Dardevil, Nik Wallenda, gets OK from New York for Niagra Falls tightrope walk, waiting for Canada

Mike Derer/APNik

Wallenda, a circus high-wire daredevil and the seventh generation of the Flying Wallendas circus family, has gotten the OK from New York lawmakers to walk over Niagra Falls.
BY Larry Mcshane DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Friday, June 24th 2011
Daredevil Nik Wallenda is about halfway to his dream of walking a tightrope over Niagara Falls.
The seventh-generation stunt scion is awaiting the OK from the Canadian government for his death-defying walk after getting approval from the New York Legislature.
"I almost tear up thinking about being out in the middle of that and what it's going to look like," Wallenda said after this week's votes by the state Assembly and Senate.
"It's going to be amazing."
But it's not going to happen unless the Ontario-based Niagara Parks Commission gives its approval to the plan for a walk above the 180-foot Horseshoe Falls.
The 2,200-foot trip would be the first of its kind, as other daredevils have done the walk downstream. The last pre-approved high-wire trip over the raging waters was done in 1910.
The Canadian commission, which has turned down a number of requests in the past, said it has not yet received an application from Wallenda.
The 32-year-old Wallenda, who walked his first tightrope at age 2, has until August 2012 to arrange his stunt under the New York legislation - although he has yet to pick a date. Gov. Cuomo must also sign off on the bill.
Wallenda, star of the new Discovery Channel series "Life on a Wire," has promised to cover all the costs of the event.
lmcshane@nydailynews.com
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/06/24/2011-06-24_daredevil_nik_wallenda_gets_ok_from_new_york_for_niagra_falls_tightrope_walk_wai.html#ixzz1QIRgtr8n

Circus Louis Knie Jun extended stay in Vienna

25.06.11

from: austriantimes.at

Circus Louis Knie junior with its clowns, jugglers, magicians, acrobats and performing animals including the spectacular equestrian displays has extended its stay in Vienna until 11 July.
Performances are almost daily (see below) and include two family days per week on Monday and Wednesday when the tickets are five euros per seat cheaper.
From Monday, 4 July until Saturday, 9 July between nine o'clock in the morning and five o'clock in the afternoon the circus is also offering children aged between five and 14 the chance to take part in the circus school.
Under the watchful eye of experienced teachers working together with Circus staff kids are offered the chance to learn the tricks of the trade culminating in a show at the end of the week. On hand are the clowns, magicians, jugglers, acrobats and animals. The fee for the one-week of lessons that includes catering is 240 euros per child with places limited to 100 – so book now.
The circus tent is located at Trabrennplatz Krieau at Rotundenplatz which is best reached by either the underground line U2 Krieau - or alternatively use the large car park in front of the circus.

Company involved in fair mishap has good record

Two were injured; ride remains closed

By Aaron Burgin

June 24, 2011

The company that owns the ride involved in an injury accident at the San Diego County Fair this week has a clean safety record in California and the company’s home state of Texas.
Texas-based Wood Entertainment Co. owns the “Techno Power” attraction, which injured a teenage girl and a ride operator when it apparently malfunctioned Tuesday afternoon. The ride is shut down as state inspectors investigate the incident.
Techno Power has not been involved in any other accident in California, according to information provided by the state department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which regulates amusement park attractions.
Only one of the company’s seven attractions has been involved with an accident, which occurred two years ago. That ride passed a subsequent state inspection and the accident was attributed to “patron error,” or a mistake by the rider.
Michael Wood, who co-owns the family operation that has been in existence in some form for more than 65 years, was apologetic Friday when asked about the Del Mar incident, which he called “horrible.”read more at: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jun/24/company-involved-in-mishap-has-good-record/

FROM THE PAST---

BILL PRICKETT VISITS--

CIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM

BARABOO, WI

CIRCUS WORLD in BARABOO, WI....After attending the Hamid Shrine Circus in Rockford, Il, 6-05-11, I drove 3 hrs. north to spent
Monday, 6-06-11, at CIRCUS WORLD in BARABOO. The circus show is presented seven days a week, May 21 thru Sept. 5, at 11am
and 3:30 pm, in the Hippodrome bldg. There are many other events on the grounds starting at 9am (when the Museum opens) thru
6pm(when they close). All these events are included in the price of your admission. The Museum, their various buildings and restored
circus wagons, are something to see and explore. The Library is OPEN, and Peter Shrake is the new Archivist.
Back to the circus show. They feature: Heidi Herriott and daughter Cassidy, David Rosaire "Perky Pekes", clowns Greg and
Roger, Slava (rola bola), Kristina( Hula hoops), High Flying Hannah and Slide For Life, Tomi Liebel's family elephant act, and David
SaLoutos, singing Ringmaster. Larry Stout, musical director (keyboard), and a drummer, provided live music. Illusionist Tristan Crist,
Magic show, Lucky Star, miniature horse act, and Kids interactive circus experience are additional attractions included with your ticket.
Peter Shrake is the new Archivist at the Parkinson Library, and Ralph Pierce is the new Collections and Digitization analyst, at the Library.

BILL PRICKETT VISITS CWM #2

BILL PRICKETT VISITS CWM #3

State Fair Meadowlands opens its 25th annual event

Racing pigs are among the entertainment planned at State Fair Meadowlands, which opens its annual run today.
Friday, June 24, 2011
By Summer Dawn Hortillosa/The Jersey Journal
The Jersey Journal Today , the fair is back and bigger than ever.The 25th annual State Fair Meadowlands will run through July 10 at their new permanent home in front of the Meadowlands Stadium.
“This year, the fairgrounds is 25 per cent larger - we have a new special events area and the Skyride is back,” said fair Managing Director Michele Tartaglione, who noted that people especially love using the Skyride and the fair’s pedicabs to get from one end of the 26,000 parking-space area to the other. At the event, people can enjoy 150 rides and attractions, food vendors from all over the country, free entertainment with gate admission, and special performances.
On weekdays, adults pay $7 while seniors and kids 12 and under pay $5. On weekends, adults pay $9, seniors and kids pay $6. Unlimited ride tickets are also available. In addition, hardcore fair fans can buy $25 season passes to all 17 days of the fair.For more information, visit NJFair.com.

Circus Vargas entertains in Ventura

Photo by Joseph A. Garcia

Master Gaucho HilarioCabral makes his Circus Vargas debut with a performance of the boleadoras Thursday during opening night of Circus Vargas at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
Circus Vargas entertains in VenturaBy James Zoltak Ventura County Star Posted June 24, 2011 Daredevils from around the world make Circus Vargas a spectacle of motorcycle stunts, flying trapeze acts and bungee jumpers, but children culled from the audience help make the experience all the more fun.
Circus Vargas opened Thursday night at the Ventura County Fairgrounds for the start of a nine-show run through Monday.
Before a near-capacity crowd in a 55-foot-tall big top that seats 1,400, young people were invited to join the professionals and try their hands at hula hooping, balancing objects and clowning, often drawing laughs and cheers to rival those garnered by the circus' stars.Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jun/24/circus-vargas-entertains-in-ventura/#ixzz1QHUnZIi3 - vcstar.com

Come One, Come All to Glu's Greatest Show on Mobile

Circus City delivers all the fun under the Big Top to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
PRNewswire/ -- Glu Mobile Inc. (Nasdaq: GLUU), a leading global publisher of 3D Social Mobile games for smartphone and tablet devices, today announced its new Circus City App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is available on the App Store. Circus City lets players experience the family friendly fun of a full working circus.
With Circus City, players can indulge their fantasy of building and managing their very own circus – complete with designing attractions, providing entertainment, and selling goods, food and drink. Players, or Circus Masters, have the option to share the fun with their friends by connecting in-game, sending Circus City gifts or lending a helping hand as friends build their own unique Circus Cities.
"Circus City puts players in control of all the characters and attractions that make the circus an exciting family friendly past time," said Jesse Taylor, VP, of Studio at Glu. "Circus City gives them the chance to be creative, collaborate with friends and continuously perfect their circus cities." Features of Circus City include: Customize: Be part of the greatest Circus on mobile…yours! Circus Masters can design and build their own circus acts. Classic Big Top Characters: Circus Masters can choose from a variety of circus characters including the ring leader, clowns, acrobats, lion tamers, jugglers, strongmen, knife throwers, elephant acts and many more. Good Eats: Circus Masters can set up vending stands to sell everything from cool beverages to hotdogs, pizza and cotton candy. Rides for the Whole Family: Circus Masters can choose which rides to install around the Big Top, including crazy slides, photo booths, haunted mansions, carousels and more. Share with friends: Circus Masters can share the fun by connecting with their friends using Game Center, sending Circus City gifts, or by lending a helping hand to friends as they build their own Circus City.
The Circus City App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.Read more: http://www.bradenton.com/2011/06/24/3299760/come-one-come-all-to-glus-greatest.html#ixzz1QHTYXLQV

Coney Island circus opens July 4, appearing through Labor Day.

From Susie Vidbel Ashton, Vidbel Circus:

Coney Island Vidbel Circus Promises Strong Line-Up for Summer Dates at Famed Resort Vidbel Circus The Original Olde Tyme Circus Under The Big TopAppearing Coney Island July 4th through Labor Day Tues. - Fri. 4, 6, 8:00 pm Sat. & Sun. 3 - 6:00 pm Mon. Dark

Tickets will be on sale at the Door for $10.00 each. Children age 2 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Vidbel Coney Island Circus features Susan Vidbel-Ashton performing her amazing aerial cloud swing and lyra acts and Mike Ashton foot juggling and his live music under the Big Top. Acts featured in the Coney Island Show are The Zamperlas Riding and Dressage Equestrian acts, The Fabulous Darnells Magic and Incredible Dog Acts, Tevin Del Monte rolla bolla and clowning, Peggy Mills and Nino Murillo Archery and Guiming Meng Vase Juggler. New York City will have a circus with up close action at affordable prices under a real Circus Big Top that seats 600 this summer.
(Courtesy David P. Orr)

'Reptile King' on Zerbini Family Circus
LaneInConn

Uploaded by LaneInConn on Jun 20, 2011
Leonard Zhabir Muhammad is an 11-year-veteran on the Zerbini Family Circus, handling snakes and alligators under the big top and camels on the outside.

Jay Millers Circus Introduction and Preview

The Shrine Circus is coming to town Sunday

June 23, 2011

WORTHINGTON, MN — Come one, come all; whether you’re big or small; short or tall. The Shrine Circus will astound families again Sunday in Worthington. “I think we’ve been doing this for 10 years,” said Keith Larson, president of the Worthington Shrine Club, “We always have a good turn out.” Renowned for its family friendly entertainment, the Shrine Circus is also easy on the family funds. By: Will Collin, Worthington Daily Globe

Sister of Ringling Bros circus CEO appeals losing lawsuit claiming brother had her assaulted

From: washingtonpost.com

June 23, 2011

By Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The long-running feud in the family behind the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is about to run longer.
Circus CEO Kenneth Feld successfully defended himself this spring in a $110 million lawsuit filed by his sister, Karen, who claimed his private security guards assaulted her when they threw her out of their late aunt’s shiva. The jurors also rejected Kenneth’s Feld’s $10 million counterclaim against his sister for trespass at the aunt’s memorial service held at a Washington penthouse apartment he owned.Karen Feld filed a notice of appeal Thursday. Her attorney Steven Oster said there are several issues, primarily Kenneth Feld’s trespass defense. Oster said he believes a unit owner may never use force to eject someone from the common areas of a condo building.

Circus arrives Thursday

Carson and Barnes is the largest circus still under the big top.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Mountain Home, Idaho News

The Carson and Barnes Circus will appear in Mountain Home on Thursday, June 23, at the lot adjacent to the Mountain Home Municipal Airport. Two shows will be presented, at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce.

Alain Zerbini Family Circus
LaneInConn

Circus Vargas opens Thursday at Ventura County Fairgrounds

PART 1

By James Zoltak, Ventura County Star

Posted June 21, 2011

Circus Vargas is in town, but anyone driving on Highway 101 past the Ventura County Fairgrounds on Tuesday evening could have told you that.
Less than 24 hours after decamping from Santa Barbara's Earl Warren Showgrounds, two dozen workers, many of them Circus Vargas performers, had raised the traveling show's 55-foot blue big top on the blacktop in Ventura.
Come Thursday night, the giant tent will house as many as 1,400 people keen to see the clowns, trapeze artists, motorcycle riders, bungee stunts and other acts in the first of nine performances over five days.
The 10-hour setup process is usually all in a day's work, explained show host Jon Weiss, who will turn in his hard hat and don a clown's outfit and tuxedo as he and his showgirl wife, Laura, get the festivities under way.
Traveling in a dozen big rigs — and twice as many recreational vehicles, which make up the cast and crew's living quarters — Circus Vargas travels throughout California before closing with a run at the Rio Las Vegas in December.read more at:http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jun/21/circus-vargas-opens-thursday-at-ventura-county/?partner=yahoo_feeds

Circus Vargas opens Thursday at Ventura County Fairgrounds

PART 2

Photo by Anthony Plascencia

Eros Espana of Circus Vargas uses a skid loader to hammer stakes into the asphalt at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on Tuesday while Victor Kim prepares the next stake

Photo by Anthony Plascencia

Aerial acrobatic performer Victor Kim stitches the seams of the big top together Tuesday as the crew of Circus Vargas sets up for five days of performances in Ventura

Photo by Anthony Plascencia

Nelson Quiroga, one of the owners of Circus Vargas and an original member of the Flying Tabares trapeze group, jokes with other members of the crew as he helps set up the big top Tuesday in Ventura. The circus will be at the Ventura County Fairgrounds for five days beginning Thursday.


Photo by Anthony Plascencia
Performers and crew members work together to secure cables as they set up the Circus Vargas big top in Ventura on Tuesday.

Circus Vargas host Jon Weiss takes a break from setting up the tent to show 17-year-old performer Patrick Marinelli how to do a balancing trick with tent stakes Tuesday. The circus will perform at the Ventura County Fairgrounds for five days beginning Thursday night

Larry Rothbard--Circus Music Maker
LaneInConn

It's a circus

June 22, 2011

from: buffalonews.com

I am psyched for the return of the UniverSoul Circus to Buffalo.
The first year it was here -- yikes, I just looked it up, and it was back in 2003! -- I went to it, with three friends, on the spur of the moment. It was a riot. All I could think was, it was like going back to vaudeville days, around 1910. The UniverSoul Circus operates the way I believe circuses did back then. They pull into town and they pitch a tent wherever they are able to pitch a tent. And the crowds come.
The circus has one ring and a lot of old-time vaudeville humor. There was a skit revolving around a mule that kicked anyone who tried to ride it. The elephants were so close you could smell them. There were tigers too! Above is a picture of the Tigers of Soul performing with the UniverSoul circus here at Martin Luther King Park in 2008. Our photographer Derek Gee took the picture. Hahaha... I love the look on the face of the tiger on the left.
I hope those bars on the cage are strong!
What I remember most were the gymnasts and tumblers and contortionists. They were wonderful. There was one couple who did a magnificent kind of dance while climbing up and down two ribbons. I remember just sitting there with my mouth open, looking up. There were times I could not believe what I was seeing. They were that good.
The ringmaster joked afterward: "Couples, lovers, don't try this at home. You will save your romantic moments for Home Depot."
I was in love with the show's atmosphere. The show that year was in Martin Luther King Park and here we were, this big crowd, all sitting there fascinated. Little kids, teenagers, old people. There were people going around hawking popcorn. The music, I guess they had some hip-hop, but it ended with an old-fashioned gospel show. It was a night that I have say I will always remember.
The year after that, the UniverSoul circus pitched the tent on the site of the old Sattler's, across the street from the Broadway Market.
This year they will be at UB's South Campus, from July 7 to July 10.
I can't wait!
-- Mary Kunz Goldman

Kelly Miller Circus coming to Berkley.

By CASEY NILSSON, Staff Writer

Jun 23, 2011

BERKLEY — If daring rope spinners, roaring tigers and pyrotechnic displays entice you and your family, this Friday and Saturday make your way inside the Kelly Miller Circus tent.
Founded in 1938 by Obert Miller, the Kelly Miller Circus is now owned by John Ringling North II, the great-nephew of the famous Ringling Brothers.For many years, the traveling circus has been brought to Berkley by the Lions Club.
Beneath the one-ring circus tent lies a wonder of performing elephants, tigers, camels and ponies. In addition to performing animals, there will also be jugglers, rope spinners, acrobats and fire displays.
“It’s a good show, great for the family,” said Tony Andrade of the Berkley Lions Club. “They’ll also be elephant rides before the show.”
Circus proceeds will benefit Lions eye research, diabetes and hearing foundations and various local charities.
“We raise money to give it away,” Andrade said.
The show will take place at 49 South Main St. Friday show times are 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Saturday show times are 2 and 5 p.m.
With intermission, the show will last about 1 hour and 45 minutes and “typical circus food” will be available for purchase, Andrade said.Read more: http://www.tauntongazette.com/archive/x1336447964/Kelly-Miller-Circus-coming-to-Berkley#ixzz1Q5NJVdQC

Alliance Bank Stadium shows cancelled

6.22.2011Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -

Two highly anticipated events scheduled for this summer at Alliance Bank Stadium have been cancelled.
Event promoter Entertainment and Sports International tells NewsChannel 9 that the Big Apple Circus show set for July 18 never panned out. They also say the August Boston Pops Concert, featuring Kenny Loggins, fell through due to economic troubles.
Entertainment and Sports International says ticketholders will get a full refund.
NewsChannel 9 did try to contact Syracuse Chief's General Manager John Simone, but we haven't heard back.

Tibbals' Little Circus



Miniature Circus at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida

UniverSoul Circus Returns to Buffalo

June 21, 2011

from: buffalonews.com

"The Awesomest Show Ever" heads to Buffalo as the UniverSoul Circus sets up on the University at Buffalo South Campus (Main Street at Bailey Avenue) for performances from July 7 through 10.
The single-ring show features an interactive combination of circus arts, theater and music with acts including the Modern Biker Girls Troupe from Dalian, China; Russian Swing act from Belarus; the Caribbean Heat dancers from Trinidad and Tobago; and the Globe motorcyle daredevils from Colombia.
For more information, show times and schedules, visit http://www.universoulcircus.com/.

Circus stars get all steamed up

Circus Oz performers train for their upcoming show, Steam Powered. Picture: Manuela Cifra Source: Herald Sun Simon Plant From: Herald

Sun June 20, 2011

THEY come from a wind-up world, a lost age of pistons and petticoats, of wingnuts and waistcoats. But the Steampunk stars of the latest Circus Oz show belong to the here and now. So when you sign up for Steam Powered, under the big top at Birrarung Marr, get ready for 21st century acrobatic action.
Mason West promises amazing balancing tricks as a Victorian-era aviator while Luke Taylor dons goggles and a pith helmet for his juggling escapades.
"The look we've gone for is probably more punk than steam," Circus Oz costume maker Laurel Frank says. "But audiences will certainly get the idea."
Steampunk is a sub-culture inspired by 19th century visions of the future. Beginning to thrive in Melbourne, it embraces art, music, literature, film and fashion and will get wider exposure thanks to Circus Oz.
Getting Steam Powered on stage, however, has not been easy. Frank explains: "It's a challenge translating the heavy ornamentation you see in Steampunk into useable circus costumes where people are turning upside down and doing somersaults."
Creative solutions include gloves that grip, steady toppers and lightweight boots masked by gaiters. Frank has also given the illusion of fine fabrics in blouses and bustles when the real things are rough and hard-wearing.
STEAM POWEREDCircus OzThe Big Top, Birrarung Marr, citY Opens Wednesday, until July 17.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE AND READ!

LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS

RESUMES 2011 TOUR!

Just got the news that Bob Childress' LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS

Opened yesterday in Seneca, SC.

also found this anouncement on the Quakertown, PA Farmer's Market

events page--

LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS HAS RESCHEDULED!

DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THE LEWIS AND CLARK CIRCUS ENCOUNTERED WIND DAMAGE TO THEIR TENT, THEY HAVE RESCHEDULED THEIR APPEARANCE FOR JULY 16TH AND 17TH.

The little circus that could

Cirque du Soleil's 'less is more' circus Quidam finds new life as an arena show

Quidam was developed to be held in Cirque du Soleil's Big Top tent.

Photograph by: Wayne Cuddington, The Ottawa Citizen, Postmedia News

By Pat Donnelly, Postmedia News

June 20, 2011
Old Cirque du Soleil tent shows don't die anymore. They transform into arena shows.
Quidam, which premiered under the trademark blue and yellow Big Top in Old Montreal in 1996 and played under the tent at Lansdowne Park in 2006, is coming to Scotiabank Place from June 22 to 30, redesigned for speedy travel.
But will those of us who loved it then be able to recognize it now?
Quidam was the "less is more" circus, as minimalist as it was surreal, named after the unknown man in the street, represented by a headless, Magritte-inspired French equivalent of Joe Blow. Presented as a young girl's surreal fantasy, it holds a rich array of circus acts, some suspended from a "téléphérique," an overhead track of five aluminum rails designed by Michel Crête.
Others take place on a revolving platform. The Quidam soundtrack, full of thunderclaps, marked the Cirque debut of composer Benoît Jutras. (Until then, all Cirque music had been composed by René Dupéré.)Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/little+circus+that+could/4973065/story.html#ixzz1PrXIfFjK

The circus I might just run away and join

Rupert Christiansen has had enough of the urban grind and is thinking of running away to join Giffords Circus.

Flights of fancy: Nell Gifford, above, believes 'circus ought to make you cry with joy. It must cast a spell’
By Rupert Christiansen
from: www.telegraph.co.uk
20 Jun 2011
You may be hearing nothing more from me. My car has just failed its MOT and there’s rising damp in the bathroom. I have had enough of the urban grind.

In fact, I am running away to join the circus – specifically the wondrous Giffords Circus, currently touring the west of England (this week it visits Broadway and Tackley) in a small big top.

Giffords is not some tacky Billy Smart’s spectacular or slick Cirque du Soleil affair. Founded 12 years ago by the Amazonian Oxford English graduate Nell Gifford, with the practical help of her landscaper-farmer husband Toti, it is a sophisticated attempt to revive a more naïve and traditional form of popular entertainment, which doesn’t rely on the exploitation of animals or tricks of technology to make its impact.

“The Russians are still the most highly trained and skilled performers; the French have had all the new creative ideas. But I think our circus is more warm-hearted,” Nell told me in her caravan before the show, as her adorable tiny twins Red and Cecil played on the floor beside her. “Circus ought to make you cry with joy. It must cast a spell. So it needs to be beautiful.”

Her circus certainly is that, and more. The show is differently themed every year: 2011 offers a cartoon version of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, interspersed with a series of acts and interludes made faintly relevant to the novel’s basic plot. Irina Brown has devised the adaptation, Kit Hesketh-Harvey has written the lyrics for the songs and Sarah Llewellyn has composed intoxicating music for a gloriously rumbustious town band
A clown called Tweedy (much celebrated in clowning circles, I’m told) acts as ringmaster – astonishingly, given the standard comedy value of clowns, he is actually quite funny. Nell herself plays Pierre’s regal wife Helene on horseback, giving a noble display of dressage. There’s a thrilling military parade and a weird procession of masked Mummers. Napoleon is a dazzlingly balletic knife-thrower, and a troupe of real Russians do some fabulous acrobatics, bouncing on bars and jumping through hoops, while the Ethiopian twin jugglers Bibi and Bichu fiddle while Moscow burns. Two superb Shire horses make a heart-stopping appearance, as do a fearsome hawk and some endearing geese. It is deeply exotic and totally English.

Giffords tours with an équipe of about 70. One is mightily curious about its members and what happens after the audience has gone. You know what they say: circus people observe the mysteries of free love. I also imagine jolly sing-songs round camp fires and delicious barbecues. Yes, I really, really want to join. At once.

Meanwhile, a visit to Giffords is strongly recommended to anyone who wants to get in touch with their inner child. Cry for joy? I certainly did.

Moscow Circus' biggest fan visits Ballarat event

ROLL UP: Brian Porter came from Geelong to see his 53rd Moscow Circus show.

BY JORDAN OLIVER

19 Jun, 2011, from: www.thecourier.com.au

GEELONG'S Brian Porter has a fair claim to being the Moscow Circus’ biggest fan.The 56 year old has visited the Moscow circus a staggering 53 times – a feat achieved over 40 years.
Mr Porter made the trip to Ballarat at the weekend to catch three shows back-to-back, but according to him, it was all in a day’s work.
“I’ve been a great fan of the Moscow circus for a long time,” he said.
“Last year I went to Tassie to see it – I flew one weekend and it was that good that I flew back the next weekend.”
Mr Porter flew to Sydney to catch the circus in March and has chased it all around Melbourne’s suburbs in the months since.
“After this, I’m going to Adelaide to see it,” he said.
He said his first visit to the circus was “going back ages”.
“I would say my first circus was at the age of probably about 16 or 17,” he said.
“I’m 56 going on 57 in two weeks’ time.”
While undoubtedly a strong performer at the circus ticket booth, Mr Porter also hones his other talents when he’s not watching the death-defying stunts under the big-top.
“I study, plus I play sport with the Special Olympics – I do ten-pin bowling and I’m going to do swimming training in October,” he said.
And the best part of the Moscow Circus?
“If I left anything out, I would be leaving the good part out,” Mr Porter said.
“The whole lot is good, but I would say probably the motorbikes. I’ve seen a lot of circuses, but I reckon it would be the best circus I’ve seen.”

Deep-fried Kool-Aid balls are the latest sensation in summer fair food (with video)

Monday, June 20, 2011

By Simon A. Thalmann,

MLive.com (Kalamazoo Gazette)

Summer means festivals, fairs and fried food: French fries, elephant ears and ... Kool-Aid? That's right, the latest fair-food sensation is deep-fried Kool-Aid balls, reportedly created by "Chicken" Charlie Boghosian of Chicken Charlie's, a fried-food-providing staple at fairs around the U.S.
Boghosian told the San Diego Union-Tribune last week that he sold 400 to 600 orders of deep-fried Kool-Aid per day the first weekend of the San Diego County Fair, which runs through the Fourth of July. That's about double the rate of his previous debut items, he said, which have included deep-fried Klondike Bars and Pop Tarts.
He's also sold deep-fried Thin Mints, frog legs, Oreos, Coca-Cola and even White Castle burgers.
In the ABCNews.com video below — which shows him making the deep-fried Kool-Aid treats from a mixture of water, flour and, of course, Kool-Aid powder — Boghosian says he was a big fan of Kool-Aid as a kid.
"We drank Kool-Aid growing up," he says, "so I thought why not fry it and see what happens?"

Circus Comes to Cranford June 28
The Zerbini family performs.

By Maryrose Mullen
FROM: Scotch Plains, NJ patch.com
June 20, 2011
Break out the elephants and balloon animals – the world famous Zerbini Family Circus comes to Cranford June 28 through June 30.
The Zerbini Family Circus will give two performances each evening on the Hillside Avenue School grounds at 5:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The circus boasts exciting acts and feats of fancy, including acrobats, aerial artists, animal trainers, jugglers, daredevils and clowns. The weekend also promises pony rides, slides and a moon bounce to provide fun for the whole family.

The Zerbini Family Circus has been business since 1992. Before that, the performers' act dates back over a century, according to a press release. Originating in France, the Zerbini's owned circuses throughout Europe and Africa. Today, the Zerbini Family Circus makes the rounds throughout the United States, offering the "best in modern day circus shows" at state and county fairs, shrine circus events, and other exciting entertainment venues.

Tickets cost $8 in advance and $12 at the door. Advance tickets will be on sale starting June 15 at TD Bank, Tonys Café, Cranford Sunoco and Two River Bank. For more information, call the Cranford Chamber of Commerce office at 908-272-6114.

Latest Flying Wallenda Says He's Living the American Dream

By Hollie McKay
PICTURE
Published June 20, 2011
FoxNews.com
(AP) Nik Wallenda is the latest daredevil circus performer from the legendary acrobatic family The Flying Wallendas. He's also the star of the new Discovery Channel show, “Life on a Wire,” which takes a look at how the Wallenda family pulls off their death-defying stunts.

“I started performing at the age of two. At four, I was walking a wire on my own. I started performing 30 feet above the ground at 13, and have been carrying on the legacy ever since,” Wallenda told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column. “So pretty much my entire life, I’m now 32, I have been doing what I do. And the reason why I do what I do is carrying on that legacy. In the 1780s my family started performing, so it is in my blood.”

“Life on a Wire” shows how, with a mix of science, skill and discipline, the Wallendas create their act. Wallenda and his mother Delilah recently even did the wire walk that killed Nik's great grandfather, Karl Wallenda, in 1978.

“It’s so important that the rigging is perfected. I just recreated my great-grandfather’s skywalk—the one that killed him—in Puerto Rico. He was walking in between two buildings in 1978. He fell and was killed,” Wallenda said. “The way that the rigging was done is what initially caused him to go down.”

Nik said he trusts modern technology to keep him safe, but his father Terry still relies on the family's traditional safety methods.

“My father is very tried and true. He likes to do what’s been done for hundreds of years by my family, while I’m very much about the newer technologies that make our life easier and, in my opinion, safer,” Wallenda explained. “My dad’s concept is, if it’s worked for 200 years, why in the world would we change it? My idea is that it has worked, but there’s always ways to do things better. We often butt heads over that.”

Wallenda also hopes "Life on a Wire" shows that a circus is a well-oiled machine.

“The media uses the word ‘circus’ to describe a fiasco of some sort. Well, the circus is probably the most organized business I’ve ever seen. There’s a lot of engineering and science behind the scenes with what we do. We build all of our own equipment. Every stunt that I do is built in my garage,” he said. “When I’m doing a stunt, people ask if I’m scared or if I’m nervous, and I’m not. I’m very respectful of what I do. If was scared or nervous, it would be debilitating. You can’t be scared of it, because that’s when it becomes extremely dangerous. The preparation, training, design and building of the equipment will be a big part of the show.”

Wallenda says he embodies the American attitude that anything is possible, and every day he strives to keep his family's legacy alive.

“My great grandfather Karl is definitely my biggest inspiration in life. He was one that always wanted to do things better. He created the seven-person pyramid on the high wire because everyone was doing a three-person pyramid at that time and he wanted to outdo them. I have that same drive,” Wallenda said. “From his life, we’ve learned so much. One is to never give up—he’s pushed that into us for generations. It’s been passed on and passed on and will be passed on to my kids. Just that simple phrase, ‘never give up,’ if you’re devoted to anything, you can overcome anything. Through his life we’ve learned a lot, and through his death we’ve learned a lot.”

“Life On a Wire” premieres Wednesday June 22, 10-11PM ET/PT on Discovery.
Read more:


Filmed June 4, 2011 for a future episode of LIFE ON A WIRE, footage from a balance pole cam captures seventh generation tightrope walker Nik Wallenda and his mother Delilah walking a high wire in Puerto Rico - the infamous walk that killed Nik's great grandfather Karl Wallenda in 1978. For more of LIFE ON A WIRE tune in to Discovery Channel June 22 at 10pm ET/PT.