CWM

Circus World schedule heating up


Contortionist Kevin Sadrak performs during the big top show at Circus World Museum. Sadrak, who hails from Colombia, fits his body through a tennis racquet and folds up into a small, clear box during his act.
from:  wiscnews.com
By Annie Getsinger, News Republic
May 29, 2013
With its 2013 season in full swing — particularly on the new Wheel of Destiny — Circus World Museum is kicking off a summer packed with special events.
This weekend, as the Circus Model Builders celebrate their national convention and a Nash Metropolitan car show converges on the historic site, visitors also will have the opportunity to snag a little something for their summer reading.

 

The Bertinis
Circus World will welcome noted circus historian and author Dean Jensen for a signing as he debuts his latest book, “Queen of the Air: A True Story of Love and Tragedy at the Circus.” The book tells the story of aerialist Lillian Leitzel, one of the most famous circus performers of the 20th century.
Jensen explores Leitzel’s life and legacy, her role in the culture at the turn of the 20th century, and the tragic story of her ill-fated love affair with fellow performer Alfredo Codona of The Flying Codonas.
“It’s a good historical piece,” said Ralph Pierce, collections and digitization coordinator and retail sales manager at Circus World.
Jensen, who owns a Milwaukee art gallery, has long been an important circus historian, Pierce said.
Pierce said the museum’s library helped contribute information and photographs for the book, which will be available to the public for the first time at the special event Saturday. Its official release date is set for June 11.
“It’s a nice offering here,” Pierce said. “It gives us the introduction of a national publication from a company as renowned as Random House.”
Pierce said the presence of the model builders and the Nash Metropolitan Show on Saturday, which will feature examples of the tiny, quirky, colorful classic economy cars made from 1954 to 1962, will be big draws for the museum. According to the museum, the cars will be on display courtesy of Met Set, a state chapter of the Metropolitan Owners’ Club of North America.
“There will be a good bunch of people here,” Pierce said.
In addition to the special events, Circus World’s show season is well under way with 10 live performances scheduled daily through Sept. 2. For more information, call 1-866-693-1500 or visit http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org or Facebook.com/CircusWorldBaraboo online.