HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 

Thanks Nancy & Larry!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

From:  George Hanneford III

 

Thanks George!

Circus to be back in Kashmir valley after 28 years

Arjun Sharma, Hindustan Times

Ludhiana, May 14, 2013

The circus is set to return to the Kashmir valley after almost three decades. A Ludhiana-based circus troupe would travel around Kashmir for nearly three months, entertaining people who have witnessed terrorism at its peak.

The circus would be staged on the ground of the Bemina boys hostel, nearly 3km from Lal Chowk, which has witnessed several terror attacks. The group would also perform at Chadoora village in Budgam district, which has been a hotspot of terror activities. Chadoora is close to Soibugh, the birthplace of Sayeed Salahuddin, head of the United Jihad Council, which operates from Pakistan.

Bipan Jindal, managing director of New Apollo Circus, said, "The circus used to be held in Kashmir till the mid-1980s before armed insurgency brought it to a halt," said Jindal, who last staged a circus in Srinagar in 1985.

"Now, 28 years later, we would entertain residents of the terror-hit valley," he said.

In view of the tourist season, Jindal is hopeful that people would come in droves to watch the circus, which would feature rides, magic shows, cultural programmes and other events.

"We have a 150-strong troupe, including Punjabi, Manipuri, Bengali and Russian performers," he said.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has granted permission to the circus and made an assurance of adequate security arrangements. The district police have also given the go-ahead to the troupe.

Jindal's friend and Budgam resident Mohammad Altaf Mir, who would be part of the circus, told HT on the phone, "Valley residents have seen people dying in bomb blasts and encounters. It is great news that the circus would be back in the valley after a long gap," said Altaf.

The circus equipment would be despatched to Srinagar from Ludhiana within two days. The performances would start about 10 days later.

SHRINE CIRCUS--CANADA

Shrine Circus coming to townThe WA WA Shrine Circus is returning to Prince Albert this month for a weekend-long tent show that promises to put the “big” in big top.


The WA WA Shrine Circus features the largest freestanding tent in the world. At 71 feet tall and almost 200 feet across, it can seat up to 3,000 people. This year’s circus will take place from May 24-26 at the South Hill Mall.

from: paherald.sk.ca
Published on May 14, 2013
Matt Gardner
“It’s going to be something like you’ve never ever seen,” provincial circus chairman Stu Larson said.
“This is the biggest actual freestanding tent in the world. It seats 3,000 people. It’s huge … football-field size -- 71 feet high and almost 200 feet across.”
German performing couple Judit and Jurgen Nerger handle a group of tigers during a previous show. This year’s WA WA Shrine Circus in Prince Albert will feature big cats for the first time in 20 years.

photo by Submitted photo
The circus is set to take place at the South Hill Mall from May 24-26. Show times are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at noon, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.


Ringmaster and performance director Richard Curtis will play a leading role at this year’s WA WA Shrine Circus, set to take place from May 24-26 at the South Hill Mall.

photo by Submitted photoWhile the WA WA Shrine promotes and sponsors the event, the circus itself is a creation of the company TZ (Tarzan Zerbini) Productions.
 

Circus artist and animal trainer Erika Zerbini shows off a pair of elephants to her audience at a previous performance.

photo by Submitted photo
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Zerbini circus family and the 59th year the circus has come to P.A. As a result, audiences can look forward to some special treats this year.
“This is the first year in 20 years that we’ve had cats,” Larson said.
“So there’s going to be tigers and lions, and that’s something that hasn’t happened in Canada in many years.”
read more:
http://www.paherald.sk.ca/News/2013-05-14/article-3248123/Shrine-Circus-coming-to-town/1

LETTER: Circus Cares For Animals

from:courant.com

May 14, 2013

from The Hartford, Ct Courant--

Regarding the letter "Ringling Training Techniques" [May 13, http://www.courant.com/letters]: Once again animal rights activists have used the return of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to Hartford as an excuse to disparage the dedicated men and women who spend their lives caring for all the animals with the circus.

Notwithstanding its sarcastic tone, the letter points readers to a website run by an animal rights group which has no firsthand knowledge of how to care for elephants, tigers, or any other animal for that matter. Rather than take what the letter claims at face value, Hartford area families should come and see for themselves what we showcase every single day -- that all of the animals with Ringling Bros. are well cared for, thriving and healthy. And real information on our animal care can be found at http://www.ringling.com.

Stephen Payne,

The writer is a spokesman for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

GREAT MOSCOW CIRCUS

VIDEO: Performer born to be a circus professional

 

from: hillsnews.com.au

By Jessica Aquilina

May 14, 2013,

AT the age of three, Yuriy Abrosimov decided that he wanted to run away with the circus.

"I went to the circus in my town and it was the grand opening of the circus building which in most towns in Russia there are buildings that are dedicated to circus," Abrosimov said.

"When I went with my family to the opening, I came to the stage as a kid and I saw the clowns, and I really liked them.

"I'm not hear my parents, so I go through the stage and everyone is watching me.

"I stand on stage for five minutes and I make people laugh.

"That was my first experience on stage."

Watch our video interview with Abrosimov, filmed by Gene Ramirez, below:

read more:

http://www.hillsnews.com.au/story/1497220/video-performer-born-to-be-a-circus-professional/?cs=1454

 

LuLu Shrine Circus: LuLu Shriners will present seven complete three-ring circus shows outdoors in a 4,000-spectator facility, from Thursday to Sunday.

 

TIGER-WASHROOM

Phuket News: Big cat takes bathroom break from circus
WEIRD WORLD: A woman visiting the bathrooms backstage during a circus show had an unexpected encounter with one of the performers – an escaped tiger.    

Photo: Pat Murrayfrom: thephuketnews.com
Sunday 12 May 2013
Jenna Krehbiel had been watching the big cat show at the Isis Shrine Circus in Salina, Kansas before she stepped away to use the washroom.
When she walked through the door, she came face to face with the massive cat, which had slipped away from the performance and taken refuge in the bathroom.
“I walked in the door, which closed right after I had walked in. I saw the tiger; it was at most two feet in front of me, and I turned around calmly and walked back toward the door. Someone opened the door and said get out,” Ms Kehbiel said.
She estimated the animal weighed more than 200 kiolgrams – but she says she didn’t panic because she’d been trained as a social worker to deal with difficult situations.
The animal was later caught by circus staff, who assured her that it was well-trained and posed no threat. But Ms Krehbiel wasn’t convinced, and she says she’ll probably skip the circus the next time it comes to town: “You don’t expect to go in a bathroom door, have it shut behind you and see a tiger walking toward you.
"I prefer a zoo, where I know they won’t get loose.”

CAMPING AUTO

~~BACK IN THE DAY~~
from retronaut.com
1910  Dumont Camping Vehicle
 

 

 

From performing to painting: life after the circus

from: watoday.com.au

May 11, 2013

Roy Maloy has six world records in circus, but knows he won't be able to do his show forever. He's now trying his hand at painting with his latest body of work currently on show in Melbourne's St Ali cafes.

read more:

http://media.watoday.com.au/news/national-news/from-performing-to-painting-life-after-the-circus-4264187.html

RINGLING GOLD UNIT

May 17-19: Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus

from: commercialappeal.com
May 11, 2013

 

Photo by Brandon Dill

Carol, one of three Asian elephants performing with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, sniffs her surroundings Thursday during a powerwash bath from handler Brett Carden before showtime at Landers Center in Southaven. The circus will be in Southaven through Sunday.
Fun for the whole family. Arrive an hour prior to showtime to meet performers, try on costumes and see animals up close. All access pre-show party free with ticket.

When: 7 p.m. May 17; 11 a.m.. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 18; 1 and 5 p.m. May 19

Where: Landers Center, 4560 Venture Drive in Southaven.

Circus stops in Benton County

from: wlfi.com

05/09/2013



BENTON COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - The Kelly Miller Circus made a stop at Benton Central High School Thursday night. More than 2,000 people came to see the traveling act, featuring all sorts of animals including elephants, zebras and tigers.

The circus travels throughout the country from February through October stopping in various towns and cities.

"We are a traditional one-ring tent circus and what that means is that we have the ability to arrive in a town in the morning," says ringmaster John Moss. "We set up, perform two shows and tear down. We like to be the big event in small towns and we are having a great time."

MASON CITY SHRINE CIRCUS

A memorable day at the circus



JEFF HEINZ/The Globe Gazette
Hayden Burma of Crystal Lake enjoys a ride on a camel before the first performance of the Shrine Circus Saturday at the North Iowa Events Center. After Hyden was finished with the camel ride he said he wanted to "ride the tiger."
from: globegazette.com
By MARY PIEPER
May 11, 2013
MASON CITY — Hayden Burma, 3, of Crystal Lake, went to the circus for the first time Saturday in Mason City.
It was also the first time at the circus for his grandmother, Shirley Burma, also of Crystal Lake.
“I can scratch that off my bucket list now, can’t I?” Shirley said with a smile.
Hayden’s parents, Nick and Patti Burma and his sister, Hannah Hamilton, 15, all of Crystal Lake, also were at the Shrine Circus at the North Iowa Events Center Saturday.
Before the show, the children had the chance to ride ponies, a camel and even an elephant.
Even though Hayden had “never seen anything bigger than a cat or dog before,” as his grandma put it, he
 was up for all of it
.
JEFF HEINZ/The Globe Gazette

Hayden Burma of Crystal Lake enjoys a pony ride prior to the first performance of the Shrine Circus at the North Iowa Events Center on Saturday. With Hayden is his sister, Hannah Hamilton.
“Look at that smile!” Patti said as Hayden rode a pony while his big sister walked alongside him.
He later rode the camel.
“That’s so cute!” Shirley said as she watched him.
“He had his mind up he was going to ride on anything and he’s doing it,” she said.
“He wasn’t scared at all,” Nick said.
Hayden is a fan of the children’s animated TV show “Calliou.”
 

JEFF HEINZ/The Globe Gazette

Kaylynn Krueger of Mason City isn't so sure about the pony rides before the first performance of the Shrine Circus Saturday at the North Iowa Events Center in Mason City.
“Calliou rode a camel one day and so he (Hayden) wanted to ride a camel,” Patti said.
After he was done with the camel ride, Hayden said, “I want to ride the tiger now.”
The rest of the family told him that wouldn’t be such a good idea, and maybe he should ride the elephant instead.
Patti said for her going to the circus is all about “watching the kids, the look on their faces.
“It’s just nice watching them experience something for the first time.”
The Shrine Circus continues today in the All Seasons Building at the North Iowa Events Center.
Performances are at 1 and 5 p.m., with the pre-party that includes animal rides beginning one hour before each show.

Family’s life has been a circus for 250 years (with video)

At age 70, Tarzan Zerbini brings his Royal Canadian Circus to Calgary

By Valerie Fortney, Calgary Herald

May 11, 2013

There aren't too many family owned businesses that successfully pass the company on from generation to generation. Then there is the Zerbini's. This family's life has been a circus for 250 years – that's ten consecutive generations. 70 year old Tarzan Zerbini pitched the family big top on a patch of asphalt in the NE this week. The family patriarch spoke with the Herald's Valerie Fortney about circus life, famous co-workers, animal rights activists and an all too revealing kiss from an elephant.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Family+life+been+circus+years+with+video/8369422/story.html#ixzz2TAAUrpUm

TOM DUFFY'S CIRCUS

Circus bosses hoping show will make return to borough

 

Tom Duffy's Circus.
from: newtownabbeytoday.co.uk
12/05/2013
THE circus might still be coming to town, despite a decision by local councillors turning down a request by Tom Duffy’s Circus for the use of Loughshore Park and Sixmilewater Park.
At their full council meeting on April 29, a majority of members voted against Mr Duffy’s application, with some branding circuses which use animals “cruel” and “archaic”. Some even called for the local authority to introduce a policy banning circuses which use animals from its land permanently - a proposal that will be debated by the council’s Policy and Governance Committee.
However, although the move has forced Duffy’s to cancel its planned shows in Ballyclare and Jordanstown later this month, circus manager Mark McFerran says they will be making a new application in the hope that the council will grant them permission to set up at Loughshore Park in June.
“Obviously we are very disappointed by the council’s decision, but we intend to make a new application and will be contacting councillors individually and be putting our case forward to them,” he told the Times
Mr McFerran said that during Duffy’s last visit to Loughshore a few years ago, more than 5,000 people saw the show over five days - making the Jordanstown park one of its most successful venues. And he appealed to local people who have enjoyed the circus over the years to make their opinions known to their local councillors.
Mr McFerran stressed that people’s views on using animals in circuses is “an ethical issue and not a welfare issue”, adding that the animals used in Duffy’s Circus are well looked after.
“Our animals are fed, watered and groomed numerous times each day while great care is taken to ensure that each individual animal is in top condition. Our animal trainers teach our animals routines that are within their natural ability and showcase their natural beauty; although it may look complicated all our animals do is walk, run, jump and sit up.
“Our animals are great performers, their routines are tailored to each animal’s natural abilities and individual preferences which we observe during their playtime. Reinforced through a system of reward and repetition, these abilities and behaviours are linked together on cue which ultimately becomes the routine that the audience sees,” he commented.
“The USPCA are free to come and inspect our animals whenever they like, and if there is a problem they can take action against us.

“We know the USPCA hierarchy is opposed to circuses with animals in general, but the individual inspectors who’ve come out to us have always found our animals to be in excellent condition, excellent health and have remarked that our animals are in excellent shape.”

Circus owner Tom Duffy added: “I will be very disappointed if we don’t get to visit Newtownabbey this year; my family have been visiting the area for well over 100 years and have always been made to feel more than welcome. During all these years there has never even been an allegation of the abuse of our animals.”
It’s understood that Mr Duffy plans to invite all local councillors to the circus to see for themselves the way the animals are treated and the conditions they are kept in.

RINGLING MUSEUM

Ringling museum honors circus, art

 

Ringling museum of art

The Ca’ d’Zan mansion, completed in 1925, was restored about a decade ago.
from: columbusdispatch.com
By Marla Matzer Rose
May 12, 2013
Walking around the grounds of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Fla., with its palm trees and views of Sarasota Bay, a visitor can easily see what appealed to two Midwesterners when they arrived almost a century ago.
But Iowa native John and his wife, Mable, from Fayette County, Ohio, weren’t just your typical Gulf Coast-loving Midwesterners: The fortune they built as owners of the Ringling Bros. circus led to the eclectic collection of fine art and memorabilia that are at the heart of this hidden gem.
The Ringling is a museum, gardens and opulent 1920s estate rolled into one — a veritable three-ring circus of an attraction where one could easily spend an entire day. There’s no need to be a big fan or to even remember the heyday of the traditional circus to enjoy a visit to the sprawling 13-acre property.
But for those who do remember experiencing the magic of the circus as children, the museum captures an age when the circus coming to town was the highlight of the year.
read more:
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/travel/2013/05/12/1-ringling-museum-honors-circus-art.html

Ringling Bros. Celebrates National Train Day!

 

Published on May 11, 2013

Ringling Bros. celebrates National Train Day on Saturday, May 11th! Did you know that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus mile-long train travels an average of 60,000 miles annually?

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is a 143-year tradition that combines the classics -- extraordinary animal performances, captivating clown escapades and daring high-wire acts -- with contemporary surprises and thrills to make the circus-going experience memorably unique and a family tradition handed down from generation to generation With three independent units, Red, Blue and Gold, Ringling Bros. hosts millions of visitors and travels to more than 90 cities in North America each year.