Paul Binder

Paul Binder is the founder of the Big Apple Circus. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he graduated from Dartmouth College and earned an M.B.A. at Columbia University. Binder worked at WGBH-TV in Boston (stage-managing for Julia Child’s The French Chef) and as a talent coordinator for Merv Griffin, before heading West and learning juggling with the San Francisco Mime Troupe—where Binder met Michael Christensen. Together, Binder and Christensen traveled through Europe and earned their living by juggling on street corners. Their act landed them on the legendary stage of the Casino de Paris, on French television and, eventually, in the ring of Annie Fratellini’s Nouveau Cirque de Paris. Binder returned to New York with a dream—to create an American circus with the same dedication to theatrical excellence and artistic intimacy that he and Christensen had experienced in Europe. He found the people who would share his dream and implement his vision and, in 1977, the Big Apple Circus was born. Founder, Founding Artistic Director of the Big Apple Circus, and a gifted performer, Paul Binder was recently honored by ABC-TV World News with Charles Gibson as "Person of the Week". In July of 2009 Mr. Binder "stepped out of the ring" but continues to work with the Big Apple Circus as a senior advisor. He is currently in demand as a guest speaker, having spoken and led seminars at Dartmouth College, Harvard University, University of Virginia and Barnard College. Paul has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Fine Arts from his alma mater, Dartmouth, Pratt Institute, and Rhode Island College, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Long Island University. In 2001 he was given the honor of "NYC Living Landmark," by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. He is the proud father of Katherine, Max, Adam and Anais.

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Paris Festival # 1 (more to come)

Jan 312014

I’m back home in New York after a fantastic week-long trip to Paris to the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain. We call it the “Paris Circus Festival.” It’s officially the “World Festival of the Circus of Tomorrow.” It was hosted by the Cirque Phénix in their enormous 6,000-seat venue.

the advertisement poster for this year’s festival

Why “circus of tomorrow”? It’s a festival for performers age 25 and under.

This was the 35th year of the festival, and I still find the entire experience exhilarating. The performers are the newest up-and-comers to the circus from around the world, from countries as far and wide as Venezuela, Brazil, and China. And these solo acts, duos, and troupes are incredible! Circus owners, directors, and agents are on the lookout to discover the next great circus acts, and the level of talent and fresh innovation is often astonishing. All different kinds of circus acts are represented, from tight wire to juggling to trapeze to speciality acts. And because the festival features relatively unknown performers exclusively, the original, imaginative acts that these performers come up with help to constantly reinvent and expand the contemporary circus. The festival truly does showcase the circus of tomorrow.

Aime Morales in action
Photo by Photo CLaza

The Jury, comprised of past medal winners and circus directors, judges each act in three categories: technical virtuosity, artistic presentation, and audience contact. Prizes –gold, silver, and bronze medals– are awarded … plus several more jury prizes.

I want to share with you several of my favorite acts from the Paris Festival.

One of the gold medalists of the festival, and a spectacular performer, was Aime Morales from Venezuela and his Cyr Wheel act, named of course for Daniel Cyr who is a feature act of the Big Apple Circus this year. Aime is masterful in his use of the Cyr wheel, but his performance doesn’t rely only upon his circus skill. He brilliantly blurs the lines between circus artistry and theatrical performance, infusing his routine with playful clowning and artful mime work. Lovely. There are several clips of Aime available on YouTube, and I highly recommend watching them.

Aime Morales and his Cyr Wheel
Photo by Ecole Supérieure des Arts du Cirque

Another wonderful performance was delivered by Avital and Jochen Pöschko. Avital and Jochen performed together on the swinging double trapeze at the Paris Festival, but Avital also frequently performs an aerial straps routine and Jöchen originally trained as a juggler. The Pöschkos were awarded a silver medal, and it was well deserved!

Avital and Jochen
Photos from their website

And just for fun, here is a little photographic gem from the week. The four women pictured here all won Gold Medals at the Paris Festival in previous years on trapeze. From left to right, the lovely ladies are Aurelia Kats (France), Uuve Janssen (Sweden), Darya Vintilova (Ukraine), and Elena Panova (Russia-US). And the guy with the silly grin? Well, that’s me of course.

some wonderful trapeze artists (and yours truly)

In my next blog post, I’ll talk to you about some other wonderful acts that I saw at the festival. See you soon!

The Circus Ring of Fame … What a Day!

Jan 272014

Wagon Wheel Plaque I want to share with you the exciting happenings of this past weekend. Last week I shared with you some information about the Circus Ring of Fame at St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, Florida.

Well, this past Sunday I had the extraordinary honor of being inducted into the Ring of Fame. Now a plaque in my honor has been added to the other 114 that circle the park. But the event was even better than I had anticipated. Not only was it a huge honor to be recognized for this award, but I also got to see old circus friends and colleagues (and a couple of college classmates) who came out for the event. It’s the circus performers and staff who truly make the circus the great American tradition that it is, and I’m sincerely humbled to be recognized alongside all the famous names on those plaques. Sharing the honor this past week were Pinito del Oro, Ian Garden, and the Theron family. We are all sharing the park with Cecille B. Demille, John Ringling, Gunther Gebel-Williams, P.T. Barnum and James A. Bailey, Emmet Kelly, and Lou and Dolly Jacobs … among many others.

Accepting the Ring of Fame Award Unveiling the Plaques

Celebrating with Family and the Clowns

Celebrating with me were my daughter Katherine, her husband Sasha, and my grandchildren Leo and Sonya. Little Sonya celebrated a birthday this past month, so it was nice that grandpa could make it down to Florida to celebrate. Representing the Big Apple Circus were Tom and Yvonne Larson, the General Manager and Box Office Treasurer. And a huge thank you to Tom for taking photographs of the event, which I now get to share with all of you. Also with me was my sweetheart Shelley Doctors. And, of course, those wonderfully funny clowns Barry “Grandma” Lubin and Bello Nock who introduced me at the awards ceremony. It was difficult to make a thank you speech after those two spoke … sort of like the guy who followed Lincoln at Gettysburg ….

This post is coming to you from Paris, France where I’m at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain. And more on that in my next few blogs.

The Circus Ring of Fame

Jan 142014

Barry Lubin’s Wagon Wheel Plaque in the Circus Ring of Fame

On Sunday, January 19, I’ll have the honor of being inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame at St Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, Florida. Just as the Hollywood Walk of Fame honors Hollywood greats with a star-laden path, we in the circus world celebrate our very own Marilyn Monroes, James Deans, and Bette Midlers with a ring of bronze wagon wheel plaques. These plaques offer visitors a comprehensive “who’s who” of the circus world. Everyone from trapeze artists to veterinarians to composers to ringmasters – anyone who’s made a valuable and lasting contribution to circus arts and circus history is honored there. Needless to say, I am humbled and delighted to be included among such luminaries.

Two clowns (both fellow inductees of the Circus Ring of Fame) with whom I’ve had the immense pleasure to work alongside for many memorable years, will be there to introduce me: Barry “Grandma” Lubin and Bello Nock. “Grandma” the Clown was a staple of the Big Apple Circus for over 25 seasons, and he is still beloved and celebrated by audiences all over the world.

Grandma the Clown – Last BAC performance

Bello Nock

Bello Nock, who’s performed with Big Apple Circus and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, among others, is another world-famous entertainer.

I am happy enough being able to count these two talented men among my friends, and the fact that they will be there to celebrate my induction is merely the delicious icing on an already-delicious cake.

Joining me as this year’s Ring of Fame inductees are: trapeze artist Pinito del Oro, circus owner/animal trainer Ian Garden Sr., and the Theron Family of high-energy bicyclists. I look forward to writing about this ceremony in next week’s blog post.

Oh, and, PS – Happy New Year!!!

Daniel Cyr in Luminocity & end-of-year report…

Dec 172013

Daniel Cyr is a master acrobat and circus performer. He invented and popularized an apparatus called the “Cyr Wheel” after debuting it in 2003 at the “Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain” in Paris (for which he won the Silver Medal). The Cyr wheel is a single, large, metal hoop inside which the acrobat stands, in a manner resembling Da Vinci’s “Man.”

Daniel Cyr

The wheel then does what wheels do – it rolls around the ring with the performer inside.

davinci_Cyr

Today, the wheel is an act being done around the world by some 200 circus artists. It’s a big-time crowd-pleaser!

Daniel is also a master at the Free Ladder, which he performs with graceful precision in Big Apple Circus’ current show, Luminocity.

Daniel on the Free Ladder in BAC’s “Luminocity”
and
Two Cirque Eloize performers in the Cyr Wheel

I first met Daniel back in Montreal in 1993 when Cirque Eloize was new – a completely fresh and unique stage show. Daniel reminded me recently that I saw him perform his Free Ladder in that terrific performance. Since then, I’ve been a huge fan of his work.

By the way, sharp-eyed circus aficionados will delight in seeing Daniel as the “spotter” in the Mongolian Angels aerial act – both standing underneath the trapeze and holding their safety line while they do amazing tricks high in the air. The Big Apple Circus Artistic Director, Guillaume Dufresnoy, has enormous confidence in this circus veteran to give him such a big responsibility.

You’ve got to catch Daniel doing his amazing stunts in Big Apple Circus’ Luminocity. The show is at Lincoln Center through January 12 and tickets are still available. Get ‘em (by clicking here) while they last!

On a side note, this will most likely be my last blog post of 2013. Reflecting back, it’s been quite an exciting year. I finally completed my memoir Never Quote The Weather to A Sea Lion and other uncommon tales from the founder of the Big Apple Circus. Promoting a book is no easy task, so I want to thank you all – my readers, friends, family, and colleagues – who’ve supported me in this endeavor. AND thanks to super actress Glenn Close, who wrote the Foreword. Here’s to many more great years, and here’s to a whole new memoir’s worth of great stories.

Warmest greetings of the most joyous season and happy new year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 272013

This week, many of us will be heading into the kitchen to prepare a meal for our families and friends. I myself am no great chef, but every year around Thanksgiving I’m reminded of the time I worked for one. The following excerpt is from my book Never Quote The Weather to A Sea Lion… (available for purchase here).

In 1963, barely out of Dartmouth College, I’d been hired as floor manager for a little cooking show aired by Boston education channel WGBH. The show was called The French Chef, and the chef, of course, was Julia Child. Julia was an imposing figure. At six feet two inches, she was taller than I was, but it was her passion that wowed me. She loved the food that she’d discovered in Europe and wanted all of America to share her discovery.

On my first day I was naturally nervous but resolved not to let her see it. That was no easy task, as I was positioned twelve feet in front of her. During that first taping, I heard the voice of Russ Morash, our director, loudly through my headset: “Tell her she’s sweating, Paul.” I quickly thought about the various ways of putting this tricky, personal, potentially embarrassing matter to her; then I wrote one word on a large paper pad and held it up for her to see: PERS-PIR-A-TION. A moment later she casually mopped her brow with a dishcloth, and I thought to myself, Whew, I got that right.

As the show ended, I counted her down with my fingers: 5 …4 …3 …2 …out. She was laughing and happy. The show worked; the food looked great. She walked up to me, engulfed me in that large frame with a hug, and said with a laugh in her voice. “Paul, where I come from, they call it a sweat!”

Folks, when you’re in the kitchen tomorrow, and you’re afraid the turkey’s too well done, or Grandma won’t be impressed with your take on her famous sweet potato casserole, my advice is: don’t sweat it! Just be grateful for the opportunity to be surrounded by loved ones. And remember, if you find yourself acting a little stir-crazy, you could always gather up all your visiting relatives and bring them to the circus! Happy Thanksgiving!

Living Landmarks Gala

Nov 192013

Brooke Shields

Last week I attended the annual New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Living Landmarks Gala. I’m humbled to be a part of this truly prestigious list, which includes public figures, entertainers, writers, politicians, and activists (all New Yorkers!) who’ve changed the shape of music, dance, literature, food, television news, movies, criticism, public service…the list goes on and on. I was named (along with Michael Christensen) a Living Landmark in 1997.

Some other notable Living Landmarks are Lauren Bacall, Norman Mailer, Walter Cronkite, Tommy Tune, Charlie Rose, A.E. Hochner, Gloria Steinem, Ed Koch, Mario Cuomo, and many more.

Joel Grey as Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret

The evening, hosted by Living Landmark Liz Smith, honored 6 new Living Landmarks including Brooke Shields (who was introduced by her very funny husband, Chris Henchy, a Producer and Screenwriter) and Joel Grey (who was introduced by Chita Rivera).

Also honored were Mary Wells Lawrence (creator of the original “I Love New York” ad campaign), William Vanden Heuvel (former US Ambassador and current chairman of the Roosevelt Island Memorial), Ann L. Buttenwieser (a wonderful NYC parks activist), and Robert I. Grossman, MD (who presided over NYU Langone Hospital’s amazing emergency evacuation during Hurricane Sandy). A highlight of the evening was Joel Grey singing “Willkommen” from “Cabaret”, the song he made famous.

A photo of me with my gorgeous date Shelley

Seated at my table was Thomas Schutte (the President of Pratt Institute, from which I have an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Fine Arts) and of course Shelley Doctors, my gorgeous date for the evening. We had a blast eating, schmoozing, and dancing. As some of you may know, I look pretty cute in a tux.

Rob Torres: Clown and Funny Man

Nov 122013

As many of you know, I love good clowns and the Big Apple Circus has always presented the best in the world. Amongst those is the funny man now performing in the Big Apple Circus ring – Rob Torres. He has that special something “x”, that “je ne sais quoi”, which, to a fun-seeking audience, is always just right. He is always present in the ring, always right there. If anything changes, he immediately adapts. And he makes us laugh out loud – repeatedly! If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, a seat at this season’s Big Apple Circus is worth every penny. I’ll be there this Saturday, November 16 at 5:00pm, for the Holiday Season Family Benefit. Tickets for that special performance are available here.

Rob Torres, Big Apple Circus clown (photo: Jim Moore)

Luminocity – the reviews are in!

Nov 052013

Rob Torres in “Luminocity”

Ladies and gentleman, the reviews are in! According to Laurel Graeber of the New York Times, the new Big Apple Circus show Luminocity can entertain both “a rambunctious toddler” and “a jaded grown-up.” Joe Dziemianowicz of the New York Daily News calls the show “bright and lively.” Read the full reviews here and here. So don’t just take my word for it – read the critics and come see a wonderful show. Tickets available by clicking here. See you at the ring!

I will be signing copies of my new book Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion (and other uncommon tales from the founder of the Big Apple Circus) before the show at these performances of “Luminocity”:

"Luminocity" at Lincoln Center through January 12

The Dosov Troupe – at Lincoln Center through January 12

Sat, Nov 9 @ 12:30
Sat, Nov 23 @ 3:00
Sun Dec 8 @ 4:30
Sat Dec 14 @ 3:00
Sun Dec 22 @ 12:30
Sat Dec 28 @ 12:30
Sun Jan 5 @ 12:30
Sun Jan 5 @ 4:30

Last Night’s Tribute to Michael

Oct 302013

Last night I had the honor of making a tribute to Michael Christensen at the annual Big Apple Circus Gala. Here’s what I said in the ring:

Good evening. I’m Paul Binder, founder of the Big Apple Circus, and I’m here to pay tribute to Michael Christensen. Now many of you think that we, he and I, were the only two founders of the Big Apple Circus. Actually, there were three of us.

This wonderful organization had humble beginnings. Michael created a juggling act that included me. So we packed our bag and took it on the road… literally. We became street artists, traveling across two continents from San Francisco to Istanbul. In that bag were balls, clubs, hats, some stupid shoes and Leonard the Rubber Chicken.

Michael, Leonard the Rubber Chicken, and Paul

Yes, Leonard was a full and equal partner.

Leonard also wrote some rubber checks, ‘til we learned how to juggle the books. But I digress…

Working on the streets of the world often led to encountering the local constabulary wherever we traveled. Fast forward – we finally made it to the BIG Time, the BIG Apple, and we set up our first BIG Top – hmm, am I sensing a pattern here? – on the landfill that eventually became Battery Park City. There we had the opportunity to meet New York’s Finest…Bill De Blasio, are you listening?

Early in that first run, after a glowing review in the New York Post that included a reference to the “Chicken Jugglers” Paul and Michael, I was out front near the box office when a New York City Police Car came rolling up. On it was emblazoned Humane Law Enforcement Division.

‘Hmm,’ I thought to myself. ‘There’s an entire division devoted to enforcing the law humanely? Are these the guys who put their hand on the top of the perp’s head so he or she won’t bonk it on their way into the backseat of the cop car?’

“What can I do for you officer?”

New York Post in hand, he demanded to see the “Chicken Jugglers” Michael and Paul.

“I’m Paul. Michael’s around back. What’s this all about?”

“Bring us to him,” was his answer.

So I walked around to the back of the tent, where Michael was enjoying the sunshine. His eyes grew very wide as I fingered him, pointing. “That’s Michael.”

“Okay, let’s see the chickens.”

“There’s only one,” said Michael.

“Okay. Let’s have a look.”

Michael opened the suitcase with all our equipment in it. There lay Leonard on top, his eyes closed, as was his custom.

“That’s it? That’s the chicken?”

“Yup,” said Michael. “I’ll give him to you.”

“NAH, let him sleep, he looks exhausted.”

So here’s to our sleeping partner, Leonard. And here’s to you, Michael, humane partner, colleague, mentor, and friend.

2 Upcoming Events!

Oct 252013

I’m gearing up for two exciting events. The first is Sunday, October 27 at 11:00AM on the penthouse floor of the Westmont (730 Columbus Ave). I’ll be doing a reading and book signing for my memoir Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion (and other uncommon tales from the founder of the Big Apple Circus).

On Tuesday October 29 I’ll be attending the Big Apple Circus Gala Dinner at the big top in Lincoln Center. The dinner, which is open to the public (buy tickets here), is a tribute to Michael Christensen. Michael is my old friend and colleague, founder of the Clown Care Unit and fellow Founder of the Big Apple Circus. I have an infinite number of kind words to say about him, but there isn’t nearly enough space on this blog for all that! Instead, I will simply say that I am very excited to honor him with the other members of the beloved BAC family.

Paul and Michael in their earlier juggling days

I hope you can join me at one (or both!) of these events.

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