Clothelines puts spin on circus act HANNAH MCKEE

ROUNDABOUT: Tess Munro Pedreros, creator of the Fringe Festival show Between the Lines, where an strengthened everyday washing line is turned into an exciting circus apparatus. 

photo by Matt Duncanf NZ 

from: stuff.co.nz

by Hannah Mckee

03/02/2014

Wellington circus performer Tess Munro Pedreros is keen to defy the stuffy circus stereotypes of clowns and somersaulting dogs with her new show Between the Lines. 

Her team will be bringing their circus to the Fringe Festival, with the unique twist of the entire performance taking place on top of a clothesline. 

The 26-year-old, who lives in Newtown, says this is her first self-produced show in New Zealand and her first time at the festival, after beginning circus performance five years ago. 

"About five years ago I did a gap year in Chile because I'm half Chilean. So I went over there to meet everyone and learn Spanish," she says. 

About five years ago I did a gap year in Chile because I'm half Chilean. So I went over there to meet everyone and learn Spanish," she says. 

While in Chile, she met up with a friend of her father who was involved in stage art and mentioned circus school. 

"I ended up going there for two years. It was really good but really hard work." 

Munro Pedreros says that enrolling at the circus school was somewhat out of character for her. 

"My mum is really excited about the show but she didn't believe me when I said I wanted to go to circus school because I wasn't big on exercise. She's amazed at how it's changed me." 

But she says circus has opened up international opportunities, with nine months at a circus school in China and three with a circus troupe in Nepal. 

"That gave me the confidence to develop my own show, which I've always wanted," she says. 

Other performers in Between the Lines include aerial dancer Andrea Knox, poet Ben Fagan and Evelyn Coulson. 

Munro Pedreros says she was interested in turning everyday objects into performance props for a while. 

"We had the apparatus built especially. It spins and has the big crossbar, pretty much like a standard washing line only a lot safer. Don't try it at home." 

The different aspects of the show connect the concept of the laundry cycle to the cycles of life, she says. 

Munro Pedreros says the Fringe Festival is an incredibly helpful platform for emerging artists. 

"There is something for everyone. Humour and wit, beautiful dance and talent and a bit of audience participation too." 

read and see more:

www.stuff.co.nz

"Distressed" hippos forced to perform conga in Eastern European circus

Getty

from: AOL Travel

Feb. 2, 2014

Home Travel news 

Three hippos were pictured being forced to perform a conga in an Eastern European circus.

The seven-year-old females were reportedly paraded around in the freezing temperatures of Minsk, Belarus, far from their native Africa, the Daily Mail reports.

Zlatyi, Yana and Aida were made to bounce balls on their heads, climb ladders and build pyramids.

A spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals told the Daily Express: "Hippos, along with other luckless wild animals who are chained, caged, whipped and intimidated by the circus industry, are deeply distressed when they perform.

"In the 21st century, with all the countless ways we have to amuse ourselves, there is absolutely no excuse for these shows to be taking place."

The government in Belarus has not yet introduced animal cruelty laws.

read more:

http://travel.aol.co.uk/2014/02/02/disturbing-photo-hippos-performing-conga-minsk-circus/

Children enter the ring before circus’s last show

Children stand still as a pair of clowns juggle clubs around them during the pre-show.JASON VORHEES

by Amy Leigh Womack

from:  macon.com

February 2, 2014

Six-year-old Hollister Forzetting glanced from left to right as juggling pins whizzed past his nose.Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performers gathered six pint-sized volunteers into a line between two jugglers during a pre-show exhibition Sunday, the performers’ last show before leaving the Macon Coliseum.Forzetting, of Dublin, was in the middle as jugglers tossed pins simultaneously in front of and behind the line of children.Children and their parents crowded around the center ring for about 45 minutes before the show to meet the clowns and performers

Children climb atop shoulders to get a view of Duchess the elephant during a pre-show of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Super Circus Heroes Sunday at the Macon Coliseum.JASON VORHEES 

Forzetting also was chosen to jump a giant jump rope and dance with performers as part of the pre-show festivities.His mother, Brandy McDermitt, said he was excited when she told him last week that he’d be attending his first circus show.“He said he was ready to see the elephants, the camels, the clowns and the motorcycles,” she said.

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2014/02/02/2913439/children-enter-the-ring-before.html#storylink=cpy

Circus Pages Comes to Central Panhandle Fairground in Bay County
from: wmbb.com
Jan 16, 2014
By Jay Granberg


WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Cedar Park Center hosts the Ben Hur Shrine Circus for nine performances from Jan. 17–20.
from: impactnews.com
by Stephen Burnett
January 16, 2014
PrevNextBen Hur Shrine Circus (2013)
The Ben Hur Shrine Circus will start entertaining on Jan. 17 before its first of nine performances during the weekend.
Guests who arrive at noon Friday will be able to watch elephants have an apple and banana brunch outside the Cedar Park Center, said Ginny Van Doren, marketing coordinator for the Cedar Park Center.
“People are allowed to visit [and] take pictures of the elephants eating their brunch,” she said.
Parking is free in the side lots, she said. Guests can then walk to the arena’s east side, which faces Toll 183A, and stand within blocked-off sections near the valet parking section. After the elephants leave, clowns and other performers will meet with fans to take photos, Van Doren said.

The evening the circus starts at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 with eight more shows scheduled through Jan. 20.

Already the circus is setting up colorful stands around Cedar Park Center. Guests can find cotton candy and other circus merchandise outside and a full three-ring arrangement inside, she said.

“It would look like a regular circus under a tent, only this has air-conditioning with nice comfy chairs,” Van Doren said.

Cedar Park Center’s ticket office will open two hours before the first performance, she said.

Attendees who arrive at 6:30 p.m. can interact with circus performers on the arena floor and even ride some of the animals such as camels and elephants, Van Doren said.

“If you are early, you’ll still be entertained prior to the actual start of the show,” she said.

Tickets are listed at $23.82–$42.10 and can also be found on the arena’s website. Parking costs an additional $10. After Friday, circus performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Monday, Jan. 20 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

CIRCUS STARR

Circus Starr to put on performance for vulnerable children at Hellesdon school

Circus Starr
Dominic Bareham dominic.bareham2@archant.co.uk
Friday, January 17, 2014
Vulnerable, disabled and disadvantaged children will have the opportunity to see jugglers and illusionists at the weekend when the Circus Starr rolls into town.
Tomorrow the circus will be welcoming hundreds of local children and their families to see the show at Hellesdon High School for free.

With the support of local businesses, the circus will be able to take even more children from the communities of Norwich to see the children’s variety show.

The performance will see the comeback of Peanuts the Clown by popular demand along with some classic circus favourites including hula hoopers, jugglers and illusionists, while there will also be a human slinky.

Over the past few months, local businesses have been buying tickets to the show as part of Circus Starr’s unique donated ticket programme.

The tickets have been donated to a wide range of local children’s services, schools and community groups.
As well as the children who will be enjoying this year’s performance, any extra funds raised will be donated to The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House, which provides care and comfort to those nearing the end of their lives.
Neville Wilson, director of Circus Starr, said: “We are always stunned by the fantastic support we receive from the Norwich businesses and the warm welcome we are given from the entire community each year.

“We are very much looking forward to hosting our variety show here in the new year.”

Tickets cost £15 and the money will enable a vulnerable, sick or disabled child to enjoy the circus.

Any new business wishing to make a donation should call Circus Starr directly on 01260 288690.

Shrine Circus to bring animals, 'America's Got Talent' alumni and more to Flint

Flint resident Skip Taber, 62, carries a "Sno Cones" sign as he helps set up for Shrine Circus on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014 at Perani Arena. Jake May
MLive.com

By William E. Ketchum III
wketchum@mlive.com The Flint Journal

on January 15, 2014

FLINT, MI — Flint's Perani Arena & Event Center will host the first of a multiple shows of one of the longest-running live productions in the United States starting Thursday, Jan. 16.



The venue will host 11 presentations of the Shrine Circus through Monday, Jan. 20.



Tito Valencia, the circus co-manager, said the shows will have tigers, dogs, pony rides, elephant rides, camel rides, snakes, camels and the only male performing elephant in the world, which weighs 14,000 pounds.



The circus will also showcase tumbling troupe The Chicago Boys (of "America's Got Talent" fame), aerial acts, clowns, juggling acts and hula hoop acts.



But first, they have to set everything up. Many of the animals have already arrived to the Perani Arena and Event Center, and on Wednesday morning, Valencia was giving orders to workers who were carting chests of supplies into the arena floor.



Valencia said the show's longevity — "well over 200 years," he said — comes from appealing to families. He cites auto racing and mixed martial arts fighting as live competition.



"You can always bring your family and you don't have to expect any profanity that isn't appropriate for children. If you go to the motocross things, or the MMA things, unfortunately you see some accidents and people getting hurt," Valencia said. "We supply the thrills, but we also supply the family entertainment, so we keep you up and down."
Jeremy Torrey, general manager of Perani Arena, said circus attendance has also done well because of the variety of activities it has, and because of good coupons. One coupon package gets one adult in free with an adult ticket purchase, and another gets two kids in free with an adult ticket purchase.
"The coupon program has really helped during the down economy, it bolsters attendance," Torrey said. "That makes it affordable for everybody."
The circus will have an experienced cast on hand for this tour. Valencia has been a co-manager for about 15 years, and he represents the sixth generation of his family in the circus.
"I haven't experienced much of what we call 'town life' — going to school, and getting a job in town. This is really the only life I've ever known," he said. "It's hard, it's a lot of hours, it's a lot of work, but in end it's all worth it to see how much people enjoy what you're doing."
The clowns also have years under their belts. Byron Vowell, 66, has been a clown with the Shrine Circus since 1990. He said that the crew has a couple newbies in their first year or so, and veterans who have been in the team for 35 to 40 years.
But before earning seniority, they have to spend a year learning the ropes.
"Our clown unit has a one-year period where a guy comes in and he's an apprentice," said Vowell, who lives in Lennon. "We teach him how to put makeup on, the different types of clowns there are, costumes, walkabouts -- which are things you may use while going down a parade route -- how to tie balloons, and just the general stuff that a clown would do. After that year period, an apprentice becomes a regular clown, and works to help train some new ones."

The clowns have 60 to 90 outings per year, including the circus' 33 shows. The circus will use between 15 And 30 clowns per show, depending on the day of the week. They will perform two acts during the circus and greet people and sign autographs before and after the show and during intermission.
Between work and prep, they may be occupied from 7 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m., Vowell said, "but we enjoy it. We have a good time."

Last Weekend To Get Extreme
Come see the show that everyone is buzzing about - Extreme Vegas. This weekend is your last chance to experience the highly energetic and entertaining production that is captivating audiences for its jaw-dropping illusions, mesmerizing cirque acts and beautiful showgirls. Only 5 show left! Take advantage of our BUY ONE GET ONE FREE offer by using promo code EV2014. Tickets can be purchased by visiting or calling our Box Office at 941-355-9805 or online at CircusArts.org.
Hurry, you do not want to miss this trip to Vegas!

Circus Sarasota | 501(c)3 Non-Profit Performing Arts Educational Organization | 2075 Bahia Vista Street | Sarasota | FL | 34239

Arizona State Fair Boosts Attendance with New Marketing Strategies

From: Matt's Carnival Warehuse.com
1/15/2014
By Timothy Herrick
Photo courtesy of AZ State Fair
Attendance increased by more than 20,000 for the 129th edition of the Arizona State Fair in 2013. While many factors contributed to this robust uptick in fairgoers, two new advertising methods stick out for both their effectiveness and the fact they were firsts for the fair's marketing.

One was ad placement on the news feeds appearing on the monitors at the baggage claim section of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. "These were digital spots only appeared in this area of the airport, where people wait for their luggage," said Kristi Walsh, Assistant Executive Director. While there's no accurate measurement for the effectiveness of these ads, Walsh speculates by utilizing this unique medium with a captive audience, she reached two important consumer segments. "We got the tourists and people visiting, who may be looking for things to do. And, we got residents returning home who may not have otherwise known there was a fair going on."
read more at:
http://www.carnivalwarehouse.com/brnews/newsarticle.asp?ID=541

LENNON BROS CIRCUS 2013

LENNON BROS CIRCUS

Lennon Bros Circus is the oldest touring circus in Australia. 115 years ago, it started as a Buckjump show and has evolved into the sophisticated circus production witnessed today.

The circus is currently run by 5th generation brothers Geoff & Warren with 5th and 6th generations of the family represented in the program.
Lennon Bros Circus is one of only two circuses left in Australia with big cats in the program. The three lions at Lennon’s are four years of age: two females and one male from different litters. They were born and bred in the circus, and are in fact 12th generation born and bred in Australia.

Other animals appearing in the show include:

•Beautiful Liberty Horses
•Monkeys
•Camels
•Lllamas
•Geese
•Dogs
The Lennon family employs a staff of 30 people, ranging in age from 3 to 65 years. To enable this large operation to move around Australia (by no means a small feat), we have 14 trucks, 2 semi trailers and 14 caravans.
The Lennon family is very proud of their Australian heritage and aim to utilize the best of Australia performers as well as overseas artists. Be captivated by the antics of the clowns, awed by the majesty of the lions, and enthralled by the jugglers, the daring of the aerialists, the wheel of death, and the awesome flying trapeze.
Do not miss the fast paced Lennon Bros Circus production when it comes to your town!

ELEPHANT FLEES CIRCUS IN ROME

 

from: ecanadanow.com'
Karen Enyeart ·
Jan 3rd, 2014
- Circus life isn’t all it’s been cracked up to be for an elephant named Mia. In early December, the pachyderm broke free from her restraints at the Amedeo Orfei Circus which had been offering performances in Rome for about a week, and took off on an adventure throughout the city. Some residents of the northern suburb where Mia escaped said they felt extreme panic when they heard that a wild animal was on the loose in their neighborhood, while others kept a lookout for the elephant simply out of curiosity.

Mia was able to enjoy a little more than two hours of freedom before Roman law enforcement officials received word of her location, just before she managed to enter a road connected to a Roman motorway. The owners of the circus were able to capture her without incident after she stopped at a roundabout and seemed confused as to which direction to take next. Mia is now back under the watchful eye of her handlers at the Amedeo Orfei Circus. Luckily for Mia as well as the owners of the circus, neither the elephant nor any bystanders were harmed during Mia’s little adventure which added some excitement to Italy’s holiday season.

ON The Web:
http://specials.msn.com/news/weirdest-news-of-2013-ss?imageindex=4

LOCAL MAN MAKES CIRCUS HISTORY

 

from: heritagefl.com
By Chris DeSouza, Assistant Editor
January 3, 2014
Matt Loory was working at the First Watch restaurant on Rt. 436 in Altamonte Springs, training to become a manager, when Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando, where he graduated with honors in 2012, called him and said that Ringling Bros. had a job opening for a cook, was he interested?

Longwood resident Loory was interested. "I grew up seeing Ringling Bros. every year in Orlando with my family and fell in love with the circus."

Just 23 years old, his future already looked bright right here in Central Florida, but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Why not? "I took a leap of faith and joined the show," he said enthusiastically.

That was January 2013. Three months later, he "threw his hat into the ring" for the Pie Car manager position, and hit the "rails" running as the youngest manager in the circus' 144-year history.

Loory acquired his love of cooking while spending every major Jewish holiday in the kitchen with his mom helping her make matzo balls and peeling potatoes for latkes. His parents (Josh and Fern Loory), foodies themselves, gave him the opportunity to try foods from around the world. Little did he know how much this would prepare him for his future career.

As exciting as this opportunity was for him, it wasn't easy to leave the security of his hometown. He graduated from Lake Brantley High School and attended Congregation Beth Am, where he was involved in B'nai B'rith Youth Organization. Plus, he loved his mom's brisket, noodle-kugel and potatoes.

He knew he'd be gone from home for two years on tour, seeing the country in ways most of the world would never know, all on the largest privately-owned train in the world. Still, the lure of the circus combined with his passion for culinary drew him to "run away and join the circus."

Loory now enjoys managing a staff of five cooks and preparing cuisine from more than 25 countries-serving 1,500 meals each week to more than 300 performers and crew members of the "Greatest Show on Earth" while traveling city to city by train.

"This is one large community without boundaries-a city without a zip code," said Loory of his new home.

What is his favorite meal to prepare? This was a hard question for Loory to answer. After a few minutes consideration, he said it had to be the Asian-style meatloaf with ginger and sweet chili sauce, served with wasabi mashed potatoes.

The Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey show "Legends" will be in Orlando at the Amyway Center, Jan. 9-12. What is Loory planning to do while here? Believe it or not, he has a dentist appointment (his mom made it for him) and he has jury duty, which he hopes to be released from. But most of all, he hopes to have some of his mom's home-made brisket and potatoes.
http://www.heritagefl.com/story/2014/01/03/features/local-man-makes-circus-history/1976.html

RENOWNED CIRCUS TROY WOOS BAHRAIN CROWD

 

from: tradearabia.com
Manama, 1 days ago
A group of 28 artists from the renowned Troy International Circus will be entertaining the public in Bahrain throughout this month.

The event, at Adhari Park, is organised by Ghamdi Convention and Exhibition Centre and Mondial International Contracting.

It kicked off yesterday and will run until the end of this month, organisers said. The tickets have been priced at BD10 ($26), BD7 and BD5.

The circus includes clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other object manipulation and stunt artists.

"This is the second time we have organised such an event in Bahrain," said the organisers.

"We are expecting a huge turnout, as people love such events.

"There is no permanent circus in Bahrain and we are obliged that we are allowed to bring artists and animals from various countries to perform acts.

"These skilled and talented artists are from Tajikistan, Kenya, Uzbekistan, Egypt and Bahrain. Children as well as adults can enjoy these performances.

"These acts are prepared by our qualified trainers and skilled artists," they added.-TradeArabia News Service
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MEDIA_249195.html

LONE STAR CIRCUS DAZZLES DALLAS CHILDREN'S THEATRE

from: dallasnews.com
Nancy Churnin The Dallas Morning News
Arts & Entertainment
03 January 2014
Lone Star Circus has always put on a fabulous show, but the latest installment, Charivari, seems more buoyant than ever.

Breathtaking exploits expand blissfully in the intimate space, with Lone Star-trained Morgan and Cody flipping on the double trapeze right over the heads of the audience. But it’s more than that — it’s the sense that the dream of a homegrown circus, created and directed by Fanny Kerwich, has taken firm root in Dallas soil.

Lone Star, a new recipient of a $10,000 TACA grant, is now part of the Dallas Children’s Theater season. And Kerwich, who nurtures the next generation of artists in her Lone Star Circus school, has struck a joyful balance between local and international stars. The charms of Dallas favorites Slappy and Monday (married clowns Tiffany Riley and Dick Monday), Liz Mikel and B.J. Cleveland anchor the talent, with Dallas-based Alex Acero adding a fresh spin of clowning and acrobatics.

U.S. national champion rhythmic gymnast Shelby Kisiel kicks off the action like a bird emerging from a golden cage to do remarkable flips and spins with a golden ball. Christian Atayde Stoinev seems all seriousness with formidable hand balancing until his adorable dog, Scooby, jumps in the act, clambering over Stoinev as he somersaults and does handstands.

The juggling Fusco Brothers — identical twins from Buenos Aires — pull off the rare feat of juggling nine rings at once along with two-man tricks that stunned the circus savvy at the Jan. 1 performance. Kids in the audience couldn’t get enough of the four-legged stars of the Pompeyo Family & Their Amazing Rescue Dogs act, with the biggest applause going to a little pup in a Superman suit that leapt off a tower into Jorge Pompeyo’s arms.

New U.S. citizens Karoly and Anita Zeman electrify with their BMX and roller skating spins, and Morgaine and Ryan of California dance dazzlingly in an aerial strap ballet. Dallas talent held its own, with Lone Star grad Jesse Patterson pouring passion into her hula hoop act, while Stephanie Stewart’s elegant rope twisting drew depth from Mikel crooning to her like a snake charmer coaxing a coiling snake.

Meanwhile the performers’ children sparkled in brief glimpses, twirling a silk here, riding a bicycle there, like a promise of circuses to come.

SUPER CIRCUS HEROES BEGINS NEXT FRIDAY AT O'CONNELL CENTER

 

Spectators can see animal acts at the “Super Circus Heroes,” which begins Friday in Gainesville.
from: gainesville.com
By Tyler Francischine
Correspondent
January 3, 2014
The O'Connell Center transforms into the Big Tent, complete with aerialists, acrobats and animals galore, when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present their "Super Circus Heroes" show Friday through Jan. 12.

Ringmaster David Shipman said this show's theme is strength and power. Groups from 10 different countries, including Russia, China and Cuba, will perform great feats of strength, balance and concentration. One performer can land a quadruple back flip, while another balances himself midair on the tip of a sword placed at his bellybutton, he said.

"This is a show unlike any we've ever done before," Shipman said. "It's about superhuman abilities. Everyone has them. It's about finding the strength to pull them out of yourself."

Cathy Carden, the animal trainer and presenter for the show, said there will be plenty of tunes for the music lovers in the audience, as well.

"The music is awesome, and the dance numbers are so good," she said. "Our choreographer has worked with Lady Gaga and Janet Jackson."

This show takes on a smaller, one-ring format, which was created to reach venues without access to the railroad system.

The Ringling Bros. company is famous for transporting its largest performers, like elephants, on train cars. Still, this smaller format assures more face time between the performers and their audience.

An "All Access Pre-Show" held one hour before each show on the arena floor will offer audience members a chance to meet the performers.

"It's very intimate," Shipman said. "You see the sweat, you see the strain. You see that everything these performers do is real."

Carden, a seventh-generation animal trainer whose family has been in the circus business since the 1600s, said audiences will be treated to performances by 18 dogs, seven miniature horses, two Arabian horses, two Shetland ponies, two camels and three elephants, the last of which grew up alongside Carden at her parents' house.

Carden said her favorite moments training animals are those times when she sees the light bulb go on and they master their routines.

CHICAGO CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS FESTIVAL HEADED TO TOWN

 

from: suntimes.com
by: Hedy Weiss
January 3, 2014

The circus is coming to town in ways you might never have imagined. And along with the acrobatics, contortions, clowning and derring-do of both local and international artists, there will be a veritable big top of discussions, seminars, workshops, panels and parties.
It is all part of the 2014 Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival, running Jan. 6-12. The first event of its kind in this country, the Festival is presenting a wide array of performances ranging from grand-scale to intimate cabaret style, all produced either on the Athenaeum Theatre mainstage and in its black box spaces at 2936 N. Southport, or at the new Links Hall space at 3111 N. Western.
Co-produced and curated by Chicago-based circus artists Shayna Swanson and Matt Roben, the Festival also has joined forces with Circus Now, a national organization devoted to supporting “the evolution of the circus arts in the United States,” to present a four-hour seminar, Speaking Circus Chicago, to be held Jan. 7. Featuring circus artists, scholars and producers, and designed primarily for presenters and journalists, it also is open to the public. (For information about the free seminar visit http://circusnow.org/.)