Circus art show goes under the big top

© Courtesy of the Moscow Museum of Modern Art

by Alice Tchernookova, 

special to The Moscow News 

25/02/2014 

by Alice Tchernookova, special to The Moscow News at 25/02/2014 17:07

A playful new circus-themed exhibition at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art puts viewers right in the arena, creating an interactive journey through dressing rooms, tents and even animal cages. Along the way are a wide range of representations of the circus in Russian art, from Alexander Rodchenko to Oleg Kulik. 

"The theme of the circus has been very present in the works of Russian artists during the last century," said Darya Vorobyova, curator of "Igra v Tsirk" ("Playing Circus"). "The idea was to group as many as possible within a single exhibition, showing a variety of perceptions."

The exhibition spans 13 rooms, each of them focusing on a particular aspect of the circus. Having ascended the stairs under a bright marquee, visitors arrive in the "My Circus" room, which contains childlike paintings by Marc Chagall, Constructivist-style 1930s prints by Alexandra Exter, and several Rodchenko photographs, including the striking "Jump on a Horse" (1935).

Other rooms include the "Dressing Room," which shows period circus costumes and a makeup table surrounded by spotlights, and "The Cage," which puts the watcher in the position of a caged animal, complete with sound effects and large-scale lion photographs by Katya Shkolnik.

The "Arena" room contains one of the show's central pieces: Yuri Sheshkov's 1995 painting "Manezh" ("Arena"). The painting's arena extends into the room, allowing visitors to enter its scene of jugglers and animal tricks for themselves. The final room, "The Dream," has twelve different doors, which visitors can open to reveal allusions to the previous rooms.

"Igra v Tsirk" reveals the wide range of styles in which the circus has been depicted in Russian art, from Alexander Tikhomirov's lyrical paintings, to grotesque caricatures by Soviet cartoonist Boris Yefimov, to the playful clowning of contemporary conceptualist artist Leonid Tishkov.

"Circus is always a matter of emotions, of feelings," Vorobyova said.

It's a set of feelings that viewers - especially young ones - likely won't want to leave.

Until April 6 at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, www.mmoma.ru

Circus Investigates Animal Abuse Claims During Weekend Shows

from: wbw.com

By: Nick Vivian

Feb 24, 2014

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -- The Hamid Circus is investigating complaints that dogs were abused during a weekend performance of the 'Shrine Circus' performance in Topeka.

Several people posted on Facebook that it happened during the Alaskan Malamutes act. They said the animals started fighting. One poster claimed they were on leashes and - when staff couldn't pull them apart - they punched the dogs in the face.

Other posters accused the staff of kicking and punching the dogs. Some of them were calling it abuse.

Jill Foster-Koch posted: "The dogs were performing and then started fighting with each other. They were on leashes and the staff tried to pull them away and the dogs wouldn't let up so they punched the dogs in the face. The dogs would've killed each other. It was a mess all the way around."

Erin Moll McGuire posted: "Even though the lights were turned out we still witnessed the kicking and hitting of the dogs. While the dogs were indeed attacking each other, the way the handlers were going about it to break up them up was unnecessary and downright abusive!"

But not everyone who posted saw the situation the same way. Some posted that they understood the trainer's actions.

Ashley Luttjohann posted: "Do you honestly think him hitting the dog hurt any worse than the other dog tearing into him? You can't go put your hands anywhere close to the mouths to "nicely separate" them or you will get mauled yourself.... I was there. I saw this as well. Animals fight sometimes. I thought they did a good job handling it. I'm not saying they don't abuse these animals, and I think it's awful. And if they did go back and kick the dog after the fight was over then that is horrible.

On its Facebook page, Hamid Circus said the well being of its animals is its first priority.

"(T)he animal handler in question has been reassigned while an internal investigation is being conducted," the Hamid Circus post read. "We take these allegations very seriously and will take appropriate disciplinary action as warranted."

The Kansas Expocentre said Monday it had not received any complaints about the circus performance. Topeka Police also had no reports.

Posted by: Nick Viviani/Melissa Brunner

Circus Day In Our Town (1949)

Published on Nov 10, 2012

Circus Day In Our Town

1949

Scenes of a big three-ring circus include the arrival, the parade, unloading, tent raising and highlights of the show itself. This film has amazing footage of a circus coming into a town, the townspeople helping with construction of the circus tents, the clowns preparing for their performance and the variety of circus Acts and the crowds viewing them.

LatAm circus stars look for opportunities in Europe

From:  globalpost.com

Agencia EFE

February 24, 2014

Figueres, Spain, Feb 24 (EFE).- Latin American circus stars like the Chilean clown "Pastelito," his compatriots Catalina and Camila Palma, and Mexico's Duo Marquez, are appearing at the International Circus Festival in Figueres, a city in northeastern Spain, in search of whatever opportunities Europe has to offer.

One requirement of this prestigious big top event is that all the acts must be totally new to the European public, which in turn makes it a magnet for show programmers around the world.

Festival performances are presented as a contest, bringing together in the Catalan town of Figueres the world's circus elite with the presence of such unusual and esteemed companies as the Pyongyan National Circus.

Pastelito is a special case, someone who is a TV character in Chile and the owner of a circus, but who has left all aside for the first time to try this European experience.

The Chilean clown, with a 25-year career behind him, has appeared in Colombia, Mexico and the United States and mounted his own business, but his success has sometimes kept him from accepting offers such as the one in Figueres because of always being bound by contracts.

"We're always working," Pastelito told Efe from the dressing room, calling this a "very beautiful" experience.

Representing Mexico are the Duo Marquez, made up of "circus animal" Nazareth and a former store cashier, Michelle Sandoval, who, after meeting him, accepted his invitation to become an acrobat like he is.

The International Circus Festival in Figueres opened last Thursday and ends Monday with the final competition and the awarding of prizes.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW: Circus Oz

 FOTO BY ROBERT TORRES

Hazel Bock of Circus Oz juggles a table with her feet at Boston’s Citi Shubert Theatre.

The gravity-defying spectacle from Australia lands in Boston

From:  tech.mit.edu

By Denis Bozic ARTS EDITOR

February 25, 2014

Circus Oz

From the Ground Up Tour

Presented by Celebrity Series of Boston

Feb. 19 — Feb. 23

Citi Shubert Theatre

When was the last time you saw a live performing circus? Chances are you’ve simply forgotten about circus as a type of performing arts. Indeed, with so many blockbuster movies filled with otherworldly acrobatics, there seems to be a loss of interest in seeing an actual human being putting their life at risk for your entertainment. Nevertheless, the entertaining teams of performers — from Cirque du Soleil to The Big Apple Circus — still deliver some of the most gut-wrenching and captivating shows to people across the world. Last week, Boston hosted the world’s renowned Australian ensemble of acrobats, musicians, and dancers known as Circus Oz.

Established in Melbourne in 1978, Circus Oz is an animal-free circus that unites traditional circus arts with theater, musical, high-risk acrobatics and stand-up comedy. Their tour “From The Ground Up” is a perfect choice of circus that’s appropriate for all ages — jaw-dropping feats for the kids and hilarious jokes for the adults who appreciate a subtle sense of humor. With a cast of good-looking and charming Australians, Circus Oz is the perfect blend of fun and spectacle.

Their show premiered in Boston last Wednesday at Citi Shubert Theatre, and it was a two-hour long performance filled with laughter, applause, and gasps. It might be counterintuitive to imagine a circus on theater stage, but Circus Oz is far from a regular circus ensemble. Their performers mingle with the audience before the show and show off their tricks while the rest of the circus crew is setting up the stage, which seems a vibrant and joyous construction site. The show starts with the performers telling jokes and trying to perform card tricks. It all somehow seems a bit dull when there is no one flying in the air during the first fifteen minutes of performance.

But that is just an elaborate prank. The ensemble tricks you into thinking that the show is going to be mellow, but just after the first twenty minutes, the thrills begin. One of the male performers climbs a ten-meter tall pole that keeps swinging from left to right, while one of the female performers plays a jazzy melody on the piano as if it’s commonplace to risk multiple fracture every day. And that’s when you realize that the show is anything but traditional.

Not all of the stunts were quite as frightening as the one with the swinging pole, but they were always stunning enough to have the audience applauding every two minutes. Some of the most fascinating feats included juggling a small table with feet, doing reverse spirals on a hanging hula-hoop, “tightroping” on a rotating rope, and see-saw somersaults. Despite the extraordinary focus and practice required to perform these acrobatics, the performers delivered every stunt with such grace and enjoyment that it was easy to believe that the effect of gravity was the last thing on their mind.

In addition to performing the stunts, most of the performers played instruments, coloring the performance with an entertaining mixture of rock ‘n’ roll and jazz. It was quite fascinating to see such a talented crowd tackle every aspect of the show. And, if that wasn’t enough, the naughty humor, subtle sexual innuendos, and the playful gender-based jokes were guaranteed to bring out smiles in the audience.

Of course, when there is so much emphasis on theatricality and delivery, there is not a lot of space for coherence within the show’s story. The basic idea of the story was pretty clear, but there were still a few moments of filler dialogues that seemed to diverge from the show’s premise. Then again, when there is a person in front of you spinning a table just with her feet, who needs a well-developed story to be entertained?

from: http://tech.mit.edu/V134/N7/circusoz.html

Circus arrives in Newport but needs your help to open in time

in Gwent news South Wales Argus: 

By Laura Lea, South Wales Argus reporter

24th February 2014 

A ‘DESPERATE’ circus is appealing to the people of Newport for a super drill to help them get ready for their grand opening in just two days time. 

Gerry Cottle’s Circus has come to town for the half-term holiday, but at this rate the Big Top may not be up in time.

The ‘Turbo Show’ which boasts 50 acts in 100 minutes, was due to open this Wednesday at Tredegar Park. It was forced to move to the Newport Car Auctions Pill Carboot sale site, after organisers learnt the land at Tredegar Park was waterlogged.

“Last Wednesday, Gerry Cottle himself went to the site and found it was completely water-logged,” said circus manager Maureen Carter.

But the only suitable site they could find was the concreted carboot area on Usk Way.

“We’ve got the kit here but it’s concrete. We’ve gone into concrete before but it’s really deep here,” said Ms Carter.

The team need a 50mm rock drill that can drill 2ft down.  There are 60-70 ‘stakes’ that must be planted into the ground to secure their Turbo Dome tent.

“We are just desperate,” said Ms Carter.  “If there is someone out there who can help us we will pay and can give them free tickets.”

The show has already sold more than 1000 tickets for the Newport run which is supposed to start at 3pm this Wednesday with two showings a day until Sunday March 2.

If you can help, call us on 01633 777 087.

from:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/gwentnews/11032359.Circus_arrives_in_Newport_but_needs_your_help_to_open_in_time/

Le Lydia Circus !

Circus comes to Indiana

from: thepenn.org

Brandon Clemens--Lead Wet Ink Writer

02/25/2014

Watch out Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the circus is coming to town.

Walker International Events will present the newest edition of its circus show titled “Circus, Circus and More Circus,” Wednesday in the S&T Bank Arena.

The traveling, indoor circus will offer two showtimes, one at 5 and the other at 7:30 p.m.

According to the event company’s website, the circus will offer “90 fun-filled minutes, jam-packed with thrills, chills, laughter and animals, animals, animals.”

Brett Peterson (sophomore, theater) said she’s genuinely excited that a circus act is coming to Indiana at all.

“It’s just so nice to be able to do something that isn’t normally offered in the area,” Peterson said.

And if the circus’s recent online attendee reviews are any indication, Indiana County patrons shouldn’t be disappointed.

A Feb. 7 review from the Walker website referred to the 2014 edition of the circus as being perfect for any age group and full of nostalgia.

“The thing that got me was the feel of watching professionals of today do something that seemed steeped in old-world charm,” said circus attendee Tim Hall.

But, however well the acts themselves are received, Brendan Cope (junior, English) said that he is concerned the venue will not be big enough to hold “the full circus experience.”

“I don’t see the draw,” Cope said.

Regardless of the venue size, though, new entertainment is new entertainment.

Tickets for the all-ages event cost $15 for adults and are available for purchase at WalkerInternationalEvents.com.

Each paid adult ticket comes with free admission for two children 14 and under. Admission for each additional child costs $5.

Indiana State Fair aims to break dry spell, join 48 states selling alcohol on fairgrounds

From: therepublic.com

By SUMMER BALLENTINE  Associated Press

February 24, 2014 

INDIANAPOLIS — This state's distinction of having one of the last dry state fairs could end if legislation clears the Indiana House.

The bill would allow the Indiana State Fair to sell beer, wine and liquor for the first time since 1947. Indiana and North Carolina are the only two states that don't allow drinking during their state fairs. North Carolina allows fairgoers to sample wine and buy bottles of wine for home consumption.

Fair officials say they want to showcase beer, wine and distilled spirits just like other products of Indiana agriculture. Opponents question the safety of the measure and worry it could threaten the fair's family atmosphere.

The state Senate passed the bill 33-13. The bill Monday cleared the second of its required three readings in the House.

BUSY WEEKEND IN DOVER, DE

Well I finally got something I've been needing for a few years

A RAMP FOR MY SCOOTERS!

Here's the Balloonman and part of the crew that built for me!

All together 20 people got together from a local church and with the

help of a foundation built  it for me!

AND HERE'S THE FINISHED RAMP

they started at 8am and finished about 4:00 PM.

Shriners Circus This Weekend

WKEFandWRGT

Published on Feb 7, 2014

Ohio amusement park opens gates for charity event

Event raised more than $13,000 for charity

Feb 23, 2014

SANDUSKY, Ohio —More than 300 people braved winds and cold temperatures for a children's charity event at the Cedar Point amusement park in northern Ohio.

Cedar Point gave participants a behind-the-scenes view of the park at the Winter Chill Out event on Saturday.

Officials at the park in Sandusky say the event raised more than $13,000 for Give Kids The World Village.

The 70-acre central Florida nonprofit resort provides cost-free, week-long vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world.

Cedar Point will open to the public for the 2014 season on Saturday, May 10.

The park is owned by amusement park operator Cedar Fair Entertainment Co.

Cedar Fair owns more than a dozen amusement parks and water parks around the country, along with a handful of hotels.

Read more: http://www.wlwt.com/news/local-news/ohio-amusement-park-opens-gates-for-charity-event/24629806#ixzz2uGPyY7k8

Circus Week: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in Richmond, VA

MARK GORMUS

Damien Ramsey, 9 yrs. old, participated as a Ringling Bros. clown during the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Pre-Show activities on opening night of the circus at the Richmond Coliseum Wed. Feb. 15, 2012.

From: richmond.com

February 24, 2014 

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Built To Amaze! in Richmond this week, the 143rd edition of the Greatest Show On Earth.

There are 11 shows this week scheduled for February 26-March 2 at the Richmond Coliseum. Tickets are between $8.50 and $87 and available available online at Ticketmaster.com, area Ticketmaster outlets, charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 and at the Ford Box Office at the Richmond Coliseum. Ages 2 and older must have a ticket. 

read more:

http://www.richmond.com/events/article_030edf94-9b2c-11e3-9d0f-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=story

Cirque Pinder-The Movie Bonus 01 On the road Cirque.avi

Published on Mar 21, 2012

Bonus # 1 on the wheel of the circus.

Family fun at Hudson's Circus

Acrobatics at the circus. 

Photo: Claudia Baxter / The Queensland Times

Claudia Baxter

FROM; www.qt.com.au

Kiri Ten Dolle  

24th Feb 2014

LOTS of laughs echoed from the big top at Ipswich Showgrounds as Hudson's Circus delivered its first weekend of colourful entertainment to Ipswich families.

From spectacular trapeze and the world's largest hula hoop performance to a heart-stopping performance by daredevil Ashley Brophy, as Jack Sparrow on a tight-rope, crowds lined the showgrounds to get a taste of the action.

The vibrant production, combining circus traditions with modern theatre, is on show in Ipswich until March 9.

Spearheading the fast-moving performance is ringmaster and Lennon Brothers Circus descendent Shane Lennon. 

                                                     

Hoola-hoop performance at the circus.

 Photo: Claudia Baxter / The Queensland Times

Claudia Baxter

Spearheading the fast-moving performance is ringmaster and Lennon Brothers Circus descendent Shane Lennon.

Together with his wife Nancy, a trapeze artist from Canada, they have drawn on their knowledge of international circus to put together a new touring show, which started on December 27 in Tweed Heads.

"My family's history goes back 100 years in circus," Mr Lennon said.

"My son Hudson, who the show is named after, is sixth generation in the circus industry, and is already starting to perform at two years.

"My family is quite big.

"We're Australia's largest circus family and I had a different idea for a show...made up of a cast of people who have worked world wide.

"We've come together to put on a world class tradition circus, something that is quite upmarket compared to your run of the mill circus."

The show features world record breaking, tight rope artist Ashley Brophy who, defying gravity, skips on a high rope between the peaks of the big top.

Renowned aerial trapeze artist Clive Lotah, 79, performs a comedy skit on top of a 12m sway pole.

Mr Lennon leads one of the largest performing animal acts of four camels, two llamas and two water buffalo, as well as special skits by two macaws and six stallions.

Hudson's Circus is at Ipswich Showgrounds until March 9.

For more information or to book tickets, visit hudsonscircus.com.au/

Zippo's Circus to return to Merry Hill

The Rastellis 

From: halesowennews.co.uk

22nd February 2014 

ZIPPO’S Circus will be starting off its 2014 national tour with a six-day stop-off at Merry Hill.

The circus will be bringing the big top back to the Westfield shopping centre from Thursday March 6 until Tuesday March 11 when it will present brand new production Unchained.

The show features 30 artistes including world record holding strongman Hercules and award-winning clown troupe, The Rastellis, who have delighted audiences around the globe.

Founder and owner Martin Burton said: “We go back each year to many of the same parks and open spaces but we never bring the same production two years running, we make a point of having a new and novel show each time, so people making an annual visit can be confident we’ll please them afresh.”

For show dates and ticket details/prices check out www.zippos.co.uk 

2014 Akdar Shrine Circus TV Promo

Published on Feb 17, 2014

Let the magic of the circus take over your senses! The one & only Shrine Circus Clowns! Magic shows! Amazing animal antics! Daredevils and much, much more!

We're Looking for the Next Circus Legends! 

No 'Shortage of Clowns' in NY Metro Area as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Host Clown College Auditions at Prudential Centre

From: broadwayworld.com

By Travel New Desk

February 21,2014

Recent media stories indicate that the US in the grips of a great "clown shortage." Well, not at The Greatest Show On Earth! In fact, in celebration of the arrival of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS to the NY Metro area, The Greatest Show On Earth proudly announces a spectacular clown audition as it searches for the next circus legend!

"We're always on the look-out for people with the passion, commitment and the ability to connect with today's contemporary circus fans," says David Kiser, director of talent at Ringling Bros. "The NY Metro area is the perfect place to look for our next legendary clown star."

WHO: 

Talented and passionate people from the NY Metro area are encouraged to register for the audition at http://www.ringling.com/clownauditions/

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE LEGENDARY CLOWNS OF RINGLNG BROS.

Over 4000 people per year apply to join Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown Alley. Of that number, approximately 14 are selected.

The average age range of a Ringling Bros. clown is 20-24.

Although most of our clowns are from the good old USA, we have clowns from Mexico, Cuba, and Brazil touring with our shows.

WHEN/WHERE:

March 12 at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

10 AM - 2PM

Read more at http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtravel/article/Were-Looking-for-the-Next-Circus-Legends-No-Shortage-of-Clowns-in-NY-Metro-Area-as-Ringling-Bros-and-Barnum-Bailey-Host-Clown-College-Auditions-at-Prudential-Ce-20140221#hgrcfvYtrXKk0btx.99