Grant helps restore damaged Barnum circus posters

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded nine “Save America’s Treasures” grants. The Bridgeport History Center at the Bridgeport Public Library received $26,703 for preservation, conservation and digitization of the History Center’s collection of 47 Barnum and London circus posters. Photo: Contributed Photo / Connecticut Post Contributed

Katheryn Sillo, Staff WriterSunday,
April 24, 2011
BRIDGEPORT -- Barnum circus posters, which date to the late 19th century, will be restored and digitized thanks to a grant awarded to the Bridgeport History Center.
As one of this year's "Save America's Treasures" grant recipients, Bridgeport received $26,703 from The Institute of Museum and Library Services to restore its collection of 47 Barnum and London circus posters.
"These posters are amazing," said Mary Witkowski, Bridgeport city historian and head of the Bridgeport History Center.
"They show a lot of the culture from the time. They are really essential. Bridgeport isn't just Bridgeport. There is so much more of a national significance here."
Bridgeport is the historic home of showman and one-time mayor P.T. Barnum as well as the site of the original winter quarters of the Barnum & Bailey Circus.
The winter quarters were located where Went Field now stands.
Witkowski said receiving the grant money is an honor. "The award touches the community's heart more so when one realizes that this year, 2011, marks the 175th anniversary of the City of Bridgeport," she said.
Elizabeth Van Tuyl, assistant librarian and archivist, said the posters require treatment from professional paper conservators. The posters are being restored by the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, Mass.
"We chose this conservation center because it is well established with a good reputation," she said.
"This center will do a good job in maintaining the integrity and history of these items."
After being treated, the posters will then be professionally photographed for the library's use and other website and catalog use for the public. Van Tuyl said the work could take up to a year to complete.
According to Witkowski, half of the cost comes from the grant and the other half has to be matched by the grant recipient.
The library has been raising funds for the restoration effort.
"We share our artifacts with the rest of the world,'' she said.
"Digitizing the posters will allow us to continue to collaborate with institutions across the globe."Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/default/article/Grant-helps-restore-damaged-Barnum-circus-posters-1350699.php#ixzz1KWzqx1YT

Big Apple Circus Presents the Havin' a Ball Tour! From the Big Top to the Ballpark!

Jenny Vidbel

Big Apple Circus presents four special circus spectaculars, July 13-19, at ball parks in Rochester & Syracuse, NY; Eastlake, OH and Lancaster PA.
Glen Ridge, NJ (PRWEB) April 25, 2011
For the very first time ever, the renowned Big Apple Circus presents the world's greatest circus artists under the stars in the Havin' a Ball Tour! From the Big Top to the Ball Park!

The Big Apple Circus All-Star line-up of performers from all over the globe will take the field in these spectacular circus shows specially produced for minor league ballparks. Unlike traditional circus presentations, the Havin' a Ball Tour will feature the circus ring positioned right at home plate, offering a truly unique entertainment experience. With a genuine ringmaster, a full–size live band, and much more, there will be thrills and excitement aplenty for children of all ages at the ball park— when the Big Apple Circus comes to town!
The incredible line-up of circus stars includes a mind–bending quintet of Mongolian contortionists, the cavorting canine troupe of American trainer Jenny Vidbel, a phenomenal hand–balancing act by Bulgarian–born Andrey Mantchev, the awesome artistry of the Wuqiao Acrobats from China, performing their powerful “One Dream” lasso act, juggling, aerial silks and the Big Apple Circus's very own star clown, Grandma!
“For over 30 years the Big Apple Circus has toured the world, with visits to major US cities including our annual record–shattering holiday performances under the Big Top at New York City's famed Lincoln Center,” states Big Apple Circus Artistic Director Guillaume Dufresnoy. “We couldn't be more excited about bringing our distinctive style to these unique settings, allowing a whole new audience to marvel at our extremely talented performers. We've got lots of surprises planned and we can't wait for our turn at bat!”
The Tour
The tour kicks off on Wednesday, July 13 at the Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse, home of the Syracuse Chiefs. Next stop: Frontier Field in Rochester, home of the Red Wings, on Friday, July 15; then Classic Field in Eastlake, OH, home of the Lake County Captains, on Sunday, July 17; and finally Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, PA, home of the Barnstormers, on Tuesday, July 19.Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/11/04/p1027382/big-apple-circus-presents-the-havin-a-ball-tour-from-the-big-top-to-th#ixzz1KX0PJ3tj

Canvas company softens circus blow

KAY BLUNDELL from stuff.co.nz

PHIL REID/The Dominion Post

DARING DO: Trapeze artist Freddy Osler-Weppenaar dives on to an inflated 'crash bed' at Canvasland in Levin.
Canvasland Levin is coming to the aid of Cirque du Soleil in Japan by manufacturing a trapeze-landing cushion for emergency landings during earthquake aftershocks.
The show, entitled Zed, has been running in Tokyo but was postponed when the large quake hit. Opening again this month, it ordered a $15,000 high performance trapeze cushion from Canvasland so the act could resume.
Canvasland had one week to manufacture the 12m x 5m nylon "crushed cushion" safety device. Patented by former trapeze artist Freddy Osler-Weppenaar of Paihia, it features an air mattress base with air-inflated tongs or fingers which catch fallen trapeze artists without allowing them to bounce off.
Canvasland marketing manager Jason Young said the concept was developed over several years and was attractive to the entertainment company. "Cirque du Soleil were concerned people on the trapeze might fall during an aftershock – they wanted extra safety," he said.
It was the second safety cushion Canvasland had made for the company.
Unlike traditional catchers in which people have to fall on their front or back, the Canvasland safety device allows people to fall in any position without risking injury.
"We have made some refinements. Given the way business is at the moment it is a harder game to play in manufacturing and you have to think outside the square, at global markets for opportunities. This is one of them," he said.
Mr Osler-Weppenaar said the show had been unable to reinstate its high-wire act because of the risk of falling during a tremor or aftershock. "We are their knight in shining armour. It had to be rushed out to Tokyo for the act to continue."
To test the cushion, he plunged from the top of two-storey building on to the cushioned pad. "It was wonderfully soft. If you land on the outer edge of an ordinary big inflatable stunt bag you can bounce off and kill yourself."

Freshing up the act

Show opens today at 109th Armory

A tiger sits in its cage Sunday evening at the 109th Field Artillery Armory in Wilkes-Barre.

April 25,2011

WILKES-BARRE -- The bleachers are up and the rings are in place for this week’s Annual Shriners’ Circus at the 109th Field Artillery Armory on Market Street.
All of the final tweaks and adjustments were being conducted over the weekend for what the Shriners and circus operator Hamid Circus hope will be another successful show.
Circus owner and operator Jim Hamid said as much as 95 percent of this year’s show will be completely different from last year’s.
“We love coming down to Wilkes-Barre for the show,” he said. “We try to bring in as many new acts as we can every year.”
This year’s circus will therefore feature a brand new elephant show. Last year’s show was marked by tragedy as animal groomer Andrew Anderton was trampled to death by an elephant.
Hamid lamented Anderton’s death, but pointed out that this type of mortal accident is “extremely rare” within the industry. He said it was the first fatality that he had experienced since he started in the circus business in 1970.

Victor Flores practices with his motorcycle inside the ’Globe of Death’ Sunday evening at the 109th Field Artillery Armory in Wilkes-Barre.
Safety has thus taken on an even greater emphasis for this year’s show.
Despite the enthusiasm that the Shriners and Hamid Circus has shown for this year’s event, there are a few in the area who have not been so eager to have the circus return.
Members of the animal rights group Voice of the Animals will join local concerned citizens to protest the circus. Chief among the animal rights groups’ complaints is the housing of the animals that perform during the circus.
Silvie Pomicter, president of Voice of the Animals, pointed to natural freedom and large living spaces of tigers and elephants in the wild as examples of the ways that her group feels animals should be treated.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Marketing Coordinator Ashley Palmer concurred with Pomicter’s view, pointing out elephants in the wild forge life-long relationships and walk up to 13 miles each day.
“There’s simply no way a circus or a zoo could replicate that type of environment,” she said.
PETA said it also takes issue with the ways in which the animals in the circus are trained.
“Animals would not naturally ride bicycles or jump through hoops of fire,” Palmer said. “The only way to train animals to behave like that is to use fear and intimidation through the threat of violence.”
Palmer acknowledged circuses have long been seen as a great source of entertainment for the entire family.
“Children have a natural affinity for animals, but if they knew how the animals were treated they would be kicking and screaming to get away from the circus,” Palmer said.
This year’s Shriners’ Circus is set to kick off with an afternoon show at 1:30 today with an evening show at 7:15.
Animal rights group protests will coincide with those performances.

Circus brings more than 9,000 to Show Me Center for six shows

Elephants take the stage during the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which performed six shows over the weekend at the Show Me Center.(Fred Lynch)
Monday, April 25, 2011
By Erin Hevern ~ Southeast Missourian
A mixture of comedy, magic, musical and daring acts with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus charmed crowds at six different shows at the Show Me Center this weekend, drawing 9,314 to the venue on the Southeast Missouri State University campus. Shannon Buford, marketing director for the Show Me Center, said it was an entertaining weekend.
"It's live, so not every show is the same," Buford said.
"Zing Zang Zoom -- Gold Edition," drew crowds of all ages, but Sunday's show was made up mostly of families and young children.
James Nance of Sikeston, Mo., and his three children -- Victoria, Remington and Austin -- got their tickets to the circus three months in advance. They celebrated the Easter holiday Saturday to make it to the 3 p.m. show Sunday.
"My favorite part was when they hung from the high wire," said Victoria, as she ripped open her bag of cotton candy during intermission.
The show featured Ramon Esqueda and his Asian elephants -- Susie, Bonnie and Mini -- magician David DaVinci and his rare collection of birds, and Hans Klose, whose 10 dogs performed tricks in the show's first 60-minute half.
Khristine Hussein of Jackson said the animals dazzled her 20-month-old daughter, Laila.
"She loves animals so much, they've kept her content the whole show," said Hussein, who with her husband and three other children attended their first circus at the Show Me Center.
Five-year-old Sami and 7-year-old Amina enjoyed meeting Susie the elephant at the preshow Sunday, although debated during the intermission whether the pachyderm was a boy or a girl.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey show also featured performers who hung by their hair more than 30 feet in the air, a family who rode motorcycles a high speeds in a steel globe and trapeze artists who rode their own motorcycle along a high wire.
Hussein said overall, the show was child-friendly and she was happy to be spending the holiday with her whole family.
"It's some way to celebrate and be together on Easter because we couldn't be [in Chicago] with our whole family," she said.
ehevern@semissourian.com

AT THE DELTAPLEX,

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Show Times: 4:30pm & 7:30pm
Piccadilly Circus is celebrating 25 years of entertaining families across America and has pulled out all the stops to make this year's edition the greatest! Darling aerialists, Elephant Extravaganza, the Boxing Kangaroo, Motorcycle Madness, Outstanding Acrobats and the World's Funniest Clowns!
Plus during intermission there will be elephant and pony rides along with a Kid's Fun Zone!

Vanishing act: Three Coney Island Sideshow performers show us their favorite spots on the Boardwalk

Bachner for News

Stephanie Torres is a snake charmer and contortionist who was discovered in 1997

BY Gina Salamone DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Sunday, April 24th 2011,

Putting the freak factor back in fun, the Coney Island Circus Sideshow is now open for the summer. This year is bittersweet for the performers, who range from sword swallowers to snake charmers, as it's the final season for some of their favorite spots on the Boardwalk.
While the Sideshow is safe in its Surf Ave. location, many of the bars and grills a block away have to leave to make room for redevelopment. Known as the "Coney Island 8," the mom-and-pop businesses fought to return for one last summer, but have to be out by November.
The Sideshow, run by Dick Zigun, was once housed on the Boardwalk. "If we hadn't moved, we'd be part of the ‘Coney Island 9,' " he says.
While he'd be sad to see the businesses go, he's hoping they'll reopen nearby.
"We just moved down the block, relocated, and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we ended up thriving there and bought the building," Zigun says. "So you can relocate and do fine.
"I'm hoping some of these businesses, when they shut down on the Boardwalk in November, don't disappear from Coney Island — that they move to Surf Ave.," he adds.
In the meantime, he and his employees will enjoy them on the Boardwalk this summer.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/04/24/2011-04-24_vanishing_act_three_coney_island_sideshow_performers_show_us_their_favorite_spot.html#ixzz1KQvoAtvx

Cirque du Soleil's 'Dralion' brings avant-garde acrobatics, Chinese tradition to Resch

“Dralion’’ distinguishes itself from the large stable of long-running Cirque du Soleil shows with its precision focus on the 3,000-year-old Chinese acrobatic tradition, elaborately dressed up with all the over-the-top trimmings of theatrics, a band, choreography and clowning. / Submitted photo

Apr. 22, 2011

Written by KENDRA MEINERT

If you want to make a Cirque du Soleil artistic director squirm, just put him on the spot by asking him to name a favorite act in his show.
Keep in mind that show – “Dralion’’ -- is from the Canadian performance troupe literally known the world over for creating avant-garde visual feasts of circus arts that have become an entertainment genre onto themselves.

“This is like asking a father which is his favorite child,’’ said Sean McKeown, breaking into laughter during a call from a “Dralion’’ tour stop in Moline, Ill. “They’re all amazing for all kinds of reasons. For sure there are some acts that have that lasting wow impact on people. There’s no doubt about it. We’re known for that. In this show, we have quite a few.’’
Such as …
In true Cirque fashion, McKeown manages an amazing feat of his own – walking the tightrope of answering the original question without actually answering it himself.
Instead, he defers to a recent TV interview he did in which the weatherman commented to him, “My God, that girl, the contortionist, the hand balancer? She is a-mazing.’’’
“Dralion’’ (rhymes with “scallion’’) distinguishes itself from the large stable of long-running Cirque shows – everything from the underwater “O,’’ the Beatles-inspired “Love,’’ “Mystere’’ and “Alegria’’ – with its precision focus on the 3,000-year-old Chinese acrobatic tradition, elaborately dressed up with all the over-the-top trimmings of theatrics, a band, choreography and clowning.read more at:http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110424/GPG0506/110422124/Cirque-s-Dralion-promises-visual-feast

Harry Houdini exhibit to appear at Skirball Cultural Center

This is the first major art show to explore the showman. Props and devices from all of Houdini's major tricks are on hand. The exhibit will include contemporary art inspired by the escape artist.

Studio photograph of Harry Houdini in white trunks and chains, circa 1905.

(Skirball Cultural Center)

By Barbara Isenberg, Special to the Los Angeles Times

April 24, 2011

Reporting from New York —— Ehrich Weiss, the Budapest-born son of an immigrant family, ran away from home at 12 to join the circus. Not the least bit interested in becoming a rabbi like his father, he wanted to be an entertainer.
Although Weiss was already an accomplished trapeze artist in a neighborhood circus, he soon turned around and headed back home. But it was only a matter of time before the whole world knew who he was. Reinventing himself as Harry Houdini, the rabbi's son became a celebrity as an escape artist, and, by the time of his death in 1926 — on Halloween — a legend.
Handcuffed, chained, manacled, put in a straitjacket or locked within small containers, the nimble Houdini was dropped into water, dangled in the air and even stuffed into a coffin and buried. A master of marketing, he often performed for free in front of newspaper offices to enormous crowds — and newspaper photographers — on the eve of his paid performances.
He would even hire his own cameramen to film his escapes for use in his lectures, says art curator Brooke Kamin Rapaport.
"In his day, Houdini was so famous not only because he was a master showman on stage but also because he was able to promote his work to a broad public," says Rapaport. "His significance endures because of the visual record — the posters, photographs, film and magic apparatus — that we have today."read more at:http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-houdini-20110424,0,2265092.story

An elephant in the room
Posted Thursday, April 21, 2011
from: www.semissourian.com
I smell, and there's elephant snot on my shoe.
In what profession is that a normal Thursday observation? Journalism, apparently. The circus is in town and reporter Erin Hevern, photographer Laura Simon and I headed over to the Show Me Center for a behind-the-scenes chat with the veterinarian, elephant trainer and dog trainer on tour with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. (find showtimes here)

The three female Asian elephants greeted us with synchronized head sways and lots of curiosity.

Most of the movements and "tricks" performed in the show are natural movements an elephant does in the wild, like lying down or standing on its hind legs to reach foliage, according to Ramon Esqueda, the elephant trainer.

Ramon has been working with elephants for 36 years. His work has included zoos, movies and the circus. He's been with these three in the circus for four years.

I took a video camera with hopes that he could demonstrate a few orders and I could get the resulting dazzling elephant action on tape for you all. No chance.

"Only during the shows," the show's publicist Jillian Collett told me sternly.

But the girls were definitely putting on a show as you'll see in this first short clip of two of them hamming it up for Laura while she took photos.



Evidently, the way to an elephant's heart is through its foot. Elephants learn people and each other through smelling the feet, which explains the glop of nose goop on my shoe. One way elephants communicate is through stomping on the ground or by feeling vibrations. Jessica, the veterinarian said they look to the pachyderms' feet to watch for vitamin deficiencies or any injuries.
Here, Ramon tells more about the three Asian ladies.

Circus Pages comes to Knoxville

50-year-old group entertains at Knox County Fairgrounds

NICK ADAMS/The Register-Mail.

Circus Pages performers Kayla Earhart, 8, rides an performing elephant Daisy on Thursday evening as a part of the circus show at the Knox County Fairgrounds.

By CHRIS ESSIG The Register-Mail

Apr 22, 2011

KNOXVILLE — For the Pages, the circus is a family affair.
Originating in Cuba in the 1960s, three generations of Pages have performed tricks and stunts in front of live audiences across the country. The latest incarnation of Circus Pages made its way to Knoxville on Thursday.
“It’s not your typical 9 to 5 job,” said family member James Earhart, who lives in Florida. “I couldn’t stamp metal pieces at a factory.”
During the show, Earhart juggled flames and directed trick-performing dogs. But the act was nothing new for Earhart, who’s been juggling for 20 years. He started in part because the hobby was cost effective.
Since then, he’s spent countless hours juggling whatever he could get his hands on. With that kind of commitment, Earhart noted he could have “learned the guitar and been a rock star.”
“I used get in trouble for juggling,” he said.
Earhart’s daughter Kayla, 8, and son James, 10, were also a part of the act. To cope with being on the road for most of the year, the family has a teacher with them 24 hours a day.

NICK ADAMS/The Register-Mail.

Colleen Pages handles a lion on Thursday night during the opening act at the Knox County Fairgrounds. Likewise, 20-year-old Colleen Pages grew up in the circus. She now handles exotic animals and swings high above awe-inspired onlookers.
“I’ve done a lot in my 20 years that most people haven’t done,” she said.
On Thursday, Colleen directed lions and tigers to walk in circles, stand on small benches and sit on themselves. Each of them weigh between 350 and 550 pounds.
She admits she’s sometimes fearful when handling animals much larger than she is. But she never gives the animal any hint she’s afraid.
“I call the white lion my baby,” she said. “But there are days when he doesn’t want to work.”
Colleen is following in the footsteps of her mother Freida Pages, who started riding elephants at age 10. She also handles camels and horses, noting the camels are much quicker to pick up on the tricks than the horses are.
Pages spends “a couple of hours a day” training the animals. She notes that most people underestimate how hard it is to get the animals to perform even the most basic of tricks.
“When you have to do it, it’s a different story,” she said.
She also trains tigers. But her favorite animal remains the elephant, a beast she has been performing with for most of her life.
“It’s like being married,” she said. “They have to come first every day.”

Water - lots and lots of water - for elephants

AP Photo/The News & Observer,

Chris Seward Elephant trainer and handler John Walker III washes down his elephants Viola, center, and Nina, before a Cole Bros. Circus show at the Fairgrounds in Raleigh, N.C., on Friday, April 22, 2011. Viola weighs about 10,000 pounds., and Nina about 7,000 pounds. The circus has three shows Saturday and two shows Sunday.
A clean elephant is a happy elephant, and a happy elephant is a crowd-pleasing elephant. So trainer John Walker III washes down Viola, foreground, and Nina, before a Cole Bros. Circus show in Raleigh, N.C. Viola indeed seemed happy Friday

Picadilly Circus to come to Bay County Civic Arena next Tuesday

April 22, 2011

By Cole Bertsos The Bay City Times

BAY CITY, MI — The Piccadilly Circus is putting on two performances at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. this Tuesday at the Bay County Civic Arena, 4231 Shrestha Drive, in Bay City, MI.
The show will feature the Elephant Extravaganza, Motorcycle Madness with daredevils on bikes, contortionists, clowns and a 250 lb. kangaroo named Rocky. The show is suggested for all ages.
Tickets for the event are $28 for adult general admission, but are buy one, get one free for a limited time online here. Children less than 13 years old are able to get in for free when you print out your receipt and bring it with you.

Poster symposium peers at circus culture

Charles Livingston Bull, 1874-1932, Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows: "Leaping Tiger," The Strobridge Lithographing Company, 1915-28, color lithograph poster, Cincinnati Art Museum, Gift of The Strobridge Lithographing Company. Part of the exhibition The Amazing American Circus Poster at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Apr. 22, 2011

from cincinnati.com

A cast of circus experts will be in Cincinnati on May 1 for a day of lectures on the circus and circus poster history and their influence on American culture. The Circus Poster Symposium will be noon-5:30 p.m. at the Cincinnati Art Museum in Eden Park. The symposium coincides with the exhibit The American Circus Poster, at the museum through July 10.
Topics include: The American Circus: An Overview, with Fred Pfening III, managing editor of Bandwagon, the Journal of the Circus Historical Society; The Strobridge Lithographing Company: The Tiffany of Printers, with Kristin Spangenberg, curator of prints, Cincinnati Art Museum; The Art of the Circus Spectacle, with Jennifer Lemmer Posey, assistant curator of the Circus Museum - The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Fla.
Other topics: The Female Hercules, the Bearded Woman, and the Lady Dainty: Presenting a Pantheon of "New Women" at the American Circus, 1880-1920, with Janet M. Davis, associate professor of American Studies, History and Women's and Gender Studies, University of Texas at Austin.
Admission $10, $5 students and seniors. Reservations recommended. Parking free with ticket. For reservations and information: 513-721-2787; www.cincinnatiartmuseum

Circus brings magic to town

Fandango performs their high wire act during the Carson and Barnes Circus at the Kings Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon. (Gary Feinstein/The Sentinel)

April 23, 2011

The 74th edition of the Carson & Barnes Circus brought almost 100 performers and animals to Hanford's Kings Fairgrounds Friday.
Carson & Barnes started setting up shortly after dawn, transforming the fairgrounds into "Circus City USA."
Performing artists hail from around the world, including Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Russia and Italy. Acts included aerial trapeze, high wire, motorcycle acrobatic teams, jugglers and clowns, along with performing elephants, camels, dogs and horses.
A portion of the tickets sold benefited Fresno's Tehran Shrine Temple, which helps support Shriners Hospitals nationwide.

The Carson and Barnes Circus starts its first show of the day at the Kings Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon. (Gary Feinstein/The Sentinel)

Workmen tend to lifting the main tent for the Carson and Barnes Circus for two shows at the Kings Fairgrounds on Friday evening. (Gary Feinstein/The Sentinel)

Workmen carry plastic sheeting for the main tent in preparation for the two Carson and Barnes Circus shows at the Kings Fairgrounds on Friday night. (Gary Feinstein/The Sentinel)

Diana Cruz feeds a llama at the petting zoo before entering the big top tent for the Carson and Barnes Circus at the Kings Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon. (Gary Feinstein/The Sentinel)

Matt Lemay of Hanford performs in a tennis skit with Alex Acero of the Carson and Barnes Circus at the Kings Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon. (Gary Feinstein/The Sentinel)