Baby gorilla and little girl kiss through glass

In this cute animal video, a young girl at the zoo has a friendly encounter with a curious baby gorilla. They mimic each other and kiss through glass.

CIRCUS BOOK

Gamma Phi Circus highlighted in new book: The Bloomington-Normal Circus Legacy

 

From:  illinoisstate.edu
Written by: Kara Pool
 August 21, 2013
A presentation of the book The Bloomington-Normal Circus Legacy: The Golden Age of Aerialists, with authors Maureen Brunsdale and Mark Schmitt ’96, will be held 7 pm. Monday, September 16, in the Circus Room of the Bone Student Center.

A book signing will follow the presentation and books will be available for purchase. The book has a chapter dedicated to Illinois State University’s Gamma Phi Circus and its role in the rich circus history of the community.

Recently published by The History Press, the book is available at most online retailers in both paperback and e-book formats. In conjunction with the book, an exhibit that draws from this city’s rich circus past is now on display on Milner Library’s sixth Floor, outside of Special Collections. The exhibit runs through September 25.

Authors Brunsdale and Schmitt work in Illinois State University’s Milner Library Special Collections, which houses a Circus and Allied Arts Collection that is considered among the best of such research collections in the nation. In 1955, when performers started leaving this community to amass as a larger circus collective in Florida, the Circus and Allied Arts Collection was formed as a means to retain some of Bloomington-Normal’s gloried past.

Beginning in the 1870s and lasting for the better part of a century, the trapeze—and the men and women who performed upon it—made the Twin Cities famous. With the release of this new book, the history of those hardworking and nearly larger than life figures is showcased.

The barns, icehouses, gymnasiums, and empty theaters of Central Illinois provided the practice sites for aerial performers whose names still command reverence in the annals of American circus history.  Among those documented are the Green brothers who first struck out from this community as the La Van Brothers, whose act lasted for decades. Siblings Eddie and Jennie Ward became The Flying Wards and transformed their barn on Emerson Street into a factory of aerial talent. Art Concello, a 10-year-old truant went on to become first a world-class flyer, then a famous trapeze impresario, and finally Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus’ most successful general manager.\
What: The Bloomington-Normal Circus Legacy: The Golden Age of Aerialists book presentation and signing with authors Maureen Brunsdale and Mark Schmitt
When: 7 p.m. Monday, September 16
Where: Circus Room, Bone Student Center
Cost: This event is free and open to the public.

Protest as Peter Jolly's Circus rolls into Darlington
From:  thenorthernecho.co.uk
By Joanna Morris
21st August 2013
ANIMAL RIGHTS protestors were on hand to greet a circus that rolled into town last night (Tuesday, August 20).
 The peaceful gathering was held to protest the use of live animals in Peter Jolly’s Circus, which arrived in Darlington yesterday.
 Their use of animals including lions and tigers has been met with concern from animal rights groups and members of the public.
 One circus-goer called for more to be done to clearly advertise the presence of live animals in the show.
 Val Govan - from Barton, North Yorkshire – said: “I was horrified to see the lions and tigers. There was no mention of the lions on the advert.
 “I would not have wanted to go and would not have supported it if I’d known. I could not believe it and I do not want kids seeing that.”
 The Animal Defenders International (ADI) group has called for a boycott on Peter Jolly’s Circus – one of only two in England that still performs with wild animals.
 Chief Executive Jan Creamer said: “Animals with travelling circuses are on the road for almost the entire year.
 “That means they have to endure constant transportation and live in rudimentary, temporary accommodation.
 “Worse are the horrific abuses during training that Animal Defenders International has exposed behind the scenes in circuses, not just in the UK, but all over the world. “We urge people to visit circuses with human only acts – those acts have a choice.”
 A spokesman for the circus said the four tigers and two lions recently introduced to the show by the Chipperfield family were being treated in line with high welfare standards.
 Rona Brown, of the Classical Circus Association added that the welfare of the animals had been checked by vets from Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).\
he said: “The vets were satisfied with the way the animals were cared for and handled and that the Chipperfields were compliant with all the regulations requirements.
 “These beautiful animals have been with the Chipperfields since they were cubs and are very much members of the family.
 “They come from bloodlines which have been involved in circus and other performance for more than 20 generations, so they are extremely comfortable with their lifestyle.”
 

GREAT ALLENTOWN FAIR

 

 

 

 

State Fair Vendors Innovate to Survive

Small Purveyors Battle Bigger Rivals as Each Tries to Top the Others in Food Gimmicks

From: wsj.com

By Caroline Porter

August 19, 2013

 

Independent food vendors are finding themselves in a sticky situation at state fairs across the Midwest as health codes, unpredictable demand and competition from larger operations put the squeeze on their bottom lines. WSJ's Caroline Porter reports.

read more:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323455104579013233026497554.html

CIRCUS WORLD NEWS---

'Boss clown' O'Donnell taking over Circus World


The Associated Press
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013
 

 

Scott O'DonnellMADISON, Wis. -- A real clown is taking over as leader of Circus World.
A "boss clown," as a matter of fact.
Scott O'Donnell, who worked as "boss clown" for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus in 2006 has been selected to take over as executive director at Circus World starting on Sept. 15.
O'Donnell's selection from a field of 25 candidates was announced by Circus World on Monday. He previously served as Circus World's operations manager from 2002 through 2005. After his work as "boss clown" and talent manager at Ringling Brothers, he also worked as vice president and general manager for the Big Apple Circus in New York.
O'Donnell is replacing Steve Freese, who left Circus World in June after six years at the helm.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/20/5666612/boss-clown-odonnell-taking-over.html#storylink=cpy

Kelly Miller Circus clowns perform at Mansitee Family Video

Kelly Miller Circus clowns Carlee and Charlie performed at the Manistee Family Video store on Tuesday, August 9 to promote the circus, which will be in town on August 24. The Manistee Sunrise Rotary Club is sponsoring the circus visit, and advance tickets are available at Family Video and Oleson’s Market. (News Advocate video/Dave Yarnell)

read more:

http://news.pioneergroup.com/manisteenews/2011/08/10/kelly-miller-circus-clowns-perform-at-mansitee-family-video/

HEY MISTER....WHAT DO YOU SELL HERE?

 

Travelling Circus Brings Smiles to Afghan Children
A travelling circus started by a Danish man aims to bring smiles as well as juggling skills to children in conflict-ridden Afghanistan.
From:  ntdf.tv
2013-08-20 -

 

See more at: http://www.ntd.tv/en/news/world/middle-east-/-africa/20130820/82326-travelling-circus-brings-smiles-to-afghan-children.html#sthash.m9V5BoQU.dpuf

 

Afghan Kids Circus

Afghanistan's circus gives children fun with a future


 Afghan children from the Mobile Mini Circus Children (MMCC) perform during a show in Kabul August 17, 2013.
Credit: Reuters/Mohammad Ismail
By Jessica Donati and Miriam Arghandiwal
From:  reuters.com
KABUL
Tue Aug 20, 2013
(Reuters) - Flinging sparkling clubs into the air, the girls showed off their juggling skills as the boys executed dazzling acrobatics and climbed into a four-storey human pyramid.
Afghanistan's Mobile Mini Circus for Children would have been heretical under the Taliban, when music was banned by the Islamic fundamentalist movement and girls were forbidden from performing in public and going to school.
But today the circus, founded by Danish dance instructor David Mason to teach cooperation and creativity to children scarred by years of war, is one of few projects expanding despite a drop in international aid to Afghanistan.
"Left on the street, kids turn to bad things, becoming suicide bombers or street thugs," said Murtaza Nowrozi, an 18-year-old juggler from the western province of Herat. "It's better for them to go to school and join programs like this."

 

Afghan girls from the Mobile Mini Circus Children (MMCC) pose for pictures during a show in Kabul August 17, 2013.
Credit: REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
Nowrozi found out about the circus at school but many of the members are orphans or from refugee camps. The most talented children have been on tour to Denmark, Germany, Italy and Japan, and some have stayed on with the project to become teachers.
Mason started the circus with his own money and got the first donation of $1,000 in 2002, the year after U.S-led forces invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban.
Despite the dangers, the project has grown so popular that it now runs centers in seven provinces and has about 300 regular students. With dozens of donors and workshops to raise money, the budget is close to $500,000 and its tours of 25 of the country's 34 provinces have reached nearly 3 million people.
read more:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/20/us-afghanistan-circus-idUSBRE97J05420130820

CARSON & BARNES---

Circus rolls through Palos Hills despite controversy under the Big Top

 

Carson & Barnes Circus rolled through Palos Hills on Monday and Tuesday despite PETA alleging that circus trainers abuse their animals in private training sessions. Head elephant trainer Chip Arthurs leads the two stars of the Big Top Show, Viola and Kelly in Palos Hills, with a combined weight of over 19,000 pounds. (Kevin M. Coyne, Chicago Tribune)
From:  chicagotribune.com
By Kevin M. Coyne, Special to the Tribune
August 20, 2013
Carson & Barnes Circus set up the Big Top in Palos Hills despite animal rights group PETA urging the mayor to cancel the circus.

"We've had the circus here every year for six years and PETA has probably objected every year," Palos Hills Mayor Gerald Bennett said. "As far as our understanding of that particular circus and the history we've had with them, we have not observed that (animal abuse) or seen that to the best of our knowledge."

According to USDA records, Carson & Barnes agreed to a settlement of $3,714 after being issued 10 citations for violating the Animal Welfare Act from Aug. 27, 2011, to April 27, 2012.
"They have a long and well-documented history of abusing animals and they've been repeatedly cited by the USDA for at least 114 violations of the Animal Welfare Act." said Delcianna Winders, director of captive animal law enforcement with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Kristin Parra, who serves as Carson & Barnes business manager and is the daughter of current owners Barbara and Geary Byrd, said the circus has nothing to hide and the public can see for themselves how the animals are treated. Earlier this month, the USDA inspected the circus and found no violations.

"I am tired of PETA making the assumption for the general public and saying that we abuse our animals," Parra said. "I don't condone animal abuse and I want people to come out and see first-hand how our animals are treated. We love our animals and they are part of our family."

PETA officials, however, allege the animals are abused during training sessions.

"PETA is making no assumptions regarding Carson & Barnes abusing their animals," Winders said. "Animals are being abused during training sessions, which are not open to the public and not inspected by the Department of Agriculture."

Carson & Barnes head elephant trainer Chip Arthurs told the Tribune earlier this week that the animals are not abused and live longer with the circus than they would in the wild. "The animals are safer, free of poachers, well-fed, and we are with the animals all day and every day," he said.
read more:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/palos/ct-tl-0822-ssw-palos-hills-circus-20130820,0,7524837.story

NEWARK, DELAWARE

 

MICHIGAN STATE FAIR AT NOVI

Michigan State Fair expanding at Novi location

 

Livestock exhibits, circus performances (shown here) and a bike parade are just a few of the spectacles that will attract patrons to Novi on Labor Day weekend for the Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair.
From: dailytribune.com
By By ANNA ZAMBELLI, Special to Digital First Media
08/19/13
Livestock exhibits, circus performances and a bike parade are just a few of the spectacles that will attract patrons to Novi on Labor Day weekend for the Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair.
Taking place at the Suburban Collection Showplace, the event runs Aug. 30 through Sept. 2. Michigan musicians will perform, vendors will sell their wares, kids can enjoy games and contests, and adults can stop by the beer garden.
The original Michigan State Fair began in 1849, but was discontinued in 2009 because of the state’s hard financial times. The fair is now a private sector event with many sponsors in addition to Fifth Third Bank. Executive Director Mike Watts said this is the first year it will be using the name Michigan State Fair.
“This is designed to survive and continue the tradition of the old State Fair,” said Watts. “We’re trying to reach back into the traditions of the old Michigan State Fair. This is a new beginning.”
New this year will be the butter cow statue and pig racing, staples of the old Michigan State Fair.
Watts said this will be the biggest fair yet at this location, with more rides, animals and home crafting components. The Shrine Circus performance will also be doubled in size with about a dozen acts.

K-M CIRCUS

Marvelous feats on display


Kevin Bunch
Lukas Herrick of Tawas rides around on a camel before the Kelly Miller Circus begins its 7:30 p.m. show Aug. 16.
From: arenacindependent.com
By Kevin Bunch
August 16, 2013
The Kelly Miller Circus stopped in Au Gres at the city park Aug. 16, featuring a variety of skillful and death-defying feats, trained animals, and entertainers. Camel, pony and elephant rides were also offered up to visiting children before and after the show.

Kevin Bunch
Max and Brooke Herrick of Tawas get to try their hands at riding an elephant at the circus.

Kevin Bunch
Clowns Steve and Ryan provide a moment of mirth with their trombone playing.

Kevin Bunch
Fridman Torales makes his way up a series of stacked chairs to pluck a balloon for his child assistant.

 

Kevin Bunch
Girard Portugal headstands on a moving trapeze at the Kelly Miller Circus.
see more at:
http://www.arenacindependent.com/stories/Marvelous-feats-on-display,97748

C & B SHOW GOES ON---

Despite controversy, circus goes on in Palos Hills


From: southtownstar.com
By Casey Toner 
August 19, 2013
The first Carson & Barnes Circus performance went on as planned Monday in Palos Hills amid outrage from an animal’s rights group and controversy surrounding the circus’ involvement with statewide network for sexual assault victims.

Carson and Barnes circus performer Jacque Hollander says hello to a circus camel before her first appearance Tuesday in Palos Hills.
 The Oklahoma-based circus previously billed the sixth annual event as “Survivors Under the Stars,” a benefit for sexual abuse victims without the city’s knowledge. It initially planned to let the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault open an information booth outside the circus tent and string up a memorial of T-shirts created by rape victims.

 

A group of people ride atop an elephant prior to Monday's Carson and Barnes Circus in Palos Hills.
However, the plan was canceled after city officials said the circus was neither the time nor place for the benefit.

Despite the changes, the show went on with its colorful pageant of elephants, daredevil acrobats, silly clown antics, a moonwalking dog, and other performances. A little less than half of the seats at the circus were empty.

“This is the first time the kids got to ride an elephant,” said Palos Hills resident Maria Livigni, who brought her three girls to the show. “They are a little afraid of the clowns though.”

After intermission, performer Jacque Hollander led a parade of children around the circus ring during the song she wrote, “I am the Circus.” It was sung by teenage trapeze artist Franchesa Cavallini, who rode an elephant into the ring and alternated singing the song in English and Spanish.

NITRO CIRCUS---

Nitro Circus Live Wraps Up First Show In Asia
From: business.transworld.net
 By Hannah Katkov
Aug 19 2013


Nitro Circus Live Performed In Asia For The First Time At The Venetian Macau’s Cotai Arena
 Press Release:

Macau – August 18, 2013 – It was an incredible weekend of thrills, spills and world firsts in Macau, with two heart-stopping shows performed at The Venetian® Macau’s Cotai Arena.  Thousands of local fans packed into the arena for their chance to witness the world’s greatest action sports spectacle, Nitro Circus Live (www.nitrocircuslive.com), performing in Asia for the first time.

The tour showcased over 40 of the world’s best action sports athletes performing daring and record-breaking tricks in freestyle motocross, BMX and skateboarding, along with heart-stopping stunts on an array of contraptions launched off Nitro Circus Live’s multi-million dollar set and famous 50-ft. high Nitro Gigant-A-Ramp.

“We really didn’t know what to expect, it was a new show in a new market and we weren’t sure if the fans in Asia would warm to our brand of over-the-top stunts,” said Nitro Circus Live Promoter, Mike Porra.  “We have been completely amazed with the result; the fans went crazy for us.”

In an incredible world first, the two hottest FMX riders on the planet, Taka Higashino and Adam Jones, who recently took out first and second in FMX Freestyle at X Games LA, performed unbelievable side-by-side double grab backflips.  The trick is one of the toughest in the sport and Taka and Adam are two of only a handful of riders throwing it down, let alone perfectly synchronized with only mere feet between them.

“We have an insane group of athletes who push each other to new extremes every single show and to have the two best FMX riders in the world perform the world’s first side-by-side double grab backflips in a Nitro show, was really special.” said Porra.

Showing the crowd why he is the world’s best, Taka also performed the rock-solid backflip; the first time the stunt has ever been performed in a Nitro Circus Live show.  The jaw-dropping trick involved Taka flying upside-down, releasing the handle bars and grabbing the seat, and then releasing his hands from the bike completely, while upside down. He then must find the bike and pull himself back on

 

But the loudest cheer of the night went to extreme wheelchair athlete, Aaron ‘Wheelz’ Fotheringham, who performed the first ever frontflip in a wheelchair over a 40-foot gap.  The crowd leapt to their feet as Wheelz hurled himself down the Gigant-A-Ramp with pyrotechnic flames and landed with textbook accuracy.

To top it off, the live show also featured the spectacular choreographed ‘Nitro Bomb’ with 18 riders back-flipping in the air simultaneously.

With demand for the tour at an all time high and off the back of the highly successful 2012 European tour, the Nitro crew will take a short break before heading overseas to perform for European fans once again.  For the first time in Nitro Circus Live history, the tour will also head to North America to perform a series of shows in January, 2014.
 

ERIE, PA

1860's-styled Circus Part of Drake Day Celebration

 

From:  yourerie.com
08/19/2013
On Saturday, August 24, Drake Well Museum and the Friends of Drake Well, Inc. will host the Drake Day Circus from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors (65+ years) and $5.00 for children (3-11 years). Families will be able to take advantage of the event’s Special Family Rate, up to 2 adults and 3 children for only $20.00.
According to Museum Site Administrator Melissa Mann, the Drake Day Circus is modeled on circuses that traveled to Titusville, Pithole and other locations throughout Pennsylvania’s oil region during the 1860s. “The idea for this year’s annual Drake Day celebration came straight out of historic sources housed in our archive. We plan to replicate the excitement of an oil boom era circus by filling the museum’s grounds with circus entertainers, animals and other acts sure to delight and fascinate,” said Mann.
A professional circus troupe from Bacchanal Promotions (Detroit, MI) will headline the museum’s Drake Day event, performing acts of juggling, fire eating, acrobatics, magic and more. Signature circus performances will take place at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. with various strolling performances occurring throughout the day.
The Drake Day Circus will also feature a petting zoo and camel rides furnished by Living Treasures Animal Park, nineteenth century games and music, a juggling school, an antique photography booth, artisan demonstrations, and historical re-enactors. In addition, visitors will enjoy the tales of acclaimed storyteller Bill Stumpf, art activities sponsored by the Titusville Council on the Arts, a vintage band organ provided by DeBence Antique Music World, food booths operated by the Titusville Historical Society and the Titusville Lions Club and of course, all of Drake Well Museum’s interior and exterior petroleum history exhibits.
The Drake Day Circus is sponsored by PIOGA, Wilmoth Interests, Steptoe & Johnson, Farmers National Bank, Huntington Bank, Minard Run Oil Company, Stifel Nicolaus, Glenn Weaver & Son and Allegheny Well Service.
Located off Route 8 south of Titusville, Drake Well Museum is open year round. Summer hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Drake Well Museum is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in partnership with Friends of Drake Well, Inc. and is part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History® (www.PATrailsofHistory.com).
For more information about the Drake Day Circus or other museum programs, visit www.drakewell.org, call (814) 827-2797, or find us on Facebook at Drake Well Museum.

CARSON & BARNES CIRCUS

Circus returning to Quincy to benefit Kiwanis projects

 

Abigail MacDonough, left, and brother Cameron MacDonough view the elephants while visiting the Quincy Mall for the Carson and Barnes Circus in 2011. (H-W File Photo/Steve Bohnstedt)
From:  whig.com
By STEVE EIGHINGER, Herald-Whig Staff Writer
Aug  19, 2013
Joe Bordewick is just like the little kids who will be attending the Carson and Barnes Circus.
He loves it, from the enormous elephants to the hilarious clowns to the aerial daredevils.
There's another aspect about the circus, which will be at the Quincy Mall Aug. 31- Sept. 2, that Bordewick loves even more. It's the money the circus will generate for the Noon Kiwanis Club and its mission of "supporting the kids" in the Quincy community.
"We're expecting to raise between $8,000 and $10,000, which will all benefit the kids," said Bordewick, the Kiwanis president. "As a club, we raise funds to allocate to local organizations and (causes) that will help children."
Bordewick said the Kiwanis Club brings in the circus every other year. That keeps the attractions and appeal fresh.
Arguably the top drawing card of the circus is its menagerie of exotic animals that includes a miniature zebra, two llamas, Sicilian donkey, alpaca, Asian elephants, camels, pygmy goats and a pygmy hippo.
One of the top individual attractions is Alex the Clown, who has been a Las Vegas headliner and performed with several of the largest Latin American circuses. He combines daring gymnastics routines with old-fashioned pranks.
Barbara Miller-Byrd is a third-generation member of the family that has run the circus, and after more than 60 years on the road as a performer and owner she says she is still thrilled by what the "traditional American circus" offers.
"I never considered doing anything other than being a part of the family business," she said. "But in those early days no one imagined a woman would ever be the boss of a male-dominated business like ours."
The circus features a cast of dozens and a wide variety of rides and attractions. More information is available at the www.BigTopShow.com website.