MOSCOW CIRCUS

Michael Edgleys' Great Moscow Circus
from:   hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au
15 July 2013

 

Front Row Birgit Walter (Paint Hawkesbury REaD), Peter Webb (Secretary Rotary Club of Kurrajong/North Richmond), Adam O’Brien (Mind Blank), Mayor Kim Ford and Greg Hall (General Manager, Great Moscow Circus) with performers of Michael Edgley’s Great Moscow Circus.

FROM THE UK---

Big cats look set to return to English circus

 

It is likely that the tiger pictured here in a performance
in Tom Duffy’s circus in 2012 is one of the big cats due to be sent to England.
from: captiveanimals.org
July 21, 2013
CAPS has today renewed calls on Government to move quickly and decisively to ban the use of wild animals in circuses as news reports suggest that big cats may be sent over from Ireland to perform in an English circus in the near future. This is in spite of overwhelming public support for a complete ban on the practice. At present, there are no big cats being used in English circuses.
As recently as February of this year, animal protection campaigners appeared to move a step closer to seeing an end to the use of wild animals in English circuses as the last of the big cats performing in big tops were removed and sent to Ireland. Less than six months later and news reports suggest that two lions and four tigers, some of which have recently been performing with a circus in Ireland, are “soon to join a new circus in England”. At least some of the cats are likely to be those that have been used in Tom Duffy’s circus until recently and are not the same animals that were sent over from England earlier this year. A spokesperson for CAPS said: “This situation demonstrates perfectly the urgent need to close the door on this outdated practice. Until a ban is implemented, any species of animal could be brought into the country to be used in the circus”.
In April this year, the Government published draft legislation to ban the use of all wild animals in circuses; a move which was welcomed by campaigners. Concerns were raised, however, over the proposed implementation date of December 2015 which, it was argued, delayed the process unnecessarily. More recently, leading animal welfare groups have criticised the recommendations of the select committee charged with scrutinising the draft bill for attempting to narrow the scope of the legislation to exclude many species of wild animal.
read more:
http://www.captiveanimals.org/news/2013/07/big-cats-look-set-to-return-to-english-circus

REITHOFFER SHOWS

 

JOHN RINGLING--

Hard times filled circus king's last years



Circus king, art collector, developer and businessman John Ringling at the peak of his life, circa 1925.
PHOTO COURTESY SARASOTA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
from:  heraldtribune.com
By JEFF LAHURD Correspondent
Sunday, July 28, 2013
SARASOTA - On Dec. 2, 1936, Sarasota awoke to the news that John Ringling, the last of the circus brothers, had passed away at his New York City apartment.
The banner headline in that morning's Sarasota Herald informed its readers "JOHN RINGLING DIES IN NEW YORK." Feature stories, along with his photograph, recounted Mister John's illustrious circus career, his varied interests outside the big top, even an article recalling his "love for trees and flowers," intoning that the Australian pines he planted were his pets.

PHOTO COURTESY JEFF LAHURD
The resting place of John and Mable Ringling, and his sister, Ida Ringling North, at this nondescript plot on the grounds of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. They were not buried in the tomb designed for them under the statue of David.
The flag atop the American Legion War Memorial in the center of Five Points in downtown Sarasota was lowered to half staff, as was the flag at the circus winter quarters. A wreath of flowers was laid on the steps of the John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, and Mayor Earnest A. Smith sent a wreath to Ringling's New York residence.
The great man had died and Sarasota was in mourning.
John Ringling's final years were not enviable. The great showman, king of the circus world, avid art collector, successful businessman, developer and promoter of Sarasota, and considered one of the wealthiest men in the country had fallen on hard time — the slings and arrows he suffered during his last six years were almost endless.

 

PHOTO / DEPARTMENT OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES
A young and beautiful Mable Ringling, the love of John's life. When she passed in 1929, he said he would never be happy again.
His first wife, Mable, the love of his life with whom he shared the trappings of his triumphant rise in fortune, died in 1929, leaving him despondent.
read more:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130728/ARTICLE/130729680/-1/news?Title=NEW-Hard-times-filled-circus-king-s-last-years

Here Comes the Circus - 1940's Amusements  & Attractions Educational Documentary " - Val73TV"

Published on Jul 31, 2012

View the attractions and activities at a typical 1940's circus in America

BIG APPLE CIRCUS

As circus departs Lake George, officials look ahead to park's redevelopment
New York secretary of state to visit site Tuesday

 

The Dalian Troupe perform their unique brand of acrobatics on bicycles during the Big Apple Circus production of "Legendarium" in Lake George's Charles R. Wood Park Wednesday, July 17, 2013.
(Jason McKibben - jmckibben@poststar.com)
from: poststar.com
By JAMIE MUNKS
July 28, 2013
LAKE GEORGE -- By the next time a big top tent goes up at the former Gaslight Village site, its surroundings will likely look markedly different.
On Sunday, the Big Apple Circus wrapped up its second run at the festival space of the former Gaslight Village site, where officials hope construction on the Charles R. Wood Park will begin soon.
Initially, the goal was to begin construction this month when the circus pulled out of town, but contracts from the state were delayed.
Lake George Mayor Robert Blais said last week the contract authorizing the municipalities to build the park and festival space had come through, and had been returned to Albany.
“We are getting closer to construction,” Blais said.
At this point, there is potential for starting construction in the fall, he said.
New York Secretary of State Cesar Perales will visit the site at 11 a.m. Tuesday to commission a stormwater management and treatment project, and to showcase plans for the park’s future development.
Members of the Lake George Watershed Coalition have for several years been working on stormwater management plans to reduce lake pollution by collecting and treating stormwater.
Thousands of native plants were put in last year to help filter stormwater before it enters the West Brook, and ultimately Lake George.
Plans for the space include the development of an environmental park with pathways and benches, a children’s interactive play area, a skate park and a public festival space, where events like the circus can be held.
The Big Apple Circus was the first major event to be held in the area that’s planned to become the park’s festival space, during its first run last summer.
The Big Apple Circus held the last of its Lake George performances over the weekend, and circus spokesman Phil Thurston said last week ticket sales weren’t meeting goals for the second Lake George season, and hoped attendance would pick up for the final weekend.
“We’ve had a bit of a sophomore slump,” Thurston said. “It’s been a little disappointing.”
Attendance at the circus was down from last year, when the Lake George run fell short of breaking even. Blais expressed concern last week that if circus attendance didn’t pick up, there was a possibility the circus wouldn’t return in the future.
Blais and circus officials attributed the slump in part to a heat wave during the time the circus was in town.
“In the two years they’ve been here, there’s been extreme heat,” Blais said. “Folks tend to migrate to the lake.”
Circus officials will need to determine in the future whether the big top will return to Lake George, and whether that happens next year will depend on the construction schedule for the park’s festival space.
“It would be nice to come back and see what they do with it,” Thurston said.
read more:
http://poststar.com/news/local/as-circus-departs-lake-george-officials-look-ahead-to-park/article_9eb4009a-f7c7-11e2-8c13-001a4bcf887a.html

Offspring of zebra-donkey born in Italy (Video)

From: wtop.com

Friday - 7/26/2013

WASHINGTON - He's been named Ippo -- which means "hippo" in Italian -- but he's a rare donkey-zebra hybrid, born recently in Florence, Italy.

Time magazine and ANSA report the breeding was unintentional, with a fence separating Ippo's parents.

Time says Ippo is the first zebra-donkey -- or zonkey -- born in Italy. There are reportedly a few in Germany and China.

In the United States, a zedonk was born at a farm in Thurmont, Md., reports the Frederick News-Post. The paper says a zedonk is the result of a coupling between a female zebra and male donkey, while a zonkey is the offspring of a male zebra and female donkey.

Below is video (in Italian) of Ippo the zonkey:

Monroe, Wood County Fairs kick off

from: 13abc.com

Jul 28, 2013

Toledo, Ohio--

13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS COMMING TO DALLAS

UniverSOUL Circus Dallas 2013

from: dfwhappenings.com

July 28, 2013

There’s a major party coming to Dallas this August and if you like to have fun, this party was designed JUST for you! It’s happening under the Big Top next door to Southwest Center Mall located off Highway 67. This year the UniverSOUL Circus has an all new show lined up for the 2013 tour, and the all-star lineup of talent is ready to crank up the heat even more when they arrive to DFW August 7th!



 

DALLAS DATES: AUGUST 7 – 11
TICKETS: Prices range from $16 to $32 and can be purchased at http://www.ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000. Kids under the age of 1 get in FREE.
read more:
http://dfwhappenings.com/2013/07/28/universoul-circus-dallas-2013/

KELLY-MILLER CIRCUS

The circus comes to Kinsman
From:  Tribune Chronicle.com
July 29, 2013
By ASHLEY NEWMAN , Tribune Chronicle
July 29, 2013   
Spectators from across the area filtered into the township Sunday, as the tents went up and the tigers, elephants and clowns came out to play.

A large crowd was on hand as the Kelly Miller Circus made a stop in Kinsman for two shows at the old Joseph Badger High School grounds.

The show was highlighted by acts including a fire eater, jugglers and aerialists, along with circus staples like the team of clowns and exotic animals. Various performances involved a group of five tigers, three elephants, several zebras and even llamas.

 

Tribune Chronicle photos / Ashley Newman
Aerialist Rebecca Ostroff performs for a large crowd of onlookers during Sunday’s show. The circus was making its second stop in Kinsman in the last three years.
Cortland resident Neal Croston was enjoying the show with his three sons.
"We've never been to the circus," Croston said. "I figured this was a cheaper way to go without the traveling. They really enjoyed it with the fire guy and the elephants.
 "They haven't been scared by the clowns yet, so that's always good," he continued.
 The Kelly Miller Circus is celebrating its 75th anniversary traveling across the country to both small towns and large cities. The event in Kinsman had two showtimes, one at 2 p.m. and another at 5 p.m., before the group packed up and moved on.
 Dale Fenn of Kinsman watched as his grandchildren rode on the back of elephants during a 20-minute intermission in the show.
 "They're having a really good time," Fenn said. "They enjoy the clowns."
 The event was sponsored by the Harry Lee American Legion Post and Unit 506, which will use the proceeds to benefit area veterans.
 Event organizer Joyce Jones said the circus went off without a hitch.
 "Everybody has enjoyed it," Jones said. "It really is a wonderful circus. It is clean, fun and they keep it new all the time. They do a great job."
 This marks the second time in the last three years Kinsman has played host to the Kelly Miller Circus. The first visit was in 2011.
 "It's a small town and we just feel like you can only do something like this every other year," Jones said. "That way it stays fresh."
 According to Jones, the circus did a good job of creating a new show for 2013.
 "This year has been completely different," Jones said. "They have new acts and new costumes. Everything is just new."
 Skip LaPlante, vice commander of Post 506, also had a hand in bringing the circus to town. He said the group makes an effort not to leave behind debris when the show is over.
 "They pick up every piece of paper they left behind," LaPlante said. "It's actually pretty amazing. They're really good about that."
 Jones noted the American Legion will welcome the circus back in 2015.
 "They will contact us every year now first until we don't want to do it anymore," she said. "Once you get in their rotation, you're in."
 For those who missed the show Sunday, the circus has two performances today at the Canfield Fairgrounds. Sponsored by the Al Koran Shriners, showtimes are 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
 Based in Oklahoma, the circus was started in 1938 by Obert Miller and his sons, Kelly and Dory.

DELAWARE STATE FAIR ENDS

State fair says farewell for another year
Vendors say ticket price hike could have affected business at Harrington

 
Delaware State Fair Assistant General Manager Danny Aguilar says attendance was steady at the 94th annual event in Harrington.
From:  delawareonline.com
Written by, Doug Denison--The News Journal
Jul. 27, 2013
HARRINGTON — Despite the oppressive heat that scorched its grounds last weekend, officials said attendance was steady at this year’s Delaware State Fair. But, some fair vendors who saw diminished profits blamed it on a ticket price hike instituted this year.
The fair wrapped up its 94th year Saturday, and though final gate figures and ticket sales won’t be in for a few more days, Assistant General Manager Danny Aguilar is optimistic about the results.
“Entertainment dictates larger crowds, the day of the week dictates crowds, ride promotions, and the ultimate fact, always, is weather,” he said. “At the beginning of the week our numbers were impacted by the heat. But [Friday] we were up and we are looking at 84-degree temperatures and low humidity, a great way to end the fair.”
Aguilar said the fair’s biggest draw this year was country singer Luke Bryan, who played to a sold-out crowd on the fair’s opening Thursday night. Bryan was scheduled to appear last year but canceled at the last minute, committing to return in 2013.
Some of this year’s kid-friendly shows brought in less than stellar numbers, Aguilar said, including tween pop star Victoria Justice, who performed the first Saturday night of the fair.
“We didn’t quite hit the mark we were expecting,” Aguilar said.

 

Visitors to the Delaware State Fair relax near some food vendors on Saturday.
GARY EMEIGH/THE NEWS JOURNAL
Some fair vendors also missed their marks last week.
“It was down, way down, and I personally blame it on the prices going up,” said Don Chambers, a past governor of the Harrington Moose Lodge who helps run the group’s food stall at the fair. “I think some guys are saying, ‘Well, do I go to work this week and put gas in the truck, or do I take the kids to the fair?’ I don’t know.”
General admission to the fair this year was $8, up from the $6 it had been for the last seven years.
Chambers and others also said the heat was a factor during the fair’s opening days.
“If it would have been up to me I would have stayed home in my recliner,” he said.
Not all vendors reported a slow week.
Henry Towner, in his ninth year of selling fresh kettle corn at the fair, said this year would probably end up being his second best in Delaware (last year was his record.)
read more:
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20130728/NEWS/307280058/State-fair-says-farewell-another-year?nclick_check=1

posters

 

 

 

 

 

Circus coming to Jesup Green Wednesday night

from: westport-news.com
July 25, 2013
Westport,CT--This summer, kids won't have to run away to join the circus. All they have to do is show up early at Jesup Green on Wednesday, July 31, when the circus comes to town.

The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus is bringing its variety of acts -- circus, Vaudeville, wild west, and sideshows -- to Jesup Green as part of the Levitt Pavilion's summer entertainment series. The show is scheduled at 7 p.m.

From 5 to 7 p.m., performers will conduct a kids' circus camp for children age 5 and over.

Tickets to the 7 p.m. circus performance are $15 for children, students and senior citizens; $25 for adults.

Tickets for the 5 p.m. circus camp and the circus performance are $25 for children, students and senior citizens; $35 for adults. Discount family packages also are available for the camp and show.

The circus's headline performer is contortionist and aerialist Miss Ekatarina, the Levitt said. The circus performance last about two hours.

BARABOO PARADE

On Wisconsin: Circus wagons hit the streets as Baraboo celebrates heritage


The Baraboo High School marching band dressed the part Saturday as they entertained during Baraboo Big Top Parade that celebrates the community's circus heritage. Officials hope to make the parade an annual event.
from: host.madison.com
BARRY ADAMS | Wisconsin State Journal
July 28, 2013
BARABOO — Danny Perkins of Bartlett, Ill., wore a stocking cap. Down the street, Chelsey Hager and her 4-year-old son, Matthew, of nearby Leland, cuddled under a blanket while they tore at and munched cotton candy.

The thousands who crowded this city’s downtown on Saturday came dressed as they would for a late September homecoming parade, thanks to unseasonably chilly temperatures. But instead of football and cheerleaders, the Baraboo Big Top Parade was all about this city’s circus heritage.

Historic circus wagons from Circus World Museum were the stars, but the parade also included members of the Gollmar Circus family, an elephant and Baraboo High School’s marching band wearing clown outfits.

Vlastek Valla showed off his skills at handling a 10-foot boa constrictor while his enclosed wagon with bay windows was pulled by an antique 1924 Mack truck.
Piccolo player Jane Chatelain sat atop the United States Bandwagon with 15 other members of the Jerry Stich Band. The wagon was pulled by a four-horse hitch, a big change from the 40 horses that pulled the Two Hemispheres wagon she rode numerous times during the Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee, the last in 2009.

“The novelty doesn’t wear off,” said Chatelain, a Baraboo resident. “It’s very exciting.”

The enthusiasm for all things circus was prolific Saturday, despite temperatures in the mid-50s, overcast skies and a threat of rain that produced just a brief period of scattered sprinkles.

 

Bundled spectators crowded on two sides of the courthouse square, set up lawn chairs under the Al. Ringling Theatre marquee and used blankets to claim spots along Third Street in front of the Downtowner Bar & Grill, which was offering roasters full of hot dogs, brats and sloppy joe.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/on-wisconsin-circus-wagons-hit-the-streets-as-baraboo-celebrates/article_2ecd03f6-e025-5c83-95cc-60b42cf78711.html#ixzz2aKrYHpXZ

CIRQUE ITALIA

 

 

SMITH CANNON

Cannon Lady loves being scared to death
Jennifer Smith is one of three female human cannonballs in the world. See her shoot into the air at Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning

 

Human cannonball Jennifer Smith performs at the QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning July 26-28 at Solberg Airport in Readington , N.J. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO, THE MORNING CALL / July 18, 2013)
from: mcall.com
By Sarah Olah, Of The Morning Call
July 26, 2013
Jennifer Smith goes to work afraid everyday.
 That's not surprising. She's a human cannonball.
 She is one of about 10 human cannonballs in the world and one of three female cannonballs. You can see her perform at the 31st annual QuickCheck New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Reading, N.J., returning for her second time. She will perform July 26 and 27, and will be the cannon sound-off — instead of a pistol shot — at the start of the Hunterdon Healthcare "Running with the Balloons" 5K race on July 28.

Nicknamed "Cannon Lady," the 37 year-old Missouri mother of two shoots out of a cannon around the world at speeds of 37 to 42 miles per hour.
This might sound like an unusual profession, but to Smith it came naturally. She grew up in a circus family.

Her father, David "Cannonball" Smith Sr., and her brother, David "The Bullet" Smith Jr., are both human cannonballs.

David Sr. held the Guinness World Record for the longest human cannonball flight, traveling more than 185 feet, until it was broken by her brother, Dave Smith Jr., who flew more than 193 feet.

The rest of her family also performs circus acts, including twirling, trapeze and aerial stunts. At one point, six out of 10 kids were human cannonballs. Now it's just Smith and her brother.

"My dad did it, and so did my older sister. So being a typical kid, I wanted to do what my sister was doing," she says.

Smith was 14 the first time she was shot out of a cannon. She flew about 35 feet and said she never wanted to do it again. But of course, she did.

Her father asked her if she was hurt and she replied that she wasn't, just scared. David told her when she's not scared anymore, she can stop.

"I'm still scared," Smith, says, so she continues to fly.

"I love the flying-through-the-air part. The cannon scares me, but not the flight."

It's no wonder she's frightened. The act requires the 5-foot-2-inch woman to be launched about 60 feet into the sky from a 36-inch-wide and 27-foot-long cannon into a net about 125 feet away.

"It's not old-hat even after 20 years," Smith says.
Read more: http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-quickchek-new-jersey-festival-of-ballooning-can-20130726,0,4695122.story#ixzz2aDiuO6Iy
 Follow us: @mcall on Twitter | mcall.lv on Facebook

CONEY ISLAND

 

 

KELLY-MILLER CIRCUS, ORWELL

Chamber raises $2,000 with circus which will support a number of community efforts


WARREN DILLAWAY / Star Beacon
CIRCUS FANS arrive at the Kelly Miller Circus in Orwell.
From:  starbeacon.com
By Stacy Millberg-Staff Reporter
July 28, 2013
ORWELL — The world celebrated Kelly Miller Circus made a stop in Orwell last week, bringing thrills, chills and affordable family fun to the area.
 Owned and produced by John Ringling North II, the energetic, two-hour spectacle headlined world class circus stars from across the globe including America’s own Titan of the Tigers, the courageous Ryan Holder, in the giant steel arena; direct from her appearance in the hit motion picture “Water for Elephants,” the intrepid aerial star, Rebecca Ostrof; and from Argentina, the astonishing astute Fusco Gauchos.
The circus also featured clowns, canines, ponies and the biggest stars of all, the world famous Kelly Miller Circus performing elephants.

Elephants prepare for the Kelly Miller Circus that visited Orwell on July 19.
 The fun began at 9 a.m. July 19 as the public was invited to witness the raising of the Big Top. The circus then performed two shows at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
 The event was sponsored by the Orwell-Grand Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“It was a ball,” said Diana Ristimaki, event chairperson. “I really had a lot of fun.”
Ristimaki said the chamber was surprised at the number of adults that attended the event without children.
“We sold more adult presale tickets than children,” she said. “I guess, everybody loves the circus.”
The evening show proved to be the most successful as smaller number of patrons braved the excessive afternoon heat to attend the first show, she said.
“The 7:30 p.m. show was a packed show,” Ristimaki said. “The 4:30 p.m. show was only half filled.”
Ristimaki said she had never been to an outdoor circus before.

 

The Big Top of the Kelly Miller Circus dominated the skyline of Orwell on July 19.
 The event was a great success for the chamber. Approximately $2,000 was raised, she said.
“We were amazed,” Ristimaki said.
 The use of the property was donated by the Kovats family and the chamber also received sponsorship from Kenny Lawrence and Paine-Guerriero Funeral Home.
 The chamber also co-sponsors the annual Grand Valley Festival and is looking into hosting a reverse raffle in November to raise additional funds for the group, she said.
“We used to host dinner dances but we stopped them,” she said. “We are just branching out and trying different things that are more family oriented.”
 The money raised from the event will be put into the chamber’s special events fund and will be used to support a number of community efforts.