Appearances/Events – Page 5

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!

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

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.

Parallel Exit’s “An Intimate Evening with Paul Binder”

Oct 152013

Parallel Exit

Last night I had the enormous pleasure of being the guest of honor at “An Intimate Evening with Paul Binder” at the home of a Parallel Exit board member. Parallel Exit is a Drama Desk Award-nominated physical theater company in the great tradition of Chaplin, Keaton and Harold Lloyd. Last night’s event, a fundraiser for the company, was hosted by company Artistic Director Mark Lonergan. I told some colorful stories from my memoir Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion (and other uncommon tales from the founder of the Big Apple Circus) and stuck around for a long Q&A moderated by Lonergan that could have gone on well into the night. It was truly a treat to speak with Parallel Exit fans and board members. Having an audience which included a group of physical comedians made it a gas. Was it fun for all? There’s an old vaudeville adage that I often strive to live by, and it’s certainly a part of the Parallel Exit mission, and that adage was in full effect last night: always leave ‘em laughing.

Circus of the Senses

Oct 082013

One of my greatest joys as a performer in the Big Apple Circus was being able to experience the audience’s reaction. Whether it’s seeing the excitement of a clown moment light up a child’s eyes, or hearing a great big roar of laughter from the crowd, I’ve always found immeasurable happiness in those moments. Around thirty years ago, after many years in the ring, it occurred to me that there were some folks whose visual and hearing impairments were preventing them from experiencing the enchantment of the circus. Along with our Founding Chairman, Alan Slifka, I decided to do something about it.

Circus of the Senses premiered in 1987. It serves hearing- and sight-impaired people. We set out to create a show that everyone, regardless of physical ability, can enjoy. American Sign Language interpreters are placed throughout the ring, in order to sign what some audience members can’t hear. We distribute large-print or Braille programs which describe the various acts in detail. We also have headsets for visually impaired audience members, where they listen to a play-by-play description of the acts in real time while hearing the music, announcements and ring sounds like hoof beats.

Paul Binder and Michael Christensen at Circus of the Senses

I am proud to say that I am always the one behind the mic, describing each of the acts in detail as they happen, with Michael Christensen as my co-narrator. The very first time we premiered Circus of the Senses I had the pleasure of partnering with the legendary sportscaster Marty Glickman, one of my childhood heros (and also the subject of a recent hour-long HBO Documentary). His uncanny voice was perfectly suited to the task, and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

After each performance, visually impaired kids get to come into the ring for a “touch session.” They speak to the performers as they touch costumes and animals and props. They even get to swing on trapezes.

After-show “touch session” with performers

I’m happy to report that I have never once missed a Circus of the Senses performance. This past Thursday, October 3, I went to Dulles, Virginia, where I narrated the performance with Bill Boots from our Clown Care Unit (substituting for Michael). I can honestly say that Circus of the Senses is probably the most gratifying aspect of my involvement with Big Apple Circus. To be told by a visually impaired kid that they “saw” the horses galloping around the ring, and to know that if even for just a few moments, they left behind the everyday world and just enjoyed the circus… for that, I feel incredibly grateful.

Back to Blogging!

Sep 242013

2013 has been a very busy year so far. I haven’t had a moment to blog! I guess it’s a good sign that I’ve been running all around the city and the country, not sitting for hours, staring at my computer screen and hoping to put words on a page (more on that soon). However, I am happy to now take a small breather and report back on my goings-on from the past 9 months.

click cover to read reviews

I spent the better part of the last few years remembering, re-living, and recording in order to write my memoir Never Quote the Weather to a Sea Lion (and other uncommon tales from the founder of the Big Apple Circus). I’ve been fortunate enough to share my life with a rotating cast of endearingly unique characters, all of whom have played an important role in making me who I am today. It was a nearly daunting task to sift through those years of memories, experiences, and life-altering moments, but a truly rewarding one. I can proudly say that this spring, I finally published my memoir. Phew!

Then, I set off on a whirlwind adventure of book launch parties, interviews, and readings to promote the book. This tour was nothing like my days under the big top, of course, but it kept me busy through the summer. First, and perhaps most notably, I presented a lecture entitled “The Dramaturgy of the Circus” at The Lotos Club’s Theater Roundtable. The Lotos Club is an historic private club in New York City which boasts many a famous former member (such as Mark Twain and several presidents, governors, mayors and princes). Although I have been an Honorary Member of this Club for years, I was especially honored to be presented by Gail Van Voorhis, the Moderator of the Roundtable for Lotos Club members and guests. It was definitely an evening for the archives.

Then in July, I was off to my Alma Mater, Dartmouth College, in the beautiful Granite State. I taught a class (“Ritual, Theater, Circus”) at the College’s Theater Department, and also celebrated my book with a reading and signing for students, alumni and professors. It’s always exciting to visit Dartmouth, but this trip was particularly special, as I was privileged to find myself on the other side of the podium, sharing my experiences and knowledge with the Dartmouth community, who were sitting where I myself once sat.

In August, it was back to New York City, where I was finally able to test the theory that I have a good radio voice. I was pleased to sit in the hot seat for and field questions from WBIX’s Stu Taylor, WNYC’s Leonard Lopate and WFUV’s George Bodarky, to name a few. You can always listen to the recordings of these interviews by clicking the links or going to my website’s Press page.

tickets are already on sale
CLICK IMAGE

It’s now fall in our great city and I’m looking ahead to the 2013-14 season of Big Apple Circus. I was fortunate to watch a dress rehearsal for Luminocity, our newest show, which premieres in Dulles, Virginia on September 26. The performers are, as always, top-notch, and the final rehearsals are going very well. I can’t wait to see the show, inside that famous tent, when it comes to New York City’s Lincoln Center on October 25. Even after all these years, the excitement of the performance never wears off! In my next blog post, I’ll entice you all with a more thorough description of the show and its colorful characters. ‘Til next time!

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