The Circus is coming to town, ,Atlantic City, that is!
Lou Perri
Atlantic City Bars Examiner
April 17, 2012
In celebration of the return of the circus to Atlantic City, talent from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s brand new show Barnum Bash will be visiting local school children for a very special presentation. 


On Thursday, April 19th select performers will introduce a program called CircusFitSM to students at Richmond Avenue School. CircusFitSM is a national program developed by Ringling Bros. in partnership with The President's Council of Physical Fitness and has been set in place to encourage America's youth to lead healthy and active lifestyles by combining exciting circus skills with stretching, strength building, and aerobic exercise.


 For the first time in 5 years, the circus is back in Atlantic City! On April 19-April 22, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® returns to Boardwalk Hall with their brand new show, Barnum Bash, the most stylish and hippest circus spectacular that The Greatest Show On EarthSMhas ever  produced! Barnum Bash is a party for the wholefamily, offering performances set to contemporary pop music in 21st century Barnum-style.
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Billy Smart's Circus Parade 1960's

Uploaded by 1915vincent on May 31, 2010

Billy Smart's Circus in Victoria Park Leamington Spa and the circus parade, probably filmed on the corner of Archery Road and Adelaide Road

Piccadilly Circus official: 'I think we'll definitely be back'

by —Pete Pichaske
from: baltimoresun.com
April 16, 2012.
The circus was in town last week. Specifically, the Piccadilly Circus, which staged two or three shows daily April 11-15 at the Howard County Fairgrounds.
"We pretty much sold out throughout the weekend," said Cuinn Griffin, promotional director for the Sarasota, Fla.-based circus. Before the circus folded its tent and moved on to Dumfries, Va., 8,000-10,000 people attended the Howard County performances, Griffin said.
"I think we'll definitely be back next year."
Piccadilly Circus is a smaller, one-ring, European-style circus with plenty of clowns and acrobats, and some animals.
The Howard County performances were the first of the season for the circus' traveling tent show, Griffin said, and included a new high-wire act, zebras, and new clowns and comedians.
"Everybody liked the high-wire act," he said. "And everybody liked the elephants, of course."
And the most enamored were the children.

Howdy y’all! Hillbilly Days returns

 

File photo Hillbilly Days attracts a large number of people from all over each year, with estimates reaching 100,000.
CHAD ABSHIRE
Staff Writer
from: williamsondailynews.com
Pikeville, KY--Keep the overalls, hats and rifles in an easy-to-reach location, Hillbilly Days has returned.
The festivities, vendors, rides, zany characters and more is in town for the rest of the week for families from all over to enjoy, stemming from the craziness of Hillbilly Days in Pikeville, Ky. There is bound to be something for everyone, with hundreds of choices in recreation: food and craft booths, a carnival, music throughout the town and more.
Hillbilly Days offers loads of fun for all participants, but there is true meaning behind the event. According to the event’s website, for 36 years, Shriners have faithfully traveled all over the United States and Canada to help crippled children.
“So, when you come upon Shriners all decked out in Hillbilly garb or driving one of those modified Hillbilly limousines, remember the children whose lives are being enhanced,” the website stated.
The event is attended by approximately 100,000 people.
And each year, Hillbilly Days improves in a variety of ways, as Shriners, the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Pike County Government, City of Pikeville and local volunteers transform downtown Pikeville into one of the most unique festivals in the world.
It all kicks off today at 6 p.m. with the carnival at the Riverfill, which will cost $20 for an armband or $1 per ticket, with rides costing between two and five tickets. The fun takes a break at 11 p.m, but it quickly picks back up at 10 a.m. the next day. The carnival will be open from that time until 11:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and until midnight on Saturday.
Throughout the park and along the streets, arts, crafts and food will be available from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and until 8 p.m. Saturday.
The quilt show will be held from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, at the Pike County Extension Office, 148 Trivette Dr.
And that’s just the start of it. For a full list of events, visit hillbillydays.com. For more information, contact the Pike County Tourism CVB at 606-432-5063 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            606-432-5063      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

AMUSEMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE
1966

 

 

 

Circus Vargas makes comeback in Inland Empire

Circus Vargas entertainers perform Sunday in San Bernardino during the show's 43rd season. (Melissa Pinion-Whitt/Staff)

from: dailybulletin.com

Melissa Pinion-Whitt, Staff Writersbsun.com

04/15/2012

SAN BERNARDINO - Ken Philott hasn't gone to see the circus since he was a boy. But he has fond memories of watching trapeze artists, animals and other performers. 

"We used to watch them come into town on the train," the Colton resident said. 

So he decided to relive some of those memories of the big top on Sunday, the second-to-last day of Circus Vargas' stop in San Bernardino. This time, he brought his wife, Sue, and two granddaughters, Sydney, 3, and Savannah, 1. 

Monday is the circus' last day in San Bernardino. The next stop is the Mall of Victor Valley in Victorville for a week, then Ontario Mills for two weeks. 

It's the 43rd season for the circus, and this year's production includes Broadway-style 

performances, with singing and dancing at the opening and closing of the two-hour show. 

"We've had a full house at pretty much every show," said Kevin Venardos, ringmaster and creative director. 

He said the show continues to enjoy success despite the struggling economy. 

"In many cities, we may be one of the only live events that people have seen before, especially young people," he said, "and that's a great honor." 

For 15-year-old Sandy Chavez of San Bernardino, resident, Sunday was her first time at the circus. The San Gorgonio High School student was looking for something to cheer her up. 

"I was just hoping it will brighten my day," she said. 

Unlike other long-running circuses such as Ringling Bros., Circus Vargas has no animal performers. But it does have plenty of performing humans, doing everything from juggling to aerial stunts. 

Katya and Nelson Quiroga, who own the circus' production company, say Circus Vargas has been coming to Southern California for more than 40 years. The pair previously worked as trapeze artists under the name "The Flying Tabares." 

"It's a great crowd here in the Inland Empire," Katya Quiroga said. 

Tickets range from $25 to $60. 

The shows today are at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Waterman Avenue and Hospitality Lane. 

NEW VIDEOS FROM LANE TALBURT

Here are two new YouTube videos on the Bindlestaff Family Cirkus and the King Charles Troupe, based on interviews and performance tapings at Simsbury, CT, on March 27. Bindlestiff encompasses traditional acts from circuses, sideshows and vaudeville. I believe you'll particularly enjoy the humorous comments of Keith Nelson and Stephanie Monseu, Bindlestiff founders.

Up next: a YouTube segment on veteran ringmaster/human volcano/magician Brian LaPalme.

Best wishes,

Lane Talburt

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus on Tour

Published on Apr 15, 2012 by LaneInConn

Between performances, Bindlestiff co-founders Keith Nelson and Stephanie Monseu describe challenges of modern-day entertainment business with Lane Talburt.

King Charles Troupe: Keeping a dream alive

Published on Apr 7, 2012 by LaneInConn

Mixing precision unicycle riding and comedy, the King Charles Troupe entertains audiences worldwide. Between performances for Bindlestiff Family Cirkus at Simsbury, CT, troupe members talked with video producer Lane Talburt. Thanks to Wil Hevey for assistance.

Tigers on horseback and chained monkeys riding bicycles: Cruel Chinese circus flouts government ban



llegal: China banned animal circuses in January, after a report found creature performers were horribly mistreated
from:  dailymail.co.uk
By Ian Garland
16 April 2012 
Zoos across China are still putting on cruel exotic animal performances, three months after they were banned by the government.


In one show in Guangxi Zhuang yesterday, crowds cheered as a tiger teetered on the back of a horse, while monkeys, with chains around their necks, rode bicycles around in circles.
The grim spectacle is slowly being outlawed across the country - 300 state-owned zoos were notified in January they had to close their circuses - but many others claim they were never told about the ban and have no intention of stopping.

 Chained: Monkeys are held on the back of bicycles by chains around their necks
The government acted in January after increased pressure from outraged animal rights groups.
A study by Animals Asia in 2010 found bears were often whipped and beaten with sticks, elephants were prodded with metal hooks, while tigers and lions were made to endure chronic pain by being defanged and declawed. 

Humilating: Tigers are declawed and defanged before they are forced to jump through flaming hoopHumilating: Tigers are declawed and defanged before they are forced to jump through flaming hoop

Cruel: A government study found zoos horribly mistreated animals in their care
In a published report, the organisation - based in Hong Kong - said: 'All of the performances observed were based upon fear and intimidation. To force animals to perform unnatural tricks, circus showmen frequently engage in negative reinforcement, whipping and striking the animals repeatedly.
'Animal performances portray the animal to the public in a humiliating way that does not promote empathy and respect. There is little educational value in seeing animals in conditions that do not resemble their natural habitat.'
The government was also swayed by a three-month investigation by China's State Forestry Bureau that discovered that more than 50 zoos contained animals that had suffered severely from abuse.

A tiger is muzzled so a young girl can sit on its back during one of the banned circus performances
Speaking in January, David Neale, the Animal Welfare Director at Animals Asia insisted the ban would be strictly enforced.
He told the Daily Telegraph: 'We are hopeful it will have an effect. I visited Chongqing zoo before Christmas and their circus was clearing out, and Kunming zoo has also said its circus has been closed.' 

Yasmin Smart

Uploaded by mbscasey on Oct 13, 2009

Interview with the famous grand-daughter of Billy Smart.

Billy Smarts circus parades through Blackpool England circa 1960.

Uploaded by davy3819 on Jan 29, 2010

SONG OF THE DAY!

Uploaded by camodiggs on Jul 2, 2008

ARTIST: Colt Ford

SONG TITLE: "No Trash in My Trailer"

ALBUM: Ride Through the Country

LABEL: Average Joes Entertainment Group

Here Now - Living the circus life

John Pugh

By Si Cantwell

Si.Cantwell@StarNewsOnline.com

April 14, 2012 

Shortly after dawn Thursday morning, John Pugh watched as workers prepared to raise the circus tent he designed. The six center poles, each 55 feet tall, were already up.

The canvas – actually a heavy vinyl manufactured in France and designed to withstand winds up to 80 or 90 mph – was carefully laid out on the ground. Soon the fabric began to rise, pulled by wires and pulleys.

The big top covers an area the size of a football field.

Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars had performed the night before in Havelock. As soon as the 7:30 p.m. Wednesday performance was over, workers began packing so the show would be ready for its first Wilmington performance at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

"We're the ones who travel by night," said Pugh, who owns the traveling show based in DeLand, Fla.

Like the circus' performers and crew members, Pugh, 73, lives in a coach nine months of the year, traveling with the show.

He likes living in a coach.

"Once I had to put it in the shop," he recalled. He lived in motels for two weeks.

"I was so glad when I could get back into our coach," he said. "I know where everything is."

These days his wife, Brigitte, usually stays in Florida. They met in the circus.

He's been with Cole Bros. Circus since 1961, when he joined as an acrobat. After an injury kept him out of the show in 1963, he became assistant manager. He's owned it since the early 1980s.

Show biz is in Pugh's blood. He started out working with his father, a promoter in Europe.

Like everyone I met at the circus, he loves his work.

"It's like running a dream," he said. "The circus is a city unto itself."

readmore:http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20120414/ARTICLES/120419833?Title=Here-Now-Living-the-circus-life

Walker International Circus bringing shows to Louisville, Ogdensburg, Canton, NY April 16-18

from: northcountrynow.com

April 15, 2012

Acrobats, a trapeze artist and a clown will perform when the Walker International Circus will brings shows to three St. Lawrence County communities April 16 to 18.

The all-new star line-up includes Master of Ceremonies Brian LaPalme and The Alvarez Family, tumbling and twisting titans of the Teeter Board

foto\

The prima ballerina of the air, Miss ArisBeth, will perform her aerial artistry and from south of the border, Orlandito the Clown will offer up comedic musical mayhem.

Shows will take place at 4:30 and 7 p.m. April 16 at the Louisville Community Center; April 17 at Ogdensburg’s Lockwood Arena, 141 West Riverside Dr.; and April 18 in the Canton Pavilion, 90 Lincoln St.

Free children’s tickets are available at area merchants and at www.WalkerInternationalEvents.com.

 

(Photo Taken: Balloon Man, Suzhou – Taking cover under his goods in the hot sun. I wonder how easily he draws the right balloon for his customer?)

FROM BROOKE EVANS---
NEW PROJECT--SEAT WAGONS


First pictures show seat wagon totally folded, outdoor shots show wings extended and front lowered. from the rear seats to the left are in up position, ones to the right are in the down or traveling position, railings are next then front extensions,  brooke  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hurray, it's the circus

Time to clown around

One camel checks out what the other is munching at the Baxter County Fairgrounds on Friday. The camels, along with other animals and performers are in town for the circus. / JOSH DOOLEY/THE BAXTER BULLETIN

Written by

Bulletin Staff

Apr 14, 2012

If you see a bunch of clowning around at the Baxter County Fairgrounds today, you can thank the Twin Lakes Shrine Club as they are responsible for the Kelly Miller Circus coming to Mountain Home.

More than 85 people with dozens of animals and vehicles pulled into the fairgrounds Friday morning and began setting up the circus. Animal corrals and tents went up quickly under a partly cloudy sky.

Those attending the shows, scheduled for 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., can expect to see camels, zebras, dogs, tigers and elephants as well as acrobats, aerialists, clowns, Argentinian cowboys and pirates.

Workers unfold the big top at the Baxter County Fairgrounds on Friday in preparation to open the circus. JOSH DOOLEY/THE BAXTER BULLETIN

“The creative people get together and they talk about how to tell a story,” said aerialist Rebecca Ostroff. “There are no stars in this circus; we’re all part of the show.”

Ostroff has a bit of star power behind her as she appeared in the movie “Water for Elephants,” performing as an aerialist.

The circus will have the traditional elements people expect to see in a circus, according to ringmaster John Moss. The audience also will see things that might surprise them.

“They’re going to see everything they expect to see in a circus,” Moss said as workers put up the big top. “We like to have the traditional aspects of the circus and a theme we can explore through various acts.”

Tickets are $10 each for adults and $5 for children.

County Fairs Looking for Changes in Wake of State Fair Disaster 


 

by Ray Steele (rsteele@wibc.com)
from: wbc.com
4/14/2012
As last year's Indiana State Fair stage tragedy plays out amid court hearings and investigative reports, county fairs in Indiana are studying their own fairs to see if any changes need to be made.
Many, however, don't use temporary stages like the one that collapsed in a gust of wind last August at the State Fairgrounds, killing seven people.
"We don't really try to replicate what the state fair does," said Cathy Clark, president of the Marion County Fair Board. "I don't think in the future we will probably have any temporary staging or anything (like) that."


Most county fairs don't hold concerts, and in the case of Johnson County, Fair Board president Brian Young says the stage they use for limited events is a permanent, concrete structure. Young says they also have a severe weather emergency plan written down. "We have a book set up for a fair disaster, an inclement weather plan, that we have in place. We used it a few years ago when we had some serious weather come through."


One of the reports issued this week on the State Fair tragedy faulted fair officials for not having a plan to deal with inclement weather. Like Johnson County, Clark says Marion County fair officials follow specific guidelines during severe storms. "We're always looking at the weather forecast. We're always trying to find out that, if we do have to make any decisions, can we make them in a timely fashion. I think, when you have outdoor events, that's always number one is your weather."


Clark says the Marion County Fair isn't planning any major changes this year, and Young says the same about Johnson County. "Of course, we're going over it to see if there's things we need to update. But other than that, we haven't really had any problems, and we look forward to the future of making things better," said Young "You know, you can always make things better."