Rosemary Goudreau: When the circus comes to town, you go

from: sun-sentinel.com

By Rosemary Goudreau

May 25, 2014

Every year in January, when the circus comes to town, South Florida media members are bombarded with emails from animal rights extremists: Boycott the circus! Tell your friends to boycott the circus, too! They abuse animals!

This year the deluge was so pervasive — harassing, really — that while better sense dictated otherwise, I responded to one spammer saying: "If I get one more of these emails, I'm not only going to go to the circus, I'm going to tell all my friends to go, too."

Truth is, I like the sights and sounds of the big top — the clowns, the acrobats and the show-stealing animals.

And because I once had a front-row seat to meet those who work with the animals, I welcomed the recent news that the long-running lawsuit against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus had been settled, with those who've made unproven claims of animal mistreatment paying nearly $16 million.

A few years back when I was working for myself, I took a gig writing the playbill bios for all the Ringling Bros. performers in Zing Zang Zoom. At the circus' winter home outside Tampa, I met everyone from the lion tamer, to the high-wire walkers, to the two human cannonballs.

"It's as dangerous as it looks," said one cannonball. "The first big thing is just to get in there. Second is to get in the right position to come out. ... You don't think about what could happen. You just think about what you have to do."

I came to believe the circus is a family and that a special bond forms between the trainers and their animals.

The zebra lady was particularly memorable. Zebras are skittish by nature and always ready to bolt. But after dinner some nights, she'd go sit with them in the corral. Remarkably, they'd sometimes curl up next to her and sometimes, even roll on their sides. "I've built the trust with them," she said.

Then there was the dog trainer who kept every dog he ever trained. "These dogs are my life, my job. When you work with them every day of your life, they become part of your family."

The elephant trainers, too, sounded like proud parents.

"We went on a four-day vacation once and couldn't wait to get back," one said. "The entire time we felt like we were without some of our kids."

"The elephants listen better than my kids," added his wife.

Some elephants have been with Ringling for more than 50 years, and the trainers' references to family rang true. After all, why would people abuse animals whose spirit and gifts are needed for their livelihoods?

History tells us some elephant trainers have used cattle prods and other abusive techniques, but if such mistreatment is still happening, I suspect it occurs at fly-by-night circuses. From having asked countless questions of Ringling trainers, and knowing about the company's conservancy for older elephants near Sarasota, I never believed the nation's biggest and best circus mistreats its elephants, as was suggested.

In the end, the critics could prove no wrongdoing. Indeed, they were found to have paid a former barn helper almost $200,000 to make his claims, which the judge said undercut his credibility.

So while the animal rights movement has its place, if extremists bombard me when the circus comes to town again next January, I will be forced to share with friends a Southern maxim of life.

That is, when the circus comes to town, you go.

Rosemary Goudreaus is editorial page editor,South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Moscow State Circus Comes To Southsea - Review

from: aboutmyarea.co.uk

Author: annahowelll

24th May 2014 

This week the world famous Moscow State Circus headed in to town, with its huge reputation preceding it.

And it certainly did not disappoint!

From the very first moment that the ridiculously talented members of this famous touring group stepped out into the ring the atmosphere lit up.

With literally never a dull moment you are hooked from the off and transported on one of the most enchanting and captivating rides of your life.

From juggling to acrobatics, comedy to beautiful and skilful wire dancing, this show will have your entire family clapping along and staring open-mouthed at some of these acts which are just unbelievable, literally, you will wonder how on earth any of it is possible!

These highly dangerous and powerful displays of pure skill were interjected by a light-hearted comedy acrobat who got the audience involved and catered for everyone's taste.

I was sat with a five year old girl one side of me and a woman in her 50's the other and both of them equally enthralled by the breath-taking stunts, which were executed with the upmost accuracy making for a not to be missed tantalising, super-thrilling show you, and you entire family are bound to enjoy for years to come!

There aren't many shows that can entertain every single member of your family, no matter their age, is there?

The Moscow State Circus is at Southsea Common till June 1st - If you, like me, are one of these people who have always meant to go but never got round to it, I implore you to go right now and book your tickets, it will be a decision that you will be thankful for I promise.

Circus stars perform in Bolton town centre

Mr Fips loses his hat to acrobat Laura Lambrook Pictures by Richard Holton

from:  theboltonnews.co.uk

By Neil Robertson, reporter

24th May,2014

CROWDS rolled up to Victoria Square as circus stars from all over the world came to town.

Mr Fips Wonder Circus, which is currently in the middle of an eight-month tour of the UK, visited Bolton to promote its forthcoming performances in Farnworth and Blackrod.

Making an appearance were Mr Fips the Clown, Charlie the Clown, Mexican daredevil Marco Polo, hula-hoop sensation Jana Roberts, trapeze artist Miss Linda and jugglers and acrobats.

The circus shows will feature performers from Romania, Germany, Hungary and Spain.

The Bolton News: Isabel Nuttall, aged two, rides on the back of Camila the camel watched by Mr Fips

Jan Erik Brenner, who is otherwise known as Mr Fips the Clown, runs the circus along with his wife.

He said: “Bolton people are great to perform to and we hope to keep coming back as long as its people come out and see us.

“It’s our third visit to the area and whenever we’ve come here we’ve been well received by crowds. People in Bolton tend to be very loud and we get the same people coming over and over again.”

Marco Polo, whose tricks include balancing on a chair seven metres above the ground, was in Bolton for the first time.

The Bolton News: The circus performers

He said: “I’m happy to be here, even if it is a lot colder here than in Mexico. British people respond very well to my act — I will shout to them in Spanish and get them to shout back, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Thomas Dixon, from Chorley, who was in Bolton with his granddaughter Florence, aged three, said: “I think it’s good for Bolton to get people from around the world showing what they can do. It’s great entertainment for the children.”

Tracey Bacon, from Great Lever, said: “The circus has changed a bit since I was younger — there used to be more clowns, whereas it’s a bit more technical now. But it’s always great entertainment for the kids and my son would love this.”

Mr Fips Wonder Circus is based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, and consists of about 20 members who are aged from 12 to 75 years old.

The circus will perform at Salford Road in Over Hulton, next to the Toby Carvery Watergate Toll pub, from Wednesday until Sunday, June 1, and at Chorley Road in Blackrod, next to The Cherry Tree pub, from Wednesday, June 4, until Sunday, June 8.

Circus returns - with many new, exciting acts

The James Cristy Cole Circus will be in North Platte on May 29. Tickets are available at several local businesses.

from: nptelegraph.com

By Heather Johnson 

May 25, 2014

The circus will return to North Platte on May 29 with new acts and new performers.

“About 80 percent of the entertainment is new this year,” said James Plunkett, producer of the James Cristy Cole Circus. “We mix it up because if someone sees the same thing year after year, they won’t come back.”

Among the changes — bears and tigers are out and alligators and elephants are in.

“We have an alligator king who puts about five of these 7- to 8-foot alligators in a ring and does tricks with them,” Plunkett said. “There’s also a high wire act, elephant rides and aerialists. There’s a great new dog act, big horses and little horses will perform together, and the clown is different from the one we had before.”

Plunkett has been traveling to North Platte for about 20 years. Although based out of Mabank, Texas, the circus has ties to west central Nebraska.

“Interestingly enough, my grandfather started a show in Dickens in the 1920s,” Plunkett said. “My family lived in the community from the mid-teens until 1929 when their house burned down. After that, they took the show on the road, touring nationally and internationally.”

Plunkett has returned to his roots with a month-long tour of Nebraska. McCook, Lexington, Ord and Kearney are just some of the places the circus will be.

The event at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds will benefit the North Platte Shrine Club.

“A lot of that money is used for scholarships for local music students in band and choir,” said Ron Johanson, president of the North Platte Shrine Club. “We select band members to play in the Shrine Bowl, which will be at Kearney this year. We also support Shrine football players and Shrine soccer players.”

Johanson said tickets for the circus were handed out at area schools. They can also be picked up at the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau, Westfield Pharmacy, The North Platte Telegraph, Adams Bank and Trust, Gary’s Super Foods, U.S. Bank and the Janssen Auto Group.

According to Johanson, tickets for adults are $10 in advance or $12 at the gate. Admission for junior and senior high school students is $8. Children elementary school age and younger will be let in for free.

There will be two performances of the circus at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

“The circus is kind of like nostalgic history,” Plunkett said. “Plus, it’s live entertainment. Anything can happen.”

STATE FAIR-MEADOWLANDS

The Baronton Sisters on The Ed Sullivan Show

Published on Mar 10, 2014

Uploaded on Nov 2, 2009

http://goo.gl/firy - Foot jugglers The Baronton Sisters from France perform on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 2, 1969. Available on the DVD "Ed Sullivan presents World's Greatest Novelty Acts"

Sarasota Heats Up With Excitement

For The Summer Circus Spectacular 2014

SARASOTA, FL - It's a season for excitement as The Circus Arts Conservatory proudly teams up with The Ringling, for their eighth consecutive year, to present the fabulous and affordable Summer Circus Spectacular 2014. The world-class performances take place, every Tuesday through Saturday - from June 17th to August 2nd- inside Sarasota's Historic Asolo Theater. This one-of-a-kind production has become a celebrated summertime event on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Audiences will be delighted with hilarious clowning from Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey veteran and audience favorite, Chris "Bucky" Allison, and the masterful cube juggling of 3rd generation circus extraordinaire, Vladimir Kim. There will also be astonishing displays of physical-strength and stamina from hand-balancing expert, Christian Stoinev and his special four-legged partner, Scooby the Chihuahua. The entertainment continues as the dynamic couple, Vladimir and Olga Smirnov, perform unbelievable, split-second, quick change feats. Of course, no Summer Circus Spectacular would be complete without the graceful flight of Sarasota's very own, world-famous aerialist and "Queen of the Air," Dolly Jacobs, soaring high overhead.

Making her professional debut as this summer's ringmistress is the highly-regarded and locally recognized, 16 year-old, Sailor Circus Academy student, Bailey Sloan. This leading lady is a soon-to-be Sarasota High School senior, and a 10th generation circus performer, with 7 years of circus arts experience - including trapeze, high wire, cradle, Spanish web and ringmistress - under her belt. Her natural charisma in the spotlight is guaranteed to keep you engaged!

Summer Circus Spectacular 2014

"The Summer Circus Spectacular has fast become synonymous with Sarasota in the summertime and it adds a distinctive historic element to the legacy of a community founded on the circus arts. This one-of-a-kind, intimate production is an affordable opportunity for everyone to enjoy a first-class circus performance inside the beautiful Historic Asolo Theater," said Pedro Reis, Founder and CEO of The Circus Arts Conservatory. "It's also an excellent way to entertain the entire family and take a break from the summer heat!"

Shows will be held Tuesday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 5 p.m. from June 17th to August 2nd. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets call the Historic Asolo Theater Box Office at 941-360-7399 or visit www.ringling.org

* The Circus Arts Conservatory, Sarasota is home to world-class performances, excellence in training the circus arts, and community based education and humor therapy outreach programs. The organization was born from decades of circus history and today serves as a legacy to those that have set the standards for international circus artistry and athleticism. The Circus Arts Conservatory is a 501(c)3 non-profit performing arts educational organization, whose extraordinary mission underscores its commitment to sharing the entertainment, education and enrichment of the circus arts.

* The Ringling Museum is one of the largest museum/university complexes in the nation. It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Cà d'Zan, the Ringling's historic mansion; the Circus Museum; the Tibbals Learning Center, the Historic Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.

Favorite Elephant Moments from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Uploaded on Sep 4, 2008

We rummaged through our video archives to share with you our favorite video clips involving the Zoo's three female elephants, Moshi, Jo and Martika, over the past two years. From painting at ZOObilee! to their farewell cakes at the Trunk Party, we think you'll enjoy looking back as we also look forward to construction of their new world class exhibit, African Elephant Crossing, expected to open in 2011.

The circus comes to town

The Circus Comes to Town

from:southbendtribune.com

June 2, 2014

Before television and movies, people had to rely on other forms of entertainment, and in the late 1800s, there was little that could create as much excitement as the circus rolling into town. In this photograph from the 1880s, a crowd lines South Michigan Street in South Bend to watch circus elephants parade by. People perch on the rooftops of local businesses for a better view, and on the street, women in bustled dresses and men in straw hats use umbrellas to shade themselves from the summer sun.

While the circus in this photograph is unidentified, touring circuses such as Van Amburgh & Co. Circus and John A. Forepaugh’s Circus Royal often passed through South Bend, Mishawaka, Goshen and Plymouth. It was nearly 131 years ago, on June 15-16, 1883, that “P.T. Barnum’s Greatest Show on Earth,” which later became the Barnum & Bailey Circus, passed through LaPorte and South Bend. Many circuses and fairs at the time set up on Taylor’s Field, 90 acres of empty land owned by Col. Lathrop M. Taylor. Today the field is the site of a historic residential neighborhood near Carroll and St. Joseph streets, between East Monroe and East Bronson streets.

This image is from the Center for History’s photograph collection. If you would like to donate recent or historic photographs of summer fairs, circuses and festivals, or will allow the Center for History to make a digital copy of your image, please contact us at www.centerforhistory.org or 574-235-9664.

Tripoli Shrine Circus Milwaukee 2014

414 Mr Milwaukee

Circus Flora's "The Pawn" Makes All the Right Moves

All photos by Allison Babka

A kiss from a camel ensures victory for the red team

from:blogs.riverfronttimes.com

By Allison Babka

If Circus Flora cofounder Ivor David Balding were here to see the 28th anniversary edition of his beloved event, he'd be well within his rights to shout, "Checkmate!"

With The Pawn, Circus Flora's story revolving around a theatrical chess match between two teams of anthropomorphic pieces, this year's one-ring circus continues the long-running production's tradition of dramatic tension and gasp-inducing stunts. Balding, who profoundly affected the international circus and theater scenes and who passed away May 9 in Weldon Spring, wrote the foreword in the event's program booklet, focusing on the similarities and connections between the circus and chess.

Indeed, we were struck by how easily circus antics fit into a larger story about the intellect behind a game of chess. Below, find six of our favorite Circus Flora lessons we'll keep in mind the next time we sit down to play the Game of Kings.

1. Pregame is as essential as the chess match itself.

If you're going to battle a formidable opponent, you've got to get into the right frame of mind, and the activities outside Circus Flora's big top certainly prepare you for what awaits. A magician mesmerizes the arriving audience with tricks while an ornate calliope wagon pumps out familiar circus notes. Animal lovers can ride or have photos taken atop decked-out camels, and game masters can play chess on a life-sized board.

2. The queens are the most important pieces on the board.

At the beginning of the show Yo-Yo the Narrator claims, "The king is beautiful and can do almost nothing. The queen has the power," and the gold-clad clown turns out to be right. Denied a king at first, the Green Queen chooses a suitor from the audience, wiggles out of her formal dress to reveal comfortable dance shorts, and dazzles the inevitable king by balancing on his hands and juggling up to five cylinders with her feet. The Red Queen is no less talented, wearing a large crown as she defies gravity while performing stunts on the high wire with her world-renowned family, the Flying Wallendas. Plus, like the narrator says, the queens may move anywhere they like on the chessboard.

Jun. 2,2014

The St. Louis Arches show off their balance and bravery.

3. The right music increases the game's drama.

A good soundtrack makes everything better, including chess. Resident composer Miriam Cutler and musical director Janine Del'Arte have developed orchestration that eschews the game's typical silence and instead brings every move to life. The Circus Flora Band watches the action from a tower high above the chessboard, accenting the heavy swing of a kettle bell or the scary lean of an off-balance, sixteen-block pillar with expert string plucks, flute trills and cymbal crashes.

Continue for more circus fun at

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/06/circus_flora_2014_the_pawn_review.php

Billy Smarts Circus will be at Chingford Plain during the same time as the Chingford Village Festival

This Is Local London: High-flying circus comes to Chingford

From: thisislocallondon.co.uk

By Natalie Glanvill

June 1,2014

A circus best known for its elephant acts in the 1950s is to visit Chingford next month. 

Billy Smart's Circus will be setting up camp at Chingford Plain in Rangers Road between June 24 and 29.

The award-winning circus founded in 1946 by Mr Smart is being hosted by his granddaughter Yasmine Smart. 

The two hour show will include performances by Australia's trapeze troupe, the Flying Aces, Russian acrobats from the Asadullin Troupe, Romania's X-Treme Brothers acrobats, foot juggling and Italian born comedic-entertainer Jonny Bogino the clown

It will perform three shows on the day of the Chingford Village Festival on June 28.  

Adult tickets range between £9 and £23 and £7 and £15 for children. 

The Circus is in Town

Uploaded on Mar 23, 2011

We heard the circus was in town, so we went down to see the parade!

Circus takes center stage in Baraboo

JOSH NOEL

Riding the wheel of destiny at the Circus World museum. (Josh Noel/Chicago Tribune/MCT) In Baraboo, the circus is always in town, both at Circus World museum and the International Clown Hall of Fame. This performer rides the wheel of destiny for spectators at Circus World.

From: leadertelegram.com

By Josh Noel Chicago Tribune

June 1, 2014 

BARABOO - Let's begin with the obvious, and most pressing, question: How in the name of Jumbo the Elephant (he's real - look it up) did a south-central Wisconsin town of 12,000 become the circus capital of the world?

It all goes back to five brothers - Al, Alf, Charles, John and Otto - who were raised in Baraboo during the mid-to-late 1800s. They had a knack for juggling, telling jokes, performing skits and engaging in general hilarity.

By 1884, they had sketched out a routine and pitched a tent to create a show that they named for themselves: The Ringling Brothers' Classic and Comic Concert Company.

It wasn't long before the brothers bought covered wagons to take their show on the road, touring southern Wisconsin and much of Illinois with a shorter, punchier name - The Ringling Brothers Circus. Each winter they returned home to Baraboo with their horde of tigers, elephants, wagons and the rest.

Little did the brothers know that their lark would turn their hometown into a place that continues to live and breathe circus 130 years later - and proudly.

"It's not uncommon to see an elephant walking down the street in Baraboo," said Mary Hultman, a Baraboo resident for 15 years, who owns Raven House antiques store. "Which is kind of cool."

"It's not uncommon to see an elephant walking down the street in Baraboo," said Mary Hultman, a Baraboo resident for 15 years, who owns Raven House antiques store. "Which is kind of cool."

read more-

http://www.leadertelegram.com/features/travel/article_c38bee4e-4d25-5e8a-b265-43a58669f5ce.html

The Circus is In Town! Come see the Clowns, Side Shows

THANKS MIKE NAUGHTEN

Published on Feb 25, 2014

Here Comes the Circus - Its all here - Cotton candy, side shows, snake charmers, sword swallowers, tents, parade, clowns, performing animals, elephants, Emmett Kelly, Betty Rich Queen of the Air, trapeze artists, acrobats, bareback riders, trained horses, tigers, and fun!

Cute and prickly: Hedgehogs finding homes as pets

Photo By Steven Senne/AP  In this May 6, 2014 photo hedgehog breeder and trainer Jennifer Crespo, of Gardner, Mass., holds "Circus," a one-year-old pet hedgehog, at her home in Gardner, Mass. Hedgehogs are steadily growing in popularity across the United States, despite laws in at least six states banning or restricting them as pets.

from:  chron.com

By RODRIQUE NGOWI, Associated Press

June 2, 2014 

GARDNER, Mass. (AP) — They are tiny animals with cute faces. They're covered in quills. They roll into prickly balls when they are scared. The ideal pet?

Hedgehogs are steadily growing in popularity across the United States, despite laws in at least six states banning or restricting them as pets.

Breeders say the trend is partly fueled by the fact that hedgehogs require less maintenance than dogs and cats, and because they emit little odor — in sharp contrast with rodents and rabbits. They are largely hypoallergenic and are solitary, making them ideal for those with a busy lifestyle.

Photo By Steven Senne/AP  In this May 6, 2014 photo Wyatt Crespo, 5, of Gardner, Mass., plays with with "Jambalaya," a six-month-old pet hedgehog, in Gardner, Mass. Hedgehogs are steadily growing in popularity across the United States, despite laws in at least six states banning or restricting them as pets.

"A hedgehog can hang out all day while you are at work, you can come home, hang out with it for a couple of hours or . you know, put it away," said Massachusetts-based hedgehog breeder Jennifer Crespo.

Crespo's 4-year-old son, Wyatt, sat on the sofa in their home recently, his arm wrapped around the neck of a German shepherd named Ares while an African pygmy hedgehog named Jambalaya clambered across his legs.

The attraction to the animals may have started with a video game — "Sonic" is a blue hedgehog who runs at supersonic speeds and curls into a ball to attack its enemies — but it has grown through people sharing pictures of their pets on social media and elsewhere online.

Retro Look at the Strates Show Midway at the Erie County Fair

Uploaded on Aug 7, 2011

A look back at the James E. Strates Show Midway at the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York (Buffalo, NY). For more information visit www.ForgottenBuffalo.com. This video features the music of Ramblin' Lou & the Twin Pine Mountaineers (Sweet Bunch of Daisies, Joanie Marshal on the Gibson double neck guitar).

VA-KY District Fair & Horse Show launches summer in Wise

Drew Exposition workers set up a ride on Friday in preparation for the opening Monday of the 101st VA-KY District Fair & Horse Show. Photo by Stephen Igo.

from: timesnews.net

by Stephen Igo

June 1st, 2014

WISE — The Virginia-Kentucky District Fair & Horse Show opens Monday for its start on a second century of existence, one of the longest running fairs in the history of Virginia.

On Saturday officials announced on the fair's Facebook page that Rhythm & Blues legend Percy Sledge, scheduled to perform Friday night, had to cancel his appearance due to health concerns. Chubby Checker is now scheduled for the Friday night concert.

The 101st VA-KY District Fair & Horse Show opens its gates at 4 p.m. Monday and keeps rolling through Saturday. Carnival rides on the midway presented by the James H. Drew Exposition will include $20 one price rides 5-11 p.m., and one price rides will be offered throughout the week as well.

Baby pageants begin at 5 p.m. on the main stage Monday, and the Demolition Derby revs up at 7 p.m.

On Friday, the first of the Drew Exposition carnival rides had arrived and the process of setting up was under way.

Read more: VA-KY District Fair & Horse Show launches summer in Wise | Kingsport Times-News http://www.timesnews.net/article/9077635/va-ky-district-fair-and-horse-show-launches-summer-in-wise#ixzz33TtrP1eb 

Follow us: @timesnewsonline on Twitter | timesnews on Facebook

Strates Shows, Dixie Classic Fair 2011 - Winston Salem, NC

Uploaded on Oct 28, 2011

A quick 3 minute tour of the 2011 Dixie Classic Fair in Winston-Salem, NC. They have a pretty decent selection of rides like the Zipper, Zyklon coaster, Rok-N-Roll, Sky Flyer and much more.

Circus performers risk much to amaze us all

ESSDRAS M. SUAREZ/GLOBE STAFF

Cole Bros. Circus aerialist Petya Milanova twirled ribbons as she hung from her hair during a show in North Brunswick, N.J., on May 17.

from: bostonglobe.com

GLOBE STAFF   

JUNE 01, 2014

ESSDRAS M. SUAREZ/GLOBE STAFF

Aerialist Petya Milanova, her husband, Jaime Ramirez, and her daughter, Elinor, live nine months of the year in their RV, which follows the circus as it makes stops every two or three days around the United States.

ESSDRAS M. SUAREZ/GLOBE STAFF

A circus clown prepared his props on May 17 before performing under the big tent.

 ESSDRAS M. SUAREZ/GLOBE STAFF

The Cole Bros. Circus tent sat on a lot in the outskirts of North Brunswick, N.J., on May 17.

 ESSDRAS M. SUAREZ/GLOBE STAFF

Aerialist Petya Milanova, her husband, Jaime Ramirez, and her daughter, Elinor, live nine months of the year in their RV, which follows the circus as it makes stops every two or three days around the United States.

read and see more:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/05/31/circus/GKS0qlR8xd1UghRo5BOY1L/picture.html

Ainad Shrine Circus in Belleville, Illinois

May 31, 2014

 Members of the Spanish Web aerial acrobatic team perform at the Ainad Shrine Circus on Saturday, at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville. These pictures were taken during the Saturday matinee performance at 2 p.m. The Shrine Circus has additional shows in Belleville on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and one performance on Monday which will be held at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Waterloo. Admission is $14 for adults and $10 for children.

Alcira the Hula Hoop Girl could spin any number of hula hoops during her performance at the Ainad Shrine Circus on Saturday, at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville. 

Michael Ramos the tiger trainer gets two Bengal tigers, two Siberian White tigers, and a Liger (part tiger, part lion) to lie down next to each other during his act at the Ainad Shrine Circus on Saturday, at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville.

Michael Ramos the tiger trainer gets two Bengal tigers, two Siberian White tigers, and a Liger (part tiger, part lion) to lie down next to each other during his act at the Ainad Shrine Circus on Saturday, at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville. Here, Ramos tells the last Siberian white tiger to take its place among the others.

Members of the Jian June Li Tumblers from China perform at the Ainad Shrine Circus on Saturday, at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville. 

A new act this year is the Windy City Tumblers from Chicago. Here, they make their stunning entry into the ring by vaulting skyward and doing flips, twists, and turns at the Ainad Shrine Circus on Saturday, at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville. 

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2014/05/31/3234814/ainad-shrine-circus-in-belleville.html#storylink=cpy

Carson & Barnes Circus comes to town

The Carson & Barnes Circus, no stranger to La Junta, was the first big event for the newly rehabilitated Colorado Goal Ranch. The tent was visible from the crest of the hill coming from North La Junta

.from:lajuntatribunedemocrat.com

By Bette McFarren

May. 30, 2014

The Carson & Barnes Circus, no stranger to La Junta, was the first big event for the newly rehabilitated Colorado Goal Ranch. The tent was visible from the crest of the hill coming from North La Junta.

The La Junta Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, which drew customers from the surrounding area. Greeting circus goers at the gate were Colorado Goal Ranch Manager Jerry Phillips, Chamber President Jennifer Justice, Sheila LeRoy and Glenn Parker.

Traveling into the grounds, one met Airika White; her position with the circus, school teacher. Her job is to tell the children who come to the petting zoo about the animals. There are African goats, llamas and other small animals available to exchange a morsel of food for a pat on the head from a small hand.

With White was animal caretaker Carlos Parra. Rides were available on an elephant or a camel. One of the spotted horses was running free in a pasture with her small dark colt.

Spectators coming out of the tent at intermission said it was a wonderful show. The sounds from the tent reverberated in the still prairie air.

Read more: http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/article/20140530/News/140539993#ixzz33K8E3iae

First Collingwood based Circus Oz show tackles `infobesity’

Circus Oz ensemble, Dale Woodbridge-Brown, Olivia Porter, April Dawson, Candy Bowers and Kyle Raftery with their new show, But wait ... there's more, the first show to be created in the custom-built studio in Collingwood. Picture: Alex Coppel. Source: News Corp Australia

from: hewraldsun.com.au

NIC PRICE MELBOURNE LEADER 

MAY 31, 2014

CIRCUS Oz will next month unveil the first show to have been produced from its new Collingwood base.

Artistic director Mike Finch said the $15 million facility, in the former Collingwood Technical School in Perry St, allowed the group to fully rehearse But Wait … There’s More before taking it to the public.

“The ceiling is high enough to set up entire rigging indoors, with lighting, to simulate show conditions,” Mr Finch said.

“And we have separate, soundproofed spaces. The old building was just one cavernous space.

“The wind would blow through the cracks in the wall and if someone cracked a whip the whole building had to deal with it.”

Mr Finch said the show tracked a vaudeville circus group attempting to put on a performance in an abandoned old theatre, while being infected by commercialism and the speedy information age.

“It gradually infects the show with a sense of pace and mania and something I’m calling infobesity, which is too much information, advertising, choice. We all deal with it every day,” he said.

read & see more:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/central/first-collingwood-based-circus-oz-show-tackles-infobesity/story-fngnvlpt-1226937104949

With Cirque, Paulus Has Run Away With The Circus

foto

from: artery.wbur.org

by Andrea Shea

May 30, 2014

American Repertory Theater artistic director Diane Paulus is a rock star in the theater world, but now she’s actually directing a circus — Cirque du Soleil’s new show, “Amaluna,” which just opened in Boston.

Stretching Mind — And Body

Cirque du Soleil is known for its almost-superhuman performers. The international touring company’s acrobats hail from Japan, Russia, Colombia, Spain and China. And they’re some of the best.

read more:

http://artery.wbur.org/2014/05/30/cirque-du-soleil-amaluna