SUMMER'S IN FULL SWING AND THE WEATHER'S HOT, but not as hot as the American circus as it travels and performs from coast to coast. In spite of nature, accidents and nasty self-righteous animal rights activists, the circus continues to capture the spirit and imagination of the American public.
The circus's oldest nemesis took a bold swing at the Peru Amateur Circus when fire ravaged the Grant Home Furnishings store in downtown Peru, Indiana in mid-May. It seems that the Peru Circus Center Arena shares a common wall with the furniture chain, which was completely destroyed by the blaze. Four fire trucks, two ladder trucks and more than 40 fire fighters battled the flames which at times rose 100 feet in the air. The common wall must be repaired, as well as various electrical and lighting systems in the circus center.
Several "irreplaceable" circus banners were destroyed in the fire, and there was extensive smoke damage to circus artifacts. But in true circus fashion, the good folks of Peru pitched in to help clean up the mess, and Peru Circus Festival board member Alan Day promised that the Peru Amateur Circus would perform as scheduled July 11-19. If the center is unable to host the show, the Hall of Fame has offered its tent for performances, and the community schools have offered their athletic fields as a site for the annual show.
Circus World Museum's annual summer schedule of circus performances kicked off in fine style on May 15 with classic circus animals, risley, acrobatics and juggling performances. The kick-off weekend featured a host of circus-related festivities, including a circus banquet and a 200-booth craft fair in downtown Baraboo. CWM was also pleased with the success of its animal "Circus of Chefs" fund-raising gala held on June 29. Exec Director Steve Freese expected that year's efforts would exceed the 2007 record of $153,000.
Various youth circuses are holding their annual camps and performances this summer for young circus hopefuls. San Diego's Fern Street Circus completed its 10-day engagement on May 25 in Balboa Park with a tongue-in-cheek production entitled "The Mayor's Feelin' Good Campaign." Also in San Diego, the Sophia Isadora Academy of Circus Arts, founded in 2005 by two Fern Street veterans, is up and running with its summer camp for small kids called "Circus For Little Ones."
Additionally, the nation's longest-running community youth circus, the Great Y Circus of the Redlands, California YMCA, gave its 68th performance season with "Circus Through the Ages." Approximately 275 youngsters were involved in the training and performances, some as young as three years old. Kudos to all the hard-working circus artists and teachers who help pass on the heritage and skills of the American circus. If you would like to get more involved in teaching circus skills and appreciation to youngsters, the Circus Day Foundation of St. Louis is looking for instructors. For more info, send Director Jessica Hentoff an e-mail circusday@everydaycircus.net.
The teenaged performers of the Guanhua Acrobatic Troupe from China became stranded in Dallas, Texas earlier this summer when a shameless promoter reneged on a contract and left the troupe stranded at a homeless shelter. Word of their troubles quickly spread, and help came from Texan animal trainer Doug Terranova who took the performers to his home where he housed and fed them until work could be found. With a few days, however, the group (renamed Circus China) performed at the Texas Amphitheatre in Glen Rose, followed by a guest appearance in the Ft. Worth Opera's production of Turandot, to which they received a standing ovation. I guess it's just hard to beat those big-hearted Texans when it comes to hospitality.
Former Ringling clowns and parents Jim and Brenda Graham were the dubious stars of MTV's "I Have Embarrassing Parents 2" which aired nationally on May 15, 16 and 17. The show was videotaped from the perspective of their children Holly, Millie and Candy, who as teenagers felt embarrassed that their parents were a couple of clowns. Let me tell you kids, more children should be as lucky as you to have circus clowns for parents. Great show, Grahams!
The newly formed Federation Mondiale du Cirque (that's the World Circus Federation for all us non-French-speaking folks), under the patronage of S.A.S. Princess Stephanie of Monaco, extended its logo competition a month until July 1. The winning entry will be announced in the near future. The WCF is the only worldwide organization in support of the circus arts and community, and the OABA is a founding member.
A filmmaker from Virginia named Jamie Sisley is researching a film about traveling shows, including circuses and carnivals. He wants to focus his attention on the H-2B visa controversy, which by the way still waits in limbo in the U.S. House of Representatives. If you want to add your two cents about the need for H-2B workers in the traveling show business, give Jamie a call at 571.213.8273. Unfortunately, it looks like he will finish his project before our elected representatives finish their job of getting the H-2B visa situation back on track.
More news from the animal rights front in Massachusetts. State Senator Robert Hedlund introduced Amendment 305 into the state budget debate that would enact the language of his previous bill to ban the use of legitimate elephant training tools in the state. And, once again, the ardent circus fans under the leadership of CFAer Gary Payne and Feld's Mary Lou Kelly, rallied with a letter and e-mail campaign in opposition to the amendment. Within three days Senator Redlund withdrew his amendment from further consideration in the budget debate thanks to the quick reaction of circus supporters in the Northeast.
The ASPCA, the Animal Welfare Institute, the Fund for Animals and the Animal Protection Institute are keeping up the pressure of their collective lawsuit filed against Feld Entertainment in 2000. This time it is in the form of a request for an injunction against Ringling's tethering of its elephants. The request is allegedly based on what the animal rights coalition claims is hard evidence of excessive tethering. At the time of this printing, there was no indication of the judge's ruling, and a trial date has not been set. Stay tuned for further details.
And speaking of elephants, the 2008 Elephant Managers Association will hold its annual conference at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation near Orlando in the fall. Great choice EMA!
