Performance – Page 4 – Paul Binder Blog

The Moth Radio Hour

Feb 082014

As I mentioned in closing last time, I’m going to be recording a story for The Moth Radio Hour on Monday, February 10th in front of a live audience. The broadcast date has not been set yet, but the public is welcome to purchase tickets to be a part of the audience for the recording in the Great Hall at Cooper Union. This particular Moth Radio Hour is focused on stories of near danger. The event is titled “Flirting with Disaster: Stories of Narrow Escapes.” The Emcee will be Peter Sagal from Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!, the NPR news quiz. On February 10th, I will be sharing an exciting story of near disaster along with four other storytellers. The recording event starts at 7:30pm, and tickets are already on sale. I would love to see some of you in the audience.

Peter Sagal, host of “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!”

For those of you unfamiliar with The Moth Radio Hour, the Moth is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on storytelling, inviting both professional and novice storytellers to share exciting, extraordinary true-life events. Founded in 1997 by George Dawes Green, the Moth has hosted thousands of storytellers in dozens of cities across the country. Each event is centered on a single theme, and the evening’s storytellers approach and explore that theme from many different angles. Past storytellers have ranged from bestselling author and staff writer for The New Yorker Malcolm Gladwell to actress, comedian, former Saturday Night Live cast member and fellow Dartmouth graduate Rachel Dratch to civil rights leader and activist Reverend Al Sharpton.

For the event “Flirting with Disaster: Stories of Narrow Escapes,” I will be sharing an incident from my many years as Artistic Director of the Big Apple Circus, an incident that potentially threatened to close down the circus entirely.

The view from the podium of the Great Hall at Cooper Union

This Moth event is part of The Moth Mainstage program, the organization’s “flagship program” with events in both New York City and Los Angeles. I’m excited to be featured as one of the evening’s five luminaries, and I hope that some of you will come out to share the night with me. Remember, Monday, February 10th at 7:30pm at Cooper Union, tickets already available online.

And for any of you who can’t make it to the live event, when I find out the broadcast date I will let you all know!

Paris Festival # 2

Feb 022014

Festival Mondial - Troupe Nationale de Chine

The National Troupe of China

The other gold medal at the Paris Festival was won by an extraordinary handstand act performed by four Chinese artists from the National Troupe of China. Their balancing act involves a mechanical contraption that transforms during the final trick of the act to hoist one of the acrobats over fifteen feet into the air. Quite impressive.

the troupe after their win

One of my favorite acts from this year that did not finish with a medal but was pleasurable to watch was Les Zim’Probables. The duet of Evelyn David and Antoine Broussard is based out of France. This duo’s act is listed as “excentriques” in the program, and eccentric is no understatement for these clown characters! Their routine combines elements of visual comedy, sketch comedy, and audience interaction. I laughed out loud.

Les Zim’Probables (Evelyn David and Antoine Broussard) with Calixte De Nigremont
Photo from Les Zim’Probables

Naomi and Renaldo

And I don’t want you to get the impression that the greatest circus acts are only to be found abroad. The United States was well represented at the Paris Festival.

Kyle Driggs

Trained by the Montreal National Circus School and Circus Harmony in St. Louis, Missouri, Naomi and Renaldo received a silver medal for their classic hand to hand adagio routine. Their joint act is based upon the pair’s gymnastic training, combining the artistic forms of circus and dance with some very impressive acrobatic feats.

Also from the United States was silver medalist Kyle Driggs. Kyle began juggling in Philadelphia, and he has a very unique juggling style, incorporating both rings and a red umbrella. In fact, Kyle can juggle a set of rings while balancing his red umbrella on his chin. He has a graceful, artistic style, and he even composes his own music to accompany his acts.

VIVA LES AMERICAINS!!!

But, still … my favorite photo is: (drumroll please!)

some wonderful trapeze artists (and yours truly)

À bientôt from Paris.

One more thing. I want to alert you to my next adventure (and be sure to watch out for more information about it on this blog). I’m going to be on the Moth Radio Hour! Although the broadcast date has not been set, I’m recording it in front of a live audience on Monday, February 10th. I’m excited about this event, and I’ll be sure to fill you all in as it happens!

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!

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!

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

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.

Presenting: Luminocity!!!

Oct 012013

As I mentioned in my last blog entry, I was lucky enough to watch a few dress rehearsals of the new Big Apple Circus show Luminocity. They’ve taken this show on the road to Dulles, Virginia, where I’m sure they’ve already wowed audiences with the beautiful acrobatic feats, exciting animal performances, eye-popping juggling acts, and of course humor that every Big Apple Circus fan has come to anticipate. This show will not disappoint!

Luminocity takes place in exciting Times Square, New York City. Audiences can expect to witness a smorgasbord of all the usual Times Square suspects: the classic hot dog vendor, the stately mounted police, noisy New Years Eve revelers, and of course, a sneaky “flim-flam man” (can you say “pickpocket?”). The acts are simply wonderful. A hand-to-hand duet masterpiece from the Ukraine. A two-woman trapeze from Mongolia. A high wire spectacular from Colombia. From Japan, a 15 year-old juggler who is fluid and astounding. Not to mention an amazing 8-person teeterboard act from Russia with a finale trick that is stunning. Top that off with America’s funniest man, “international man of mirth” Rob Torres. It’s all ringmastered by John Kennedy Kane and with animals trained by Jenny Vidbel. The show is a sure-fire winner. New Yorkers: catch Luminocity when it comes to Lincoln Center on October 25! Buy tickets by clicking here!

Barry’s Last Show

May 202012

During the Finale of the May 13 show in Boston, Michael Christensen and I walked into the ring.

Many in the full house crowd were aware of what was going on…the word had gone viral…but for the few who didn’t know, I started by saying “If you are not aware of why these people are on their feet cheering, this is Barry Lubin’s last performance as Grandma at the Big Apple Circus.”

It was an emotional tribute.

We stared by giving him a framed poster of his first season with us which came from the collection of our late founding Chairman, Alan Slifka, signed by his twin sister Barbara.

Michael, a fellow clown, spoke about how Grandma embodied the core values of the BAC: family, kindness, warmth and humor.

I paid personal tribute, saying how he’d been a great friend, somebody who always made me laugh, and the many good times we shared along the road, lifting my spirits if I was down and I spoke of the millions of people that he touched, whose lives he had brightened.

Barry was in tears, Michael was in tears, I was in tears.

Backstage was a celebration, all the cast and company members hugging and thanking him. More tears.

Barry, may your journey continue. We love you brother.