneida High School. The circus was sponsored by the Zonta Club of Oneida.

Photo by JOHN HAEGER Nine-year-old Vincent performs on a unicycle during the Billy Martin's Cole All-Star Circus on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 at Oneida High School. The circus was sponsored by the Zonta Club of Oneida.

Every detail counts when setting up Cirque

Workers help build the set of the production of Cirque du Soleil, a company out of Quebec, Canada, playing this week at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. January 25, 2011 Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

By Mike Danahey, Jan 30, 2011
Alain Gauthier and Erin Sweeney can tell you from firsthand experience: It takes a lot to bring a modern version of the circus to town. And it might even help to have sports backgrounds to do so.
Gauthier, a former hockey player and coach, is an arena production manager for Cirque du Soleil, one of the world’s most critically and commercially successful entertainment enterprises. He has that role with the tour of the Montreal-based company’s “Dralion,” which ends a four-day run at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates today.

Sweeney, who earned a master’s degree in sports management from Central Michigan University, is event manager at the venue. The Sears Centre contracts out running the venue to Sweeney’s employer, Global Spectrum. Sweeney had served an internship at the Chaifetz Arena (on the campus of Saint Louis University), which also is run by Global Spectrum. That led to a job there, then a move to the Sears Centre last summer.
Coincidentally, the Cirque show comes to Hoffman Estates from St. Louis in a way that Gauthier said is typical of how the company sets up its stops. Usually, there are shows Wednesday through Sunday in a town. Crews take down the elaborate set Sunday evening, and equipment is moved by 18 semitrailers to the next arena or hall, with another truck carrying catering equipment as part of the entourage. Meanwhile, performers and other staff head for the airport for a late-evening flight.

Workers work high above the stadium floor in preparation of Cirque du Soleil playing this week at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. January 25, 2011 Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

The last trucks packed have to be the first ones unloaded at the next performance space. That’s because they contain the rigging and set, which in the case of “Dralion” is quite elaborate.
“The weight of the show is 95,000 pounds,” Gauthier said.

read more at:http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/3503723-417/cirque-soleil-workers-centre-sears.html

FROM INDIA

50 years on, still ‘clowning’ around

January 31st, 2011

DC Correspondent, Bengaluru
Jan. 30: He made people laugh for 50 years with his performances in the circus arena.

Today, the 64-year-old Thulasidas Chaudhary made people emotional by performing to the immortal song, ‘Jeena Yaha, Marna Yaha’.
There’s a lot to learn from the life of this clown, who entertained audiences under the Big Top for almost 5 decades. Mr. Thulasidas started his career with the Great Bombay Circus at the age of 13. After working here for almost 5 decades, he considers the circus his home. For his contribution to the circus fraternity, he was felicitated on Sunday for his achievements.
Pouring his heart out, Thulasidas Chaudhary said: “Even when I really cry, the audience thinks I am just putting on an act to make them laugh. I have my own sorrows, but it is my duty to make others laugh, which I have done successfully for the past 50 years and will continue to do till my last breath
read more at: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/50-years-still-%E2%80%98clowning%E2%80%99-around-993

SUNDAY FUNNIES

BILLY MARTIN'S COLE ALL STAR CIRCUS, 01.29.11 (FROM BARB NOWER)

Hi Dick,
I know you do not know me but I am a cousin of the Pealers. My Maternal Grandmother was Letha Pealers sister.
Went to Billy martins circus last night in Morrisville NY. They have a great show this season. Some great Jugglers as well as the usual performers. Joanne Wilson has a newcomer. A miniature horse named Diablo, Billy calls him Marty. He is a dear little animal. Cute and does his job well. I especially love horses so I had a good time with him. In a separate email I will send you some pictures I took last night. Some are not too good as it is hard to get good ones with a regular camera due to the lighting. Was able to get some fair ones of Joanne in the dressing room .
I hope you receive the pictures. When I typed in your name the email address seemed different. So if you do not receive any pictures email me back and I’ll try again. Enjoy! Barb Nower

ZALLEE BROS CIRCUS, 1946, FROM BILL PRICKETT

At the age of 12, I met Paul Zallee when he opened a circus in May, 1946, in Pekin, Il., our hometown. In previous years, Paul had performed in minstrial shows and tent shows. In the following years,I saw him in numerous holiday shows and charity events, where he played the Musical Bottles, juggled, performed magic tricks, etc. Many times, my Dad and I, played in the small orchestras that were also appearing for these events. Many area individuals consulted Paul over the years on clown makeup and juggling tips. In later years, Paul was the operator that raised and lower the bridge across the Il. river at Pekin. Fred Paul Sallee (Paul Zallee or Crazy Paul) died in Pekin at age of ninety one. (written by Bill Prickett)

WTTG FOX 5 Washington, DC
May. 11, 2010

MORE HUGO PICTURES FROM 1947-48, LIFE MAGAZINE

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Pratt's was a local chain of grocery stores owned by

Conrad Pratt's Dad.

to be continued!

Circus is not like herding cats; it is herding cats

BY DIANE TOROIAN KEAGGY • www.STLtoday.com

January 30, 2011

The cat circus business makes for a decent living but a terrible social life. Since starting the Amazing Acro-Cat Circus, Chicago animal trainer Samantha Martin can't get a date.
"It's killed my social life," said Martin, who lives in a three-story house with about 100 pets. "Most guys think a single woman with more than two cats is a whole boatload of crazy. If I have a date, I don't want him to come to the house. I want to meet him at the corner."
Martin is bringing 15 cats plus some rats, chickens and a groundhog to 2720 Cherokee for a two-night stand. Typically a nightclub, 2720 Cherokee welcomes families for this show.
Martin's animals play music, walk the tightrope, balance on basketballs and eat fire. OK, not the fire part. But Martin believes any cat can be trained to do almost anything. She motivates her cats with a clicker and lightly seared tuna, still pink on the inside.
"Dogs are a little more willing to work for praise, while cats are shrewder negotiators," she said. "They want their favorite food. But they really are brilliant. They quickly realize that a little noise will earn them a reward. Once they catch on, they love it. It enhances the bond between us and our cats, gives us a common language."
Martin started teaching her cats tricks as a way to keep her cats' brains sharp between advertising and acting jobs. (Two of her cats soon will appear in a Tidy Cat ad.) Soon she was taking the show on the road in a 33-foot-long RV. Almost all of her pets are stray or rescue animals; she's fostered about 100 cats in the past two years.
"The challenging part is getting them to perform in front of a live crowd in a strange place," Martin said. "They can get distracted. High heels, clowns, squeaking doors — there a lot of things that will blow up a show, but that becomes part of the fun."
read more at:http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/article_e7cbfb02-2f97-565a-9fd3-87250c39ce02.html

Northwest News: Will consumers stick to their frugal ways?; county fairs threatened by budget cuts

Saturday, January 29, 2011, By The Oregonian

The future of dozens of county fairs in Washington are in peril, this morning's Seattle Times reports. The state's budget for fairs may get the axe and many say they won't survive.
The state typically allocates $2 million annually to a fair fund the state Department of Agriculture disburses to about 70 county, community and youth fairs across Washington.
The governor has proposed suspending the fair fund for the current fiscal year and reducing it to $500,000 for each of the next two years. The supplemental budget approved by the House on Monday would cut the fund to $550,000 for the current fiscal year and eliminate it for the next biennium.
A final decision on fair funding will be made later as the House and Senate hash out their budget plans.
Grays Harbor is one of almost 30 fairs that indicated they probably wouldn't survive if state funding is eliminated, according to a survey released this month by the Washington State Fairs Association.