Arab Shriner Circus showcases entertainment for all ages

from: washburnreview.org
Farai Harreld, Washburn Review
February 28, 2013

Every year around February, The Kansas Expo Center in Topeka plays host to the Arab Shrine Circus. This year was no exception as the circus was held on February 22,23 and 24. Even with the poor weather conditions, folks came out to see the show and if I may say so myself it did not disappoint.

The circus is held by the Arab Shriners Fraternity of Topeka, Kansas. The Arab Shriners as a whole are fraternity of brothers committed to fun and philanthropy and have been around the US since 1872. They are recognized in public by their Moroccan Style Inspired maroon Fez’s which they wore proudly at the Circus in Topeka this past weekend. The

Shriners are also known for their 22 hospitals worldwide dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing innovative and specialized pediatric care regardless of the families’ ability to pay. On that note, children were out in full swing at the circus and had lots of things to entertain them such as elephant rides, pony rides, toy stalls, cotton candy and of course as every circus are incomplete without, clowns.

The event attracted large numbers of people even with snow still rendering the roads a little difficult to maneuver. Community spirit was felt as local students were involved with the festivities as the Topeka High Junior ROTC and another local high school choir presented the U.S. flag and sang the National Anthem.

The acts were fresh and managed to impress a few skeptics such as Washburn Alumni Anthony Green who stated ‘ I was not expecting much at first, but it ended up being really cool, I did not want it to end’. The event did have a lot of talent to offer. The circus boasted an elephant act that performed tricks that were indeed dangerous including balancing an elephant with a human rider on a ball. Others acts included a family of tigers that jumped through rings of fire and performed other tricks, a trapeze act called the Human Butterfly,

an equestrian ballet performer who performed ballet stunts while on a galloping horse, several areal acts, a family of professional performance skaters who also performed crazy stunts, and of course the always entertaining shenanigans of the circus clowns. The big surprise was the interactive tow truck ‘Mater’ from the Pixar movie ‘Cars’ who came

packing with the southern twang and slapstick humor that had both the children and adults laughing.

If you are looking for some good , local family fun next year around this time I suggest the circus as it was pleasant excursion and is definitely worth the time.

Bogdanovs_Flying Trapeze ''Heroes''

 

Published on Jan 19, 2013

Represented by AG Studios

OPENS MARCH 16th
IN DELAND, FL.

 

Circus Flora Readying the Big Top

from:  cbslocal.com
Harry Hamm
February 28, 2013
Tickets for St. Louis’ own Circus Flora and its 27th big top production, “A Trip To the Moon,” go on sale Friday March 1st.

The Circus Flora creative team, lead by Maestro David Balding, has fashioned the new show along the themes of the classic silent film of the same title by Melies, which was featured in the recent Martin Scorsese film, “Hugo.”

 

A peanut-free preview will be held May 30, and performances will continue through June 23rd. Circus Flora is performed in the parking lot behind Powell Symphony Hall. Ticket prices begin at $10. For more information on Circus Flora and the new season, click the link below.
http://www.circusflora.org/

GEORGE A. HAMID Jr. PASSES

 

HAMID, GEORGE A. JR. 94 - owner of the Atlantic City Steel Pier from the 1940s to the 1970s died on Saturday February 23, 2013 at Shore Medical Center. George was born in Jersey City on November 25, 1918 to circus owner George A. Hamid, Sr. and his wife, Elizabeth (Bess) Raab Hamid. He graduated from Princeton University in 1940. After attending the Wharton School, he enlisted in the Navy. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, serving mostly on a tanker in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, he joined his father in the growing family entertainment business. In addition to the Steel Pier, the family owned the Hamid-Morton Circus (now Hamid Circus), the New Jersey State Fair, the Greensboro, North Carolina Agricultural Fair and a number of Atlantic City movie theatres, and was the booking agent for numerous county and state fairs across the country. George brought the Beatles to the Atlantic City Convention Hall in August 1964 during their first major tour of the United States. George and his father were two of the original owners of the Miami Dolphins. During his business career he served as president of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, president of the Circus Producers Association of North America and Executive Vice President of Freedomland Amusement Park in New York. George also was business manager for heavyweight title contender Ernie Terrell and owner of the mile and one-half Trenton International Speedway. He was a member of the Crescent Shrine and an unwavering supporter of Princeton athletics. George was awarded the Manners Prize for excellence in creative writing during his senior year at Princeton and went on to write and publish three books (Circus, Boy Acrobat and The Acrobat) based on the life of his father. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia, his son, Herbert, and his great grandson, John Davis, III. He is survived by sons, James Hamid (Lorraine) of Galloway Township, George Hamid, III (Patricia) of Egg Harbor Township, and Timothy Hamid (Linda) of Silver Plume, CO, and by a daughter, Elizabeth Roberts (William) of Keene, NY. He is also survived by grandchildren Christine Davis, James Hamid, Jr., Carolyn Hamid, Kristina Roberts, Marta Russell, Ashley Hamid and Alisha Hamid, and by nine great grandchildren. There will be a gathering of family and friends at Jeffries & Keates Funeral Home, Tilton Road and Infield Ave, Northfield NJ 08225 at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 1, followed by a Memorial Service at the funeral home at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org or 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607) or to the John Davis, III Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Jeffries & Keates Funeral Home at the above address. To share your fondest memory of George please visit www.lifecelebration.com
.
 Published in The Press of Atlantic City on February 25, 2013

BREAKING NEWS!

Actor And Oklahoma Native Dale Robertson Dies In California Hospital

 

 Oklahoma native Dale Robertson -- a star of television and movie westerns during the genre's heyday -- has died at age 89.
 AP Photo (1964)
from  news9.com
By Associated Press
Posted: Feb 28, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY -
Oklahoma native Dale Robertson -- a star of television and movie westerns during the genre's heyday -- has died at age 89.

Robertson died Tuesday at a hospital in La Jolla, California, after a brief illness -- his niece Nancy Robertson said Wednesday.

Dale Robertson had small parts before being cast in film roles including Jesse James in "Fighting Man of the Plains." He moved to television in the 1950s with starring roles in "Tales of Wells Fargo," "Iron Horse" and later in "Death Valley Days."

Robertson worked in TV into the 1970s and 1980s with roles in "Dallas" and "Dynasty" but by the 1990s he took fewer jobs and spent more time at his ranch in Yukon, Oklahoma, where he lived until his family moved him recently to California.

 

Carson & Barnes Circus will be kicking off their 77th season of excitement and laughs under the World's Biggest Big Top Circus in Paris, TX March 9 & 10 at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. at the Lamar County Fairgrounds!...

Big stakes under the big top

 

from: wiscnews.com
By Ben Bromley, News Republic
Feb 28, 2013
A proposed state takeover of Circus World Museum would endanger fundraising efforts and possibly force the site to close this year, its leaders say.
Since learning that Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget includes a plan to end the state’s longstanding public-private partnership with Circus World Museum Foundation, Inc. and roll the onetime Ringling brothers circus headquarters into the Wisconsin Historical Society, enraged donors have vowed to discontinue their support. Jonathan Lipp, president of the foundation, called the proposed state takeover a “death sentence” that will compromise Circus World’s ability to raise money.
“They basically sabotaged us,” Lipp said. “I’m concerned whether we can even keep Circus World open under the current conditions.”
Steve Freese, the museum’s executive director, said if angry donors pull their support, Circus World may not survive the year. “We think it’s going to put Circus World in danger, long-term,” Freese said.
Walker’s budget would fold Circus World — whose property is state-owned but whose operations are funded by the foundation — into the Historical Society. This would include making Circus World’s staff state employees, funneling the site’s revenue into state coffers, and ending a lease and management agreement between the state the foundation, which has operated the museum for 54 years.
read more:
http://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepublic/news/local/article_6bb49d74-8159-11e2-a0ba-0019bb2963f4.html

BIG APPLE CIRCUS

Big Apple, big top, big heart: Upcoming circus performances in Bridgewater also aiding local community organizations
Upcoming circus performances in Bridgewater also aiding local community organizations

 

The Legends of TD Bank Ballpark, left, Sparky Lyle, manager emeritus of the Somerset Patriots, and John Kennedy Kane, ringmaster of the Big Apple Circus Legendarium, await the circus' opening at the Bridgewater-based ballpark on Feb. 28. /
 Photo Courtesy Big Apple Circus
from:  mycentraljersey.com
Written by Bill Nutt, For the Courier News
Feb 24, 2013
When Jeff Macauley says he’s impressed with the Big Apple Circus, he’s not just talking about the acrobats and the animal acts.
Macauley is executive director of the Adult Day Center of Somerset County. The center, which works with special-needs adults, is in Bridgewater near the TD Bank Park, where the Big Apple Circus makes its annual stand starting Thursday.
For the second year in a row, Macauley has arranged for some of the center’s members — several of whom have physical disabilities — to visit the circus at a “substantial discount” in ticket price.
“What has impressed me is how everyone — from the guy who sells tickets over the phone to the people who show you to your seat — has gone out of their way to accommodate us,” Macauley said.
“It’s a very compassionate group,” Macauley added. “They have made the extra effort to work with our nonambulatory members.”
This year, the Big Apple Circus also is helping raise funds for the center. For every ticket sold at the March 7 evening performance, the circus will donate $5 per seat, as long as the buyer mentions “Adult Day Center” at the time of purchase. (That also applies to online sales, if the buyer types “ADC” as the promo code.)
read more:
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20130224/NJENT/302240011/Big-Apple-big-top-big-heart-Upcoming-circus-performances-Bridgewater-also-aiding-local-community-organizations

PICADILLY CIRCUS

Piccadilly Circus coming to Rome on Saturday

 

FILE- Performers balance plates on poles while standing on their heads during the Piccadilly Circus at The Forum, March 20, 2011.
(Ellie Mahon, RN-T.com)
from:  romenews-tribune.com
by Alan Riquelmy, staff writer
February 27, 2013
Some 2,000 attendees are expected this Saturday at the Piccadilly Family Circus at The Forum in downtown Rome.
The circus, which will feature acts including motorcycles and horseback riders, has three showings — 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

“It’s your traditional circus,” said David Bergeron with Piccadilly Family Circus, “what comes to mind when you think of circuses.”
There’s also a few things some might not think would appear at a circus.
“We have motorcycle acts,” said Ryan McIntosh, also with Piccadilly Family Circus. “We have a white tiger illusion.”
Circus attendees will see performers dangling from lengths of silk and “Cossack warriors” on horseback. They’ll also have chances to ride camels and llamas, McIntosh said.
Free tickets for kids younger than 13 — two free kids per paid adult — are still available at the box office in The Forum’s lobby, said Brent Poplin, the venue’s manager. Tickets, ranging in price from $8 to $38 also can be purchased at The Forum through Saturday.

OKLAHOMA SHRINE POSTER

 

SALLY RAND POSTER

FROM BACK IN THE DAY---

 

Circus party to teach amputees to juggle, ride unicycles

 

Redlands Family YMCA circus trainers help Arelle Van Embricqs off the tightrope apparatus during last year s Circus Party benefit for The Limb Connections, a support group for children who are amputees or have limb deficiency. On Saturday, the group will hold its second annual event to raise money for camp.
(Courtesy photo)
from: dailynews.com
By Laurie Williams
February 27, 2013
Redlands Family YMCA circus trainers help Arelle Van Embricqs off the tightrope apparatus during last year s Circus Party benefit for The Limb Connections, a support group for children who are amputees or have limb deficiency. On Saturday, the group will hold its second annual event to raise money for camp. (Courtesy photo)You might think children who are missing limbs would have trouble balancing on a tightrope or riding a unicycle, but that's what several young amputees will be doing in Redlands this weekend, along with friends and family and anyone else who wants to learn some circus skills.
The Limb Connections, a Southern California support group for children with amputations and limb deficiency and their families, will hold their second annual Circus Party from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Redlands Family YMCA. The group will ask participants to donate money to send kids to Camp No Limits in the San Bernardino Mountains in June.
"Oh, it's a blast for everyone involved," said Bill Nessel of Grand Terrace, co-founder of the group. "The kids love it, and the parents love it, and last year we sent eight kids to camp!"
Nessel started the group two years ago with Dr. Joan Le, who practices rehabilitation medicine at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. At the time, both were working with patients at Loma Linda University Medical Center.
read more:
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22680438/circus-party-teach-amputees-juggle-ride-unicycles

SHRINE CIRCUS

Flying high: Human cannonball and circus draw capacity crowds

 

Human cannonball David Smith Jr. is performing with the Zor Shrine Circus at the La Crosse Center. Smith, who follows in his fathers footsteps, started performing when he was 19.
By KATHY HALLORAN
from: lacrossetribune.com
February 28, 2013
Wednesday was just a regular day on the job for David Smith Jr. He woke up, had breakfast, got dressed and checked out his cannon in preparation for the circus show later that night.
Nicknamed “The Bullet,” Smith, 35, is the president of Bullet Entertainment, a human cannonball act that performed with the George Carden Circus for the Zor Shrine Circus that was held this week at the La Crosse Center.
The second generation of cannonballers, Smith follows in the footsteps of his father, David Smith Sr. His parents both started as trapeze artists, and Smith Jr. was truly born into a show biz lifestyle.
“I was born on tour,” he said. “They announced my birth during the flying trapeze show.”
Smith, who lives in Englewood, Fla., was 17 years old when he was first shot from the cannon.
“I came home from school and Dad had the cannon in the yard and a net close to it,” he said. “Dad said I’d been asking for years and now was the time. I was shot from it twice, Dad packed it up and hit the road.”
And two years later, at age 19, Smith did the same.
read more:
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/flying-high-human-cannonball-and-circus-draw-capacity-crowds/article_d0e105e4-8162-11e2-8f93-001a4bcf887a.html?comment_form=true

TULSA SHRINE CIRCUS

 

 

Akdar Shrine Circus comes to Tulsa

 

The Akdar Shrine Circus will be held at the Expo Square Pavilion from Thursday to Sunday.
JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World file
from:  tulsaworld.com
By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Published: 2/28/2013
Come one, come all. It's that time of year again  -  when the Akdar Shrine Circus sets up in the area.
Out come the clowns, animal antics, magic shows, aerial ballets, wheel of destiny, jugglers, flying trapeze artists, performing elephants, the human cannonball, Russian swing, three-ring displays and big cats. Don't forget the cotton candy, snow cones, peanuts, popcorn and soda while there  -  proceeds go to a great cause. This is a "circus with a purpose," as the Akdar Shriners is an organization that attracts men from all walks of life, from heads of state to clergymen and accountants. Each is a Master Mason. Freemasonry is the oldest and the largest fraternal order in the world. It is "dedicated to serving God, family, fellowman and country." There are about 2,000 Shriner members in the Akdar Shrine Center in northeast Oklahoma. Money raised by the circus stays in the community to help those in need.

The circus will be held at the Expo Square Pavilion, 4145 E. 21st St.

Showtimes are 6:30 p.m. Thursday; 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=269&articleid=20130228_269_WK18_CUTLIN258647

WHAT'S WRONG IN THIS PICTURE?

 

Jim Elliott called my attention to it.
See how long before you figure it out!