A day at the circus!

Express News Service , The New Indian Express

Feb 14, 2012

As you enter the dingy Moore Market area to reach The Great Bombay Circus, you witness an omnipresent sense of doom all around. The parking lot is empty, not counting the circus vehicles, the big, colourful tent has lost its sheen over the years and even the supposed-to-be glittering logo within the tent looks like it’s straight from a low-budget Bollywood film. The Great Bombay Circus is definitely not what it used to be a couple of years ago.It is easy to get comfortable in the red plastic chairs with the hope that the acts are going to compensate for what the eyes have just seen. But as the show begins, the hope takes a mild beating. The clowns are visibly grumpy, yelling out their insignificant jokes in vain. ��However, the animal acts were pretty impressive, with the dogs performing fancy balancing routines and the elephant having a ball with his cricket bat. As the acts roll by and the damp dung stench is replaced (to an extent) by a freshly-popped, warm popcorn smell, it was hard not to lose focus. But this was good in a way because the few acts that did make you sit up did their jobs more than just well.Artiste Pooja with her hoola hoops was a delight to watch. No doubt, she was one of the few performers who looked like they took a certain pride in their routines and performed with a touch of showmanship. A natural charmer, she was!The two young dancers on the flying ring made everyone feel bad about the state of their own bodies, as they blithely slid off, climbed up and down and even danced on top of the ring with immense flexibility. The Kenyan performers were hands down the best in the business. Their strength, agility and the complexity of their routine were not the only strong points. What made them click were the uncanny charm they had, their wide grins and dance moves. They were a delight to watch. �The Russian girls showed ample skin and were definitely a pretty sight. Even their skills and tricks with fire, nails and broken pieces of glass were impressive, but they do make you cringe in slight fear (which can be good). The rest of the acts, minus a few young male gymnasts, the jugglers and the dancers, were easy to forget.With over 300 people to feed each day for the three months that they are in the city, how does the management make ends meet? Pradeep Kumar, the manager, says, “Only on weekday afternoons, we have less crowds. But on weekends and in the evenings, we have full houses,” he reveals. “Each aspect of the circus is taken care of and handled by a different department, so everything goes well.”Pradeep’s words definitely do not match the circus experience, but there definitely remains a certain rustic charm to the whole affair. Childhood memories and fears come rushing back with each familiar routine. And it is definitely something that needs to be passed on to each generation, maybe even an effective distraction from Facebook!

The Monday After: Stark couple's circus love story

This lift was in the large repertoire of William and Eva Loos when they performed together in a circus act.

By Gary Brown

CantonRep.com staff writer

Feb 13, 2012

The late William and Eva Loos of Alliance found love to be like a circus act. Actually, it was a circus act — performed in tents throughout North America, Central America, South America and the British West Indies.
A yellowed clipping from a 1922 Buenos Aires newspaper explains their “iron jaw” and “slack wire” act in these words:
“Mr. Loos and his lady partner perform all kinds of different stunts upon a slack wire which is held all the time in the teeth of Mr. Loos and, when his lady presents the finish of her act in which her body revolves at the rate of 160 revolutions a minute, there is a strain upon the teeth of Mr. Loos which represents the weight of several full-grown persons.”
That, indeed, is love.
And as Valentine’s Day approaches, it is appropriate, perhaps, to recall the interesting start to the relationship of these two circus performers.
LOVING A PARADE
The Canton-born William Loos and Eva Dannenburg of Schenectady, N.Y., met in a circus parade in Birmingham, Texas.
“We paid no attention to each other when we first met,” said Eva Loos in a story published in The Repository in December 1961, recognizing their 50th anniversary. “But we soon realized that if we were together, everything was fine, and we’ve felt that way ever since.”
The two became engaged when the circus reached Paw Paw, Mich. Then, on Dec. 22, 1911, when the circus was in Mayo, Fla., they were married, with the ceremony and reception attended by “100 carnival and city officials,” the 1961 article noted.
“Our romance was not smooth. The Sanger Circus, with whom we were traveling, was a pretty famous outfit in those days,” Eva Loos recalled for the Repository reporter who wrote the article. “They had a strict rule against their performers fraternizing, and every time my husband was caught talking to me, he was fined $5.”
They talked much. The tally of fines mounted. Mrs. Loos left the Sanger operation and joined a Florida carnival. Her husband was reunited with her when his contract with the circus ended.
GETTING A START
Eva Loos had begun performing with a circus when she was 17, the article noted.
“She answered a Schenectady newspaper advertisement in 1904 and was hired to lecture on a circus personality,” the article reported. “As the show traveled across the country, fellow performers took an interest in her and taught her a dance routine. She soon had an act of her own.

”READ MORE AT:http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x2112942879/The-Monday-After-Stark-couples-circus-love-story

The Greatest Show On Earth Comes To St. Augustine’s Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

on Feb 14 2012

“HELLZAPOPPIN” TO PERFORM AT THE ORIGINAL RIPLEY’S IN ST. AUGUSTINE SATURDAY

Get ready to travel back in time this Saturday February 18 as the outrageous stage antics of “Hellzapoppin” come to the original Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in St. Augustine, FL. This vaudeville freak show of extreme stunts and dark humor recalls the 1920’s heyday of circus sideshows with a mix of modern and traditional performances — including the most famous living sideshow performer, Zamora the Torture King. All performances will be free to the public.Zamora hits the stage at 12 noon as he presents various death defying stunts, including lying on a bed of razor sharp swords while a giant brick is crushed on his chest by a sledge hammer. He’ll be joined by burlesque dancers, fire-eaters, and the infamous sword-swallower from New Orleans, Miss Chelsea.
Hellzapoppin’s performers have been featured on rock tours and festivals all over the U.S. and Europe, including OZZfest, the Warped Tour, and Lollapalooza.
For more information, please contact Kim Kiff by calling (904) 824-1606, (904) 624-9349, or by emailing kkiff@ripleys.com.

Yankee Doodle Circus is Coming to Old Bridge

As an Alumni of Old Bridge, Cedar Ridge High School Class of 1985, Circus comic, Patrick Cashin, returns to the neighborhood with fun and giggles straight from a tour with Ringling Brothers.

Maggie Naughton

Feb. 2, 2012

The Yankee Doodle Circus is coming to Old Bridge High School. Performances will be Sunday, February 26th at 12:45pm, 3:15pm, and 5:30pm at the Old Bridge High School Gym.

Free tickets for children under 14, available with advance purchase of an adult ticket.

Tickets available online at: GetCircusTickets.com.

A limited number of $5.00 off Advance Sale Adult Tickets are available for just $17.00.

At the door adult tickets are $22.00 and $15.00 for children under 14 years

.The all-new 2012 edition of the Yankee Doodle Circus features world-class performers from the United States and Europe.Children of All Ages will watch in amazement at the sparkling spinning hula hoops of Elena, the National Champion who twirls 31 hoops at one time.

The Golden Girls of Magic, Trudy, Elfie and Honey wow the audience at every show with their Las Vegas style magic and illusions.

Father and son acrobatic duo, Alex and Alex, practiced their routine for 2 hours a day for 3 years before their debut with the world acclaimed Moscow Circus. This is their first American tour.

As an Alumni of Old Bridge, Cedar Ridge High School Class of 1985, Circus comic, Patrick Cashin, returns to the neighborhood with fun and giggles straight from a tour with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

The Fancy Poodles of Paris show off the latest styles with their International Fashion Show.Were the kid-friendly circus because the children will be entertained without being overwhelmed. says Mike Naughton, circus director.

The show was produced to entertain every member of the family, from the toddlers to the grandparents and everyone in between.Additional information at GetCircusTickets.com.

Fair Day for Hillsborough County students
From TBO.com

WICHITA SHRINE CIRCUS FOTOS

(Continued from Sunday)

PART III

WHICITA SHRINE CIRCUS

PART IV

"ALL OUT AND OVER!"

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil

Uploaded by cirquelasvegas on Feb 17, 2011
Trailer for La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, performing at Walt Disney World Resort in Flordia. For more info, visit: http://cirquedusoleil.com/lanouba

Yankee Doodle Circus in Holbrook MA

From: 365thingssouthshore.com
“Yankee Doodle Circus has won many awards for a family circus. They have pony rides and mini-trapeze artists. The poodles are always a big hit. There are quite a few talented puppies and dogs.”The circus is very interactive. They will have the kids come right down on the floor. They have a lot of kids helping.
Yankee Doodle Circus will arrive in Holbrook on Saturday, February18, performing three shows at the high school gym at 1pm , 4pm and 7 p.m.Proceeds from the circus will enable the parents group for activities such as the annual $250 scholarship for a graduating Holbrook High senior (the group hopes to establish a second scholarship), purchasing SmartBoard technology for classrooms, supplying lab equipment for science, and bringing academic enrichment programs to Holbrook.
Ticket presales are important. For presales, 25 percent is donated to the parents group. For ticket sales at the door, 10 percent is donated. One adult ticket is $17, and the price includes two free children’s tickets. Individual children and adult tickets are also available. Door prices are much higher.

Big-top circus rolls into town

The Netherlands National Circus hits town. Picture by Neil Silk 120648a

From: scarborougheveningnews.co.uk

12 Feb. 2012

ROLL up, roll up, the big top is in town.

The Netherlands National Circus has pitched up in Scarborough for the first time ever.
The 900-seater big top, and its blue illuminations, can be seen across the town from its base in Burniston Road car park.
Last night the curtain went up for the first time as audiences enjoyed thrilling flying trapeze, daring springboard acrobats, unicycles, magical illusions, whimsical comedy, hilarious clowns and an orchestra.
The first show saw money raised for St Catherine’s Hospice.Performers won’t have a chance to get cold as they take to the stage again today at 2.30pm, followed by another show this evening at 7.30pm.
The circus was established in 1948, and has gone on to receive great reviews from across the globe.
The Stage called it “slick and stylish”, while the Edinburgh Evening News said it has “something for everyone, providing a great night out; the kids loved it.”

The Aberdeen Evening Express reviewer said: “The best critics are children and mine loved it.”
Further performances will be showing 1pm and 4pm tomorrow, and 2.30pm and 7.30pm Monday to Friday, with the last day Saturday February 18, when shows will start at 1pm and 4pm

New show at Busch Gardens
from: TBO.com

2012 Florida State Fair highlights - rides, foods, animals, crafts,

Uploaded by AttractionsMagazine on Feb 11, 2012
A quick look at some of the highlights of the 2012 Florida State Fair, held at the state fairgrounds on I-4 just west of the the I-95 interchange. The fair has many blue ribbon competitions, but with a dash of uniqueness to Florida. This video emphasizes the thrill rides, but the midway is filled with attractions for all ages.
Video recorded and edited by Don Gworek.

WICHITA SHRINE CIRCUS FOTOS
PART I

Pete Sturgis, Ringmaster, Opens the show

EGGROLL?????????
(correction: it's Larry Clark)

Thanks Bill Prickett

LAURA HERRIOTT'S DOGGIES

WICHITA SHRINE CIRCUS FOTOS

PART II

Midian Shrine Circus: Fun For Kids Of All Ages

Midian Shrine Circus at Hartman Arena

Casey Siebels, Fetchtoto.com Editor(WICHITA, Kansas)

February 10, 2012

The Midian Shrine Circus performed at the Hartman Arena with 8 performances packed full of action and entertainment.
The circus line-up included clowns, unicyclists, trapeze acts, motorcycles, magic shows, acrobatics, and trained animals.
Tigers jumped through burning rings of fire, elephants stood on balancing balls, and dogs performed daring stunts.
During intermission, children were allowed to come down to the stage where they had an opportunity to ride elephants, ponies, and even a camel.
Other fun activities included taking photos with clowns, face painters, blow-up slides and games.

Be the Star of the Show at the Circus Zirkus

Colin Giles -- Future Ring Master

From: chicagonow.com

By Caitlin Giles

Feb 11, 2012

At the Chicago Children's Museum's newest exhibit Circus Zirkus, your kids don't just get to see a circus -- they can actually perform in the circus. At this one-of-a-kind exhibit, kids get a hands-on, interactive take on what it would be like to be a real circus performer.
In the backstage area, aspiring circus performers can practice tumbling, juggling and balancing skills, create a circus poster, swing on the Flying Trapeze or take a twirl on the Spinning Hoop. Whew! The equally bustling performance area features Tricky Plates, Twirling Balls plus the opportunity to don costumes and entertain the crowd as a wacky clown. Or skip the main stage and sell hot dogs and ice cream, staff the ticket booth and cheer from the bleachers. This space is overflowing with super cool props (including my favorite -- fake 500 pound dumbbells so you can be the world's "strongest" man) and apparel for hours of imaginative play.
I visited this exhibit with my three year-old son last week and we both had a blast. I was most impressed by two things. First, this is really a one-of-a-kind exhibit. So many of the cool props and activities were custom-made specifically for this experience. And the things that aren't custom-made come from vendors who supply actual circus performers. This stuff is the real deal. I was also impressed with the ways that the creators of the exhibit drew from real, local circus performing groups as their inspiration.
Second, this exhibit really appeals to all ages. My three year-old was way too timid to give the Flying Trapeze a try, but he loved walking the "tight rope" that was a whopping three inches off of the ground and pushing the ice cream cart around hawking treats to anyone who would listen. Older kids were having a blast with the more physically challenging parts of the exhibit. I even saw a dad wait in line for a turn t the Spinning Hoop (and I thought to myself, "Dude, what are you doing?"). Anyway, my point is that the exhibit has something for circus enthusiasts of all ages.
Circus Zirkus: Where you are the star of the show is free with museum admission. The exhibit runs through August 12th so you've got plenty o' time to check it out -- but definitely put it on your "to do" list.

Howard Tibbals in the Big Top of The Howard Bros. Circus Model on display at the Ringling MuseumCredit John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

Romance at the rodeo? No, really.

Newlyweds Julie and Rodney Meyer share a kiss in the Wine Garden at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 9.Photo: Robin Jerstad

By Jennifer Hiller

From: mysanantonio.com

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Ah, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, where romance blooms amid the sweet smell of thousands of animals and under the bright lights of signs advertising “Giant Turkey Legs.”
No, really.
Sure, carnival rides, noisy distractions and educational attractions abound for kids, but the Stock Show & Rodeo also has plenty to offer couples on a date or those looking for love.

Sam and Heather Graves enjoy a romantic moment while attending the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 9. Photo: Robin Jerstad

For the second year, the Wine Garden offers visitors the chance to sample and purchase 53 Texas and domestic wines. There's a burbling fountain, outdoor space heaters, lots of landscaping and wrought-iron cafe tables and benches where patrons can enjoy wine and bistro snacks such as cheese, fruit and deli meats.
“It's a nice little venue to relax,” said volunteer and wine enthusiast Dinah Covert. “You know how when you're in Napa and you just want to relax and have some cheese and wine? That's what we're going for here.”
Tasting samples start as low as $1 and glasses of wine cost $3 to $14. The acrylic wine glasses — safe to have around animals — are welcome almost everywhere throughout the grounds. So you can, as Covert said, “Take your glass of chardonnay and go look at the pigs.”
After each rodeo, some of the biggest acts in music perform — an obvious date-night choice.

But Dale and Holly Schlundt said they usually skip the shows and enjoy seeing the livestock and horses instead. Dale Schlundt grew up showing goats, sheep and turkeys, and admits that the awe of animal-admiring is more his thing that his wife's, whom he describes as a “city girl.”
“This is my treat,” he said.
But the couple plans to return for Valentine's Day — Holly Schlundt's suggestion.
“I do like shopping,” she said.

Chloe Hamm rides piggyback on Jacob Daily while attending the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 9.Photo: Robin Jerstad

Guys looking for ways to please their better half would be wise to let her wander — without complaint — through booth after booth of shopping, advised Sharron Arnold, the Stock Show & Rodeo's marketing coordinator.
“Women love to shop,” she said.
Alternatively, those wanting to impress their date with feats of strength can head to the Army Interactive Zone and do some pushups and pull-ups.
And there's no reason couples can't enjoy the activities and attractions geared toward kids.
Roxanne Huron and husband Austin Jimenez happily wandered the grounds Friday afternoon holding hands, planning to do just that.
“We came here for the petting zoo,” Huron said..