“Katie's Surprise Show!”

Aired on January 7, 2013

FROM: katiecouric.com

We knew our surprise show would be a circus, so we thought, “Well, why not send in the clowns?” Straight from New York City’s Big Apple Circus, some of the most famous clowns in town gave us a special performance. Even our audience was part of the act!

“This show has been a circus so far!” -Andy Cohen

POSTERS FROM THE PAST

 

 

 

 

 

From The Sayre Collection, FSU

Quick change Glavatskiy

 

e-mail

from:Tom Soffel
Tom S | tombigtoptents@yahoo.com
Jan 9, 2012
Dick,Saw post today about Jimmy Silverkake and Ozzie Scheenltz, Ozzie was a friend of the family having growing up with my dad.I remember his under canvas show back in the early 70s i helped out on the show when he was playing Jersey dates.I know of know photos around of this show when under canvas.Maybe you have some or someone out there might.Keep up the good work.                                                                                                                 Regards  TOM Soffel

zoppe

2 troupes twist definition of 'circus'
Contortionists, humor take the center ring at Fox, Reid Park tent


Nino the Clown is from the humor-based Zoppe Family Circus, which will be at Reid Park Friday through Sunday. Also this weekend, find Cirque D'Or's contortionists at Fox Tucson Theatre.
from:  azstarnet.com
Cathalena E. Burch Arizona Daily Star
Jan. 10. 2012
Tucson isn't exactly a magnet for circus troupes, but this weekend two are setting up stakes and high wires to deliver their versions of the greatest shows on earth.
Neither is an elephants-and-tigers-under-the-big-top type of operation.
Cirque D'Or
Contortionists, high-wire acts and all manner of movement is what you'll find at Cirque D'Or, which is performing at Fox Tucson Theatre. It will remind you of Cirque du Soleil as artists in glamorous costumes perform shockingly physical feats.
"It really is impossible to describe.The contortionists contort their bodies into shapes that you would never think would be conceivable," says Cirque D'Or promoter Joe Zappia.
"There's one woman who will wind her torso around a chandelier then ... balance with five chandeliers and eventually get on her stomach and ... look like one giant chandelier."
In another act, a high-wire artist balances on a tight wire while cast members toss her hoola hoops. By the time she is finished, she is twirling 25 hoola hoops while balancing on the wire on one foot.
Zappia said Cirque D'Or is a show built for smaller theaters like the Fox, where it will play three shows Friday through Sunday.

 

UApresents is bringing the Zoppé Family Circus to Reid Park for six shows. Its emphasis is comedy and feats of daring.
Zoppé Family Circus
The Zoppé Family Circus is built for an even smaller space - a big top tent that holds no more than 500.
UApresents is bringing Zoppé back to Reid Park for six shows Friday through Sunday. The Italian family circus, which got its start in Italy in 1842, had a nearly soldout run in Tucson last January.
This is Italian Old-World circus at its finest, with an emphasis on commedia dell'arte - slapstick, family-friendly comedy interspersed with equestrian showmanship, dancing dogs and trapeze artists in all sorts of feats of daring.
But at the center, as has been the Zoppé tradition for generations, is Nino the Clown, the hero who represents the audience and wrestles control of the circus from White the Clown, who thinks he's the boss, says Giovanni Zoppé, the sixth-generation circus performer who plays Nino.
"We try to hit every emotion in every show," said Zoppé, who has performed with his family's circus since he was a child and whose 3-year-old son performs alongside him.
"It's the greatest gift that God gave me, my talent to make other people happy," he said last week while the show was in Phoenix. "For me there's no better life."
Every one of the 36 performers touring with Zoppé is part of the family, from grandkids and spouses to great-nieces and a grandmother.
"It's a true family show. We have seven generations on the show - eight if you count my great nieces and nephews still performing in the circus," Zoppé said.
read more:
http://azstarnet.com/lifestyles/recreation/troupes-twist-definition-of-circus/article_7ff84984-133d-52bd-a40a-cdc0cb6cc65e.html

long beach

Circus atmosphere for 'Got Milk?' commercial shoot in Long Beach


It was a circus scene on the corner of 1st Street and Elm Avenue in downtown Long Beach on Wednesday as a commercial was being filmed starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
(Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)
From staff reports
presstelegram.com
01/09/2013
Sources said the commercial will be a "Got Milk?" advertisement that is slated to air during the Super Bowl.

 

It was a circus scene on the corner of 1st street and Elm Avenue in downtown Long Beach on Wednesday as a commercial was being filmed starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The street was alive with a lion, muscle men, stilt walkers and clowns.
(Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

trapeze video

Ringling Bros. Circus comes to Pensacola

from: pnj.com

Jan 9, 2013

read more at:

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130109/NEWS01/130109020/Ringling-Bros-Circus-comes-Pensacola?nclick_check=1

west palm

 

 

 

 

Cavalia Odysseo

from: yourwestvalley.com

Published on Dec 19, 2012

Artistic Director and Creator Normand Latourelle explains what Cavalia Odysseo is, during a performance, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Video by The East Valley Tribune

shanghai

New Shanghai Circus brings act to Surprise


The acrobats and performers of The New Shanghai Circus bring their U.S. tour to Surprise Jan. 26.
from:  yourwestvalley.com
by staff reports
January 9, 2013
The New Shanghai Circus comes to Surprise at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 as a part of their 17th tour of the United States.
This troupe will be one of the first national touring groups to perform in the new Valley Vista Performing Arts Center. This state-of-the-art performance venue at 15550 N. Parkview Place is directly across from the Surprise Stadium.
The athletes in The New Shanghai Circus defy gravity and execute breathtaking feats as they stretch the limits of human ability in this spellbinding show. Fearless performers with boundless energy bring you more than 2,000 years of Chinese circus traditions. If it’s humanly possible, and even if it’s not, Shanghai’s acrobats, jugglers and contortionists do it with spectacular flair.
Direct from China, this troupe has been touring the United States for 16 years.

Direct from China, this troupe has been touring the United States for 16 years.
In China, there are more than 25,000 acrobats and approximately 250 acrobatic troupes, and The New Shanghai Circus is the best of the best. They have many gold, silver and bronze medal winners from national competitions, and their show has been well packaged in terms of music, lighting and theatrics that go around the acrobats themselves. They do everything from contortion to trapeze to group and solo bicycle riding.

 

 

read more:
http://www.yourwestvalley.com/surprise/article_2511e838-5911-11e2-b733-001a4bcf887a.html

vegas

Shrine Circus promises visitors a live experience to remember

 

Courtesy Photo
The Las Vegas Zelzah Shrine Circus will feature elephants, camels, horses, tigers and "a great dog act."
By John Przybys
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Jan. 10, 2013
Forget the iPods and iPads, the blockbuster movies with computer-generated effects and other technologically rigged staples of 21st century entertainment.
When visitors go to the Las Vegas Zelzah Shrine Circus, which begins a four-day run this evening at Orleans Arena, everything they see will be totally live and wholly authentic.
And that, says circus owner George Carden, a nearly lifelong veteran of the circus, is why, even in high-tech times, the circus still enthralls.
Circuses, Carden says, will be around for "as long as we're going to have children in this world."
Proceeds from the Las Vegas Zelzah Shrine Circus go toward the operation of Zelzah Shrine Temple Las Vegas. That organization, in turn, supports charitable activities of Shriners International, including medical services the organization offers to children.
Carden says the appeal of the circus lies in its appeal to not just children, but adults, too.
"We always like to say that no one is too old or too young for it," he says.

SAD NEWS FROM INDIANA
I just received word that Jimmy Silverlake passed away yesterday.
Jimmy was a great friend and probably he and his brother Melvin  knew more aboutrunning a circus than anyone!
I will have more info as soon as I receive it and pass it along.

The above photo was taken in 1971 or '72 at the Wicomico Civic Center
in Salisbury, MD. The Baby belonged to Ozzy Schleentz, Royal Ranch wild West Circus and trained by Jimmy. They were working for Bill and I
as we produced the show.

 

And then with King Tusk on the Ringling show.
 

MORE PHOTOS
FROM THE PAST
(FROM THE SAYRE COLLECTION
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Orleans set to host Zelzah Shrine Circus

 

Elephants entertain the crowd during the 2012 Zelzah Shrine Circus at The Orleans Arena, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave.
By NOLAN LISTER, VIEW STAFF WRITER
from: lvrj.com
Jan. 8, 2013
Forget the ringmaster. George Carden is the ring CEO, and he is bringing his Zelzah Shrine Circus back to The Orleans Arena Thursday through Sunday.
 Las Vegas is the first stop on the circus' 180-city, yearlong circuit.
 "We're bringing the quality of show Las Vegas deserves," Carden said. "When you go to Las Vegas, you've got to bring quality."
 A portion of the proceeds from the circus' four-day run will benefit the Zelzah Shrine Temple's efforts and overall mission of getting underprivileged children the medical care they need.
 John Henry Hoffman, a local doctor and a member of the Shriners for 25 years, said the circus is a yearly boon for the Shriners.
 "In terms of our annual operating budget, it is a substantial portion," he said. "It generally covers 25 percent of our operating costs."
 This year's acts include Bengal tigers, dancing elephants and "oodles of poodles."
 "It's an unbelievable, fast-moving show," Carden said.
 According to Carden, his circus costs approximately $67 million yearly. That amount will buy you camels, pot-spinners, fire-breathers and motorcycle daredevils, he said.
 "We've got this great flying trapeze act from South America this year," Carden said. "Beautiful girls flying through the air."
 Aside from his lifelong love of animals, Carden said the philanthropic aspect of his circus is what has kept him under the big top for 55 years. He has worked with the Shriner circus in one capacity or another since he was a boy.
 The Springfield, Mo., native said his single mother, a dancer in the Ozark Jubilee, married the owner of the circus, and 31 years ago Carden bought it from his adopted father.
 "I was raised in the Shrine circus," he said. "I've had the greatest life anyone can have."
 The circus has seven shows planned Thursday through Sunday at The Orleans Arena, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. The theme is Broadway and will include an original score and new costumes, according to Carden.
 Showtimes are set for 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 and 6 p.m. Sunday.
 Attendees are welcome into all three rings of the circus for the pre-party one hour before showtimes to meet performers and ride the elephants.
read more:
http://www.lvrj.com/view/the-orleans-set-to-host-zelzah-shrine-circus-185975641.html?ref=641
 

Shrine Circus in Lansing starting Wednesday

 

By Emily Caswell
from:  mlive.com
January 07, 2013
LANSING -- Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, step right up for the greatest show in the world!
You heard it right, the Shrine Circus is coming to Lansing starting this Wednesday, Jan. 9.
The show will take place at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing with performances at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 9 to 10; 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 and 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13.

Founded in 1906, the Shriner Circus offers up entertainment for the whole family including animal acts, clowns and much more

The ASPCA Pays Price For Bad-Faith Ringling Brothers Elephant Suit

 

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus's elephants and their handlers march from railcars to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011.
(Matt Rourke/AP)
from: thedailybeast.com
by Paul Alexander
Jan 8, 2013
The ASPCA sued Ringling Brothers, but ended up paying the circus $9.3 million to help cover its legal bills. Paul Alexander reports.
Who hasn’t seen the television commercials for animal groups? With heart-touching music playing behind a montage of sad-looking dogs and cats, an announcer pleads for contributions to “save” the animals. No organization runs more of these highly effective ads than the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Many contributors agree to donate $18 a month, helping the ASPCA to bring in $111.3 million for the year ending June 2010.
As 2012 came to an end, however, what the ASPCA did not advertise was the fact that, on December 26, $9.3 million in contributions did not go to “save” animals but to Feld Entertainment, the family-controlled company that since 1967 has owned Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which has been in continuous operation since 1919. In settling its lawsuit against “The Greatest Show on Earth,” the ASPCA was admonished by the judge hearing the case that it should have never been filed in the first place, primarily because the group used a paid plaintiff.
To be sure, there’s big money in animal welfare advocacy. During the same period the ASPCA raked in its haul, the Humane Society of the United States  brought in even more: $131.2 million.  Smaller groups also raised notable amounts: $5.8 million for the Fund for Animals; $2.8 million for the Animal Welfare Institute, and 1.5 million for the Animal Protection Institute.
While these organizations — all tax-exempt 501(c)3s — can vary in size, their goal is the same, says Frankie Trull, a science activist and lobbyist involved in university-based animal research: “These groups believe that animals are not ours to be used to eat or wear — or for entertainment.”
read more at:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/08/the-aspca-pays-price-for-bad-faith-ringling-brothers-elephant-suit.html

Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival Set for 17-27 January 2013World-Class Circus Fest Attracts Top Acts

from:  frenchriviera.com
Come one, come all to enjoy the delight under the big top in Monte-Carlo. The annual Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, now in its 37th year, is set for 17 January to 27 January 2013.

This outstanding event offers something for the whole family. There are acts that will showcase an array of talents that are sure to be a feast for your eyes. The circus festival will include elephants, horses, lions and other wonderful creatures. Expected highlights include a jockey act and a Korean trapeze act. Of course, no circus would be complete without a world-class array of clowns to amuse and delight all.

On 19 January 2013 there will be the Open Door Circus Show, which is a free show in the big top! It starts at 2:30 pm and lasts until 4 pm. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

The festival only lasts through the end of January, but there will also be a New Generation Festival on 2 February and 3 February 2013. This is the second such event of its kind in Monaco. It’s designed to be a competition for youthful talent. This will include a total of 15 acts from across the globe including clowns and acts with animals. They will vie for honors before a jury, including Pauline, who the oldest daughter of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie. The awards will include Junior Gold, Junior Silver and Junior Bronze.

To secure tickets for this outstanding annual event check out:  www.montecarlofestival.mc.