ARAB CIRCUS

Saudi- Dammam taps circus to headline festivities 

 

From: MENAFN - Arab News -
12/08/2013
MENAFN - Arab News) The marine international circus performance captured the interest of thousands of visitors in Dammam this week. The circus included 15 acts characterized with skill, speed and power.
The circus marquee increased the number of acts from three to four or five because of audience demand.
Abdulrahaman Al-Wabil, secretary general of the Eastern Province, said the circus band has participated in international and Arabic celebrations, and has a well qualified cadre that is skilled and powerful. It has facilities that are air conditioned and big enough for 800 people. Entry to the circus was free of charge; the show took about two hours, with eight international artists performing 15 acts. These included balancing on moving glass, Chinese pottery, space cube, Chinese kitchen, dagger throwing, metal necklace and other acts. The circus will offer more acts this week.
The green sports hall hosts the Khawater Al-Thalam band, which will present its distinctive shows from 9:45 until 11 p.m. These performances come within the Eastern Province celebrations of Eid Al-Fitr. Celebrations were organized by the Eastern chambers. Celebrations include standup comedy shows in addition to competitions and gifts for children in the children's village.
Yemeni and Saudi communities will present their folklore shows in King Fahd Park.
Half Moon Beach will continue to receive fans of car shows, beach volleyball, telematch and horseback riding for children.
The photography exhibition in Al-Rashid mall is open for visitors. The exhibition received many photography fans during the past few days. Al-Shate', Al-Rahshid, Al-Qatif, City and Dareen malls continue to present activities and shows for families.
read more:
http://www.menafn.com/1093687428/Saudi--Dammam-taps-circus-to-headline-festivities

RBBB LOVELAND, CO

Sculpture shows, music festivals and Ringling Bros. Circus taking place this week

 

From: reporterherald.com
By James Garcia Reporter-Herald Staff Writer
08/11/2013
FOTO
Loveland, CO--Ringmaster David Shipman will bring "the Greatest Show on Earth" to Loveland when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus plays four shows at the Budweiser Events Center on Aug. 16-18. (Special to the Reporter-Herald)

WALKER BROS CIRCUS

Circus captures attention in New Galilee, PA
The Walker Brothers Circus was in town Sunday, at New Galilee's Lower Park.
From:  ellwoodcityledger.com
August 12, 2013


Tiffany Wolfe for The Ledger
Circusgoers are enrapt at the Walker Brothers Circus performance Sunday afternoon at New Galilee’s Lower Park.

Terri Kouris of New Brighton poses with her 2-year-old granddaughter, Sylas Wetzel of Patterson Township, in front of a camel that could be ridden at the circus at New Galilee on Sunday

 

Tiffany Wolfe for The Ledger
Walker Brothers Circus performer Tatiana Arestov shows off her skill with hula hoops on Sunday in New Galilee

RUSSIA--

Krasnodar Circus may be closed down

 

from:  vesnikjkavkaza.net
12 August 2013
Sergey Makarov, People’s Artist of the RSFSR, President of the Academy of Circus Arts, said that the Krasnodar Circus may remain under control of the Russian State Circus Company. Russian Vice Prime Minister Olga Golodets caused a public outrage when she ordered transfer of the Krasnodar Circus and the Vladivostok Circus from state management.
Anatoly Marchevsky, People’s Artist of Russia, head of Rosgostsirk, emphasized yesterday that the Russian circus was a successor of the Soviet and was the world leader.
Makarov said that The circus art of Bulgaria disappeared in April 2012. The same happened in the Czech Republic. The official said that there were serious problem with the Romanian circus. Makarov added that the concept for development of the circus was passed in Russia on April 2, 2012. The people’s artist called it a strike not only for the circus art, but the image of the government. He proposed filing a letter to President Vladimir Putin.
Makarov noted that there were only 41 circuses in Russian regions. There can be 8 programs changed during the year. The next time a program arrives is in 5 years. If only 10 circuses are left, there will be only 10 programs and the same ones will be performed two years in a row.

DONALD TRUMP'S CAT

 

NEW DISNEY SHOW

Disney's super show
 Favorite characters take to stage

 

Favorite characters from 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates' will come to life on stage.
From:  delmarvanow.com
Written by Josh Davis,
Delmarva Media Group Correspondent
Aug. 7, 2013
SALISBURY,MD — After a summer that has alternated from sweltering heat to week-long rainstorms, many area parents have struggled to keep their kids from going stir-crazy.
On Sunday, Aug. 11, the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center will welcome a new Disney show which offers the best of both worlds — pirates and princesses — along with the timely comforts of an air-conditioned interior. Two showings will be offered, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets start at $20.
“We don’t traditionally book many entertainment shows during the summer, as we realize that many people want to be outside enjoying the sunshine,” said Kristen Conn, director of marketing and public relations for the Wicomico County Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism. “When the opportunity does arise though, we usually do look to dates later in the summer. By this point the newness of summer has faded a bit, and people don’t mind a break from the heat.”
In “Pirate and Princess Adventure,” two popular shows from the Disney Junior television network, “Sofia the First” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” combine for a new production produced by Feld Entertainment.
“The Feld Entertainment mission of providing quality, live entertainment experiences that the entire family enjoys starts with Disney Live! because it is often a young fan’s first theatrical experience,” said producer Alana Feld. “Children everywhere are falling in love with Sofia and Jake, and we are thrilled to bring these popular Disney Junior characters to the stage for the first time ever.”
I think all of us have fond Disney memories — whether it was something as grand as meeting Mickey in person at Disney World, or as simple as seeing one of their classic movies on screen for the first time,” Conn said. “The excitement they’re able to capture in everything they do is truly magical, and it’s something that both children and adults can feel. After witnessing the live show, families are sure to have a memorable family outing.”

OTTOWA, CANADA--

Days of Summer, Day 53: Fitting miniature horses into shrinking fairs

 

Ivan Wyman harnesses one of his miniature horses at the Navan Fair.
Photograph by: Bruce Deachman
From: ottawacitizen.com
By Bruce Deachman, OTTAWA CITIZEN
August 11, 2013
OTTAWA — As the summers pile up like unraked leaves, Ivan Wyman finds he’s harnessing his team of horses a lot less often than he used to.
It’s not because, at 72, he’s too old. Nor have his 50 years of showing horses left him any less enthusiastic.
It’s the fairs, he says. There are fewer of them remaining, and many of those have dropped horse shows from their programs, or have kept only the heavy-horse shows.
These days, he competes with miniature horses. “I call them dwarves,” says the Carlsbad Springs native, smiling, “but not in front of miniature horse people.”
His father, a farmer and then railroad man, kept horses, and so Wyman grew up in their company. Originally a machine operator, he was in his early 20s when he first began to show horses at fairs — not the miniatures he has now, but massive Percherons, originally bred as warhorses.
read more:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Days+Summer+Fitting+miniature+horses+into+shrinking+fairs/8775573/story.html

JOE FRISCO, SR. BIRTHDAY

1. 
2. from BILL PRICKETT--
3.  Please Send B'day wishes for Joe, Sr....to....Carol Frisco,  4821 W.,Alta Ln, Peoria, Il, 61615...that way Joe hopefully will not see the envelope  .Party is 1pm on 8-31 -13. If you need to call, call CAROL at 309-243-7502. Any old photos, etc., send to Joe, he would appreciate it. Lets get those cards flowing.
    
   My total hire placement was on Fr. July 26, Was in hospital three days and now at Rivervier Rehab Center, Rm. 34, in East Peoria, Il. So, I do not know if I'll be out by 8-31, so help me spread the word about the cards. .Bill Prickett 

Julliette Feld

Executive profile: Empire of clowns, ice and dirt
Chicago's Juliette Feld of Feld Entertainment, which owns Disney On Ice, Ringling and Monster Jam, is taking on Marvel's superheroes

 

Juliette Feld, executive vice president of Feld Entertainment, is part of the third generation of Felds who produce such family entertainment as "Disney On Ice" and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. (James C. Svehla, Chicago Tribune / August 12, 2013)
From:  chicagotribune.com
 By Becky Yerak, Chicago Tribune reporter
August 12, 2013
For three generations, members of the Feld family have run their billion-dollar entertainment business as hands-on managers.

As producer of live-action shows "Disney On Ice," Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus and the Monster Jam truck extravaganza, Feld Entertainment Inc. has 3,000 employees and an outsider as its longtime president.

The hired hands, however, call few significant shots without input from the clan.
The Florida-based company has a significant presence in the Chicago area, with a production office in Aurora and a rising executive in Juliette Feld, 29, a University of Chicago alum who lives in the city and is helping lead the next generation of Felds.
"Marvel Universe Live," announced in March, will debut in July 2014 as the biggest production that Feld Entertainment has ever mounted. Juliette Feld is in the center of it, producing a global arena tour for a franchise best known through comic books and movies.

As a child, Feld had little interest in action heroes or motor sports. The company's assets also include 43 monster trucks, 45 elephants and large supplies of dirt nationwide.

"Now I'm having the boyhood I never had," she said.
 Feld Entertainment was born in 1967, when Juliette's grandfather, Irvin, bought Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey from John Ringling North. The deal was consummated in Rome's Colosseum, with a tiger cub in tow. In 1971, Mattel bought the business, though the Feld family continued to operate it. Under Feld management, Mattel branched out into ice shows, in 1979 buying the "Holiday on Ice" and "Ice Follies" productions from Chicago's Wirtz family, owner of the Chicago Blackhawks, for $12 million.
In 1982, the Feld family bought back Ringling, including the ice shows, and has held them privately ever since.

After Irvin Feld's sudden death in 1984, son Kenneth became CEO. He struggled to pay estate taxes on the half of the company that his father left him, and it took years to pay off the government.

Now, Kenneth Feld's three daughters all work for the company. Juliette, the youngest, joined the company as strategic planning director in 2010 and was promoted to executive vice president last year.

"Every show that gets made is touched by one of the three of us," Juliette Feld said in an interview in the Aurora office, which also houses TV and art production, sponsorship, licensing, and motor sports operations and support.

Feld Entertainment is completely owned by the family, including the daughters, as Kenneth Feld, 64, has been transferring his shares to them equally since 2001. His daughters are "involved in every major decision," he said, and there are no current plans to sell a stake in the business. He noted that "2012 was the best year in the history of the company in attendance, revenues and profitability."
 These days, he added, he considers his role as "mentor" and "sounding board."
read more:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0812-executive-profile-juliette-feld-20130812,0,7268681.story?dssReturn&z=19901

BACK IN THE DAY

~~~BACK IN THE DAY~~~

 

 

 

HEAT TAKES IT'S TOLL

Summer heat takes a toll on animals destined for county fairs


Josie Wright uses a blower to dry a steer for show Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at the Salt Lake County Fair in South Jordan. Because of this year's hot temperatures, animals raised by 4-H youths aren't qualifying for county fairs because they are coming in underweight. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
from:  deseretnews.com
By McKenzie Romero, Deseret News
Sunday, Aug. 11 2013
OGDEN, UTAH — For months, 10-year-old Danny Edwards has awakened early, carried feed and water, cleaned stalls, and practiced guiding the hog he named Zip around the livestock arena, all in anticipation of showing and auctioning her at the Weber County Fair.
This is his second time participating in the 4-H program. For years he watched his older sisters raise their animals and compete at the fair, but now, Danny was the only one in his family with an animal — this was his year.
But when he herded Zip onto the livestock scale early Tuesday morning, he realized he wouldn't get the chance. The hog was two pounds underweight, making her ineligible for judging and auction.
"We knew it would be close, but we were thinking she was just going to barely make weight," Danny said. "When she was just two pounds light, that didn't feel very good."

 

Pigs wait inside their holding pens Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at the Salt Lake County Fair in South Jordan. Because of this year's hot temperatures, animals raised by 4-H youths aren't qualifying for county fairs because they are coming in underweight. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
The culprit? Utah's summer heat.
Mark Edwards saw his son's tears as the hog walked off the scale, as well as those of a volunteer helping with the weigh-in.
"When he didn't make weight, (the volunteer) helped Danny walk his pig over to the pen where she was going to be for the week," Edwards said. "She told him, 'I think I'm going to start crying too.'"
Jim Jenson, 4-H agriculture and natural resources leader for the state, said it's common to see more underweight animals in a year with extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. As several county fairs opened, Jenson heard reports from across the state of underweight animals.
"There's quite a few that are a little light," he said. "They don't grow quite as well when it's hotter. The kids keep them pretty shaded up, and actually in better conditions than others have anywhere else … They're animals, and if they're a little uncomfortable, they're not eating as much."
read more:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865584475/Summer-heat-takes-a-toll-on-animals-destined-for-county-fairs.html

Flying high
Twenty-two-year-old aerialist Lindsay Culbert-Olds has formed a new circus troupe, performing August 19 and 20 at the Arlington Center for the Arts.

 

Lindsay Culbert-Olds.
From:  bostonglobe.com
as told to Melissa Schorr
August 11, 2013
 I started off as a gymnast, but I was never super-competitive. When I was 8, I was watching the PBS show Zoom; they interviewed two kids on the Circus Smirkus tour, and I thought that was amazing. I started going to the sleep-away camp, auditioned three times for the tour, finally got on, and did that for four summers.
During high school, I studied trapeze at the New England Center for Circus Arts in Brattleboro. It was just a crazy thing I liked to do; I didn’t realize it could be a career for someone not born into a circus family.
It wasn’t until I got to college at Mount Holyoke that I realized how much I missed it. There wasn’t anywhere in the United States to keep training at the technical level I wanted to reach. In Europe, Asia, Canada, circus is this respected art; it has a history, a culture, government support. In the United States, it’s not a recognized art form. There are very few American circus companies for kids to dream to grow up and be in. So I left to attend circus school in Montreal, where it’s a big part of the culture.
[Our collective] wanted to come back to the United States and show what we do, present our vision as performers. In traditional circus, you’re creating a spectacle to thrill your audience; in contemporary circus, you’re trying to include theater, dance, other forms of art to tell a story. It’s more of a performance piece. There wasn’t really an American company we could do that with, so we created our own. We named it Frequently Asked Questions, because there’s a standard list of questions we always get asked: Are you a clown? Do you work with lions? Our goal is to answer those questions: No, we don’t work with lions. No, we’re not all clowns. Yes, we can do a flip.
The name for our show is “Now You Know.” 
—CATCH THE ACT The circus company Frequently Asked Questions performs August 19 and 20 at the Arlington Center for the Arts. For tickets: faqcircus.bpt.me; for venue information: 781-648-6220; acarts.org As told to Melissa Schorr
 

JOHN LAWSON'S CIRCUS

Win tickets to Van Hage circus

 

From:  hertfordshiremercury.co.uk
Written by COMPETITIONS EDITOR
Saturday 10 August 2013
ROLL up, roll up! Van Hage, Great Amwell, is pleased to announce the return of John Lawson’s circus for summer 2013.
For the second year running John Lawson’s magnificent circus will be at Van Hage, Great Amwell, for 10 days from Friday August 23 until Sunday September 1.
Designed especially for children and adults of all ages, John Lawson’s circus is an experience not to be missed.
“I visited the circus with my daughter and granddaughter and it was wonderful. Everybody young and old really enjoyed themselves,” said one visitor.
John Lawson’s circus, voted Britain’s best circus, is currently on a UK tour and features a host of award-winning acts from all over Europe.
They have been providing circus entertainment, artists and corporate entertainment for more than 30 years.
No animals are used in the performances and the acts are family orientated.
John Lawson’s circus is just one of many events taking place at Van Hage, Great Amwell, this summer, including a children’s make and take day, animal garden events and much, much more.
For full details of all summer events and to book tickets, please visit www.vanhage.co.uk.

"Happiness Is" a fun new snack!

Iowa State Fair

Published on Aug 11, 2013

One of the three finalists in this year's New Food Contest, the Bacon Wrapped Riblet On-a-stick is great for a midday snack. Stop by Doc's Bud Tent and Pizza Parlor across from Ye Old Mill to try one. And don't forget to vote for your favorite new food!

DAN WALLEN

 

ANIMALS IN THE CIRCUS

Rumor: Animals to be banned from the circus

 

An acrobat performs on a ring held by an elephant during a show at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai.
from:  news.msn.com
By Sally Deneen of MSN News
August 10, 2013
Are elephants, tigers and lions going to be taboo at circuses, leaving daredevil acrobats and gymnasts to entertain crowds?
TRUE: Certain areas around the world ban circus animals, with India becoming the latest. But U.S. circuses still feature the big animals.
If a circus doesn't feature elephants or possibly any animals at all, is it still a circus? Some jurisdictions intend to find out. The Times of India reports that "animals will be totally banned from circus shows" in the country within a year. Get this: Tigers, lions and other wild animals already have been forbidden there for more than a decade, so the broadened ban will now cover the rest of the performing animals — including dogs, horses and camels.
In case you're keeping count, Colombia recently said "no mas" to wild animals in circuses, joining four other South American countries with bans — Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay and what is thought to be the first country in the world to have such a ban, Bolivia, which started in 2009. Greece banned all animals in circuses last year, becoming the second European country behind Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to Animal Defenders International. Austria and Croatia ban wild animal acts, ADI says, while Portugal and Denmark are among European countries pursuing such measures.
England's plans to ban all 21 animals working in its travelling circuses starting in late 2015 have drawn some howls of complaint, the BBC reports. So while elephants, lions and tigers are to be phased out, it's possible camels and snakes and the like will still entertain crowds. Don't worry: Elephants, tigers and other crowd-pleasers remain on the job in U.S. circuses, to the dismay of activists such as Lily Tomlin.
read more:
http://news.msn.com/rumors/rumor-animals-to-be-banned-from-the-circus

BALLOONAPALOOZA FESTIVAL

Balloonapalooza To Include Street Circus, 3D Projection Mapping


 

From:  windsorite.ca
By Liz Thorne
August 10th, 2013
Details of the third annual Balloonapalooza Festival slated for next weekend have been announced.

North America’s only cold air balloon festival attracted over 35,000 people last year and expects even greater attendance this time around with its exciting new attractions.
Because of grants received from the Province of Ontario through Celebrate Ontario, Balloonapalooza will be adding several new components.

“Nouveau Circus” is a street circus performance presented by Sky Society, and taking place at the intersection of Chatham Street and Ouellette Avenue both nights from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Featuring aerial performances such as trapeze, lyra (aerial hoop), and hammock acts, Nouveau Circus includes stage and strolling performers such as stilt walkers, jugglers, fire spinners, contortionists, acro-partner balancing and more.
3D Projection Mapping is best explained in the words of Nick Shields, Director, Suede Productions who says, “Imagine taking a 100 year-old building and changing its shape and surface so that it comes alive in ways that are both thought provoking and exciting for everyone watching; that’s 3D projection mapping and that’s what we are going to do to the Armouries.” The 3D projection mapping takes place both nights, every half-hour starting at 9:30pm and running through to 11:00pm.

Other highlights include numerous vendors on Pitt Street; mini express electric train; 14 live outdoor music performances; midway rides, games and concessions; Art Alley on Maiden Lane featuring local artists and crafters; and the Monster Mural – a giant colouring wall sponsored by The Children’s House Montessori.

Balloonapalooza helps define downtown Windsor as an exciting, family-friendly destination,” said Larry Horwitz, Chairman of the DWBIA. “The festival acts as an economic stimulus for many of our merchants and as a tourism driver for downtown too.”

FROM BROOKE EVANS

James E. Strates Carnival Train on the Southern Tier - July 31, 2013

 

sp8553

Published on Aug 1, 2013

The James E. Strates Shows carnival train traveling westbound on its way from Middletown, NY, to Hamburg, NY. We followed them from Port Jervis all the way to Great Bend. Scenes included in this video are Lackawaxen, Narrowsburg, Callicoon, Hancock, Deposit, Susquehanna, and Great Bend. The train was pulled by a faded NS Dash 8 (one of only a few C40-8s still in service) and a Dash 9