Monday, August 18, 2008

NAKED CLOWN CALENDAR! ! !


Lookie! Lookie! Lookie!
Visited Peggy Ford at the San Francisco Circus Center and was treated to a 'HOT', off the press, 'SNEAK' peek at the
NAKED CLOWN CALENDAR 2009


A collaboration of students from the Clown Conservatory, produced by Chad Benjamin Potter, aka CBP the clown and his BEAULUX Productions. Chad graciously allowed me to take this pic but my camera phone doesn't do it justice. You simply HAVE to buy the calendar to get the full effect, and many others! OoH La La!!!

100% of the net proceeds benefit the
JUDY FINELLI FUND
Known to many throughout the circus world, Judy Finelli was an
accomplished female juggler and co-founder of CIRCUS CENTER. In 1989,Judy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In spite of the effects of this devastating disease, Judy has remained an inspiration to the students of the Circus Center. The Judy Finelli Fund supports research and advocacy for cures and treatment of MS. It promotes artistic expression through circus arts training and enables those affected by MS to pursue their passions regardless of their limitations. Step right up, buy one, or better, buy two and give someone a
SEXY CLOWN GIFT! Who knows, you just might get lucky. ;)


Sunday, August 17, 2008

San Francisco, Circus City?



LOVE, CHAOS, DINNER
Life has a way of going in circles. I found myself once again in San Francisco, birthplace of my circus adventures. This time, however, there was a very polished, artful show in place at the pier. Teatro ZinZanni is a relative of the Pomp, Duck, and Circumstance show seen years ago in NYC. Presented in a beautiful spiegeltent, worth the price of admission itself, European style cabaret, melodrama, variety show, plus gourmet dinner. What more could you ask for? Oh, and the costumes are to die for. Chef Caesar, played by Frank Ferrante, is a remarkably quick-witted improvisationalist with audience members. I loved the challenge of keeping up to him. Ukrainian contortionist Vita Radionova moved beautifully, not once did I wince although she twisted herself unimaginably, yet seemingly effortlessly. Andrew Adams and Erika Gilfether paired passion and aerial dare devildry into a lovely mixture. Duo Manducas brought things down to earth with their hilarious handbalancing antics and comedic takes. And throughout the show, Les Petits Frères (Gregory Marquet, Mickael Bajazet, Domitil Aillot) bumbled about in character, then left us dumbfounded with their acrobatic finesse.
On a scale of Lynn, it's a GO!






Sunday, August 10, 2008

“It don’t Gitmo better!”

Good friend Carolyn speaks out.
NY Times, no less.
Those that know her aren't surprised.
Art meant to make you think.
For more click the title link.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Chinaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh

"Friends have come from afar, how happy we are." - Confucious

Lucky for me I was close to the border Friday morning. The Mexican TV station broadcast the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies live from start to finish - without one single commercial. Later I watched the NBC version which chopped up the brilliant vision with crass American commercial breaks. Buy, buy, buy, without a thought of the artful story being told, the value of witnessing its historical importance, the beauty as it was meant to be seen as a whole. Nope, NBC has no artistic credibility, only money, money, money. What was I thinking?

The numbers alone are mind numbing:
  • 15,000 performers
  • 15,000 costumes
  • 22,000 people took part in the gala
  • 43,000 fireworks lit
  • 91,000 in the audience
  • 1/4 mile LED scrim around the top of the stadium
  • 2,008 tai chi masters
  • 2,008 Fou band members
  • 2,008 Musicians
  • 224 Chorus members dressed in 56 traditional Chinese ethnic costumes
  • 201 member Military Band
  • 56 children representing each of the 56 Chinese ethnic groups
  • 29 colossal burning footprints
  • 20 graceful fairies
  • 8 flag bearers
  • 3 taikonauts
  • 8 months training for the harness work on the globe
  • 100 times more difficult than making a movie according to Zhang
  • Security force of 100,000
  • US Olympic team 600
  • Chinese Olympic team 639
  • 90 degrees
  • 62% humidity
  • Less than 180 million U.S. dollars to produce according to Zhang
  • Millions of eyes watching
The vision of director, Zhang Yimou, whose films were once banned in China, is a beautiful, artistically moving testament to the power of chi.

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- "I regret many things, many details of this performance, many things that I could have done better," said Zhang Yimou, director of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, at a press conference here on Saturday.

After planning and carrying out a spectacular event that reflected the ancient and modern images of China to the world, Zhang remained humble and reflective.

"For example, there are performers who were injured. I blame myself for that. It might well have been avoided if I had given more detailed instructions," he said.

"We had many difficulties. I do not like complaining, but sometimes there are obstacles you can not overcome, that you and your team have to face," he said. "What everyone cares about is the final result. We all know this, so we don't explain."





Sharply contrasting the elegance and mirror-perfect choreography, the entrance of the athletes carrying cameras and cellphones was a bit jolting, but their excitement and exuberance was nearly palpable through the TV screen.

Better we compete through artistic imagery and playing games than weaponry IMHO.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Sean Emery proves Circus Hurts


We toured the US with GSOE refining our circus chops. He married my bff Megan and they moved to NYC. Sean has expanded his hilarious comedy variety routine, traveled the world, works hard and plays harder at his home base of Minneapolis, MN. His self deprecating humor, absurd observations and mad skills make me weak with laughter. Like Robin Williams and Jim Carrey crashing headlong into the circus. Check out this vid as he attempts to upgrade his unicycle prowess. As if it could get any better. Warning: You could die laughing, or cry wincing.
There's great juggling bits in the title link page as well. Dude! You so lighten my spirits. Thanks!

Sean's Unicycle Course

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Circo Atayde in LA

Presented in the former Big Apple Circus tent, this Mexican circus is hovering around LA and playing empty lots. It recently acquired the Atayde name. I caught an 8:30, well 9:00pm show by the time it started. The house was barely half full, but the audience was 100% involved. I give this show the award for most creative use of holographic sequin material and fancy costumes on dancing girls. Huge feather headdresses, high heels and fishnet stockings. WHoo Hoo!!! Handsome fit Latin men. Oh, yeah!!! The clowns did the most "butt-touching" dead or alive gag I've ever seen and had the kids in the audience screaming for more. The acts were classic circus. Aerial butterfly, 3-man Chinese pole, flying act, foot juggling, dog act, chair balancing, high wire, phenomenal juggler, wheel act, handbalancing, and pony pictures at intermission. A couple of staged production numbers were thrown in for good measure. As you can tell by the pics, it was nonstop motion. A great time was had by all. Catch it if you can find it for some good old fashioned circus fun.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Stealthephants














Shadowy, silently, foot pads scuffling head to tail down the emptied city streets and highway. Surrounded and protected by motorcycle cops and squad cars, roped off by human escorts and accompanied by those that live with them and love them. We're here, we're interrupting the daily routine. Taking some by surprise as they pass by. What the ?!?!? Elephants are passing by. Stop everything. Call a friend, bring the kids. They're not here but once a year. Hold your horses and wonder. How is it that these giant, gentle creatures still exist? Feel the majesty and grace they bring with. In another time and place Buddha's tooth would be carried on their back. They would be honored by and for this. The politics of elephants has gotten very thick. Like magnets humans are drawn to their presence, their history, their psychic depths. Together they accommodate our wonderings. Huge, silently, with great presence they acquiesce. Nice night for meandering down darkened city streets.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Webisode #1

Two of my favorite circus contemporaries, the multi-talented Keith and Stephanie, have co-created a safe circus space for many artists to perform acts that aren't your normal sanitized circus fare. Creative, encouraging, uplifting and self-supporting, The Bindlestiffs are true circus family. Enjoy the first of many episodes and watch for the cirkus coming your way.

Got it!