Workers at the Big Apple Circus break down the tent on Monday July 26, 2010 after a 2 week stay in Stamford, Conn. Photo: Dru Nadler / Stamford Advocate Big top could return next year
Martin B. Cassidy,
Monday, July 26, 2010
STAMFORD -- Two dozen workers spent several hours Monday removing steel stanchions and pulling down the Big Apple Circus' Big Top tent in Mill River Park, packing their gear for a return to Walden, N.Y., where clowns, acrobats, and other performers will begin revamping their acts for the next season, which starts in September.
The show is already seeking another round of dates next year in Stamford. During the inaugural season that ended Sunday, it sold or gave away a total of 26,000 tickets for the 25 shows between July 9 and Sunday, said Lesley Alpert Schuldenfrei, a senior marketing director for the circus.
Ticket sales and attendance were about as strong as the show could expect in an inaugural visit to a city, Schuldenfrei said, and the local support of corporations and the city government make another stay an attractive option.
"It's not signed, sealed, and delivered but we were really excited to be in Stamford and we found great audiences," Schuldenfrei said. "We feel like we've done well, especially coming to a new city during these economic times."
On July 13, local corporations sponsored Community Day, giving away half the tickets through Stamford social service agencies, and the other half to participants in a community service initiative launched by Mayor Michael Pavia which gave tickets to volunteers with local agencies, Schuldenfrei said.
Pavia also served as guest ringmaster for the July 13 event.
"That was a terrific day and the tent was packed," Schuldenfrei said.
Proceeds from shows on July 9 and July 10 were donated to the Downtown Special Services District and the Mill River Collaborative, a group working to build footpaths, lawns, water fountains, and restrooms at the park, DSSD President Sandy Goldstein said.
Goldstein said she was impressed by the quality of talent in the circus, which she initially hadn't expected to be of such high caliber.
"The circus was terrific for Stamford on two levels: It was a terrific economic generator and it was a plus for the city of Stamford in that you could buy tickets at different prices so people could afford it," Goldstein said. "I would love to have them back and my gut reaction is that this will happen again next year."
Since the beginning of the circus' 32nd season last September, the show has toured eight communities, including Stamford, West Nyack, N.Y., and Atlanta.
"In Stamford people were happy to have the circus and when there is a good feeling in the tent it rubs off on the performers," Schuldenfrei said. "We were really glad everybody was supportive and we had an overwhelming response from the community."
Kelly McClintock, manager for Tiernan's Pub & Restaurant at Washington Boulevard and Main Street, said the extra foot traffic from the circus didn't contribute or detract from their usual business.
"There was a lot more pedestrian traffic but we didn't see a bigger lunch crowd," McClintock said.
from: stamfordadvocate.com
STAMFORD -- Two dozen workers spent several hours Monday removing steel stanchions and pulling down the Big Apple Circus' Big Top tent in Mill River Park, packing their gear for a return to Walden, N.Y., where clowns, acrobats, and other performers will begin revamping their acts for the next season, which starts in September.
The show is already seeking another round of dates next year in Stamford. During the inaugural season that ended Sunday, it sold or gave away a total of 26,000 tickets for the 25 shows between July 9 and Sunday, said Lesley Alpert Schuldenfrei, a senior marketing director for the circus.
Ticket sales and attendance were about as strong as the show could expect in an inaugural visit to a city, Schuldenfrei said, and the local support of corporations and the city government make another stay an attractive option.
"It's not signed, sealed, and delivered but we were really excited to be in Stamford and we found great audiences," Schuldenfrei said. "We feel like we've done well, especially coming to a new city during these economic times."
On July 13, local corporations sponsored Community Day, giving away half the tickets through Stamford social service agencies, and the other half to participants in a community service initiative launched by Mayor Michael Pavia which gave tickets to volunteers with local agencies, Schuldenfrei said.
Pavia also served as guest ringmaster for the July 13 event.
"That was a terrific day and the tent was packed," Schuldenfrei said.
Proceeds from shows on July 9 and July 10 were donated to the Downtown Special Services District and the Mill River Collaborative, a group working to build footpaths, lawns, water fountains, and restrooms at the park, DSSD President Sandy Goldstein said.
Goldstein said she was impressed by the quality of talent in the circus, which she initially hadn't expected to be of such high caliber.
"The circus was terrific for Stamford on two levels: It was a terrific economic generator and it was a plus for the city of Stamford in that you could buy tickets at different prices so people could afford it," Goldstein said. "I would love to have them back and my gut reaction is that this will happen again next year."
Since the beginning of the circus' 32nd season last September, the show has toured eight communities, including Stamford, West Nyack, N.Y., and Atlanta.
"In Stamford people were happy to have the circus and when there is a good feeling in the tent it rubs off on the performers," Schuldenfrei said. "We were really glad everybody was supportive and we had an overwhelming response from the community."
Kelly McClintock, manager for Tiernan's Pub & Restaurant at Washington Boulevard and Main Street, said the extra foot traffic from the circus didn't contribute or detract from their usual business.
"There was a lot more pedestrian traffic but we didn't see a bigger lunch crowd," McClintock said.
from: stamfordadvocate.com
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