25-year-old ringmaster lives dream of leading circus

 

David Shipman is just 25, but he's already a ringmaster for the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus.
By Janis Fontaine,Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
from:  pbpulse.com
December 20, 2012
“What kid doesn’t dream of running away to join the circus?” Ringmaster David Shipman asks.
When Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey brings The Greatest Show On Earth to the Palm Beach County Convention Center Tuesday, it will be the fulfillment of a dream for 25-year-old Shipman of Pensacola.
“I’ve come full circle,” Shipman said by phone before rehearsals for the new show. “I fell in love with the circus when I saw my first show as a kid.”
Now he’s the newest ringmaster for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Holiday Circus Spectacular.
“On top of getting the audience charged up for the show, I introduce my family of performers. They are so talented I hope I can do them justice.”
For Shipman, the best part of his new job is that “I get to see them perform every night, and I love to see the faces of the kids who are bouncing up and down in their seats in anticipation.” Shipman knows just how they feel.
read more:
http://www.pbpulse.com/news/entertainment/25-year-old-ringmaster-lives-dream-of-leading-circ/nTYkQ/

FROM CHRISTMAS PAST---

 

 

 

 

 

French-American school becomes big top for a day
from:  sdnews.com
by Kendra Hartmann
Dec 19, 2012
Just before breaking for the holidays, the students at the San Diego French-American School got a special treat. On Dec. 12 and 13, they gathered in the school’s auditorium for a chance to see a very European tradition: the French circus.

Slightly different from what many Americans think of when they hear the word “circus” (there were no animals, trapeze or death-defying feats), the Tour de Cirque consists of just two performers: husband-and-wife team Marion Achard and Farid Abed.

The small cast and simple sets didn’t hinder the performance. For nearly an hour, Achard and Abed kept the rapt attention of the students with their intricate juggling, tricks and slights of hand. Just when it seemed they couldn’t add another ball or bowling pin to a juggling routine, three more were thrown in. Though the performance, set to music, didn’t contain any dialogue, the story was perfectly told through the actors’ movements and expression.

Achard and Abed brought their show to the United States on a six-month journey of North America by camping car. Traveling with their three young children, they started in eastern Canada, making their way west then south through California. From San Diego, they will eventually travel down through Mexico and up the Eastern Seaboard before they depart back to their native France.

Read more:
http://sdnews.com/view/full_story/21183854/article-French-American-school-becomes-big-top-for-a-day?instance=sdnews_ane_page

Performing dogs, a mentalist and Jerry Springer. America does have (got) talent

 

by Craig Sailor
thenewstribune.com
Dec. 19, 2012
Tacoma, WA --The “America’s Got Talent Live All Stars Tour” lands in Everett on April 14. The show features performances by finalists from the past two seasons and viewer favorites. Best of all: it’s hosted by Jerry Springer. Tickets go on sale Friday.
The live version of the popular TV talent show will have this season’s champion, Olate Dogs, last season’s winner, Eugene Landau Murphy, this season’s mentalist/mind reader Eric Dittelman, escape artist/illusionist Spencer Horsman, and last season’s 12 year old singing sensation, Anna Graceman.
Springer, king of trash talk TV (“The Jerry Springer Show” is now in its 21st season) and ballroom dancer (among dozens of other job titles) will be the host for the show at Comcast Arena.
Here’s more on the performers:
“Anna Graceman, 12, is an accomplished singer and songwriter, equally comfortable singing in front of friends and family as she is in front of the TV camera where she has blown millions of people away with her powerful and deeply soulful voice.
Spencer Horsman is an escape artist born into the entertainment business with both parents performing with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey as circus clowns. He was introduced to magic at age four, started ventriloquism at eight, and began performing for TV by the age of 15. His audition, performing upside down in a straitjacket, held in place with ropes which were lit on fire gained him notoriety during season 7.
Eric Dittelman was a semi-finalist on season 7, where he performed his unique blend of mind reading with stand up and improvisational comedy.
As part of his AGT prize as sixth season winner, Eugene Landau Murphy realized a lifelong dream and headlined a show at the Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Many have compared his smooth vocals and phrasing to that of Frank Sinatra, and his rags to riches rise has been nothing short of phenomenal.
The Olate Dogs had their humble beginnings when 12 year old Richard Olate took his love for dogs and turned it into a small entertainment troupe in his native Chile. They are now America’s most recognized dog entertainers as the most recent winners of “America’s Got Talent.”
Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/getout/2012/12/19/performing-dogs-a-mentalist-and-jerry-springer-america-does-have-got-talent/#storylink=cpy

How to bring your ‘Dragon’ to life

 
Photo by Lisa Tomasetti
DreamWorks Animation worked with Global Creatures, the Australian company behind "Walking with Dinosaurs," to create a live arena production of its hit film "How to Train Your Dragon."
from: bizjournals.com
L.A. Biz by Annlee Ellingson
December 19, 2012,
What if dragons were real? What if you could really fly?
These were the questions the creative forces at DreamWorks Animation were asking themselves as they worked on “How to Train Your Dragon,” the animated adaption of Cressida Cowell’s storybook that went on to gross nearly $500 million worldwide in 2010. Then members of the team saw “Walking with Dinosaurs,” a live arena show by Australian company Global Creatures that brings the Jurassic era to life, and the idea was hatched for “How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular”—a life-sized reimagining of the heartwarming tale of a boy Viking and his pet dragon that revitalizes and extends the franchise.

 

Photo by Todd Kaplan
"How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular" "hits all the senses," said Eric Stevens, head of live entertainment at DreamWorks Animation.
“As a company, DreamWorks is always looking for ways to connect with our audience,” Eric Stevens, head of live entertainment at DreamWorks Animation, told me in a chat about the production. “And I think this show in particular, the film provided a really unique opportunity to do something very, very special in the live space.”

After witnessing a 36-foot brachiosaurus reach the upper deck of the Staples Center in “Walking with Dinosaurs,” “we said, ‘Imagine if we could take their technology and combine it with the storytelling of the DreamWorks film … to create a really new entertainment experience,’” Stevens recalled. “And after meetings in Australia with the Global Creatures team, we realized that the two companies together could really do something unique and special.”
read more here:
http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2012/12/19/how-to-bring-your-dragon-to-life-video.

Olate Dogs Perform - The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

 

Cirque du ooh-la-la
It’s not your average circus experience.

 

from:  okgazette.com
by Stephie Gregory
December 19th, 2012
The word “Dralion” is a blending of two symbolic creatures: the dragon, representing the East, and the lion, representing the West.

The story of Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion, now in the metro through Sunday, depicts a powerful message of unity, as Eastern and Western cultures discover their similarities and unite through the four elements that support human life: earth, fire, air and water. Each element is represented by a color, and each performer proudly displays his or her color, along with unbelievable acrobatic talents.

The inspired show aims to portray balance between nature and humanity.

Cirque du Soleil began 32 years ago in Canada, combining street entertainment with theatrical performance.

After its debut performance in 1980, the troupe has presented astonishing shows worldwide ever since.
read more:
http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-17192-cirque-du-ooh-la-la.html

 

Ambassador of Laughter Visits WSAV's Coastal Sunrise

By: Ken Slats | WSAV News 3

Published: December 19, 2012

Ambassador of Laughter Visits WSAV's Coastal Sunrise

Professional Clown David Gregg visits the studio to promote the upcoming Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus coming to Savannah in January.

CIRCUS NEWS FROM SARASOTA
from Circus Pete Adams
Circus Sarasota Dress Rehearsal
First and Foremost:
Please note that the Dress Rehearsal Tickets for January 24, 2013 at 7 p.m. are provided by Dolly and Pedro as a gift to the Circus Community and are intended for those associated with the circus business, persons who have worked in the circus, and members of circus support organizations.  It is NOT open to the community at large and since we ran out of tickets last year, please ask only for the tickets needed for your immediate family.  Everyone who comes must have a ticket.  As per last year, tickets will be disbursed on a first come, first served basis beginning January 8, 2013.

This ticketing will be in the Reception Tent of Circus Sarasota opposite Ed Smith Stadium where the tickets will be distributed after getting some basic information filled out by you.  If you want to save time, fill in the form below and bring it with you at the time requesting tickets.  Please do not come to the box office as they can not help you.  They do not have the tickets for this special night. 

TICKETS FOR THE DRESS REHEARSAL WILL BE AVAILABLE AS FOLLOWS AT THE CIRCUS SARASOTA TENT:
 Tues. Jan 8 from 3 to 5 p.m.
Wed. Jan 9 from 10 to 12 Noon and from 2 to 4 p.m.
Thur. Jan 10 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Fri. Jan. 11 from 10 to 12 Noon
Tues. Jan 15 from 3 to 5 p.m.
Wed. Jan 16 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Thur. Jan 17 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Fri. Jan 18 from 10 to 12 Noon
Sat. Jan 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Tue. Jan 22 from 3 to 5 p.m.  If Still Available
Wed. Jan 23 from 10 to 12 Noon and 2 to 4 p.m.  If Still Available
 
IN ADDITION
Wed. Jan 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Showfolks Club
Fri. Jan 18 from 1 to 3 at SRQ Luncheon
 
In the event that the number of tickets requested is larger than a family, you may be asked to identify the persons for whom the tickets are requested to be sure that no overlapping of tickets is handed out.  Likewise if you find you have an excess ticket, please drop it off at any of the times above.

Your cooperation is appreciated and that is what make Sarasota the Circus Capital of the World.
Pete Adams, Ticket Facilitator

***********************************************************

SRQ LUNCHEON, FRIDAY THE 21st

The Monthly SRQ Circus Lunch Bunch will meet this Friday the 21st at 1 p.m. as usual at
Lockwood Diner
3232 17th Street   
Sarasota    FL    34235   
941-366-5523
ANYONE WHO LOVES THE CIRCUS IS WELCOME TO ATTEND – NO MEMBERSHIP FEES – JUST PAY FOR WHAT YOU EAT – PLUS TIP OF COURSE.

*************************************************

Kick back with Rockettes


From: nypost.com

 Vintage looks recreated to celebrate 85 years

Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
 The costumes for the first Christmas show were designed by Vincente Minnelli, who was later married to Judy Garland. They include the one probably best associated with the Rockettes — the uniforms worn for the Parade of the Wooden Soliders number, which have been included in every Christmas show since the first one.
 The original design featured wooden slats in the pant legs to maintain an unbending line. A highlight of the Rockettes show is when a toy cannon fires, knocking the dancers over slowly, like a row of dominos.

Patriotic Sailor
 The costumes worn by the Rockettes often reflected the times and culture. With Europe at war, the dancers donned sailor suits for a show called “Country Club,” which debuted on July 4, 1940.
 After the US entered the war, the Rockettes helped the effort by touring with the USO from 1942 to 1945.
 No originals of this costume still existed. But a sketch of the sailor suit, which was designed by Marco Montedoro and Willa Van, helped the Rockettes recreate this look for the Christmas Spectacular.
 The dancers were practically petite in the early years — from 5 feet, 2 inches to 5 feet, 7 inches in 1937. By 1949, the height requirement inched up to begin at 5 feet, 4 inches.

Space Chic
 The race to the moon was on and the Rockettes paid tribute with this Space Age suit — recreated this year from an original sketch — during a show called “Star Bright,” which debuted on Dec. 2, 1965. The detailed suit comes with helmet, equipment belt and, uh, space pearls.
 Radio City served as a movie theater for most of its history, and the Rockettes performed in stage shows before or after screenings. Ticket prices for the 1964 Christmas show ranged from just 99 cents to $2.75. By 1965, Radio City had hosted 200 million visitors.
 The dancers had become taller by the 1960s. The minimum height requirement in 1960 was raised to 5 feet, 5 inches.
read more:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/kick_back_with_rockettes_KBCqyQJZXAXg3Po6wXHFlM

 

 

Roll up, roll up......lecturer captures the fun of the circus


from:  ucreative.ac.uk
The drawings of University for the Creative Arts (UCA) lecturer Curtis Tappenden are now touring the UK with the internationally renowned Zippos Circus.
Curtis, who teaches on UCA Rochester's FE programmes, was commissioned to make the drawings on location, documenting the acts as they performed live in the Big Top. The work is the highlight of this season's Zippos 'Gold' presentation brochure – a show with the celebratory Olympic theme for 2012.
Curtis has long held an interest Curtis has long held an interest in documenting the life of the circus, and explores the preparatory backstage moments as well as those captured ringside. He said: "Working with the circus as an artist adds to a longstanding relationship between the visual and performing arts, as colourfully drawn and painted by past masters such as Toulouse Lautrec, Pablo Picasso, Jean Dubuffet, Edward Seago and Dame Laura Knight. "


Martin Burton, founder and director of Zippos Circus, said: "Curtis Tappenden's sketches are remarkable. All his drawings of Zippos Circus were done with great speed but with a depth of feeling and subject understanding that I never see from even the best photographers. My circus is delighted to feature Curtis's sketches, which work at their very best when taken with a splash of colour."
Curtis has always been keen to involve his students in the fun of the circus and for many years his classes have drawn inside the Big Top at Zippos Circus. He said: "It's great to get out of comfortable and familiar environments. The circus offers excellent potential to make structurally complex drawings. For instance students can focus on the trapeze rigging or the shape and scale of the tent etcetera.
Curtis has always been keen to involve his students in the fun of the circus and for many years his classes have drawn inside the Big Top at Zippos Circus. He said: "It's great to get out of comfortable and familiar environments. The circus offers excellent potential to make structurally complex drawings. For instance students can focus on the trapeze rigging or the shape and scale of the tent etcetera.
 

 

 

"One time the celebrated clown, Janerik Brenner, saw an opportunity for students to begin to learn about his craft of clowning and set up a 'life class' in the circus ring. It was brilliant and led to printmaking workshops after the event."
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
Twitter: @UCA_creative
Facebook.com/ucreativearts

The Moscow State Circus
Ocean Terminal
Wed 19th December to Sunday 6th January

The Moscow State Circus brings its latest & most spectacular show to date to Scotland with this sensational Christmas extravaganza
'The Gift of Christmas'
The especially designed seasonal show takes us on an incredible journey in the company of, without a doubt the greatest circus performers on earth.
 A Mammoth cast of Russia's greatest and most talented circus artistes, transform the most famous circus in the world, combining contemporary & classical circus in way never before witnessed

The newly devised show includes The beautiful queen of Russian Circus Yana Alievia on a revolving Ariel Chandelier. The breathtaking Stalkions, 3 men & 2 girls walk, back flip and perform unbelievable pyramids 30’ in the air on the legendary High Wire.

The Whirlwind Rubsovsm troupe who acrobatically catapult themselves across & high into the big top at breakneck speed. The juggling Sherbakovs on the reverse pyramid of St Petersburg.

The Doktrov, flying & spiralling in the apex of the auditorium with grace, beauty and elegance. The unbelievable vertical pole balancing of The Alikanov & the high flying bouncing bamboo bravados of The Perushkins.

If all this isn’t enough to keep you sat on the edge of your seat then the hilarious clowns, Pavlik will have you falling off them with laughter.

In addition to this outstanding show the sensational production is housed in a specially designed, centrally heated chapiteau big top and is uniquely domed to accommodate the complex rigging for the aerial acts, it is supported by only four “king” poles so as not to obscure the audiences view.

 

FROM MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS WEBSITE

Circus Chicken Dog–

 

The family-friendly circus that is making Austin weirder
Join us for a fun-packed event featuring Circus Chicken Dog:

5 trick dogs, a singing parrot that tells a pirate story,
 and a clown that was the main juggler and unicyclist on the Royal Lichtenstein Circus!

Saturday, January 12, 2013 @ 3pm
St. George's Episcopal School Playground
4301 N. I-35 @Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78722
(enter off of Crestwood - parking in the lot on Crestwood).
Bring family and friends and blankets to sit on!
In case of bad weather conditions, event takes place in the Kleberg Hall.
FREE!!!

Circus Flora selects successor to founder Ivor David Balding

 

Jack Marsh to serve as associate artistic director of Circus Flora
FROM: post-dispatch.com
By Diane Toroian Keaggy
December 17, 2012
Jack Marsh, son of veteran Circus Flora performer Cecil MacKinnon, has been named successor to Ivor David Balding, co-founder and artistic director of the one-ring circus.
As associate artistic director, Marsh will serve as Balding's understudy until 2016. Afterwards, Balding hopes to continue as a consultant.
Marsh, 28, has worked as both an attorney and a wine distributor, but his association with the circus stretches back to his youth. He appeared in his first show at age 2 and has helped out in many ways from scrubbing bleachers to juggling with the St. Louis Arches. His mother, MacKinnon, is known best to fans as Yo-Yo the Narrator.
“Jack is like family to me, much like a nephew,” said Balding. "And an organization as steeped in tradition as ours operates like a family. So it was important not only to select a solid artistic director and manager, but one of our own. Someone with circus literally running through his or her veins. We are so fortunate to have all those qualities in Jack."
Circus Flora, which stages a one-ring circus in Grand Center, was founded in 1987.

 

LYONS: Tiger trainer no fan of this unflattering spotlight

from: heraldtribune.com

By Tom Lyons

December 15, 2012

The call to circus animal trainer Lancelot Ramos caught him at what I would think was a time to totally ignore his cell phone.

But he answered, and we talked for several minutes about an animal rights group's suspicions about what happened days before during a Sarasota circus performance at Showfolks.

Only then did Ramos say he wanted my fax number but couldn't write it down because, well, he was in an enclosure working with several tigers, training for a performance.

"Can you text me the fax number?" he asked.

Sure thing, Lance. And take your time. I'll call back.

Ramos, also known as Lancelot Kollmann, loves the spotlight but not the one he is getting into again now. A member of a long-time circus family, Ramos has had lots of trouble with federal animal welfare investigators.

Some of the problems stem from incidents there at his compound near Wimauma, about half an hour north of Sarasota County. His license to do animal shows was revoked in 2009 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, after the USDA blamed Ramos for the death of some big cats, and for neglecting an emaciated elephant named Ned.

read more:

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20121215/columnist/121219717?fb_action_ids=514996658520286&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%22514996658520286%22%3A387879381299774%7D&action_type_map=%7B%22514996658520286%22%3A%22og.recommends%22%7D&action_ref_map=[]

Bring Ringling Bros. circus to Bradenton area: commentary
from:  bradenton.com
December 16, 2012

 

Elephants on parade during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus media event at Winter Quarters in Tampa.
FILE PHOTO/WADE TATANGELO/Bradenton Herald
Put the ringmaster and the rest of the stars up at the new and improved "Pink Palace."
Parade the elephants down Old Main Street.
Then, premiere the latest edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
Sounds fun, right?
Perhaps you read last Sunday's front-page story about circus-owner Feld Entertainment's exciting plans.
The company's spokesman told me that Feld's "long-term goal is to move Winter Quarters to Ellenton" (http://tinyurl.com/bebw5mu).
That will be huge for Manatee County.
Sarasota became synonymous with Ringling Bros. because its Winter Quarters were there from 1927 to 1959. Since the early 1990s, the circus has set up Winter Quarters in Tampa at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/12/16/4318107/bring-ringling-bros-circus-to.html#storylink=cpy



 

Artistic Director Tim Smith on Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM, Human Spectacles, and Feats of Flight
from:  miaminewtimes.com
By Grace Stainback
Dec. 18 2012
Cirque du Soleilʼs latest extravaganza, TOTEM, will swing, twist, and contort its way into Sun Life Stadium come January 10. TOTEM takes audiences on an evolutionary journey with the human species, from our original amphibian state to our ultimate desire to fly. From tribal spectacles to science and technology, the show explores mankind's unrelenting curiosity and transformation.

We caught up with TOTEM's artistic director, Tim Smith, who left Broadway performance to join Cirque du Soleil two years ago. Check out what he had to say about his transition to circus madness, and what we can expect from TOTEM, after the jump.

Cultist: So whatʼs TOTEM all about?
Tim Smith: TOTEM is about manʼs progress through civilization and our relationship with the earth. Thematically, itʼs about how we as a people always need to move forward and evolve. The show is another opportunity to see Cirqueʼs continuing excellence. No two shows are the same, and this one incorporates all that is new in stage and visual technology. The visuals are completely spectacular.
foto
OSA Images
read more at:
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/cultist/2012/12/cirque_du_soleils_latest_extra.php