THE BALLOON MAN

2012-02-12T10:58:00.000-05:00

2012 Florida State Fair highlights - rides, foods, animals, crafts,

Uploaded by AttractionsMagazine on Feb 11, 2012
A quick look at some of the highlights of the 2012 Florida State Fair, held at the state fairgrounds on I-4 just west of the the I-95 interchange. The fair has many blue ribbon competitions, but with a dash of uniqueness to Florida. This video emphasizes the thrill rides, but the midway is filled with attractions for all ages.
Video recorded and edited by Don Gworek.

2012-02-12T10:21:00.004-05:00

WICHITA SHRINE CIRCUS FOTOS
PART I

Pete Sturgis, Ringmaster, Opens the show

EGGROLL?????????
(correction: it's Larry Clark)

Thanks Bill Prickett

LAURA HERRIOTT'S DOGGIES

2012-02-12T10:12:00.001-05:00

WICHITA SHRINE CIRCUS FOTOS

PART II

2012-02-12T10:04:00.002-05:00

Midian Shrine Circus: Fun For Kids Of All Ages

Midian Shrine Circus at Hartman Arena

Casey Siebels, Fetchtoto.com Editor(WICHITA, Kansas)

February 10, 2012

The Midian Shrine Circus performed at the Hartman Arena with 8 performances packed full of action and entertainment.
The circus line-up included clowns, unicyclists, trapeze acts, motorcycles, magic shows, acrobatics, and trained animals.
Tigers jumped through burning rings of fire, elephants stood on balancing balls, and dogs performed daring stunts.
During intermission, children were allowed to come down to the stage where they had an opportunity to ride elephants, ponies, and even a camel.
Other fun activities included taking photos with clowns, face painters, blow-up slides and games.

2012-02-12T09:40:00.001-05:00

Be the Star of the Show at the Circus Zirkus

Colin Giles -- Future Ring Master

From: chicagonow.com

By Caitlin Giles

Feb 11, 2012

At the Chicago Children's Museum's newest exhibit Circus Zirkus, your kids don't just get to see a circus -- they can actually perform in the circus. At this one-of-a-kind exhibit, kids get a hands-on, interactive take on what it would be like to be a real circus performer.
In the backstage area, aspiring circus performers can practice tumbling, juggling and balancing skills, create a circus poster, swing on the Flying Trapeze or take a twirl on the Spinning Hoop. Whew! The equally bustling performance area features Tricky Plates, Twirling Balls plus the opportunity to don costumes and entertain the crowd as a wacky clown. Or skip the main stage and sell hot dogs and ice cream, staff the ticket booth and cheer from the bleachers. This space is overflowing with super cool props (including my favorite -- fake 500 pound dumbbells so you can be the world's "strongest" man) and apparel for hours of imaginative play.
I visited this exhibit with my three year-old son last week and we both had a blast. I was most impressed by two things. First, this is really a one-of-a-kind exhibit. So many of the cool props and activities were custom-made specifically for this experience. And the things that aren't custom-made come from vendors who supply actual circus performers. This stuff is the real deal. I was also impressed with the ways that the creators of the exhibit drew from real, local circus performing groups as their inspiration.
Second, this exhibit really appeals to all ages. My three year-old was way too timid to give the Flying Trapeze a try, but he loved walking the "tight rope" that was a whopping three inches off of the ground and pushing the ice cream cart around hawking treats to anyone who would listen. Older kids were having a blast with the more physically challenging parts of the exhibit. I even saw a dad wait in line for a turn t the Spinning Hoop (and I thought to myself, "Dude, what are you doing?"). Anyway, my point is that the exhibit has something for circus enthusiasts of all ages.
Circus Zirkus: Where you are the star of the show is free with museum admission. The exhibit runs through August 12th so you've got plenty o' time to check it out -- but definitely put it on your "to do" list.

2012-02-12T09:32:00.002-05:00

CIRCUS SARASOTA
from: Sarasota Patch
Sights and sounds from Bello Mania at Circus Sarasota

Credit Chris Hidalgo

Feb 12, 2012

2012-02-12T09:28:00.000-05:00

Howard Tibbals in the Big Top of The Howard Bros. Circus Model on display at the Ringling MuseumCredit John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

2012-02-12T09:18:00.002-05:00

Romance at the rodeo? No, really.

Newlyweds Julie and Rodney Meyer share a kiss in the Wine Garden at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 9.Photo: Robin Jerstad

By Jennifer Hiller

From: mysanantonio.com

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Ah, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, where romance blooms amid the sweet smell of thousands of animals and under the bright lights of signs advertising “Giant Turkey Legs.”
No, really.
Sure, carnival rides, noisy distractions and educational attractions abound for kids, but the Stock Show & Rodeo also has plenty to offer couples on a date or those looking for love.

Sam and Heather Graves enjoy a romantic moment while attending the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 9. Photo: Robin Jerstad

For the second year, the Wine Garden offers visitors the chance to sample and purchase 53 Texas and domestic wines. There's a burbling fountain, outdoor space heaters, lots of landscaping and wrought-iron cafe tables and benches where patrons can enjoy wine and bistro snacks such as cheese, fruit and deli meats.
“It's a nice little venue to relax,” said volunteer and wine enthusiast Dinah Covert. “You know how when you're in Napa and you just want to relax and have some cheese and wine? That's what we're going for here.”
Tasting samples start as low as $1 and glasses of wine cost $3 to $14. The acrylic wine glasses — safe to have around animals — are welcome almost everywhere throughout the grounds. So you can, as Covert said, “Take your glass of chardonnay and go look at the pigs.”
After each rodeo, some of the biggest acts in music perform — an obvious date-night choice.

But Dale and Holly Schlundt said they usually skip the shows and enjoy seeing the livestock and horses instead. Dale Schlundt grew up showing goats, sheep and turkeys, and admits that the awe of animal-admiring is more his thing that his wife's, whom he describes as a “city girl.”
“This is my treat,” he said.
But the couple plans to return for Valentine's Day — Holly Schlundt's suggestion.
“I do like shopping,” she said.

Chloe Hamm rides piggyback on Jacob Daily while attending the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 9.Photo: Robin Jerstad

Guys looking for ways to please their better half would be wise to let her wander — without complaint — through booth after booth of shopping, advised Sharron Arnold, the Stock Show & Rodeo's marketing coordinator.
“Women love to shop,” she said.
Alternatively, those wanting to impress their date with feats of strength can head to the Army Interactive Zone and do some pushups and pull-ups.
And there's no reason couples can't enjoy the activities and attractions geared toward kids.
Roxanne Huron and husband Austin Jimenez happily wandered the grounds Friday afternoon holding hands, planning to do just that.
“We came here for the petting zoo,” Huron said..

2012-02-11T13:00:00.001-05:00

KEN "TURTLE" BENSON

ROBERTS BROS CIRCUS

1996 SEASON

"GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN"

FROM CASEY GIBBS

2012-02-11T12:59:00.000-05:00

ÉTOILES DU CIRQUE DE PEKIN - JONGLAGE BOLS SUR

2012-02-11T12:53:00.000-05:00

Rain could dampen state fair plans tonight
from: tampabayonline.com
February 10, 2012

Goat just wants some fair food
An adventurous goat interrupts News Channel 8 reporter Chip Osowski's live shot on the opening day of the Florida State Fair.

2012-02-11T12:48:00.002-05:00

A look at the man behind the ringmaster

Jason Gibson has been circus production manager for 15 years. / FELD ENTERTAINMENT IMAGE

Written by Josh Davis For Go! Magazine

Feb. 9, 2012

SALISBURY,MD -- Plenty of kids have dreamed of running off with the circus.
It's a fantasy world -- something perfectly within the wheelhouse of an imaginative child. Beyond that, however, there's a certain amount of magic involved in a circus show that often finds a way to transform adults into the wide-eyed optimists they were as small children.
For Production Manager Jason Gibson, that magic is an enormous part of his everyday life.
"I just love it," he said. "We get to meet new people every day, and whether I'm wearing my Ringling Bros. shirt or my Ringling Bros. jacket, people always come up to me and say, 'Oh! You work for Ringling Bros.!' and then they want to ask a million questions. It's definitely not a 9-to-5 job, and it's just so amazing; we're just ordinary people, but we have an extraordinary job. My friends and my old army buddies just shake their heads and say, 'I cannot believe you get to do this!' "
Although many people in Salisbury enjoyed Ringling's stop in town in 2011, Gibson promises an entirely new experience this year.
"This is a different show than what you saw last year in Salisbury," he said. "Barnum Bash is all about the party; It's a big party and it's a lot of energy and a lot of fun. From the second you walk through the door at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, the party music is going on, and the pre-show -- this is how we roll."
Salisbury audiences will also have the privilege of seeing one of the very first stops on the tour.read more:http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20120209/ENTERTAINMENT12/202090355/A-look-man-behind-ringmaster?odyssey=nav%7Chead

2012-02-11T12:44:00.002-05:00

Kelly Miller Circus comes to Port Isabel

Delayna catches a ride on Lisa, one of Kelly Miller's performing elephants. (Courtesy photo)Special to the Parade

from: portisabelsouthpadre.com

Feb. 10, 2012

The Kelly Miller Bros. Circus, founded during the Great Depression, is marking another milestone this year as it celebrates its 74th anniversary.
The public is invited to step back in time as the Kelly Miller Bros. Circus brings the history and tradition of the old fashioned circus to Port Isabel on Monday, Feb. 13 thanks to the sponsorship of the Museums of Port Isabel. Performances will be at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Laguna Madre Park. The tent raising will begin at 9 a.m.
Advance and General Admission Tickets for the performances are $12 and can be purchased at Port Isabel City Hall, Museums of Port Isabel, Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, South Padre Chamber of Commerce, and the Port Isabel Library.
General admission ticket prices on circus day are $16 at the Circus Box Office.
The circus was founded in 1938 by Obert Miller and his sons, Kelly and Dores; this traditional tented circus has the passing of the millennium and still offers the same great family entertainment it presented in its humble beginnings.
While the show in 1938 was little more than the Miller family, some ponies and a couple of monkeys, they still move about the country – as they do today – in trucks and went through the same routine each day of setting up and giving performances in a new town.
The 2012 season will feature elephants, horses, llamas, camels, clowns, and a host of international circus stars, but each morning the public gets an all-together different kind of show as the circus lot comes to life.
Circus trucks pull onto the lot in the early morning hours, animals are unloaded, stakes are driven and elephants lift the giant big top into the air. Best of all, the public is welcomed to watch this entire spectacle free of charge.
In fact, after the first of the four massive main poles that support the big top are set in place, the public is invited to step into the tent and see men and beasts complete their work. A knowledgeable circus veteran will be on hand to explain the action and answer questions about circus life.
This season, the Kelly Miller Bros. Circus will travel nearly 10,000 miles and give performances in over 200 cities and towns across North America from March through October.

2012-02-11T12:43:00.000-05:00

Jasters - LANCEUR DE COUTEAUX - LE PLUS GRAND CABARET DU

2012-02-11T12:38:00.001-05:00

New Providence twins capture top photography prize in Monaco

Jason and Justin Senft's photo of a circus elephant deftly grasping a baby bottle in her trunk to feed a performer's baby was awarded "Best of Show" by H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco and exhibited at the 36th Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo.

By Independent Press Independent Press
From: nj.com/independentpress
Published: Friday, February 10, 2012,
MONTE-CARLO, Monaco — A charming and perfectly executed photograph of a circus elephant feeding a clown’s baby taken by Jason and Justin Senft, New Providence artists and identical twins, is the “best of show” winner in the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque’s 2011 photography contest. The winning image portraying the “Children and the Circus” contest theme was selected by Federation Honorary President H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco from a dozen finalists selected by an international panel of judges and will be exhibited during the 36th Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo (Jan. 19-29) and featured on the cover of the Federation’s 2012 wall calendar. The award also includes hotel accommodations and tickets to competition shows at the Festival.
Defying the famous show business saying, “Never work with children or animals”, artists Jason and Justin Senft dreamed up the fanciful concept of a circus elephant deftly grasping a baby bottle in its trunk to feed a circus performer’s baby. After several weeks on the road with John Ringling North II’s Kelly Miller Circus and working closely with elephant trainer Armando Loyal, Becky the elephant, circus clown Ryan Combs, and his six-month-old son Nicolas, Messrs. Senft finally realized their vision and captured a magical moment at the circus. The Senfts were also among the winners of the 2010 photography contest with another “Norman Rockwell-esque” circus image.
“We are inspired by the rich visual history of the circus, in particular, the traditional circus, under a canvas Big Top,” say the Senfts, “and we hope to capture and convey the beauty and excitement that happens when the circus comes to town.” The Senft’s dedication and passion for their art has them going to great lengths to get the perfect image. Often experiencing the same conditions as the performers, they have traveled hundreds of miles and endured sweltering and frigid temperatures, torrential rains and muddy lots – just another day at the circus. “It would be a thrill,” say the Senfts, “to obtain a grant so we could spend more time documenting the unique art form and lifestyle of traditional traveling circuses which are gradually disappearing within the United States and Europe.”
Jason and Justin Senft have been collaborators all their lives and defy categorization by skillfully working in many disciplines such as sculpture, painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, video/animation, computer graphics, theatre arts, as well as the art of magic and illusion. The Senfts’ work has received many awards and honors and has been exhibited in museums, galleries, private collections, and featured in print and on television. Jason and Justin Senft graduated with honors from Syracuse University’s College of Visual & Performing Arts, earning Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Communications Design.
Participating in this year’s contest were amateur and professional photographers from 26 countries: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, France, Germany, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
The 2011 international jury comprised circus historians Greg Parkinson (USA), Antonio Giarola (Italy), Arthur Hofmeester (The Netherlands), Mark St. Leon (Australia), Julio Revolledo Cárdenas (Mexico), and Charles Ricketts (South Africa).

2012-02-11T12:32:00.002-05:00

Kenny & The Kids Three rings, countless thrills

from: courier-journal.com

Written byKen Neuhauser

Feb. 9, 2012

Tigers, clowns, aerialists, the “wheel of thrills” and Fabio’s Extreme Motorcycle Riders, plus ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages.
You know what’s coming to town. In fact, it’s already here.The circus, of course. The Kosair Shrine Circus, which opened last night at the Kentucky Exposition Center, has remaining performances at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today; and 10 a.m., 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Broadbent Arena. The doors will open one hour prior to each show.Elephant and pony rides will be available for a fee before each performance and during intermission.Marvel action hero Captain America will greet fans 30 minutes before each performance and during intermission. Be sure to bring your camera.The three-ring circus is produced by George Carden Circus International. Carden is a fifth-generation showman and has been in the circus business all of his life.Carden’s son Larry is the show’s elephant trainer. His parade of powerful pachyderms performs picturesque pyramids with flair and precision.Broadway Bo, an Asian elephant considered one of the most entertaining acts in the circus world, is part of Carden’s act.Bo, who has mastered more than 60 maneuvers, can skip, dance like a ballerina, and play drums, harmonica and trumpet.In addition to clowns, jugglers, Raffo’s Tigers, motocross, Caroline Williams’ Liberty Horses, acrobats, high-wire artists and captivating canines, there are all sorts of specialty acts, including David Smith the Human Cannonball and third-generation hair-hanger Andrea Ayala Raffo.Tickets for reserved seats are $18, $22 and $25. They are available at the expo box office and through TicketMaster. Call (800) 745-3000. For more information, visit http://www.kosaircircus.com/.

2012-02-11T12:31:00.000-05:00

WBCA Carnival Ride Malfunctions
By KGNS News, Laredo, Texas
Feb 10, 2012

2012-02-11T12:29:00.000-05:00

WBCA 2012: 2/6/12 Carnival Time!
By KGNS News
Feb 6, 2012

2012-02-11T12:28:00.000-05:00

Cirque Voltaire presented by The MAD TATTERS

Uploaded by drBzurk on Jul 21, 2011
This is the first Surreal Circus event by the MAD TATTERS (www.madtatters.com)

2012-02-11T12:21:00.001-05:00

Mad Tatters brings its surreal circus to town Saturday

CIRQUE VOLTAIRE is a Denver based Circus/Sideshow of Art, Performers and Musicians.

by Erin K. Barnes

February 10, 2012
Mad Tatters—Brandan Styles and Ellie Rusinova, who perform as Dr. B. Zurk and Madame Madness—is an art duo that travels around Colorado (and beyond) in a wagon hearse. Styles and Rusinova have filled the hearse with a phantasmagorical collection of paintings, clothing, collages, and what they call “Victorian oddities” that draw from “odd, grotesque, old fashioned, Russian, and old English aesthetics.” One outlet for that aesthetic is their Cirque Voltaire, a wild night of burlesque, freak show performers, cabaret, snake charming, xylophone juggling, topless aerial dancing, music, antelopes, and drilling nails into noses. (If they haven’t met Ukulele Loki yet, it needs to happen.)The next Cirque Voltaire performance isn't until April, but you don't have to wait to taste the madness. Their newest exhibition, Circus: Suspended Release, takes it one giant trapeze swing further. “Both Brandan and I have been working on new directions in our art,” Rusinova explains. “And we are very excited to finally get to show it to people.”
Suspension is a theme that runs throughout the exhibit, as the circus arts throw the viewers into unfamiliar and sometimes frightening territory in order to question their own reality. As they describe it in event's description: “Suspended Release is the moment when we decide to take that leap of faith and cut the cords, allowing ourselves to be released from our current state of being.” That means a surreal multimedia showcase of sculpture, paintings, and puppets, plus food, wine, and an acoustic set by the experimental classical/folk band The Tanukis. It all happens starting at 7 p.m. February 11 at Leon Gallery. For more information, visit the gallery's Facebook page.

2012-02-10T13:30:00.000-05:00

Florida State Fair 2012 opens in Tampa with food and fun
Feb 9, 2012

2012-02-10T08:14:00.001-05:00

1933 CAMDEN, NJ COURIER

2012-02-10T08:10:00.000-05:00

2012-02-10T08:09:00.000-05:00

Man on trapeze hanging from helicopter is circus stunt

Published on Feb 9, 2012 by ABCActionNews

In a video that has gone viral on the internet, a man does stunts from a trapeze that is hanging from a helicopter. the man is a professional circus performer.

2012-02-10T08:02:00.001-05:00

Greece bans animal circuses

Greece bans animals at circuses.

by: Sydney Azari

from: bikyamasr,com

10 February 2012

Following pressure from Animal Defense International (ADI) and Greek Animal Welfare Fund (GAWF), Greece has implemented a law banning all animals from being used in circuses and similar businesses. Greece is the first European country to ban all animals from circus and circus like performances, though Austria has banned all wild animals from these acts.
The inceptive aspect of the ban was ADI’s 1998 global release of “The Ugliest Show on Earth”, a report and video that cataloged the systematic cruelty found in circuses. Its release led to the first national bans pertaining to circus animals as well as bans in cities such as Thessaloniki, Greece. ADI went on to investigate Greek circuses and eventually teamed up with Greek Animal Welfare Fund to make the abolition of animal circuses a national campaign. Co funded by GAWF, ADI developed and financed a Greek “Stop Circus Suffering” package with a DVD and literature detailing the cruelty against circus animals. The included video, viewable on Youtube, exposes animals chained and confined to barren cages as well as trainers whipping, prodding, kicking, punching, and beating animals with pipes and baseball bats.
“One of the great circus myths is that these animals are trained by kindness and reward. But training takes place in secret. ADI has taken hidden video cameras into these training sessions and revealed animals being beaten, kicked, spat on, punched, and even having rocks hurled at them. Again and again, circus animals are shown that if they disobey the trainer, they will be punished. Even huge, powerful animals can be beaten into submission. For circus animals their world is one of confinement and frustration punctuated by violence. Even if animals are sick or injured, the show must go on and the circus keeps moving.” Vice President of Animal Defense International, Tim Phillips, told Bikyamasr.com.
ADI and GAWF contacted animal protection groups across Greece asking for their support of the campaign. Over 50 groups allied with the cause even before its official 2006 launch. The campaign included press conferences and screenings of the campaign’s DVD in Crete, Thessaloniki, Athens and Halkidiki. The campaign led to bans in Kalamata, Serres, and Malia and by 2010 the government announced its consideration of a ban on animal circuses.
“Globally, the Greek ban is of great significance,” Phillips told Bikyamasr.com, “because there is such a wave of feeling against the animals in circuses around the world – it seems there is almost universal revulsion amongst the public, wherever you are in the world, to confining, depriving and abusing animals simply for amusement.”
Bolivia was the first country to ban all animals from circus performances. In February 2011 ADI and Bolivia authorities shut down and rescued every animal from Bolivian circuses defying the law. Countries such as Austria, Singapore, Costa Rica, Israel, Sweden, and Peru have made similar bans on animal circuses.
Many animal rights activists are hopeful Greece’s new law will put pressure on neighboring countries to follow suit. It has been reported that Germany and the UK are moving toward similar bans.