THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO MY TWIN BROTHER, BILL DYKES (1943-1995). WE WERE NOT ONLY BROTHERS BUT PARTNERS IN BUSINESS AND BEST FRIENDS! AND TO ALL THE "BUTCHERS" THAT HAVE PASSED ON TO THE BIG LOT IN THE SKY!


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Tuesday, December 27, 2011














Big Apple Circus will return to Bridgewater


Published: Monday, December 26, 2011 By The Messenger-Gazette The Somerset Reporter For its 34th Season the Big Apple Circus dares you to Dream Big. It’s an All–New Show, where the World’s Greatest Circus artists are presented under an intimate Big Top, and no seat is more than 50 feet from the ring. The Big Apple Circus presents Dream Big in its annual Bridgewater engagement at TD Bank Ballpark from Saturday, March 3, 2012, through Sunday, March 18, 2012.
A juggler with a suit to fit his sweet feats of fancy handiwork. A mechanical doll who comes alive in a sinuous balancing act. Spirited horses, frolicsome dogs, and a capybara and porcupine to perk up the sawdust party. Audacious acrobats who astound with athletic grace. Comical conjurors with magical moments of grand illusion. Dreams will inspire a Big Apple Circus of living thrills and marvelous delight — a celebration of the imagination — an astonishing circus world of wonder.
After creating world renowned opera and musical productions in North America and Europe, the designer/director team of André Barbe and Renaud Doucet joins the Big Apple Circus to create another whimsical show. Multi-talented Guy Simard, with over 350 production credits in lighting, as theatre consultant or technical director, returns as lighting designer. Four-time winner of the MAC Award for Technical Direction, JP Perreaux returns to the circus as sound designer. Joining the Big Apple Circus as composer is mathias rüegg, founder of the Vienna Art Orchestra where he wrote over 350 compositions and arrangements. Music Director Rob Slowik leads the Big Apple Circus Band.
Performances of Dream Big begin Saturday, March 3 and run for 25 shows through Sunday, March 18, under the Big Top at TD Bank Ballpark, home of the Somerset Patriots (off Route 287 in Bridgewater), the third stop on the Big Apple Circus’s tour, following its world premiere engagement in the Washington, D.C. metro area and annual season at Lincoln Center, NYC. Tickets for Dream Big range in price from $15 to $50. Tickets are available by calling 888-541-3750 or at bigapplecircus.org. The Circus Box Office opens Feb. 28 in front of the Big Top at TD Bank Ballpark; hours are: Wed–Fri: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sat–Tues: 10 a.m. –6 p.m. The Big Top is heated in cold weather for all–season comfort. For inquiries about wheelchair–accessible seating or for any additional information please call the Ticket Info Line at 800-922-3772.
For 34 years the Big Apple Circus, New York’s original one-ring circus, has been delighting audiences of all ages under its Big Top by presenting the finest in live family entertainment featuring world-class circus artistry. Experience the instant connection between audience and artist as your family sits less than 50 feet from the ring. The Big Apple Circus is a not-for-profit performing arts and outreach institution committed to invigorating the communities we serve with the joy and wonder of classical circus.

New circus opens in Shymkent


from: caspionet.kz


Dec 26, 2011




New circus opens in Shymkent

from: caspionet.kz

Dec 26, 2011

Kazakhstan--A circus has been built in Shymkent as a gift to its residents for the anniversary of Independence and the New Year holiday. It is the fourth circus in the country. The legendary Yuri Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard performed the first show in the new building. One thousand two hundred seats were sold out in just a few hours. Air acrobats and trained animals took both adult and children’s breath away.
Artur Voyan, Shymkent Resident«The monkeys were riding horses and the bikes were great!»
Valentina Voyan, Shymkent Resident«Everything is great. The circus is beautiful. It’s a good present for Shymkent indeed.»
The circus was built in just a year and more than one billion tenge was allocated from the regional budget. The Moscow Circus professionals highly praised the quality of the new building.
Shymkent acrobats performed in this ring for the first time as well. The youngest performer of dangerous stunts is only five years old. There will be no problems with personnel in the new circus, experts say.
Kuliya Aidarbekova, Head, South Kazakhstan Region Department of Culture«There is a circus troupe at the Philharmonic Hall. It is well-known in the area. A circus without clowns and jugglers is not a circus so we don’t have any problems with this genre.»

Complaint against Jumbo Circus at Manimajra

from: dayandnightnews.com

December 27, 2011

An animal protection group has filed a complaint against Jumbo Circus at Manimajra. The group has alleged that the circus management is abusing the animals.
A member of International Organisation for Animal Protection has accused the management of Jumbo circus of abusing the animals by compelling them to perform, saying that the registration of all performing animals has been suspended by the Animal Welfare Board of India. Complainant Naresh Kadyan has written a letter to the Chandigarh Administration requesting them to confiscate the animals and issue directions to Manimajra SHO to take action against the offenders.
However, the circus management said that the allegations were baseless.
The Manimajra police said the complaint of Naresh Kadyan has been forwarded to senior police officials and that action would be taken according to their orders.
Whether Naresh Kadyan’s accusation holds weight, will be clear only after the probe.

KELLY-MILLER CIRCUS CONCERT PART 1



Uploaded by broojohn on Jun 30, 2008

Richard Whitmarsh conducts The South Shore Circus Concert Band before the show at the Kelly-Miller Circus in Berkley, Massachusetts, on June 25, 2008.
For more information on traditional circus music visit www.soundsofthecircus.com
Funds still needed to get lion to DeKalb County


Tigers for Tomorrow, Kazuma

Kazuma, a former circus lion living in Guatemala, needs help being moved to his new home at Tigers for Tomorrow in Collinsville.

from: DeKalb County, GA Times-Journal

Lindsay Slater Times-Journal

Monday, December 26, 2011

COLLINSVILLE - Tigers for Tomorrow needs one final push from DeKalb Countians to help bring Kazuma, the lion, to his new home at Untamed Mountain.
Executive Director Susan Steffens said less than $15,000 is still needed to be able to get the lion here.
"Tigers for Tomorrow has been issued a matching challenge grant from the Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation for $5,000 to be matched by supporters," Steffens said. "Mr. Benjamin has come to the aid of Tigers for Tomorrow before, in February 2010, with a matching grant to help get four tigers and a black bear to the preserve. Mr. Benjamin is an internationally recognized educator, corporate leader, philanthropist and animal rights activist. This gift is part of his Christmas Miracles giving campaign."
Steffens said Crossville Elementary students have also helped by taking on Kazuma as their mascot, when he arrives, and students have raised $1,200 toward the lion's rescue.
Steffens said a team will head to Kazuma's current home at the Aurora Zoo in Guatemala after the first of the year.
"The transport team is scheduled to leave the U.S. on Jan. 3 to transport Kazuma back to Atlanta on Jan. 5," Steffens said.
But, the challenge grant needs to be matched by Friday.
"The Challenge grant will need to be matched by Dec. 30," Steffens said. "We can make this happen."
Kazuma was once used in a circus act in Antigua, Guatemala. According to Steffens, the lion was living in a small cage and in "very bad conditions."
"The circus was given notification they had to improve the lion's conditions or they would be prosecuted," she said.
To make a donation to bring Kazuma to Untamed Mountain, log on to tigersfortomorrow.org and follow the directions for submitting a donation via PayPal or send a check with "Kazuma" in the memo line to 708 County Road 345, Attalla, AL 35954.
For more information, visit tigersfortomorrow.org or call 256-524-4150.

Monday, December 26, 2011

FROM SOUTH AFRICA--
Denzil McLaren

Posted by Picasa
McLaren Circus ringmaster with his latest protege Tanaka Whata ,9, who is son of well-known midget clown, Little Alec.
From: Denzil McLaren
McLaren Bros. Circus, South Africa




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Duo Artemiev Trapèze Le Plus Grand Cabaret Du Monde



halittoprak on Dec 18, 2011
Winter Wonderland





HYDE PARK, LONDON
18th November 2011 until 3rd January 2012
Kinzel reflects on wild ride

Cedar Fair CEO about to exit after 39 years


Dick Kinzel reflects on the changes during his tenure, when Cedar Point grew from a two-park operation with revenues of $100 million into a conglomerate with 11 amusement parks, seven water parks, and five hotels. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

BY JON CHAVEZBLADE BUSINESS WRITER

From: The Toledo Blade12/25/2011

SANDUSKY -- As he walked the vacant midway of Cedar Point amusement park one day last week, a blustery and cold wind off Lake Erie swirling about him, Dick Kinzel suddenly turned and pointed to a boarded-up fast-food stand.
"See that place?" he said, staring at the two-story "Walking Tacos" stand. "That used to be my first office there up on the second floor. Things sure have changed."
For Cedar Point, its parent firm, Cedar Fair LP, and especially for Mr. Kinzel, things will change again in a very large way on Jan. 3 when the 71-year-old chief executive officer retires after 39 years with the Sandusky-based amusement park company -- 25 years as its top executive.
The former Toledoan, who was a vice president with the company and general manager of its Valleyfair park in Minneapolis from 1978 to to 1986, is among a handful of men to run the amusement park chain since its founding as Cedar Point amusement center in 1906.
But it was under Mr. Kinzel's stewardship, beginning when he became chief executive officer in 1986, that Cedar Point grew from a two-park mom-and-pop operation with revenues of $100 million into the current Cedar Fair LP conglomerate of 11 amusement parks, seven water parks and five hotels, which had revenues of $1.01 billion in 2010.
Last week, Mr. Kinzel, who lives on the Cedar Point island within walking distance of the amusement park, reflected on some of his triumphs and missteps, his best and most disappointing moments, and his impressions on the company and his industry over his almost 40 years at northwest Ohio's premiere entertainment destination.
Mr. Kinzel, who remains a ball of energy, said he'll most miss walking around Cedar Point on a crowded day and interacting with customers.
"It's been a way of life for a lot of years and I'm going to miss it, there's no doubt about it," he said. "I'll miss just coming in and walking the parks and being with the people, walking the park with [park general manager] John Hildebrandt or the general managers, and talking about what can we do to make them better."read more at:http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/12/25/Kinzel-reflects-on-wild-ride.html

Sunday, December 25, 2011

CHRISTMAS FUNNIES


Santa Visits Ringling Bros. Winter Quarters Rehearsals



Uploaded by ringlingbros on Dec 24, 2011
Watch and see the special guest that stopped by Ringling Bros. Winter Quarters in Tampa, FL for Christmas
!
Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS - Meet Alexander Lacey, Lion & Tiger Presenter




Uploaded by ringlingbros on Dec 24, 2011
Meet Alexander Lacey and his mixed lion & tigers act seen at Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS!

Remembering Merseyside 1950s circus glamour girl Joan Fowles


Dec 24 2011 by William Leece, Liverpool Echo
William Leece discovers the life of circus glamour girl Joan Fowles
IN the cold, cheerless and austere years after the Second World War, Joan Fowles was the Liverpool glamour girl who brought colour, warmth and romance.
Countless youngsters have dreamed of giving up their ordinary life and joining the romantic world of the travelling circus. Joan was the one who stopped dreaming and went out and did it.
When she married in the 1950s, the crowds turned to line the streets as if she were royalty.
It was Liverpool-born Brenda Gilligan, now a solicitor in Lincolnshire, who asked if the ECHO could dig something up on Joan’s history. She had found a reference in an old book of the circus, and was intrigued to discover that Joan, like her, was from Old Swan.
Her first thought would have been to ask her parents. “You know what Liverpudlians are like for knowing each others business,” she said, “but my dad died last September and my mum this June, so I can't.”
In fact Joan Fowles had been brought up in Leinster Road in Old Swan, and had first joined Bertram Mills Circus as a ticket girl and dancer. But she was determined to do more in the ring, and persuaded the ringmaster to give her a try-out riding horses.
READ MORE AT: http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-news/southport-southport-news/2011/12/24/remembering-merseyside-1950s-circus-glamour-girl-joan-fowles-100252-30004997/


MORE JOAN FOWLES PHOTOS--














Fun of the circus lands at Manston


The airport welcomes a new carrier with an special cargo

Ed Hill

from: kentnews.co.uk

Saturday, December 24, 2011

A Singapore Airlines freight plane has landed at Manston Airport with 82 tonnes of stage equipment for the Cirque du Soleil.
The Boeing 747-400 was on a special charter flight from San Francisco.
Once unloaded the consignment will go to the Royal Albert Hall, which will be the UK home for Cirque du Soleil’s latest show. The circus spectacular involves trademark aerial high bar, contortion, fire-knife dance, hand balancing and synchronised trapeze acts.
The Singapore Airline’s 747 was joined by a Cargolux 747 which also flew in from San Francisco carrying a further 69 tonnes of Cirque du Soleil equipment.
Charles Buchanan, chief executive of Manston, said: “The arrival of this major cargo consignment for such an important and world famous customer will not have gone unnoticed by other music and major event organisers and the freight industry as a whole.”
Allan McQuarrie, Manston’s manager for freight development, added: “Welcoming such a global player as Singapore Airlines to Manston for the first time bodes well for future freight traffic. Increasingly airlines, and their freight customers, are looking for airports that are able to quickly and efficiently handle complex consignments.”
After unloading the staging and equipment, 72 tonnes of general cargo was loaded on to the jumbo jet for export to Singapore.
The charters were arranged by Rock-it Cargo, an international freight forwarding company specialising in major entertainment and live events, especially freight moves that are time sensitive, fragile and complicated. As well as Cirque du Soleil, Rock-it Cargo’s customers include Madonna, The Police and The PGA Golf Tour.read more at:http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/fun_of_the_circus_lands_at_manston_1_1162269
Internationally-renowned circus Les 7 doigts de la main coming to Sherbrooke in 2012

December 22, 2011

By Evan LePage

From: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Record

A new roof to be built over the Nikitotek stage will not go unused next summer, as Destination Sherbrooke announced Wednesday that internationally renowned circus company Les 7 doigts de la main would be taking over the venue of the failed Omaterra show for 12 dates in 2012.“Clearly, the notoriety of this circus troop, which has given performances in 25 countries and has seen success well beyond our borders permits us to be comfortable and to position this touristic production [...] here in Sherbrooke,” said Dany Lachance, Bernard Chaput’s recent replacement as president of Destination Sherbrooke.“Our job at Destination Sherbrooke is to try and make Sherbrooke shine. We built a structure with the Nikitotek stage, and we are convinced that the show we will put on for 12 dates next summer will be a success.”
Lone Star Circus' Cirque Banquisté! offers holiday fun more here:


Friday, Dec. 23, 2011

If you're looking for a way to celebrate or entertain visiting relatives and your kids after Christmas, you'll find an entertaining circus production in town at Dallas Children's Theater. Dallas-based Lone Star Circus presents Cirque Banquisté!, celebrating the end of 2011 and the arrival of the new year with six spectacular productions, featuring artists from around the world, as well as some talent from Dallas. You'll see dazzling bejeweled costumes, acrobats, aerialists, hand balancers, jugglers and clowns. You won't want to miss the award-winning trick roping of "The Bronx Cowboy," AJ Silver, or Dallas talent Raphaele Daubois and her twirling hoops.



Earl Butler, 69

Friday, December 23, 2011

From Austin, Minnesota Daily Herald

Earl “Butch” Butler, 69, of Campbell, Calif., formerly of Austin, Minn., died Dec. 21, 2011, at Kaiser Santa Clara Medical Center in Santa Clara, Calif.
He was born Sept. 27, 1942, in Austin, to George and Evelyn (Fairchild) Butler. Earl graduated Austin High School, where he played on the varsity basketball team. Butler later attended Austin Community College and majored in business administration and continued his basketball career. He married Mary Lou Pinke at Grace Lutheran Church on Nov. 25, 1961, in Austin, Minn.
Earl Butler, with his parents, founded Butler Amusements, Inc. in 1970. Through his unbelievable charisma and compassion, his company became the largest carnival on the West Coast. He served as President and CEO of his family owned and operated business which provides the carnival for 34 fairs and more than 80 events and festivals operating more than 140 rides. Through his ambition and uncanny ability to create a tight-knit culture and family atmosphere, he created a legacy that will carry on for generations.
His creativity and innovative skills made him one of the most respected carnival industry leaders in the nation. He was honored to be inducted into the Western Fairs Hall of Fame at the association’s 2005 convention in recognition of his outstanding service to the industry and the countless fairs where he provided the carnival. He was one of the strongest voices in promoting improved carnival ride safety and game legislation in California. He served in many leadership capacities, including president of the Showfolks of America, Showmen’s League of America, and Pacific Coast Showmen’s League, Service Member Director of the Western Fairs Association, member of the Board of Directors for Preferred Amusement Risk and chairman of its Loss Prevention Committee.
Earl was an avid sports fan, basketball being his favorite. It taught him the meaning of teamwork and a winning, competitive attitude. Only second to his devotion to his family was his love for charity work. Earl was responsible for thousands of fundraising carnivals, was the leader in funding numerous public and private academic scholarship programs, donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local 4-H organizations and many other charitable endeavors, too numerous to name
Earl Butler is survived by daughters, Tami Quint, Los Banos, Calif., Kelley Butler, Stevinson, Calif., Kris Brajevich, San Jose, Jill Moyer, Morgan Hill, Calif., and his son, Sean Butler-Murphy, Campbell, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Evelyn Butler and his daughter, Teri Sue.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Jan. 3, 2012, at St. Christopher’s Church, 1576 Curtner Ave., San Jose, Calif. 95125. Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 2, 2012 at Oak Hills Funeral Home, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose.
A legacy at the carnival


Top: Ron Quint, Kyle Quint, Kelley Butler, Gena Tuttle, Tami Quint, Mary Lou Rhodes, Michelle Brajevich, Kristopher Moyer, Brittany Martinez, Amanda Cleary. Middle: Earl “Butch” Butler. Front: Kris Brajevich, Nathan Keys- holding Devyn Keys, Jill Moyer, Nolan Moyer.

By Trey Mewes

From: The Austin, Minnesota Daily Herald

Saturday, December 24, 2011

The crowd’s the thing for Earl Butler. Putting smiles on people’s faces was what he lived for. From his roots in Austin working at his father’s grocery store to his ownership of the largest amusement park company on the Western seaboard, Butler wanted to make people happy.
“Butch,” as he was known, won’t be seeing smiles on Earth anymore, however. He passed away last Wednesday, Dec. 21 Kaiser Santa Clara Medical Center in Santa Clara, Calif. He was 69 years old.
“We are so saddened by the loss of our beloved father,” Butler’s family said in a statement. “Those who knew him, loved him and will never forget him. He raised us in an industry that he truly loved and we will carry on the legacy.”
Butler, along with his son Sean and daughters Tami, Kelley, Kris and Jill, helped build Butler Amusements as the premier amusement park company in the western states.read more at: http://www.austindailyherald.com/2011/12/24/a-legacy-at-the-carnival/

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