Saturday, June 5, 2010

CULPEPPER & MERRIWEATHER CIRCUS 2009

August 15, 2009 This is a short clip of the Merriweather and Culpepper Circus that performed in Zimmerman, Minnesota on July 26, 2009.

CHILDRESS SHOWS 1994 PART 1 (HAL GUYON)

Dick, Looking at your pictures of Bob Chidress`s Lewis & Clark Circus I thought I`d send you a few pictures I took of Bob`s carnival back in April of 1994. These were taken in Simpsonville, South Carolina at a lot next to a shopping center. Bob is a fine person that I have known for years and always treats people with great respect and kindness whenever they visit on his lot.
Hal Guyon Columbia, SC





















JOB DISCRIPTION---


Johnathan Lee Iverson,

ringmaster for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, is the first African-American and youngest ringmaster in Ringling Bros. history. (Courtesy Iverson family via Newport News Daily Press)
from the Los Angeles Times, Jobs section.
Circus RingmasterThe profession is so much more than top hats and sequins
Life's a circus for Johnathan Lee Iverson -- literally -- and he loves every minute of it.
"Circus is the prize fighting of entertaining. You don't play circus, like you don't play boxing. It's something that you live," said the 34-year-old ringmaster in a recent Newport News Daily Press article.
Iverson is a ringmaster for the world-famous and legendary Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey traveling circus. He's the first African-American and youngest ringmaster in their storied history.
A ringmaster serves as the host of ceremonies and a guide for the performances. They are there to excite the crowd and build drama. But outside of being flamboyant and bombastic, what does a circus ringmaster do?
He should be familiar and comfortable with hectic environments, such as acrobats, tightrope walkers, fire jugglers and large exotic animals. It's crucial to improvise and entertain while spending long hours on your feet.
Depending on the circus, the ringmaster may also have to handle questions from the audience during a show and do promos and outreach outside the ring.
Someone who wants to become a ringmaster can do one of the following: Attend circus school (yes, they do exist), train as an actor or improv performer, or work through the circus ranks.
For Iverson, the profession is so much more than top hats and sequins.
"When you get to travel this often, when you get to be around this many people, when you get to witness excellence all the time, when you live among people who fly, who do daring feats ... I think it does something to your capacity for tolerance and understanding the world in a much broader sense," the seasoned ringmaster told the Daily Press.

CIRCUS JUVENTAS

SARAH HOFFMAN
Circus Juventas has local girl flying high

By Tom Larson Sun Tribune

For several years, audiences have been captivated by the performances of Cirque du Soleil and other groups which have brought the grace and athleticism of contemporary circus arts to mainstream stages.
A Morris youth is learning and performing those skills through Circus Juventas, a youth circus school in St. Paul.
Sara Hoffman, 8, has been practicing and performing with Circus Juventus for about half of her young life.
The daughter of Julia and Marshall Hoffman, Sara recently performed in the Circus Juventas’ Spring Celebration Performances, “Around the World.”
Circus Juventas presents two major public productions each year in May and late summer. The spring shows feature beginning and intermediate level students, and the summer shows consist of advanced students in a Cirque du Soleil-style production.
This year’s summer show, “Sawdust,” is July 29-Aug. 15. Morris Area Community Education is encouraging people to sign up for a bus trip to “Sawdust” at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 7. For more information, contact Community Education at (320) 589-4394.
read more at: http://www.morrissuntribune.com/event/article/id/22197/

AL-KALY SHRINE CIRCUS

Habib Omar, elephant trainer from Argentina, tends to Bimbo, one of three Asian elephants in the circus. The elephants weigh from 7,800 to 9,000 pounds. Omar said he has been with the circus his entire life, and his family is fifth-generation circus folk. He spends 10 months of the year traveling and two months at his home in Missouri. Photo by Sue Price
6/4/2010

Al-Kaly Shrine Circus draws Salida crowd
Sue Price - Mail Staff Writer
"Lions and tigers and bears - oh yes!" describes the Al-Kaly Shrine Circus, featuring the cast of Jordan World Circus and presented locally by Mon-Ark Shrine Club, which rolled into Salida Thursday.
Performers staged two shows in the open-air on White Field at Salida High School.
The circus is a fund-raiser for Shriner Hospitals for Children. Steve Jordan, potentate, said 300,000 Shriners worldwide support 22 hospitals which provide free care for children with burns or orthopedic conditions.
Since 1922, he said, the hospitals have treated more than 1 million children, Jordan said.
The traveling circus, owned by Jody and Patsy Jordan of Las Vegas, arrived with 12 rigs, about 50 cast members and crew, in addition to tigers, elephants, bears, ponies and more.
The Shriners will sponsor circuses in Salida, Colorado Springs, Lamar, CaƱon City, Rocky Ford, Trinidad, Monte Vista and Durango this summer.
"It is one of our year's biggest fund-raisers and a good way for us to get our name out so people know what we do," steve Jordan said. "It's also a way to bring a circus to smaller communities."
The two-hour, three-ring show featured an international cast performing balancing acts, animal acts, aerial artistry, high-wire acts and more.From The Mountain Mail, Salida, ColoradoAdd Image

3 REDNECK TENORS AND DINNY MCGUIRE

3 Redneck Tenors invade Branson for singin' show

by KY3 News
Story Published: Jun 4, 2010
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Some singing rednecks are storming Branson. They'll perform at the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre this summer.
The 3 Redneck Tenors joined Ozarks Today on Friday. Even though there are four members of the group, one of them isn't a tenor, thus the name. ----
Here's how one reviewer described the show:
"The curtain rises on the boys’ Paris, Texas, trailer park and before you know it Billy Bob (Alex Bumpus) is singing “Willkommen” from “Cabaret” in cutoff shorts and a raveled orange sweatshirt.
The show has a plot line narrated by The Colonel, Dinny McGuire, who in real life has spent 25 years as the ringmaster for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Big Apple Circus. He also sings bass.
The set features an outhouse, Airstream and plastic furniture — all the better to pop beers and wish upon a star peeking out from behind an oil rig. The cousins decide to follow their dreams and head for Broadway. “Hold on to your badoobies,” Bill Bob says.
Their trip takes about 15 minutes, and when we rejoin the Rednecks after intermission they’ve installed their Airstream in Times Square, adding bars on the window and a New York City portable toilet. Their first job in the Big Apple is at a haunted Howard Johnson’s, which leads the trio."

CHEROKEE, NC SUMMERFEST


New Carnival coming to Cherokee’s Summerfest

June 3, 2010

A new carnival will debut in Cherokee this year for an expanded 10-day Summerfest at the Cherokee Fairgrounds. Bringing bigger and more exciting rides than ever before, the Summerfest this year will host J & J Amusements from New Middleton, Ohio for 10 days beginning on Thursday, June 10, and running through Saturday, June 19.
The carnival will open each weekday at 5:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 pm. Closing time will be at 11:00 pm each night except Sunday, when the carnival will close at 10:00 pm.
Long time organizer of Summerfest, Hubert Bullard, has announced the new carnival that has altered its route of playing churches, firemens celebrations, festivals and fairs in Florida through Ohio and Pennsyvania.
Bullard said he believes that a whole new look will be at Summerfest as different and more exciting rides than ever will be on the fairgrounds. J & J Amusements is one of the largest traveling carnival companies in the world with more than 80 rides in its arsenal. Some of the largest county and regional fairs in the southeast are played by J & J.
Discount coupons for ride wristbands will again be available at all visitors and welcome centers in Cherokee as well as at convenience stores and fast food restaurants.

THE CAJUN HEARTLAND STATE FAIR

Kenny Page cleans up the Super Slide getting ready for the Cajun Heartland State Fair on the grounds of the Cajundome. The fair opened last Thursday and runs through Sunday. (Photo by Leslie Westbrook)

Fair games
The Cajun Heartland State fair rolls on this weekend
Go Go. Fun Fun.
It’s that time of year again. The Cajun Heartland State Fair is returning to the Cajundome through Sunday.
This is the 22nd year the Cajun Heartland State Fair has set up camp in Acadiana, and this year’s installment of the annual local institution promises all the food, music and family fun it’s delivered for more than 20 years.
North American Midway Entertainment will provide the rides for this year’s fair, and Heartland rider die-hards can expect perennial favorites like the giant Ferris wheel, Crazy Mouse and the Mega Drop! Games. There will also be a games midway (in case you’re deeply in need of a giant stuffed dog), food and drink vendors and a special section of rides for the little ones.
The music lineup for this year’s fair is an impressive one, and this second weekend music lineup has a few major musical moments. Today there is the third annual Guitar Hero competition (aspiring air guitar gods, get ready!). Friday features back-to-back sets from local greats Wayne Toups and Sammy Kershaw. And the fair wraps up with sets by local favorites, The Molly Ringwalds and Krossfyre.
The fair is offering a host of ride ticket specials, as they do every year, for families and fair superfans. More information on the ticket specials, check out www.cajundome.com/entertainment.aspx on the Web.
For more information about the 22nd annual Cajun Heartland State Fair, call 265-2100.

Friday, June 4, 2010

OMAHA ELEPHANT WALK

Commuters got held up by a different kind of traffic Thursday morning in downtown Omaha as the circus announced its arrival with a tradition more than a hundred years old — the elephant walk. Asian elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus were paraded by circus workers to the Qwest Center Omaha after being unloaded from railroad cars near the Durham Museum.

CIRCUS SMIRKUS

• Circus Smirkus is a children’s circus troupe based in Greensboro. The company tours the Northeast every summer, with several stops in Vermont. The circus will perform at his home base June 25 in Greensboro, before three days in Essex Junction (June 28-30). After a swing through southern Vermont, Circus Smirkus will play in Montpelier Aug. 11-12, with final shows back Aug. 14-15 in Greensboro. For ticket details and complete schedule, visit www.circussmirkus.org.

CIRCO HERMANOS VASQUEZ

Mexican circus set for theatrics at Town Center
By SARA CASTELLANOS
The Aurora, CO Sentinel Published: Thursday, June 3, 2010
Zebras, horses, camels, Brazilian dancers, jugglers, acrobats, tightrope walkers and clowns will make their debut at 8 p.m. Friday under an gigantic purple tent outside of the Town Center at Aurora.
The eclectic group of animals and performers are part of Circo Hermanos Vasquez, a Mexico-based circus that has traveled across the United States for 40 years. This is the first time they have visited Colorado.
“It’s going to be really fun for our community,” said Warren Green, director of marketing for the Town Center at Aurora. “Usually we don’t get to see those world-renowned acts, so we’re really thrilled with that.”
The circus will perform between one and three shows per day from June 4 to 13. Tickets cost $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $15 for children, and can be purchased through circovazquez.com.
The circus is expected to attract people from all over the metro area, which will hopefully result in more business for the mall’s shops, Green said.
“Everything we do is designed to bring business to the mall, and to offer the community different things to do while they’re here,” he said.
Although the performers will speak in Spanish, the speaking parts are infrequent, so everyone is encouraged to attend, he said.
“We’re thrilled to have them here,” he said. “We are so excited to have such a big name come in and partner with us to create such a fun atmosphere and kick off the summer in a big way.”

KOOZA



L.S. alum returns with KOOZA

Published on Tue, Jun 1, 2010

by BY PAM STEVENS MANAGING EDITOR, Lake Stevens Journal

Working under the “big top” is a dream that many have at some point in their lifetime and Lake Stevens High School graduate Jeff Carlton has made that dream a reality.
Carlton, a 1992 LSHS graduate has lived in Lake Stevens more than once.“I first moved to Lake Stevens in 1984 at the age of ten and attended Mt. Pilchuck grade school for several years,” Carlton said.
Carlton’s father worked for a company that moved them around the country and then transferred them to Oklahoma in 1986. After his father retired in 1987 he asked the family where they would like to set-up roots.“He came home from work one day and asked the family where we wanted to live. We unanimously agreed to move back to Lake Stevens,” Carlton said.
Carlton attended Lake Stevens Middle School and graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1992. “Over the next twelve years I remained in Lake Stevens owning my own business as a general contractor building homes all over the greater Seattle area,” he explained.
During that time Carlton had an urge to get into show business and looked for a way to follow his dream.“I had a strong desire to get into show business and finally followed a dream in 2004 moving away from Lake Stevens and ending up in Las Vegas working for Cirque du Soleil KA at the MGM Grand,” Carlton said. “All this time I knew I wanted to be a part of a touring show and KOOZA was my target.”
Carlton was able to join the KOOZA family in June 2009. He is now the Head of Props for the KOOZA tour.“The KOOZA family and the show itself are so amazing to be a part of that I have full intention on staying with the show for the entire run over the next 10 to 15 years,” Carlton said.
Leaving “home” was not an easy decision but following his dream has made the move worthwhile.“Leaving the Seattle area was not easy, but I am sure that after my time with KOOZA ends, Lake Stevens and all of the Seattle area will be on the top of the list for places to return and settle down,” he said.Now, Carlton’s friends can see his show right here in Western Washington.
Cirque du Soleil is proud to return to Seattle with its critically acclaimed touring show production of KOOZA. KOOZA premieres tomorrow, Thursday, June 3 for a limited engagement under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) at King County’s Marymoor Park in Redmond.
KOOZA has Cirque du Soliel’s trademark acrobatics and the art of clowning.
“The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mĆ©lange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor,” KOOZA’s marketing company said in a statement.If you are interested in seeing one of the performances tickets for KOOZA are on sale now at 1-800-450-1480 or online at www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza.

Circus Comes To Town

Two Perfomances Planned Saturday Evening

Aaron Burnett, Friday, June 4th, 2010

SIDNEY, NEBRASKA— For more than 100 years the Shrine Circus has been entertaining families across the nation. This weekend, area residents will have two chances to catch the sites and sounds of the of the big top.
The Tehema Lodgepole Valley Shrine Club is sponsoring performances at 4 and 7 p.m., Saturday, June 5 at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds.
The circus features exotic animals such as the elephants and tigers as well as human acrobatic feats and performances.
Children receive free admission to both performances. Adult tickets can be purchased from local businesses and Shriners prior to the event as well as at the gate the day of the performances.
Proceeds from the two performances will be used to assist local families and children traveling to Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout the U.S. The hospital network of 22 facilities provides special pediatric care to children 18 and under with no financial liability to the family. The facilities specialize in orthopedic care, burn care, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and cleft lip and palate care.

CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN

Circus comes to town
Photo by Laurie Gordon
A lot of passers by did double takes last week when they noticed a huge red circus tent smack in the middle of the front lawn at Sussex County Community College. The Newton Fire Department and the Newton Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary sponsored Circus Vidbel with proceeds from advance ticket sales benefiting the fire department. A glitch in the inflation of the bounce house had the ring master himself holding up a corner so kids could bounce inside.

THE ANSWER

THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ON WEDNESDAY'S BLOG
IS A GIN POLE.
DAN THE BOOKER WINS THE CEEGAR!

ALLENTOWN, PA--


It's carnival season:

Three to try this week

The Allentown, PA Morning Call, June 2, 2010

Coopersburg Fire Company Carnival: Rides, food, pay one price ($17) ride specials, (today and Thurs.), entertainment: DJ (today), band Uncle Smiley, (Fri.). 6-10 p.m. today and Thurs., 7-10:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Coopersburg Fire Company, 13 S. Main St., Coopersburg.


Fullerton Carnival: Entertainment by Tim Harakal (today), Head Knocker (Thurs.), Billy Bauer Band (Fri.), She Said Sunday (Saturday), Jake Kaligis, New Amsterdam Band (Sunday), food, rides. Fireworks on Sunday. Benefits Fullerton Memorial Playground. 6-10 p.m. today-Fri. 3-10 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Fullerton Memorial Playground, behind Toys-R-Us, Whitehall. http://www.fmpaa.org/ .


Hokendauqua AA Carnival: Pay-one-price rides ($15), entertainment by Cosmic Blues Band (Thurs.), Three Ring Circus (Fri.), and Main Attraction (Sat.). Benefits the Hokey AA. 6-10 p.m. today-Sat. Bob Warke Field, South Front and Lehigh streets, Whitehall. 610-264-4363

"HALF PINT BRAWLERS"

"Half Pint Brawlers": A Spike TV miniseries explores the outrageous world of little-person wrestling with this new unscripted half-hour, six-episode series.
(Spike TV / June 1, 2010)
Spike TV's dwarf wrestling show targets young, male demographicThe little people involved in 'Half Pint Brawlers' are as hard core off camera as they are in the ring. But some worry about the message the show is sending.
By T. L. Stanley, Special to the Los Angeles Times June 2, 2010
If you're at all squeamish about seeing someone get cash staple-gunned to his privates or 4-foot-tall wrestlers mauling each other while beer-drinking bar patrons egg them on, you might not be the target for the Spike network's new late-night series, "Half Pint Brawlers."
But if you're into "Jackass"-style stunts, choreographed grappling matches and pants-dropping spectacles, you may have just found your new appointment viewing.
Spike, the testosterone-fueled home of "The Ultimate Fighter," "1,000 Ways to Die" and "Manswers," launches the six-episode show at 11 p.m. Wednesday. It will follow a group of little people, led by outspoken actor-comedian-entrepreneur Steve Richardson, who goes by the stage name Puppet the Psycho Dwarf.
Richardson and his five Half Pint Brawler cohorts travel the country performing at bars, nightclubs and sports arenas — and a Louisiana maximum-security prison — for a series that also captures their shenanigans outside the ring. The guys haze the rookie in the crew, nicknamed Turtle, with extreme manscaping in the first episode. Again, not for the weak of stomach. (Executive producers include Duke Straub, who shot the initial footage that helped sell the show, and Trip Taylor, a veteran of crazy-stunt TV series like "Jackass" and "Wildboyz.")
read more at: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-half-pint-20100602,0,5974162.story

TAKE ME TO THE CIRCUS!


Take me to the circus!

The Greatest Show on Earth® to come to Baton Rouge River Center

By Kristina Stafford, June 2, 2010

Come one! Come all! The Illuscinations® tour of the Ringling Brothers® Circus will be coming to the Baton Rouge River Center starting tomorrow and running though the weekend. This action-packed show is perfect for "children of all ages," featuring an unbelievable magic show, live animal performances, acrobatic performers, and much, much more.read more at: http://tigerweekly.com/print/06-02-2010/14733/take-me-to-the-circus

KELLY MILLER JULY 4TH DATE--


Day by Day Family Events in Berkshire and Bennington Counties

from the Berkshire, Mass. Advocate

Saturday, July 3
Dalton Lions Club, 17th circus fundraiser with the Kelly Miller Circus, founded in 1938, which features flying trapeze, elephants, tigers, horses, clowns and stars from all over the world, 2 and 5:30 p.m. $10/adults, $6/children. Route 9, Dalton. 413-842-5117.
Sunday, July 4
Dalton Lions Club, 17th circus fundraiser with the Kelly Miller Circus, founded in 1938, which features flying trapeze, elephants, tigers, horses, clowns and stars from all over the world, 2 and 5 p.m. $10/adults, $6/children. Route 9, Dalton. 413-842-5117.

UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS IN BALTIMORE (WJZ TV)

UniverSoul Circus Is Back In Town With New Theme
ReportingRon Matz BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
It was started 17 years ago by a young Baltimore man who had an idea.
Now it's thrilling audiences around the world.
Ron Matz reports the UniverSoul Circus is back in town.Come fly away with the amazing UniverSoul Circus. It's hip hop under the big top. The show is back in Baltimore under the familiar tent at Security Square Mall.
Onionhead, the signature clown, says there's something for everyone."It's a strong show, it's a positive show. When you come here you can bring your children, grandma and grandpa. It's all family entertainment and there's so much excitement," said Onionhead, also known as Robert Dunn.Talk about fun.
How about the pampered pooches and the other animals? It all started right here in Baltimore. Cedric Walker graduated from Edmondson High and started UniverSoul in 1994."I was on the baseball team at Edmondson Village and we won every game, so I learned teamwork, a determination to win. There were a lot of great things I learned in the inner city in Baltimore," said Cedric Walker, founder of the UniverSoul Circus.
UniverSoul's 75 performers come from all over the world. Some acrobats come as far as China And for Onionhead it's a world of making people laugh."I took a job first here as an assistant cook, then Cedric Walker put me on with the tent crew, putting the tent up. I stayed and eventually I started to do a little walk around in the audience. Now I'm the signature clown," said Onionhead. "I have the world in my hands. It's a joy. The first time I walked into that ring it was like the trumpets blowing, the drums beating. It was magical."At UniverSoul, the magic and the fun never stop."To see a grandmother bopping to the latest hip hop song and to see a little kid singing Al Green or Marvin Gaye, it's a tremendous feeling," said Walker.The UniverSoul Circus continues through Sunday night at Security Square Mall.

CIRQUE du SOLEIL IN NYC

Upon entering New York City whether for a weekend getaway or on a business trip, and you should find yourself on the FDR Drive roughly in the vicinity of East 116th street, you will notice a spectacular, super-size, yellow and blue striped structure across the waterway.


On April 9, 2010, the huge colorful tents were raised along with the excitement for the return of one the most exciting contemporary events: “Cirque du Soleil”.
Here on limited engagement until June 6th, the climate-controlled interior offers guests exceptional comfort with the scent of blossoming flowers.
Located on an extraordinary site, east of the city’s main river channel, it was once called “Minnahanonck” by America’s indigenous Algonquian speaking Wappingers, a Lenape people.
In 1784 it was named after Jonathan Randel. Randall’s island is now the permanent home of “Cirque du Soleil” hosting its latest production “OVO” under “Le Grand Chapiteau”.
OVO is the newest addition to its collection of superb performances, full of exultation and “joie de vivre”.
A team of brilliant artists led the gutsy production, Writer, Director and Choreographer, Deborah Colker (who became the first Brazilian artist to receive the Lawrence Oliver Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance in 2001 for her work “MIX”), heads the team. In 2002, she was invited by the Komische Opera in Berlin to choreograph an original work, “Casa and Ela”. In 2006 she continued on to create Maracana for the Culture Factory of Kampnagel in Hamburg. Today, OVO expands this amazing choreographer’s reputation by expressing her style and her established trademark of “diversity and unrest”
READ MORE AT: http://www.bunkershot.com/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=where-to-from-the-desk-get-the-best-within-an-hour-of-new-york-city-.html&Itemid=161


NEWS FROM THE MEADOWLANDS FAIR---


State Fair Meadowlands to hold Jersey tomato fight to raise money for charity
Wednesday, 02 June 2010
State Fair Meadowlands will hold New Jersey's 1st Annual State Fair Jersey Tomato Fight on Saturday, June 19, at 6 p.m. The hour-long, squishy summer extravaganza — which will be held during the 19-day fair at the Meadowlands Fairgrounds in East Rutherford, N.J. — is open to fairgoers ages 16 and up. Participation is free, but tomato hurlers and spectators will be encouraged to make a $5 donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

"The State Fair Jersey Tomato Fight promises to be a spectacle that area thrill seekers won't want to miss. Ponchos and goggles will be available for purchase, and tomato hurlers should come dressed for a mess — maybe even in bathing suits!" said Al Dorso, president of State Fair at the Meadowlands Fairgrounds.

State Fair at the Meadowlands Fairgrounds will run daily from June 17-July 5, featuring four new shows — Piccadilly Circus, with daring acrobats, clowns and majestic circus animals; Sea Lion Splash, a splashy and educational summer pleaser with funny, lovable sea lions; an Aerial Stunt Show featuring the original Batcopter from the Batman TV series and movie; and Hell on Wheels Trilogy BMX Show. Entertainment to these and other shows is free with entry ticket.
read more at: http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/movies/state-fair-meadowlands-to-hold-jersey-tomato-fight-to-raise-money-for-charity

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

CIRCUS VIDBEL---2009

By Linda Murphy
Special to The Herald News Posted Jul 30, 2009
Little Compton, R.I. — When the circus came to town back in the 1800s it was a big deal: Townspeople came together before the circus even opened to watch the big top, with all its promise of amusement and awe, rise up to the sky.When Vidbel’s Old Tyme Circus rolls into town this weekend it brings with it the opportunity to relive an era before laser light shows streaked across circus stages. For Susan Vidbel-Ashton it’s the fulfillment of her grandfather’s dream. “This is the circus that my grandfather started,” she said. “I love the feeling of an old-time circus — a lot of traditional circuses have been lost.”

With her parents’ lineage, it may be no surprise that Miss Cheyenne could flip and roll with ease: Ashton is a seventh generation circus performer from Australia and Vidbel-Ashton’s grandparents meet in the early 1950s when they were both with Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus. They were married in the ring between circus acts.



read more at:http://www.heraldnews.com/entertainment/arts/x409292120/Circus-circus-Vidbels-brings-old-time-entertainment-to-Little-Compton?img=6






ANOTHER BALLOON MAN!

Balloon Man Felipe Vazquez
on the Royal Hanneford Circus, Springfield, IL 2009
QUESTION OF THE DAY!
WHO KNOW'S WHAT THE POLE IS CALLED THAT HE'S HOLDING?
Leave a comment and lets see who's first!

CASTLE HILL, AUSTRAILIA


Bend beyond belief: Russian contortionists bend themselves beyond belief as well as perform a rhythmic array of acrobatic acts, hand balancing and the Russian bar.

Moscow Circus on its way to Castle Hill showground
01 Jun, 2010 11:35 AM
THE circus is on its way to Castle Hill showground tomorrow night!
Michael Edgley's Great Moscow Circus is no normal circus: what you will see is a death-defying, mesmerising, mystifying and magical circus as Russian performers and other international artists take audiences through two hours of breathtaking entertainment.
Not only does the circus feature The Wheel of Death, but the grand finale also promises to enthral with its daredevil motorbikes in the ``Globe of Death''.
Be spellbound as the Brazilian team hangs perilously high.
Then there's The Russian Swing, the Cosmic Orbitor and the new aerial motorbike sensation.
Contortionists bend themselves beyond belief with a rhythmic array of acrobatic acts and hand balancing.
Be amazed by the magical illusions.
And don't forget the cute miniature ponies who will captivate you with their enchanting routine in a performance of precision and skill.
A drunken ringmaster will appear on his very own trampoline and perform the fastest somersault in the world.
The circus is at Castle Hill Showground on June 2-14. Tickets: $115 for a family pass. Bookings: 0429667269 or Ticketek, 132849. Details: ticketek.com.au, moscowcircus .com.au.
Congratulations to the winners of the 10 double passes who are now off to see the circus: Ann Keating of Glenhaven, Kirsty Stewart of Castle Hill, Rebecca Rickerby of Cherrybrook, Stephanie Jaucian of Cherrybrook, Kerrie Watt of Castle Hill, Lee Warn of West Pennant Hills, Tracey Arbolino of Kellyville Ridge, Erin Handley of Baulkham Hills, Sandra Ferguson of Westleigh and Victoria Kabeck of Beaumont Hills.
They were the first to email at 9am on Thursday with the correct answer which was: Moscow Circus.

LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS DATE--

The circus is coming to Williamsport!
The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced that they will be hosting the Lewis & Clark Circus on the grounds of Bowman Field on Friday, July 2 with shows at 5pm & 7:30pm.
The Lewis & Clark Circus is a one ring European-style circus featuring continuous action in the center ring. Families attending the show can expect to see; hi-flying trapeze artists, amazing acrobats, zany clowns and animal acts including tigers, horses, camels and more. The circus midway will be open prior to show time featuring pony and camel rides, concessions, a free petting zoo and much more.
Tickets for the Lewis & Clark Circus appearance in Williamsport can be purchased via phone by calling the Cutters Hotline at (570) 326-3389, online at crosscutters.com or in-person at the Crosscutters offices at Bowman Field.
Advance ticket prices are $10 for those age 15 and above. Children age 14 and under can receive FREE admission with a special coupon available at the Crosscutters offices or on the website. Coupons will also be printed in local papers in the days prior to the show.
Tickets purchased on the day of the show are $15 each for adults and $5 for children.

FRESNO, CA CARNIVAL

The Big Fresno Fair is still several months away. But you can get your midway fix by attending the Butler Amusements’ Clovis Carnival Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, June 13 in the Sierra Vista mall parking lot.
A new flavor of festivities from Butler Amusements will grace the Sierra Vista Mall Carnival in Clovis this year, including a ride that formerly belonged to the king of pop.
The Balloon Samba, a mild thriller ride for young children, was a favorite in Michael Jackson's private collection at the Neverland Ranch near Santa Barbara.
Butler Amusements will bring 17 rides in all to the Sierra Vista Mall Carnival, going on between June 10-13. The Zipper is a favorite among teens and young adults featuring spectacular lighting for night rides. The Tilt-A-Whirl is a fast ride for teens and adults.
Butler Amusements, based in Fairfield, Calif., is the largest carnival company in the Western United States, providing carnivals for more than 100 different events each year. The company operates over 130 amusements rides in seven different western states, including California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Texas and Arizona.