Old-fashioned big top circus is coming to town
from: Redwood Timesredwoodtimes.com
05/07/2013

 

Thanks to the sponsorship of Soroptimist of the Redwoods, Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, America’s favorite big top circus is coming to Garberville on Thursday and Friday May 16 and 17 at The Benbow exit with scheduled performances at 7 p.m. on Thursday and 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Now in its 29th edition, C&M Circus has become internationally known for quality family entertainment. This authentic one-ring, big top circus has been featured on National Geographic’s Explorer TV series, Entertainment Tonight, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Arizona Highways Magazine. It has also been featured on the A&E special, Under the Big Top and most recently, On the Road with Circus Kids, a Nickelodeon special featured on the Nick news program.
Bring your friends and family out to the circus in the morning of the first day to watch as a familiar place in your town is transformed into a bustling circus city. Activity swirls around the grounds as animals are unloaded, the big top is erected, and rigging is prepared for performances later in the day. Enjoy the magic and tradition of the American circus with your family and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the first show day, come watch the raising of the big top, then stay for the free tour. This presentation offers a unique face-to-face opportunity for families, schools, and interested community members to meet and learn all about the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus family and includes a walking tour of the circus grounds. Learn interesting facts about performers, the history of the show and the different species of animals in the circus family. In this presentation we will also address topics such as hygiene, grooming and the veterinary care all of the animals receive.
In recent years the tent raising and morning tour has become a popular program for families and interested community members. It is presented in a way everyone, young and old, can learn many interesting facts about the Culpepper & Merriweather circus family. And now there is a brand new tent. This is a special part of circus day that should not be missed.
On circus day, performers bring the magic of the circus to life in each 90-minute show. This year’s all-star group of performers and entertainers includes Miss Simone and her amazing single trapeze, Miss Paulina’s proud prancing ponies, the Arlise Troupe on their wild and crazy unicycles, Natilie’s American Eskimo Escapades, the Ayala’s with unforgetable foot juggling, a Rola Bola and certainly the hair raising Hair Hang.
But don’t forget the favorite performing jungle cats, Soloman, Delilah and Francis, presented by Mr. Trey Key, that will certainly have you on the edge of your seats. All with original music written by the talented, Matt Margucci from Los Angeles, California. The performers are sure to amaze, delight and entertain the audience members of all ages beyond the wildest imagination. The costumes alone are certainly of Vegas quality.

The circus is coming to town
Rowynn Ricks
from: Woodward News.net
May 7, 2013

 

Woodward, Okla. — The big top is coming to Woodward with the Carson and Barnes Circus slated to make 2 performances this Friday at Crystal Beach Park.
 Shows are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and will last approximately 2 hours.
 However, show promoter Doug Munsell, a.k.a. "Poppa D" the clown, said the excitement will actually begin much earlier.
 "They'll probably start raising the big top around 9 a.m.," Munsell said.
 While they no longer use elephants to raise the big top as they did in olden days, he said it is still an interesting process to see the circus come to life.

Moscow State Circus arrives in Cheltenham
from Gloucestershire Echo
By JACK MAIDMENT
May 08, 2013
CLOWNS have been sent in to Cheltenham as the world's most famous circus arrives in the town.
Moscow State Circus will have its opening night at Cheltenham Racecourse this evening.
It has come to the county to perform a five-day run of its new show, Park Gorkogo.
 The mighty big top was set up at the site in Prestbury Park yesterday.

And organisers of the famous show have promised that the performances will be a little slice of something special.
 Acclaimed
 The awe-inspiring production has been acclaimed as the circus's "latest and greatest" to date.
 It is set in the mystical centre of Moscow's cultural and artistic quarter, Park Gorkogo.
 The producers said the Russian location will provides the backdrop for what is "undoubtedly the greatest and most famous circus on earth".
 Superstar clowns Splendid Pavlik and Klava will be on hand to reminisce about days past as they are surrounded by a multitude of flying, back flipping, juggling and roller skating performers.
 This year's show features the award-winning Flying Trapeze of Alievs White Birds, the unbelievable roller skating of the Veslovskis and the unique Yakolev Vertical Pole Jugglers.
 There will also be amazing feats of strength from the hand balancing of Vladislav Khostik to the gracious Ariel Sail of Natalia Goncharova.
 This will be the first time that the show has ever been on tour in Europe.
 Moscow State Circus has been touring Europe in various guises since 1956.
 It will be in Cheltenham from this evening until Sunday.
 Wednesday to Friday there will be performances at 5pm and 7.45pm and then on Saturday it will be showing at both 3pm and 6pm.
 Finally there will be two performances on Sunday, a matinee at 2pm and a second at 5pm.
Tickets for the event start at £10 for an adult and £7 for concessions. Ringside tickets cost £32 for adults and £25 for concessions.
Read more: http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Moscow-State-Circus-arrives-Cheltenham/story-18922262-detail/story.html#ixzz2Si9ylvwZ
 Follow us: @thisisglos on Twitter | thisisgloucestershire on Facebook


China : Circus bear attacks and kills circus monkey

 

Published on May 7, 2013

A monkey and a bear are racing on a bike in a circus when suddenly something goes wrong.

The bear crashes into the monkey, attacks and kills it while the trainers try to resque the monkey out of the claws of the bear.

BLEEDING HEARTS CIRCUS

Bleeding Hearts Circus at Hoxton Hall – preview
The day job is no barrier for Airealism’s performance artists

 

from: hackneycitizen.co.uk
Sarah Gill
Tuesday 7 May 2013
A scene from Noir, one of Airealism's previous shows

By day they are dentists and lawyers, but by night they moonlight as circus performers, swooping on trapezes, fluttering silk ribbons and contorting themselves on precarious ropes spun five metres from the ground. This is circus, but probably not as you know it.

Comprised of performance artists of all ages, nationalities, shapes and sizes, Hackney-based Airealism has performed everywhere from The Edinburgh Fringe festival to Glastonbury, but this month the troupe brings its latest show, The Bleeding Hearts Circus, back to its roots in Hoxton.

“Airealism gives complete creative freedom to its performers,” says the company’s director, Emelia Holdaway. “Since we all have full-time day jobs, we bring that extra passion and dynamism to our shows that comes from living our circus dreams by night.”

Founded back in 2006 as a small community group, Airealism is now a 20-strong band of performers touring London and the UK. The collective provides opportunities for emerging artists to direct, perform and produce. Although all of them hold down nine to five jobs, many learnt their trade in Hoxton’s Circus Space school and now have the opportunity to pursue their craft after dark.

“It’s a community-focused circus collective. We pride ourselves on being innovative in blending the circus and theatre genres,” says Holdaway.

Bleeding Hearts Circus is set to take the stage by storm, billed as an intimate cabaret heady with raw and twisted passions. Holdaway says the performance follows the characters from soaring highs to devastating lows as the artists dart and tumble overhead.

Holdaway herself is a performance artist and rollerskating performer focusing on trapeze, aerial hoop, silks and rope. Initially training as a ground-based performer, she heard about local circus lessons on the grapevine about 11 years ago and hasn’t looked back.

“I heard by word of mouth there were circus classes near me, so I hunted them down and I’ve been addicted ever since,” she says. “I didn’t join circus classes intending to become a performer, but I trained hard and I loved it, and within six months I was performing.”

Conventional circus, if there is such a thing, this ain’t. Run away with Airealism this month for what is sure to be an electric night of eye-popping performances, heart-stopping acrobatics and high-octane antics.

Bleeding Hearts Circus
 Hoxton Hall
 May 30-June 1 2013

LILLY SPENDS THE DAY AT THE BIG APPLE CIRCUS
From myfoxboston.com

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

FROM BILL PRICKETT

~~BILL PRICKETT VISITS~~
KELLY MILLER CIRCUS
Villa Grove, Il, on 5-06-13
KELLY MILLER showed in Villa Grove, Il, on 5-06-3, without the rain. However, the lot was soggy and the show had to squeeze into a much smaller area, part on gravel/grass. Good turn out for first show. Running order was: Ryan Holder, 6 cats, Steve and Ryan (trombones) with John Moss, RM, Fridman Torales on stacking chairs, Mike Rice with two camels, Rual Olivares-juggler, Carpenter gag with Steve and Ryan, Tropical Fantasy, INT, Patsy Rosales-hula hoops, Fusco Family-drums, Tooth gag-Steve and Ryan, Animal Revue, Head balancing on trapazee, DelRita, Becky, Lisa - elephants with Armando Loyal, Pinky the dog- Rual Olivares, Rosales Family-perch pole.


Tropical Fantasy production number was outstanding. 3 young dancers on ground, 4 girls in the air, Rebecca Ostroff on trapazee, and Lamont doing fire acts. Beautiful wardrobe and a great crowd pleaser.

The animal revue, with Carolyn Rice, Fresca Eckelman, and Lemont, was also outstanding. Creative costumes on animals, very colorful, beautiful wardrobe on the performers, face paced, and the crowd loved it.

 Fridman Torales - chairs

Three clowns - Ryan Combs, Bill Prickett, Steve Copeland

Rosales Family - perch pole

Animal revue - Fresca Eckelman

 

Animal revue - Carolyn Rice and Lamont

 

Elephants - DelRita, Becky, Lisa, with John Moss, RM, and Armando Loyal

Armando Loyal

 

 Finale - Ryna Moss, Ryan Combs, Steve Copeland, and entire cast.

ALL PHOTOS BY  BILL PRICKETT!

Circus performances dazzle in Sauk Rapids

 

 

Lion tamer "Jungle George" Pages directs his lions to stand on their hind legs in a line during the opening act.
from:  sctimes.com
Written by Times staff report
May 7, 2013
SAUK RAPIDS — Circus Pages International Inc. brought aerial acts, lions, tigers, horses, acrobats, clowns, dogs, camels, a motorcycle thrill show, elaborate face painting, pony rides and elephant rides to Sports Arena East on the Benton County Fairgrounds with afternoon and evening performances Monday.

 

More than a half hour before the first performance Monday, adults and children lined up outside Arena East to see the circus. In the end, it was almost standing room only

Hundreds of adults and children packed the arena, some pulling up a spot on a bit of red carpet set out on the floor close to all the action while others chose to climb to the top of bleachers to watch from above.

Many of the performers would dress for their acts, then almost magically change into polo shirts and slacks to serve concessions to the children and their families. From peanuts to snow cones, hot dogs and even souvenir whips, there were a great many choices on hand.

 

Lion tamer 'Jungle George' Pages keeps a wary eye on his lions and white tigers Monday afternoon as Circus Pages returned to the area at Sauk Rapids Arena East.

Kimm Anderson

The circus, produced by Jose Pages, has featured three generations of the Pages family. The circus began in Cuba in the 1960s. It is based in Myakka City, Fla., and travels throughout the United States and Canada.
see more:
http://www.sctimes.com/article/20130507/NEWS01/305070001/Circus-performances-dazzle-Sauk-Rapids?nclick_check=1

Phuket News: Children's circus focuses on fun in war-torn Afghanistan

KABUL: In a dusty city of grey concrete blast walls where there's not always much to smile about, the organisers of a children's circus try to provide a splash of colour and some moments of joy.

 

Afghan children from The Mobile Mini Circus for Children (MMCC) take part in a performance in Kabul on April 21.

 Photo: AFP/Massoud Hossaini
from:  thephuketnews.com
by: AFP
Monday 6 May 2013
The Kabul-based Mobile Mini-Circus for Children (MMCC) was founded in Afghanistan in 2002, months after the fall of the hardline Taliban Islamic regime which banned music and dance.

Fewer than one million children -- and no girls -- attended school nationwide at the time.

While other NGOs and government agencies focused on food, shelter and education, MMCC (www.afghanmmcc.org) strove to introduce "soft" values bringing children together to foster a more joyful atmosphere despite frequent hardship.

"It's a special circus," said founder David Mason, a former salsa and tango dance instructor from Denmark.

"It's a circus to educate, give meaning to life, make children happy, make them dream and realise their dreams and gain self-confidence and inspiration."

Professional adult artists tour and perform for children across the war-torn country.

In the past 11 years, Mason told AFP, the circus and its local partner the Afghan Educational Children's Circus have attracted a total live audience of more than 2.7 million people in 25 provinces.

At a show in Kabul on Sunday to mark World Circus Day, young performers in colourful cloaks circled a courtyard on rollerskates and headscarved girls showed off their juggling skills.

Children performed cartwheels and backward somersaults and formed human pyramids, dancing and clapping to entertain an audience of their peers from a camp for internally displaced people and an orphanage.

Conditions in the camps housing the country's half a million internal refugees are notoriously harsh. In the winter of 2011-2012 about 100 people, mostly children and the elderly, lost their lives in the cold.

"When you are living under a plastic sheet in a Kabul winter, then... hardship and surviving makes people forget about living. And then once you have survived, there's nothing much to live for," said Mason, 47.

The circus works to change that.
 - See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/childrens-circus-focuses-on-fun-in-war-torn-afghanistan-39235.php#sthash.Nw7wp1op.dpuf

SKERBRECK BROS SHOWS

by rd colles

May 5, 2013

Published on May 7, 2013

Skerbeck Brothers shows at The Tulip Festival in Holland Michigan and The North Kent Mall in Grand Rapids Michigan.

BROADWAY: 'Pippin' revival a dazzling musical circus

 

Patina Miller stars as the Leading Player in 'Pippin.' / Associated Press
from:  app.com
Written by
Bill Canacci
May 6, 2013
Under this big top, there is magic and spectacle, joy and love, war and revolution, excitement and fun — and lots of hot bodies performing amazing circus feats.
Nominated for 10 Tony Awards, this American Repertory Theater production of “Pippin” is extraordinary.
The show follows the story of King Charlemagne’s son as he tries to find his place in the world. He learns a lot along the way, seeing humanity’s kindness as well as its cruelty.
Known to theatergoers for its wonderful pop-style score by Stephen Schwartz and signature choreography by Bob Fosse, it has been performed in high schools and community theaters across the country for decades.
Ben Vereen starred (and won a Tony) in the original 1972 production. In this revival, the Leading Player (and ringmaster) is played by Patina Miller of “Sister Act” fame.
As the opening notes of “Magic to Do” are heard, the crowd goes wild. Miller is dressed in black spandex and top hat (costume design by Dominique Lemieux), and is effective for most of the first act. She has an engaging smile and immediately connects with the audience. But there is more to her than meets the eye. In Act II, when her character takes a disturbing turn, she is less convincing. She’s nominated for a Tony but is unlikely to win.
read more:
http://www.app.com/article/20130506/NJENT05/305060054/BROADWAY-Pippin-revival-dazzling-musical-circus?nclick_check=1

#1

Circus nostalgia
from:  blogs.reuters.com
By Vivek Prakash
November 11, 2011


People walk outside the entrance to the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011.
REUTERS/Vivek Prakash

A ticket booth attendant hands show tickets to a patron at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011. The Rambo Circus was founded in 1991 by P.T. Dilip and travels across India, pitching tent in open grounds such as the Bandra Reclamation in Mumbai. The introduction of tough animal rights laws in India and abroad have limited the use of animals in circus acts, but current organisers Sujit and Sumit Dilip have added amenities such as an air-conditioned, fire-proof tent to keep crowds flocking to the show.
REUTERS/Vivek Prakash

A ticket booth attendant waits to sell show tickets to patrons at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011.
REUTERS/Vivek Prakash

Lead clown Biju

 

A performer balances herself on the back of a horse during a show at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011.
REUTERS/Vivek Prakash

#2

 

An acrobat performs on a ring held by an elephant during a show at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011.
REUTERS/Vivek Prakash

A performer balances himself on a set of knives during a show at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011.
REUTERS/Vivek Prakash

 

Siafan, 22, a clown at the Rambo Circus, bathes before a show in Mumbai November 9, 2011.
REUTERS/Vivek Prakash

2013 Group Sales Video

JollyRoger

Ocean City, Maryland 

 

Published on Apr 23, 2013

FROM RETRONAUT---

1920s : Burlesque Dancers
from: Retronaut.com

 

 

 

 

 

HCMC Circus Troupe performs in Kazakhstan 
Around 30 artists from the Ho Chi Minh City Circus Troupe are in Kazakhstan for performances in cities including Almaty, Astana and Shymkent Karaganda

 

"Day Thep Chung" (slack steel wire) circus act (Source: SGGP)
from:  saigon-gpdaily.com.vn
by By Van An – Translated by Kim Khanh
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
The circus artists will present to audiences special performances for a period of one month.
One of their outstanding shows is ‘Power of the Arm’ by Giang Quoc Co and Giang Quoc Nghiep, which won the Silver Lion award on October 31 at the 13th Int’l Circus Festival in Hebei Province in China.
The performance also won three prizes at the 13th International Circus Festival in Italy from October 13-17, which included a silver medal and two minor titles awarded by the world’s leading circus groups, Monte Carlo Circus and Cirque du Soleil.
‘Power of the Arm’ performance got first prize at the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia young circus talent competition in 2009 and a gold medal at the Hanoi International Circus Festival in 2010.
The ‘Day Thep Chung’ (slack steel wire) circus act, performed by circus artist Thu Hien and the ‘Du Chong Dau’ (swinging) act by Hoang Anh and Thu Hiep won the Golden Horse prize (gold medal) at the Almaty-Kazakhstan International Circus Festival in 2012.
Earlier, the act ‘Thang Bang Tren Day Thep Chung’ (slack steel wire) by Thu Hien won two prizes at the Figueres International Circus Festival in Spain, ‘Du Chong Dau’ (swinging) by Hoang An and Thu Hiep won the silver prize at the Southeast Asian circus festival, and both circus acts participated in the 11th Moscow International Youth Circus Festival in Russia.
The two performances have officially received an invitation to attend the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival to be held from January 2014

STARDUST CIRCUS

Southwark Hotel in Adelaide has surprise visit from Stardust Circus lion cubs


Stardust Circus managers Glenn West, with Zimbi, left, and Matthew Smith, with Zaire, at the front bar of the Southwark Hotel with pub owners Sam and Verity Ferguson. Picture: Facebook Source: adelaidenow
from:  heraldsun.com.au
Petra Starke, adelaidenow
May 07, 2013
BAR flies are the only wildlife you're likely to see in most pubs, so patrons at Thebarton's Southwark Hotel in Adelaide were a little surprised to see a pair of lions at their local.
Stardust Circus stars Zimbi and Zaire were snapped at the pub's front bar on Saturday with circus managers Glenn West and Matthew Smith, resting their paws on a West End Draught beer mat - a brand owned by Lion Co.
Hotel owner Verity Ferguson said the cubs were well behaved, despite the clamour.
"People hopped on to the bar and it was like paparazzi - everyone's got their phones and cameras out going bananas," she said.
"Everyone nearly died, it was bizarre, but the cubs were pretty relaxed ... they had flashes going off in their faces and they didn't react at all

 
This photo is on the wall of the Southwark Hotel - Ashton's Circus founder Pepe Ashton with a liger.
"Zimbi, the male, was doing some rumbling, but they were really well behaved.
Ms Ferguson said the photo was a fun re-creation of one of the Southwark's most popular pieces of circus memorabilia: a 1988 photo of circus king Joseph "Pepe" Ashton drinking beer with a "liger" - a tiger-lion cross.
"When the circus people got here and saw that photo they went, 'OK, we're going to better it'," she said

 

Stardust Circus managers Glenn West, with Zimbi, left, and Matthew Smith, with Zaire, at the front bar of the Southwark Hotel.
 Picture: Facebook
read more:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/southwark-hotel-in-adelaide-has-surprise-visit-from-stardust-circus-lion-cubs/story-fncynkc6-1226637109904

 

 

NITRO CIRCUS-AUSTRAILIA

Nitro Circus antics keep crowd guessing

from: thesatellite.com.au

6th May 2013

Toowoomba residents were obviously expecting a top notch show, with thousands of people walking through the gates for some adrenalin-fuelled action.

But very few Nitro Circus newbies would ever have expected the hilarious antics.

Not only were talented freestyle motocross riders, BMX riders and skateboarders defying gravity at the exciting display, but also people on contraptions such as a boogie board with wheels (the rider was even wearing flippers), a snowboard with wheels, a kids' trike and a bobsled.

Add fireworks, balls of fire and comic relief and most of the crowd was either laughing uproariously or open-mouthed at the thrilling stunts.

read more:

http://www.thesatellite.com.au/news/nitro-circus-antics-keep-crowd-guessing/1855440/

CWM

Circus World Museum faces uncertain future


Mark Hoffman
Illusionist Tristan Crist poses behind the fan that he appears to step through at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, which is struggling to attract visitors and money.
from:  jsonline.com
By Bill Glauber of the Journal Sentinel
May 5, 2013
Baraboo - Off-season at Circus World Museum, and magician Tristan Crist works through his repertoire of tricks and illusions, trying to thrill a crowd of 10 spectators in a theater that seats 350.
The smile never leaves Crist's face as he tangles and untangles ropes and rubber bands and magically appears to step through a mirror and a rotating fan. After all, the show must go on, even if the only ones watching are a group of six women in their 70s and two middle-aged couples.
"I think our challenge is getting a younger generation interested in the circus," Crist says between performances.It's a tough sell for Circus World, made tougher still by a battle for control beneath the big top.

The library and research center at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo is a noted repository of circus information. - Image credit: Mark Hoffman
The museum's property, including 220 historic circus wagons, is owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, a state agency and private membership organization. A local group, the Circus World Museum Foundation, has operated the site for more than half a century and preserved the extensive collection of circus memorabilia.
But no one has been able to put Circus World on stable financial ground.
Last week , the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee rejected a plan proposed by Gov. Scott Walker to have the Historical Society take over the struggling museum's operations. Under the proposal, the state would have pumped in cash to prop up the site, which attracts around 70,000 people a year.
The committee also voted against a plan backed by five members to give the foundation up to $300,000 a year.
The public-private partnership remains in force. But the future is anything but certain.

 

Steve Freese, the executive director of the Circus World Foundation, is shown with a portrait of the legendary showman P.T. Barnum., painted around 1847. - Image credit: Mark Hoffman
The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau said in a report that "there is little debate that the Foundation's current business model is unable to sustain its operations, and state support is necessary if the site is to remain open to the public."
Local officials and foundation members say they're ready for the tourist season. Circus World is open for business and ready to entertain, with the summer performance set to run from May 18 to Sept. 2, with two big-top circus shows daily.
Baraboo without the circus would be unthinkable. This was the hometown of the Ringling Brothers and the winter quarters of their famed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Along the banks of the Baraboo River stand the surviving winter quarters buildings, remnants of an age when the circus was a major form of entertainment in big and small towns and cities across America.
read more:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/circus-world-museum-faces-uncertain-future-ht9qvct-206212541.html