Get it while it's hot, folks! For what I can only presume is a limited time, Arte is showing pretty much the complete version of Cirque Eloize's latest production, Cirkopolis. Enjoy it while you can!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
Covering the Circus
I recently saw an old New Yorker cover posted on a website. It was from 1927 and featured an elephant and its trainer. I thought it was cool and wanted to find a copy of it to add to my image collection. Little did I know what it would lead to...
It turns out the New Yorker has had many circus themed covers. I just wanted to share that one elephant picture, but it looks like the circus gods have smiled in your favour, for I am about to share a wonderful wealth of circus cover art.
Enjoy!
It turns out the New Yorker has had many circus themed covers. I just wanted to share that one elephant picture, but it looks like the circus gods have smiled in your favour, for I am about to share a wonderful wealth of circus cover art.
Enjoy!
Believe it or not, that isn't even all of them. And while I probably should have had a smaller sampling, there were just too many wonderful covers to choose from! I'd like to throw in one more, even though I don't think the cover actually has anything to do with the circus. I suspect it's more of a reflection of a certain political party, but I'm here to talk circus, not politics. At any rate, look at the funny elephants!
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Speaking of Slava...
Huh. Just when I put up a post of Slava's Snow Show, what should I stumble upon but a nice little piece about the very man! Check it out here.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Special Snow Post!
It has been snowing up a storm here! Just plain snow storming, really. So what better time to share a classic piece of circus?
Ladies and gentlemen, Slava's Snow Show!
Ladies and gentlemen, Slava's Snow Show!
Monday, December 16, 2013
Blast from the Past II
On a slightly different Old School note, and perhaps one for a very specific audience, here is a fun little video from back in the good old days of the National Circus School of Montreal when it was still located in the Old Port.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Blast from the Past
Surfing the internet randomly, as I am wont to do, I came upon a wonderful collection of photos from the Paris' Fesitval de Cirque de Demain from the early 90s. There are some pretty fabulous photos there, and not only because of the outfits. There were a number of familiar faces and, much to my surprise, a few people that I've worked for! It's a great little taste of circus history. I've included some of my favourite pictures below, and you can view the full collection here.
Trio Impacto
Trio Impacto
Christian Schwandt & Sven Rauhe
Duo Borcani
Sharkov Brothers
Les Reflejo Hermanos
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Balance Godess
Featured in the Cirque du Soleil show Amaluna, here is Lara Jacobs performing at a TEDx event in Edmonton.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
Secrets of House of Dancing Water
The House of Dancing Water is touted as being absolutely incredible, but I've heard the behind the scenes action is even more impressive. CNN Travel did a very cool piece on just that, and it's definitely worth a read! Check it out here.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Saturday, November 30, 2013
The Circus Train
Having done a traditional tour this past year, I've got to say that I have a greater appreciation than ever before for just how transport goes down. The following is a very cool interview with Ringling's trainmaster, Joe Colossa.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Soleil and the Macy's Parade
Happy Thanksgiving to my readers in the US today! Word on the street is that Cirque du Soleil has a float in the Macy's parade this year. From the photos I've seen so far, it's an inexplicable mix of pirates and one of the trio trapeze girls from Varekai...
I've got to say, based on the pictures alone, I'm not really feeling it. Cirque du Soleil and pirates? And is the Varekai lady supposed to be some kind of sea creature? Maybe it's because I know the character is from Varekai, but she doesn't really seem to fit in with everything else, does she?
But then, if we look at the design...
Of course, a DREAMSEEKER! Perhaps someone will finally be able to open my jar of rainbows!
Ugh...
Remember when Soleil used to be really innovative and inspired? I miss that.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Epic Split
I came across this a w days ago. If you haven't seen it yet, you should watch it now. If you've seen it already, I say watch it again!
And in case you missed it, here's Volvo's equally badass Ballerina Stunt.
And in case you missed it, here's Volvo's equally badass Ballerina Stunt.
Monday, November 11, 2013
The Kindness of Strangers
My accident was scary. Not just for me, but for everyone who was there that night. At the end of the show, one of the artists burst into tears. Another seemed shaken for days afterward and cut some of the trickier moves out of her act. Another didn't even want to talk about it. It was just too horrible.
But out of all that, came some incredible and unexpected acts of kindness. As soon as the next morning, the office was already fielding calls about how I was doing. They received a very angry e-mail saying that it was nothing short of disgraceful that the show kept going after I fell, that they should be ashamed, and that the writers left at intermission in protest. I appreciate the gesture, but I agree that the show must go on.
But most touching of all is that complete strangers started sending me cards wishing me well and a speedy recovery. I even got a little plant with a Get Well Soon balloon.
And the night of the finale, I had two people come up to me and explain that they were in the audience in Zurich the night I fell. They wanted to know how I was doing and were so happy to see that I was back on stage.
What happened was terrible, but there were some really beautiful moments that spiraled out of it. Most of all, the night I came back...
But out of all that, came some incredible and unexpected acts of kindness. As soon as the next morning, the office was already fielding calls about how I was doing. They received a very angry e-mail saying that it was nothing short of disgraceful that the show kept going after I fell, that they should be ashamed, and that the writers left at intermission in protest. I appreciate the gesture, but I agree that the show must go on.
But most touching of all is that complete strangers started sending me cards wishing me well and a speedy recovery. I even got a little plant with a Get Well Soon balloon.
And the night of the finale, I had two people come up to me and explain that they were in the audience in Zurich the night I fell. They wanted to know how I was doing and were so happy to see that I was back on stage.
What happened was terrible, but there were some really beautiful moments that spiraled out of it. Most of all, the night I came back...
Saturday, November 9, 2013
The Fall
It was the end of the run of shows in Zurich. There were about three and a half weeks left of the tour. We were all tired by this point, almost eight months on tour with only a three day holiday will do that to you. But we had to keep going, so keep going we did.
I remember feeling tired that day, like when you don't sleep very well. That tiredness that is not only physical, but mental as well. And that's when I screwed up.
I was doing my act and things were going well until the salto. To do a front salto out of the German wheel you have to duck under the cross bar and then jump up, pushing off the plates, to execute the flip. Only I didn't clear the bar. Not even a little bit. I jumped head first into that bar but my body was in salto mode, and I tried to rotate automatically.
I remember things going white for about an instant, then thinking that this was really embarrassing. I realized I was not going to be landing on my feet and tried to break the fall as best I could. Apparently, in that moment, the best I could do was landing right on my sacrum.
I tried to get up and for the first time in my life, was unable to. That was worrisome. At that point I resigned myself to the fact that I would not be finishing my act that day and would need help getting off stage. I don't think I was in shock. Maybe I was. At any rate, I was very calm and simply waited.
The only problem was that the musicians were still playing. I remember laying there thinking "If you don't stop playing, no one will know to come for me..."
Because the Universe can sometimes be kind, my boyfriend was the first one at my side. He was doing the lights that night and had run down from the booth. He knelt down beside me and said "There's blood..."
My act was one of the only ones in the show where there is no one else on stage. I later learned that the artists realized something was wrong when my wheel rolled backstage and hit someone who was standing near the curtain.
The circus director, his son, and one of the jugglers appeared by my side. I felt okay until they tried to move me. It was excruciating. I thought my sacrum was going to split in two. The put me on a board, not a spinal board (they really should get one of those) but one of the big planks that they use around the site.
I think that's when I started crying. I felt humiliated as they carried me offstage. I kept appologizing.
There was a doctor in the audience (and also a famous Swiss writer whom the workers are convinced will incorporate my accident into one of his books) who came backstage to check on me. "I'm a pediatrician!" he said, "But still a doctor!"
He was super friendly, held my hand, stroked my hair...
The police arrived and started asking all kinds of questions. They photographed my wheel and wanted to go photograph things on stage. The circus director was furious and refused. The show, after all, was still going on and the public had already been traumatized enough.
Later the police would ask if my wheel had been sabotage. "No, no. It was entirely my fault." I also had the first breathalyzer test of my entire life.
I was taken to hospital by ambulance. They gave me pain killers that made the ceiling move. With great difficulty, they managed to get my costume off ("How do you even get this on?"), but were unable to remove my bra. After what seemed like a million years, I went for x-rays. I told the x-ray tech that I still had my bra on. The doctor, a cocky Italian chap, replied, "I can get it off."
He could not.
The x-rays came back clean, but I was unable to sit up. Worse, when I tried to stand, I couldn't put any weight on my left leg. I couldn't walk.
I went for a CT and that came back clean too. By this time, it was about 4am.
I spent the night at the hospital. The director of artists kept texting to see how things were going. She asked if she could get me anything. I asked for a time machine.
Remember how my boyfriend mentioned that there had been blood? I though he meant a trickle. As it turns out, I left a small puddle on stage. Only no one realized it at the time and so the next scene saw all the artists dancing through my blood. I'm told it was horrible. I believe it. Someone had to come on stage and wipe up my blood. Meanwhile, I got the first stitches of my entire life.
I went back to the circus the next day. I could barely walk, but I would be okay. My hair was still matted with blood and when I showered, it looked like the scene from Psycho.
For a while, it was unsure whether or not I would even be able to make it back into the show. But I did. Oh, but I did...
I remember feeling tired that day, like when you don't sleep very well. That tiredness that is not only physical, but mental as well. And that's when I screwed up.
I was doing my act and things were going well until the salto. To do a front salto out of the German wheel you have to duck under the cross bar and then jump up, pushing off the plates, to execute the flip. Only I didn't clear the bar. Not even a little bit. I jumped head first into that bar but my body was in salto mode, and I tried to rotate automatically.
I remember things going white for about an instant, then thinking that this was really embarrassing. I realized I was not going to be landing on my feet and tried to break the fall as best I could. Apparently, in that moment, the best I could do was landing right on my sacrum.
I tried to get up and for the first time in my life, was unable to. That was worrisome. At that point I resigned myself to the fact that I would not be finishing my act that day and would need help getting off stage. I don't think I was in shock. Maybe I was. At any rate, I was very calm and simply waited.
The only problem was that the musicians were still playing. I remember laying there thinking "If you don't stop playing, no one will know to come for me..."
Because the Universe can sometimes be kind, my boyfriend was the first one at my side. He was doing the lights that night and had run down from the booth. He knelt down beside me and said "There's blood..."
My act was one of the only ones in the show where there is no one else on stage. I later learned that the artists realized something was wrong when my wheel rolled backstage and hit someone who was standing near the curtain.
The circus director, his son, and one of the jugglers appeared by my side. I felt okay until they tried to move me. It was excruciating. I thought my sacrum was going to split in two. The put me on a board, not a spinal board (they really should get one of those) but one of the big planks that they use around the site.
I think that's when I started crying. I felt humiliated as they carried me offstage. I kept appologizing.
There was a doctor in the audience (and also a famous Swiss writer whom the workers are convinced will incorporate my accident into one of his books) who came backstage to check on me. "I'm a pediatrician!" he said, "But still a doctor!"
He was super friendly, held my hand, stroked my hair...
The police arrived and started asking all kinds of questions. They photographed my wheel and wanted to go photograph things on stage. The circus director was furious and refused. The show, after all, was still going on and the public had already been traumatized enough.
Later the police would ask if my wheel had been sabotage. "No, no. It was entirely my fault." I also had the first breathalyzer test of my entire life.
I was taken to hospital by ambulance. They gave me pain killers that made the ceiling move. With great difficulty, they managed to get my costume off ("How do you even get this on?"), but were unable to remove my bra. After what seemed like a million years, I went for x-rays. I told the x-ray tech that I still had my bra on. The doctor, a cocky Italian chap, replied, "I can get it off."
He could not.
The x-rays came back clean, but I was unable to sit up. Worse, when I tried to stand, I couldn't put any weight on my left leg. I couldn't walk.
I went for a CT and that came back clean too. By this time, it was about 4am.
I spent the night at the hospital. The director of artists kept texting to see how things were going. She asked if she could get me anything. I asked for a time machine.
Remember how my boyfriend mentioned that there had been blood? I though he meant a trickle. As it turns out, I left a small puddle on stage. Only no one realized it at the time and so the next scene saw all the artists dancing through my blood. I'm told it was horrible. I believe it. Someone had to come on stage and wipe up my blood. Meanwhile, I got the first stitches of my entire life.
I went back to the circus the next day. I could barely walk, but I would be okay. My hair was still matted with blood and when I showered, it looked like the scene from Psycho.
For a while, it was unsure whether or not I would even be able to make it back into the show. But I did. Oh, but I did...
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Olle Strandberg on Ballroom House
Sideshow magazine has a fabulous series in which directors of circus shows are invited to go into the details behind the creation process of some of their work. In this article, Olle Strandberg talks about the creation of Ballroom House. If you love dance, juggling, or both, you should definitely check it out.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Scienced!
So apparently science has proven that gymnastics is the most difficult sport in the world. Like we didn't already know that.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Happy Halloween!
Have you ever looked at a contortionist and wondered what their skeleton must look like when they're all bent out of shape like that?
Well wonder no more!
Happy Halloween!
Well wonder no more!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Anybody Home?
Hello there, lover of all things circus!
Please forgive the lull as of late, a lot has been going on at the circus the past few weeks and I just haven't had the time/courage to write about all the crazy shenanigans that have been going on! The tour has just about come to a close and I'll be heading back home in a few days. Once I've had some time to readjust to life as a normal human being, I'll be back on the blog with tales from the final days of the 2013 season, circus news, and other fun bits!
Cheers!
Please forgive the lull as of late, a lot has been going on at the circus the past few weeks and I just haven't had the time/courage to write about all the crazy shenanigans that have been going on! The tour has just about come to a close and I'll be heading back home in a few days. Once I've had some time to readjust to life as a normal human being, I'll be back on the blog with tales from the final days of the 2013 season, circus news, and other fun bits!
Cheers!
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Blow Down!
This appeared in my Facebook feed a while back. From what I understand the blow down occurred around the beginning of September to the Russian State Circus while they were in Osnabrück, Germany.
I, thank goodness, have never witnessed a tent blow down. I can't believe how fast it went down... A blown down can be the end of a circus. Here's hoping that no one was harmed and that the folks at the Russian State Circus get back on their feet quickly.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Oh, Public...
Having nearly completed the season, I think I can say with some authority that the Swiss public has a tendency to get lost. Maybe not lost, but certainly a little turned around. Which I must admit, I find rather interesting. I know we're in a tent, not a theatre, but there's still a pretty clear divide between where the seats are and where backstage is. It should be pretty clear that if you need to go on stage and through a curtain, that probably isn't the exit. And yes, that did happen.
Also, there was this lady.
During a matinee a father and his sons decided that the best way to exit the tent was by just going underneath the tent wall near the artist entrance. Before the show even finished, I might add.
There was also the very curious moment during warm-up when a man stuck his head in the tent opening in the backstage and just smiled and stared at us. We said hello and asked if we could help him. He just kept smiling and looking about and then after a minute or so popped his head back out.
Weird...
But my favourite would have to be the time when a father and his daughter sat down with a bag of popcorn and watched while we were getting ready backstage. It happens all the time that people walk around the tent and check out what's going on, but at this point, the show had already started. Instead of sitting in the tent and watching the actual show, this man and his daughter decided to watch the few of us who weren't on stage yet as we did arm circles and stretched our quads...
It seems we've gotten off pretty easy this year, though. Apparently one time a man was found in the laundry room washing his own clothes while trying to steal other people's clothes. This was a particularly ludicrous situation as the pants he was trying to pass off as his were the official work pants of the circus, complete with circus logo and the name of the owner sewn in. And while in Zurich last year, a man was found in the kitchen one morning after having eaten so much he was laying in a pool of his own vomit...
And people think circus folk are the ones to be weary of...
Also, there was this lady.
During a matinee a father and his sons decided that the best way to exit the tent was by just going underneath the tent wall near the artist entrance. Before the show even finished, I might add.
There was also the very curious moment during warm-up when a man stuck his head in the tent opening in the backstage and just smiled and stared at us. We said hello and asked if we could help him. He just kept smiling and looking about and then after a minute or so popped his head back out.
Weird...
But my favourite would have to be the time when a father and his daughter sat down with a bag of popcorn and watched while we were getting ready backstage. It happens all the time that people walk around the tent and check out what's going on, but at this point, the show had already started. Instead of sitting in the tent and watching the actual show, this man and his daughter decided to watch the few of us who weren't on stage yet as we did arm circles and stretched our quads...
It seems we've gotten off pretty easy this year, though. Apparently one time a man was found in the laundry room washing his own clothes while trying to steal other people's clothes. This was a particularly ludicrous situation as the pants he was trying to pass off as his were the official work pants of the circus, complete with circus logo and the name of the owner sewn in. And while in Zurich last year, a man was found in the kitchen one morning after having eaten so much he was laying in a pool of his own vomit...
And people think circus folk are the ones to be weary of...
Friday, October 11, 2013
Overheard Backstage
To his partners right before doing their act:
"Oh my god... I just peed a little... Can you see it? Can you see it? Oh my god... I hope it's just in my underwear..."
"Oh my god... I just peed a little... Can you see it? Can you see it? Oh my god... I hope it's just in my underwear..."
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Tear Down the Circus
If you're on this blog, chances are you're a fan of circus. If so, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that your love of circus extends to things circus related. As such, do I have news for you!
Circus artist Kimmo Olavi has recently ventured into the music scene with the release of the song Tear Down the Circus, complete with official music video! Check it out!
If you enjoy the song, you can get on iTunes here!
Circus artist Kimmo Olavi has recently ventured into the music scene with the release of the song Tear Down the Circus, complete with official music video! Check it out!
If you enjoy the song, you can get on iTunes here!
Monday, October 7, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
May I Help You?
The first act of the second half of the show had just come to an end and we were all coming on stage to tear down the equipment. As I made my way toward the stage I saw a woman get up from her seat, make her way around the ring, and then head straight for me.
I was stunned and kept going about my business. When I turned back around, she had made her way on to the edge of the stage and was grabbing part of the still standing platforms from the previous act.
At that point, A grabbed her by the shoulders and forcibly removed her from the stage and directed her back toward her seat.
I have a few questions regarding the incident:
Where the hell were the ushers at this point?
Why was she not wearing shoes?
What the actual fuck?!
A said that she reeked of booze and was quite drunk. Apparently she really needed to know what the equipment felt like and if it felt "gummy".
I was stunned and kept going about my business. When I turned back around, she had made her way on to the edge of the stage and was grabbing part of the still standing platforms from the previous act.
At that point, A grabbed her by the shoulders and forcibly removed her from the stage and directed her back toward her seat.
I have a few questions regarding the incident:
Where the hell were the ushers at this point?
Why was she not wearing shoes?
What the actual fuck?!
A said that she reeked of booze and was quite drunk. Apparently she really needed to know what the equipment felt like and if it felt "gummy".
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Ice Capades
By now, we've done a lot of shows. We're talking 200 shows plus. You would think that by now, nerves would be playing a minor to nonexistent roll, right? That's certainly what I though. But this was a special night. It was the premiere in Zurich. And the premiere in Zurich is no joke.
The workers had been busting their butts for three days to get everything ready. There was an extra tent, complete with beautiful chandeliers, that would serve as a restaurant. Then there was the VIP tent. Red carpets were laid out, extra lights were hung up. And don't even get me started on some of the more ridiculous tasks, like blackening the tires of the sanitary wagon...
Needless to say, we were nervous.
So imagine my joy when I discovered they had repainted the stage for the occasion. The last time they painted the floor, it was a matte paint that did not slide, even if you wanted it to. In the most epic over-correction of all time, they appeared to have painted the floor with lubricant based paint.
Now PM had been told the floor was being painted and had been tasked with spreading the word.
She didn't.
As such, I only found out they had painted the floor a couple of hours before the show was set to start. That left pretty much zero time to properly adapt to the floor. And boy would I have to adapt. I have never in all my life been on such a slippery surface. It was near impossible to execute my spirals. Normally, one spiral will see you face a third of the ring. So if you start facing the center, after three spirals you should be able to come up toward the middle. The floor was so slippery that the wheel would slide out just a little every rotation so that I would stay exactly in place. That should not happen.
If I tried to change the angle of the spiral to control where I was going, especially if I needed a lower angle, the wheel would just slide out from under me. At one point I didn't even manage to finish one spiral before the wheel slid out from under me. To make matter worse, normally the wheel will slide when your weight is in front (and your hands are toward the ground) but form some strange reason it kept sliding out by my feet so I would end up going backwards!
I was terrified to even do freehand spirals. Having the wheel slide out when you're only attached by the feet was not an attractive prospect.
This being the premiere, with a packed house, loads of newspapers and television present, not to mention Swiss quasi-celebrities like the past two Miss Switzerlands, the current Miss Switzerland, and a former Mr Switzerland*, the stakes were pretty high.
I was in tears. I was on the floor, my wheel and I defeated, with a vision of utter humiliation on the horizon.
At dinner, some of my non-artist friends on the tour as well as my boyfriend took up the battle as their own. They came to the tent with me and tried to find a solution. We tried scouring one of the floor panels of the extension to see if it would make the surface rougher. A good idea in theory, but the space was so small there was no way to see if it would work.
Then, A said that a friend of his who does cyr wheel puts rosin on his wheel when the stage is slippery and that it tends to help. I was pretty skeptical. Rosin gets sticky with heat. How was it supposed to make my cold metal wheel sticky?
But we covered the wheel in rosin anyway and to my great surprise (and relief) it worked like a charm. I could scarcely believe it and wasn't sure if the rosin would last from preset to the actual appearance on stage, especially since my wheel is covered by a cloth beforehand. But it was the only solution I had.
The premiere went brilliantly and my wheel, with the help of the rosin, triumphed over that floor. Admittedly, doing wheel when the wheel and your hands are covered in rosin really isn't very enjoyable. It is, however, a million times more enjoyable than continually falling on your face.
Thank goodness for A. I never in a million years would have thought to use rosin. He totally saved the day.
Only 58 to go!
* Am I the only one who finds the number of Miss/Mr Switzerlands present really, really funny?
The workers had been busting their butts for three days to get everything ready. There was an extra tent, complete with beautiful chandeliers, that would serve as a restaurant. Then there was the VIP tent. Red carpets were laid out, extra lights were hung up. And don't even get me started on some of the more ridiculous tasks, like blackening the tires of the sanitary wagon...
Needless to say, we were nervous.
So imagine my joy when I discovered they had repainted the stage for the occasion. The last time they painted the floor, it was a matte paint that did not slide, even if you wanted it to. In the most epic over-correction of all time, they appeared to have painted the floor with lubricant based paint.
Now PM had been told the floor was being painted and had been tasked with spreading the word.
She didn't.
As such, I only found out they had painted the floor a couple of hours before the show was set to start. That left pretty much zero time to properly adapt to the floor. And boy would I have to adapt. I have never in all my life been on such a slippery surface. It was near impossible to execute my spirals. Normally, one spiral will see you face a third of the ring. So if you start facing the center, after three spirals you should be able to come up toward the middle. The floor was so slippery that the wheel would slide out just a little every rotation so that I would stay exactly in place. That should not happen.
If I tried to change the angle of the spiral to control where I was going, especially if I needed a lower angle, the wheel would just slide out from under me. At one point I didn't even manage to finish one spiral before the wheel slid out from under me. To make matter worse, normally the wheel will slide when your weight is in front (and your hands are toward the ground) but form some strange reason it kept sliding out by my feet so I would end up going backwards!
I was terrified to even do freehand spirals. Having the wheel slide out when you're only attached by the feet was not an attractive prospect.
This being the premiere, with a packed house, loads of newspapers and television present, not to mention Swiss quasi-celebrities like the past two Miss Switzerlands, the current Miss Switzerland, and a former Mr Switzerland*, the stakes were pretty high.
I was in tears. I was on the floor, my wheel and I defeated, with a vision of utter humiliation on the horizon.
At dinner, some of my non-artist friends on the tour as well as my boyfriend took up the battle as their own. They came to the tent with me and tried to find a solution. We tried scouring one of the floor panels of the extension to see if it would make the surface rougher. A good idea in theory, but the space was so small there was no way to see if it would work.
Then, A said that a friend of his who does cyr wheel puts rosin on his wheel when the stage is slippery and that it tends to help. I was pretty skeptical. Rosin gets sticky with heat. How was it supposed to make my cold metal wheel sticky?
But we covered the wheel in rosin anyway and to my great surprise (and relief) it worked like a charm. I could scarcely believe it and wasn't sure if the rosin would last from preset to the actual appearance on stage, especially since my wheel is covered by a cloth beforehand. But it was the only solution I had.
The premiere went brilliantly and my wheel, with the help of the rosin, triumphed over that floor. Admittedly, doing wheel when the wheel and your hands are covered in rosin really isn't very enjoyable. It is, however, a million times more enjoyable than continually falling on your face.
Thank goodness for A. I never in a million years would have thought to use rosin. He totally saved the day.
Only 58 to go!
* Am I the only one who finds the number of Miss/Mr Switzerlands present really, really funny?
Monday, September 30, 2013
Vigilante Justice
There was a string of robberies while we were in one of the bigger towns. It's all well and good to say "lock your caravans", but locks mean very little to people intent on stealing from you. And a caravan isn't exactly Fort Knox.
The day of the first theft a man had been seen wandering around among the caravans. He was talking on a phone, or at least pretending. I believe when confronted he said he was looking for "Mary". Word spread that a shadowy figure had been seen wandering around the caravans, but even still, someone got robbed. Luckily, all they took was money out of her wallet and left the rest of her belongings alone.
Later, another caravan was broken into, only this time, a wallet with all the owner's important papers were inside. We're talking work visas and such.
People were getting nervous.
And then, one day, a man was seen walking nearby. Y recognized him based on the description he had heard of the suspicious man who had been seen among the caravan a few days before. That's when shit got real.
I saw one of the shop guys walking hurrying along and asked where he was going. He turned to me and said "We're going after the thief." A few more of the guys from the workshop as well as some of the musicians set off too.
You could feel the tension around the camp.
And then they caught him. They actually caught him and dragged him back to the circus. I ran to go find D so he could identify the guy as he had been one of the people who saw the creep the first time around. The cops were called and the man was taken in for questioning.
It takes some serious balls to come back to the scene of the crime a third time. Or a serious lack of brains, anyway. Of course, since no one actually saw him touch anything, there's no grounds to actually do anything to the guy. At the very least, I think we all felt a small sense of victory. And now the guy knows that you do not fucking mess circus because we will hunt you the fuck down.
The day of the first theft a man had been seen wandering around among the caravans. He was talking on a phone, or at least pretending. I believe when confronted he said he was looking for "Mary". Word spread that a shadowy figure had been seen wandering around the caravans, but even still, someone got robbed. Luckily, all they took was money out of her wallet and left the rest of her belongings alone.
Later, another caravan was broken into, only this time, a wallet with all the owner's important papers were inside. We're talking work visas and such.
People were getting nervous.
And then, one day, a man was seen walking nearby. Y recognized him based on the description he had heard of the suspicious man who had been seen among the caravan a few days before. That's when shit got real.
I saw one of the shop guys walking hurrying along and asked where he was going. He turned to me and said "We're going after the thief." A few more of the guys from the workshop as well as some of the musicians set off too.
You could feel the tension around the camp.
And then they caught him. They actually caught him and dragged him back to the circus. I ran to go find D so he could identify the guy as he had been one of the people who saw the creep the first time around. The cops were called and the man was taken in for questioning.
It takes some serious balls to come back to the scene of the crime a third time. Or a serious lack of brains, anyway. Of course, since no one actually saw him touch anything, there's no grounds to actually do anything to the guy. At the very least, I think we all felt a small sense of victory. And now the guy knows that you do not fucking mess circus because we will hunt you the fuck down.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Friday, September 27, 2013
Sweet Dreams?
What would you do if you walked into a store and discovered a picture of yourself on some weird ass product?
That recently happened to a friend of mine when he discovered that a photo of himself performing had been emblazoned onto bedsheets.
Tired of the Sesame Street bedsheets you've had since you were a kid? The Acrobat On Stage Bedding covers a wide range of bedding possibilities! Duvet covers, comforters, top sheets, and fitted sheets! All with the faceless and infuriatingly off centered image of my friend!
Seriously though, it's super weird and creepy.
But if you'd like to drop close to $150 on a sheet, please, be my guest.
That recently happened to a friend of mine when he discovered that a photo of himself performing had been emblazoned onto bedsheets.
Tired of the Sesame Street bedsheets you've had since you were a kid? The Acrobat On Stage Bedding covers a wide range of bedding possibilities! Duvet covers, comforters, top sheets, and fitted sheets! All with the faceless and infuriatingly off centered image of my friend!
Seriously though, it's super weird and creepy.
But if you'd like to drop close to $150 on a sheet, please, be my guest.
Funding Fun
"The transformative power of circus connects education, physical art and
social development. Social Circus is more than teaching circus skills.
It is a tool for transformation, discipline, creativity and artistic
expression."
The above statement comes from the Mobile Mini-Circus for Children (MMCC) website. MMCC is Social Circus program in Afghanistan that uses circus arts a tool for teaching social skills, overcoming trauma and developing essential capacities and the ability to take responsibility.
Not only do they offer workshops for children, but they also perform educational shows about essential themes such as hygiene, Peace, or traffic safety. Partnering with MACCA/UNOPS, for example, MMCC has produced performances geared toward teaching and protecting children from the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance, in ways they can easily and much better understand.
MMCC is currently raising funds for their next year of operations. They hope to cover the costs of costumes for rehearsal and performance, as well as covering equipment costs.
Right now, they're at $765 of their $6000 goal. If you're able to help and wish to contribute, you can make a donation here.
For more information about the Mobile Mini-Circus for Children, visit their website here.
The above statement comes from the Mobile Mini-Circus for Children (MMCC) website. MMCC is Social Circus program in Afghanistan that uses circus arts a tool for teaching social skills, overcoming trauma and developing essential capacities and the ability to take responsibility.
Not only do they offer workshops for children, but they also perform educational shows about essential themes such as hygiene, Peace, or traffic safety. Partnering with MACCA/UNOPS, for example, MMCC has produced performances geared toward teaching and protecting children from the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance, in ways they can easily and much better understand.
MMCC is currently raising funds for their next year of operations. They hope to cover the costs of costumes for rehearsal and performance, as well as covering equipment costs.
Right now, they're at $765 of their $6000 goal. If you're able to help and wish to contribute, you can make a donation here.
For more information about the Mobile Mini-Circus for Children, visit their website here.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
More Excitement Than I Like
I love transport. It's one of my favourite parts of tour life. But the other day there was a little more excitement than I typically care for...
The good news is, that is not one of our cars. The bad news is, as we drove past, things started exploding. Fortunately, we could already see the firefighters en route in the distance. It's still pretty crazy, though!
The good news is, that is not one of our cars. The bad news is, as we drove past, things started exploding. Fortunately, we could already see the firefighters en route in the distance. It's still pretty crazy, though!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Escape
No matter the circumstances, no matter the devastation, somehow, the human spirit survives. Year after year, conflict after conflict, stories of hope and humanity push their way through the horror and the rubble. One needn't look further than the Syria Parkour Club to see that.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Belly of the Beast
It's no secret that Cirque du Soleil has some pretty impressive tricks up its sleeve when it comes to the mechanics that make their permanent shows run. But just how much is really going on? Forbes magazine decided to find out. The resulting article provides an interesting look at what makes the beast tick.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Mario Bros. Parkour
That's right, I said Mario Bros. Parkour. The only thing I can add to that statement is watch it. Watch it now!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Circus, Performance Art, What's the Difference?
This is an interesting article that appeared in The Wall Street Journal. As a contemporary circus artist, what I find most interesting about this article is the perception of contemporary circus by the author and the shift in attitude that occurs.
I'd wanted to be in the circus since I was a little kid. I didn't need to be convinced of anything and as such, it never occurred to me that people could dismiss the art form circus has become. Heck, I pretty much jumped in blind and was pleasantly surprised by just how rich circus culture is and how many different kinds of circus there are! But of course if you've only ever rolled your eyes at the idea of contemporary circus and dismissed it, how could you possibly know what it has to offer and see its merits?
Read the full article here.
I'd wanted to be in the circus since I was a little kid. I didn't need to be convinced of anything and as such, it never occurred to me that people could dismiss the art form circus has become. Heck, I pretty much jumped in blind and was pleasantly surprised by just how rich circus culture is and how many different kinds of circus there are! But of course if you've only ever rolled your eyes at the idea of contemporary circus and dismissed it, how could you possibly know what it has to offer and see its merits?
Read the full article here.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Facepalm
I had just come up from the opening spiral sequence when I noticed a rather large puddle on stage. This made absolutely no sense as it hadn't rained a drop in days. Then I looked up and noticed a very sheepish looking woman remove her half empty beverage from the ring curb.
Way to spill your drink on stage, lady. In the future, please refrain from using the ring curb as a table.
Yeesh.
Way to spill your drink on stage, lady. In the future, please refrain from using the ring curb as a table.
Yeesh.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
The Next Wave
Just when you thought you’d made it through the toughest part of the tour and could may breathe a little more easily, reality steps in and punches you in the kidneys.
The newest contender for the tour leg from hell will, from Saturday to the following Sunday, see us in four towns! Our schedule for the week?
Saturday: Build up, two shows.
Sunday: Show, build down, transport.
Monday: build up, circus employee variety show.
Tuesday: Two shows, build down.
Wednesday: early morning transport, build up, evening off.
Thursday: Two shows.
Friday: Show, build down, transport.
Saturday: build up two shows.
Sunday: Show, build down, transport.
Monday: Build up, evening off.
So in those 10 days we set up or take down the tent nine times with one day off in the middle, with build up double shows happening two times! Three if you include double shows with build down. I thought we only had build up double shows three times during the entire season. But three times in the same week? Ugh. Build up double shows was already the worst. But this? This is absolute horse shit.
Also, a new new record! The tent going up or down five days in a row! Woo!
The silver lining is that after we get through the above madness, we stay put for two weeks. Let’s just hope we can all hold on until then
UPDATE: Aaaaaaaaaaaaand I hurt my back while doing my act midway through all these shenanigans. I guess putting a tent up or down five days in a row really isn't the best way to maintain good lumbar health. So it goes.
The newest contender for the tour leg from hell will, from Saturday to the following Sunday, see us in four towns! Our schedule for the week?
Saturday: Build up, two shows.
Sunday: Show, build down, transport.
Monday: build up, circus employee variety show.
Tuesday: Two shows, build down.
Wednesday: early morning transport, build up, evening off.
Thursday: Two shows.
Friday: Show, build down, transport.
Saturday: build up two shows.
Sunday: Show, build down, transport.
Monday: Build up, evening off.
So in those 10 days we set up or take down the tent nine times with one day off in the middle, with build up double shows happening two times! Three if you include double shows with build down. I thought we only had build up double shows three times during the entire season. But three times in the same week? Ugh. Build up double shows was already the worst. But this? This is absolute horse shit.
Also, a new new record! The tent going up or down five days in a row! Woo!
The silver lining is that after we get through the above madness, we stay put for two weeks. Let’s just hope we can all hold on until then
UPDATE: Aaaaaaaaaaaaand I hurt my back while doing my act midway through all these shenanigans. I guess putting a tent up or down five days in a row really isn't the best way to maintain good lumbar health. So it goes.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Poot!
Lately the cooking on tour has been wreaking havoc on most
people’s digestive systems. I’ve got to say, it’s hard to maintain the illusion
of elegance and grace on stage when the fact of the matter is that you’re
farting up a storm during your act. Ah, circus. Always keeping it gassy classy…
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Blast from the Past
Here is some wonderful footage from a news broadcast about
German wheel from 60 years ago! At the end of the clip there is also an appearance
by the original *ahem* “cyr” wheel.
Enjoy!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Calling All Women of Circus!
The role of women in circus is a subject that is very important to me. So you can imagine how pumped I was to learn of the Gynoïdes Project. What is the Gynoïdes Project? It is a project about the role of women in circus, as well as the representation of women in circus. So if you're a female circus performer or circus director, I kindly invite you to fill out the following questionnaire.
The goal of this survey is to understand how female circus artists experience the representation of women in circus. The study is being conducted by Marie-Andrée Robitaille, circus artistic director and senior lecturer at the University of Dance and Circus in Stockholm, Sweden.
Click here for more information on the project.
Thanks for your contribution!
The goal of this survey is to understand how female circus artists experience the representation of women in circus. The study is being conducted by Marie-Andrée Robitaille, circus artistic director and senior lecturer at the University of Dance and Circus in Stockholm, Sweden.
Click here for more information on the project.
Thanks for your contribution!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Oof...
I feel like I’m circling the drain. I keep trying to tell myself “You just need to make it until Thursday, then you can have an evening off.” Or “The next part of the tour will be a little easier, then you can rest.” But Thursday goes by in a flash and it turns out the next part of the tour is much harder than any of us previously believed.
I’m exhausted and it’s taking a toll on my health, my relationship, and my mental well-being. It makes me feel ashamed to be this tired. It makes me think I’m weak. Worst of all, it makes me feel like a failure. Can I really be the only one having such a hard time? Does that seven or eight year age gap between most of my cast mates and I really make such a difference? I hear snippets of the struggle from the others, but I still can’t help but feel like I’m the only one in the weeds.
My limbs feel like they’re full of sand and when I wake up in the morning, I somehow I feel even more tired than when I went to bed. I dread doing the show and more than once I’ve found myself on the verge of tears before and during my act. I feel like my brain is in a fog and I have a hard time remembering simple cues. I keep drawing blanks on stage and hope that no one notices my scrambling to execute the cues on time.
Worst of all, I find myself fantasizing about getting injured. Nothing too serious, just enough to let me rest for a few days. Sometimes I feel like I don’t even have to dream about it. They way things are going, I can’t help but ask myself “Is today the day I just collapse backstage? Is today the day my knee gives out, or my ankle? My shoulder?”
And then I’m amazed when at the end of the show, I’m still in one piece. I’m amazed that this body, that is screaming for me to stop, so readily accepts that I just keep on pushing it, and submits to another round of abuse. And then, though it shames me to say it, I’m feel a little disappointed.
It’s happened now that I have, in fact, broken down crying after my act. And much to my surprise, I had one of my cast mates crying next to me while we lay hidden behind some décor waiting to go onstage. Will any of us make it?
I’m exhausted and it’s taking a toll on my health, my relationship, and my mental well-being. It makes me feel ashamed to be this tired. It makes me think I’m weak. Worst of all, it makes me feel like a failure. Can I really be the only one having such a hard time? Does that seven or eight year age gap between most of my cast mates and I really make such a difference? I hear snippets of the struggle from the others, but I still can’t help but feel like I’m the only one in the weeds.
My limbs feel like they’re full of sand and when I wake up in the morning, I somehow I feel even more tired than when I went to bed. I dread doing the show and more than once I’ve found myself on the verge of tears before and during my act. I feel like my brain is in a fog and I have a hard time remembering simple cues. I keep drawing blanks on stage and hope that no one notices my scrambling to execute the cues on time.
Worst of all, I find myself fantasizing about getting injured. Nothing too serious, just enough to let me rest for a few days. Sometimes I feel like I don’t even have to dream about it. They way things are going, I can’t help but ask myself “Is today the day I just collapse backstage? Is today the day my knee gives out, or my ankle? My shoulder?”
And then I’m amazed when at the end of the show, I’m still in one piece. I’m amazed that this body, that is screaming for me to stop, so readily accepts that I just keep on pushing it, and submits to another round of abuse. And then, though it shames me to say it, I’m feel a little disappointed.
It’s happened now that I have, in fact, broken down crying after my act. And much to my surprise, I had one of my cast mates crying next to me while we lay hidden behind some décor waiting to go onstage. Will any of us make it?
Sunday, August 25, 2013
There's a Murder in Town!
Performing the same show over and over again can start to feel pretty repetitive. Factor in near empty tents and the will to perform plummets. So it's good to find ways to keep things fresh and fun. For a long time, the trapeze trio has given itself crazy themes to interpret on stage. Things like "karate instructor", "dinosaur", or "your right hand is trying to murder you"... But never have we done something with the whole troupe. That is, until now...
Back in the days of creation, we would often play wink murder as a warm up activity. Having been a popular game, someone thought it might be fun to play during the show.
The murderer (chosen by the light technician) could only kill people on stage. Obviously, no one was going to suddenly feign death in front of the audience. But a list was put up backstage and if you were killed, you would cross your name off the list so that those still in the game could narrow down the suspects. When you thought you knew whodunnit, you'd call up to the lighting booth to confirm.
As you can see, we don't take kindly to murderers in these parts...
Back in the days of creation, we would often play wink murder as a warm up activity. Having been a popular game, someone thought it might be fun to play during the show.
The murderer (chosen by the light technician) could only kill people on stage. Obviously, no one was going to suddenly feign death in front of the audience. But a list was put up backstage and if you were killed, you would cross your name off the list so that those still in the game could narrow down the suspects. When you thought you knew whodunnit, you'd call up to the lighting booth to confirm.
As you can see, we don't take kindly to murderers in these parts...
Friday, August 23, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Soup's On!
This is a nice little piece on the cookhouse at Kelly Miller Circus. Naturally, I couldn't help but compare their food service to that at the two long term tours I've done.
When I first started working for the circus I'm currently on tour with, I was pretty impressed. Their kitchen is way smaller than the kitchen where I used to work, and there are more than twice as many people to feed! Then I read about Jeremiah Cook, the lone chef at Kelly Miller. He somehow manages to feed up to 96 people!
And the food sounds amazing. Homemade cornbread? Yes, please! Meat is crazy expensive in Switzerland and we don't get it very often. It sounds like at Kelly Miller they not only get lots of meat, but beautifully prepared meat to boot. Ain't nobody getting up at 4am to marinate and roast London broil over here...
But then, different countries mean different traditions and different expectations. Though I definitely wouldn't say no to some Argentine grilling on tour.
Read the whole article here.
When I first started working for the circus I'm currently on tour with, I was pretty impressed. Their kitchen is way smaller than the kitchen where I used to work, and there are more than twice as many people to feed! Then I read about Jeremiah Cook, the lone chef at Kelly Miller. He somehow manages to feed up to 96 people!
And the food sounds amazing. Homemade cornbread? Yes, please! Meat is crazy expensive in Switzerland and we don't get it very often. It sounds like at Kelly Miller they not only get lots of meat, but beautifully prepared meat to boot. Ain't nobody getting up at 4am to marinate and roast London broil over here...
But then, different countries mean different traditions and different expectations. Though I definitely wouldn't say no to some Argentine grilling on tour.
Read the whole article here.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Growing Resentment
The tour schedule as of late has been nothing short of hellish. To say that everyone is exhausted would be an understatement. Typically, Sundays and Wednesdays consist of a matinee, build down, and transport. Then on Mondays and Thursdays we have build up in the morning, and the rest of the day off.
But for the month of July, we have had build up and a show on Mondays, leaving only Thursday afternoon and evening off. The temperature in the tent during performances has been in the high twenties to low thirties, and humid. Plus, we've been in the mountains, so the higher altitude has also been kicking our asses. Most days I feel weak and exhausted. I seem to have done a number on my shoulder (not to mention the continuing saga that is my back) and while the osteopath I saw told me I was on the brink of exhaustion and not to work for a few days, well, the show must go on. So much for getting better... At night, I read for a bit and then go to sleep.
And I am not alone. Pretty much everyone is just trying to make it from one show to the next. We have one artist working with a hernia, another who was in so much pain she was in tears before and during her act, another who, at 19 years of age, has thrown out his back, plus one of the clowns working on messed up ankle.
But the worst part, the very worst part of all, is that we're killing ourselves with this schedule and the tent is practically empty. I could understand really wanting to push the number of shows if we were playing to a packed house, but we've been consistently at 12% capacity for the past two weeks.
Now I've always tried to go in with the attitude that whatever the size of the crowd, those people paid to be there and deserve to see a quality show. But for the first time in my life, I've found myself cursing in my head when I take that first step on stage and see mostly empty seats.
Why is there that extra Monday show when they know Monday shows don't sell? Why are we doing four shows per town that are only filled to 12% when we could just as easily do two or three shows to more sizable crowds, especially in towns where they know from past experience that the crowds aren't there? And why, why such a heavy workload now (again, to an empty tent) when in the next three months we have almost as many shows to do as we've done in the last five months?
The resentment is growing and I'm really starting to feel angry. Three months to go is one thing, actually making it to the end is another...
But for the month of July, we have had build up and a show on Mondays, leaving only Thursday afternoon and evening off. The temperature in the tent during performances has been in the high twenties to low thirties, and humid. Plus, we've been in the mountains, so the higher altitude has also been kicking our asses. Most days I feel weak and exhausted. I seem to have done a number on my shoulder (not to mention the continuing saga that is my back) and while the osteopath I saw told me I was on the brink of exhaustion and not to work for a few days, well, the show must go on. So much for getting better... At night, I read for a bit and then go to sleep.
And I am not alone. Pretty much everyone is just trying to make it from one show to the next. We have one artist working with a hernia, another who was in so much pain she was in tears before and during her act, another who, at 19 years of age, has thrown out his back, plus one of the clowns working on messed up ankle.
But the worst part, the very worst part of all, is that we're killing ourselves with this schedule and the tent is practically empty. I could understand really wanting to push the number of shows if we were playing to a packed house, but we've been consistently at 12% capacity for the past two weeks.
Now I've always tried to go in with the attitude that whatever the size of the crowd, those people paid to be there and deserve to see a quality show. But for the first time in my life, I've found myself cursing in my head when I take that first step on stage and see mostly empty seats.
Why is there that extra Monday show when they know Monday shows don't sell? Why are we doing four shows per town that are only filled to 12% when we could just as easily do two or three shows to more sizable crowds, especially in towns where they know from past experience that the crowds aren't there? And why, why such a heavy workload now (again, to an empty tent) when in the next three months we have almost as many shows to do as we've done in the last five months?
The resentment is growing and I'm really starting to feel angry. Three months to go is one thing, actually making it to the end is another...
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Please Don't Be Alive...
Getting up from my banquette seat to make a pot of tea, I stepped on something funny. Feeling a little panicked about what could possibly feel like that, I looked down to discover that it was a misplaced clown nose.
I'm not sure which I find more bizarre. The sudden and inexplicable appearance of a clown nose on my floor, or the fact that this occurrence struck me as in no way out of the ordinary.
Quel vie de cirque.
I'm not sure which I find more bizarre. The sudden and inexplicable appearance of a clown nose on my floor, or the fact that this occurrence struck me as in no way out of the ordinary.
Quel vie de cirque.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
This is My JOB
As a circus artist constantly on the look out for the next contract, there's nothing more exciting than opening your e-mail and finding a job offer waiting. Even more exciting is when that job offer is somewhere far away that you've always dreamed of going! So when I opened my e-mail one morning to find an offer in India waiting for me, I was pretty stoked.
The excitement didn't last.
It only took a moment to realize that the same organization had written to me two years earlier only to stop replying after only a couple of exchanges. I always figured I asked too many questions. Silly me wanting to know what I was potentially getting into.
The e-mail itself was pretty vague. It wasn't addressed to me, it just expressed the organization's interest in "my show" and then went on to praise the event in question and listed many of the incredible acts that had graced their stage in years past. I figured there was no harm in looking into what they were proposing, and since they pretty much sent the exact same e-mail as they had two years previously, I sent the same reply I sent the first time seeing as I still had a copy in my archives.
That's when things got interesting.
Being a "student run non-profit organization", they couldn't actually pay me. They could provide accommodation and pay for travel within India, but that's it. They then listed all these incredible artists that had worked for them in the past and went on to add that none of them had charged any artistic fees.
Really? They were all down with working for free? I find that hard to believe.
So I looked up all the artists mentioned and messaged them. I only received a few responses but was basically told that it would be financial ruin, certain contractual agreements were not met, and not to bother.
Based on that feedback and the fact that if I wanted to foot the bill for a trip to India, I could just go there on vacation and not have to work, I decided not to continue negotiations. I was pretty annoyed with being asked to work for free, and seeing as they simply stopped communicating with me the last time, I didn't feel so bad about not replying.
And that's when I got another e-mail from them saying "We wrote to you about performing at our event. Kindly respond."
My response?
In case you're thinking that I snubbed my nose at some charitable organization just trying to do some good in the world, I should probably add that the event in question was a big tech extravaganza where the main events all involved robot fights. If you can stage an event with over 10 000 delegates, and everyone seems to have the cash to invest in building battlebots, you can damn well afford to pay the entertainment.
Hrmph.
Incredibly, I actually got a response to that e-mail. They apologized and were sorry if they hurt my feelings.
Well I'll be.
The excitement didn't last.
It only took a moment to realize that the same organization had written to me two years earlier only to stop replying after only a couple of exchanges. I always figured I asked too many questions. Silly me wanting to know what I was potentially getting into.
The e-mail itself was pretty vague. It wasn't addressed to me, it just expressed the organization's interest in "my show" and then went on to praise the event in question and listed many of the incredible acts that had graced their stage in years past. I figured there was no harm in looking into what they were proposing, and since they pretty much sent the exact same e-mail as they had two years previously, I sent the same reply I sent the first time seeing as I still had a copy in my archives.
That's when things got interesting.
Being a "student run non-profit organization", they couldn't actually pay me. They could provide accommodation and pay for travel within India, but that's it. They then listed all these incredible artists that had worked for them in the past and went on to add that none of them had charged any artistic fees.
Really? They were all down with working for free? I find that hard to believe.
So I looked up all the artists mentioned and messaged them. I only received a few responses but was basically told that it would be financial ruin, certain contractual agreements were not met, and not to bother.
Based on that feedback and the fact that if I wanted to foot the bill for a trip to India, I could just go there on vacation and not have to work, I decided not to continue negotiations. I was pretty annoyed with being asked to work for free, and seeing as they simply stopped communicating with me the last time, I didn't feel so bad about not replying.
And that's when I got another e-mail from them saying "We wrote to you about performing at our event. Kindly respond."
My response?
While I thank you for you interest in my work, I'm afraid I only consider serious job offers. What you are asking is that I spend thousands of dollars to volunteer at your event. This is my career, it's how I earn a living. I don't imagine you work for free, why should I? Your request is nothing short of disrespectful.
In case you're thinking that I snubbed my nose at some charitable organization just trying to do some good in the world, I should probably add that the event in question was a big tech extravaganza where the main events all involved robot fights. If you can stage an event with over 10 000 delegates, and everyone seems to have the cash to invest in building battlebots, you can damn well afford to pay the entertainment.
Hrmph.
Incredibly, I actually got a response to that e-mail. They apologized and were sorry if they hurt my feelings.
Well I'll be.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
This Bud's For You
One of the workers here at the circus is, shall we say, a pot affectionado. So much so he had his own little plant potted and proudly displayed in front of his caravan.
Fast forward to a recent ransport. I stuck around the old site until very near the end as I was going to go in one of the tractors. And so, while strolling past the little stream that had cut through the circus grounds, watching the final wagons disappear, I was stumbled upon a pot plant growing by the stream's bank.
What the heck?
As it turns out, the pot cultivating worker discovered his plant was male and therefore useless to him. He was just going to chuck it when his plant loving neighbour caught wind of his plan and, scandalized by the potential murder of an innocent plant, convinced him to give disowned plant a second chance. As such, it was planted among some tall grass and found a new home by the stream.
Your move, Johnny Appleseed.
Fast forward to a recent ransport. I stuck around the old site until very near the end as I was going to go in one of the tractors. And so, while strolling past the little stream that had cut through the circus grounds, watching the final wagons disappear, I was stumbled upon a pot plant growing by the stream's bank.
What the heck?
As it turns out, the pot cultivating worker discovered his plant was male and therefore useless to him. He was just going to chuck it when his plant loving neighbour caught wind of his plan and, scandalized by the potential murder of an innocent plant, convinced him to give disowned plant a second chance. As such, it was planted among some tall grass and found a new home by the stream.
Your move, Johnny Appleseed.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
A Roulotte to Call Your Very Own
One of the images that immediately come to mind when I think of the circus, is beautiful, intricately crafted rolling stock. Especially the roulottes. A few people on this tour have them, and I've definitely sighed many a sigh of longing admiring them.
Now I don't know why it took so long for this information to surface, but one of the artists has a friend who makes circus wagons!
If you've got 49 000 euro, or maybe just a dream, might I suggest you visit zirkuswagen.com?
Now I don't know why it took so long for this information to surface, but one of the artists has a friend who makes circus wagons!
If you've got 49 000 euro, or maybe just a dream, might I suggest you visit zirkuswagen.com?
Friday, August 9, 2013
Kitten Rescue!
Let's be real, people. This news is far too exciting for some fancy pants lead in. The news is exactly as the subject line suggests. A kitten has been rescued on tour!
If being next to a cookie factory wasn't awesome enough, while there, one of the artists found a kitten in serious distress and promptly began to nurse it back to health. The poor little guy was in dreadful shape. She was found barely crawling among some stacks of wooden pallets. Initially she was thought to be blind as her eyes were so badly crusted shut. Her breathing was laboured as her nose was also crusted over. She was filthy, with matted fur, and so thin she was more skeleton that cat.
She was washed and her eyes gently cleaned so she could see. I had no idea that "cat milk" was thing, but apparently it is, and some was purchased so the starving, dehydrated little lady could slowly regain her strength.
The first few days weren't pretty. She barely moved and a stiff breeze probably could have knocked her over. A very kind vet saw her for free and treated her for the many illnesses she'd contracted. What was once a shadow of a cat is now shaping up to be cuddly, mischievous little kitten who is slowly being encouraged to learn some fun, acrobatic tricks, like walking across her papa's outstretched arms.
And this kitten... oh this kitten...
Being allergic to cats, I've kind of made myself not be a cat person. But this little guy? She has totally won me over. I am smitten with this kitten. I think there was concern that the higher ups would not be pleased with the adoption of a kitten on the tour, but there was no need to worry. She's won everyone over.
She hangs out with us backstage and does transport like a champ. I dare say her level of cuteness maybe unrivaled. I swear, I can't even handle it. It was said that as soon as she'd regained her strength, they'd let her go. But who are we kidding? She's here to stay.
If being next to a cookie factory wasn't awesome enough, while there, one of the artists found a kitten in serious distress and promptly began to nurse it back to health. The poor little guy was in dreadful shape. She was found barely crawling among some stacks of wooden pallets. Initially she was thought to be blind as her eyes were so badly crusted shut. Her breathing was laboured as her nose was also crusted over. She was filthy, with matted fur, and so thin she was more skeleton that cat.
She was washed and her eyes gently cleaned so she could see. I had no idea that "cat milk" was thing, but apparently it is, and some was purchased so the starving, dehydrated little lady could slowly regain her strength.
The first few days weren't pretty. She barely moved and a stiff breeze probably could have knocked her over. A very kind vet saw her for free and treated her for the many illnesses she'd contracted. What was once a shadow of a cat is now shaping up to be cuddly, mischievous little kitten who is slowly being encouraged to learn some fun, acrobatic tricks, like walking across her papa's outstretched arms.
And this kitten... oh this kitten...
Being allergic to cats, I've kind of made myself not be a cat person. But this little guy? She has totally won me over. I am smitten with this kitten. I think there was concern that the higher ups would not be pleased with the adoption of a kitten on the tour, but there was no need to worry. She's won everyone over.
She hangs out with us backstage and does transport like a champ. I dare say her level of cuteness maybe unrivaled. I swear, I can't even handle it. It was said that as soon as she'd regained her strength, they'd let her go. But who are we kidding? She's here to stay.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
The New Neighbour
After our stay next to the cookie factory, our new neighbour was a psychiatric hospital. Not quite the same charm, but a very interesting public.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
The Best Neighbour
The circus is right next to a cookie factory.
The factory has a store. The store has free samples of ALL THE
COOKIES!!! Now I look like this...
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Easy Peasy
Any time I come across photos like this, I can't help but question my legitimacy as a circus artist...
Friday, August 2, 2013
47km to Ruin
It was not a good day for transport.
In fact, I’d be willing to bet that it was one of the worst transports ever.
The director of the circus not only clipped something on route to the new town, but he also got a 240 franc speeding ticket.
One of the workers also clipped something, and later, almost run over a cyclist.
A tire blew on one of the vehicles.
Oh yeah, and this:
A tractor trailer, apparently fed up of constantly getting stuck behind members of our slow going circus convoy, decided to over take the car and caravan. He passed them so quickly the suction caused the the caravan to swerve uncontrollably and... well... you can see the result for yourself.
No one was hurt and the caravan will likely be sent to that great big trailer park in the sky.
In fact, I’d be willing to bet that it was one of the worst transports ever.
The director of the circus not only clipped something on route to the new town, but he also got a 240 franc speeding ticket.
One of the workers also clipped something, and later, almost run over a cyclist.
A tire blew on one of the vehicles.
Oh yeah, and this:
A tractor trailer, apparently fed up of constantly getting stuck behind members of our slow going circus convoy, decided to over take the car and caravan. He passed them so quickly the suction caused the the caravan to swerve uncontrollably and... well... you can see the result for yourself.
No one was hurt and the caravan will likely be sent to that great big trailer park in the sky.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Net Rescue
Ever wonder what happens when there's a circus accident in the circus? The following video demonstrates (if not a little over dramatically) how a net rescue is executed by Cirque du Soeil.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
New Records!
Is there anything more satisfying that breaking a record? That all depends on the record, I suppose.
We've been breaking all kinds of records in the past few days, mostly of the heat related variety. Although I also broke my German wheel shoe lace record, the previous record being six uses before the damn thing broke. The new record being the very first use. Yippee!
But back to the heat records...
For a long time, the hottest the tent had been for a performance was 33°C. We broke that with 34°C only to break that record the following day with 35°C. The hot hot heat has also created a new record for consecutive performances in a tent above 30°C. We're at five in a row and counting! Even the night shows offered no relief. The temperature only dropped to 31°C.
Needless to say, we're all pretty miserable at the moment. Bring on the mountains! Bring on the fall!
We've been breaking all kinds of records in the past few days, mostly of the heat related variety. Although I also broke my German wheel shoe lace record, the previous record being six uses before the damn thing broke. The new record being the very first use. Yippee!
But back to the heat records...
For a long time, the hottest the tent had been for a performance was 33°C. We broke that with 34°C only to break that record the following day with 35°C. The hot hot heat has also created a new record for consecutive performances in a tent above 30°C. We're at five in a row and counting! Even the night shows offered no relief. The temperature only dropped to 31°C.
Needless to say, we're all pretty miserable at the moment. Bring on the mountains! Bring on the fall!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Little Old Ladies
I love little old ladies. Love ‘em. The vast majority of the
time, if there’s a member of the public that is incredibly generous and invigorating
with the energy they give, it’s a little old lady.
Lately, there have been some pretty spectacular elderly
members of the audience. The woman in the polk-a-dot blouse, the super generous
clapper, the happy man in the wheelchair... Once, when the opportunity
presented itself, I found the courage to go up to one of these gems of the
public and thanked them for their generosity and enthusiasm. Nothing makes
getting through your act easier than having a shining beacon of a face beaming
at you. When it’s stinking hot, or you really just didn’t feel like going on
stage that day, a member of the audience like that just carries you. And on
those rare occasions where you can make your appreciation known, well that just
goes straight to the heart.
The other night, we had two little old ladies sitting in the
front row on the right. They were very close to my trapeze and after my first
drop, I literally saw them jump in their seats and clutch their chests. I
smiled at the sight of it and knew they would be wonderful.
When it came to my wheel act, they did not disappoint. And a
good thing too as my act got off to quite the rocky start. But they had the
most luminous smiles and had their hands clasped in front of them right below
their chins, completely enthralled.
At the end of my act I always look centre, left right, then
back to centre and whisper a little thank you to the crowd. But that night was
centre, left, right, the two little old ladies for a special thank you just to
them. They nodded back and whispered something of their own, and I swear, I
floated off that stage.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Fashion, Faut Pas
When you're on a tour in the circus, a rhythm sets in and things can sometimes get to be a little monotonous. But every so often, an exciting side gig or special event comes along and shakes things up a bit. I was lucky enough to be chosen for just such a special event when I was asked if I wouldn't mind being part of a photo shoot for one of Switzerland's most widely circulated magazines!
At first, I was really excited. I was the only one in the troupe who would be featured in the shoot, and they were even flying in a model from New York for one day only, just for one shoot at our little circus! I would be in my wheel in full costume and make-up and I was told that as a main feature in the magazine, the photo would take up at least a quarter of the page, maybe more.
But my excitement quickly turned into some serious feelings of insecurity.
The model was stunning. She was exactly what you would imagine if someone told you to picture a fashion model in your head. Tall, slender, blonde, cheekbones to die for... and when the camera started clicking, she easily maneuvered from one sultry pose to the next with barely a second in between positions.
Me? Well, at first they wanted me upside down. But then they decided I was "so cute" that I could stand upright behind the model. Yipee... where she is tall, I am quite short. Where she is slender, I am muscular, almost boxy by comparison. I swear, in the photos I saw afterward, I looked like a squat little dwarf...
Moreover, no one told me what to do or where I should look. So sometimes I looked at the model, sometimes the camera. I had a very limited range of movement because I was standing in the wheel and any shift in weight would have caused it to roll out of the position desired for the shot. I had no idea why I was even there.
In the photos I saw afterward, I mostly look like I hate the model and maybe want to murder her. In the ones that I thought I looked good, the model was typically shifting from one pose to another. In the ones where she looked good, I looked like I was going to do her bodily harm.
When I pointed this out to the photographer, he insisted I just looked proud. I'm not so sure about that. Fortunately, he said he could just take her from one photo and me from another to make one super photo. I really hope he does.
The entire thing left me feeling terribly self-conscious and unattractive. I know that people have different standards of beauty, and many people at the circus reassured me that they like the way I look way more than the model looked, but my self-worth seemed to have decreased considerably from when I got up in the morning.
One thing I really like about circus is that very often it shows women of many different body types. They range from the petite and fit hand-to-hand flyer, the strong and slender aerialist, the muscular firecracker acrobat, and everything in between. Circus showcases every kind of woman, for the most part*, healthy and strong, each and every one of them beautiful.
I know this to be true. But when all was said and done, I certainly didn't feel that way. And the blow was that much harder as it came at me from inside my own home. The entire thing shook me in ways that I can't express. They were made all the more confusing by events that would occur the following evening...
* Like many fields (or just plain life) where the body is subject public scrutiny, eating disorders lurk. Luckily, I haven't encountered it much in my career. But that is not a subject I wish to address at this time.
At first, I was really excited. I was the only one in the troupe who would be featured in the shoot, and they were even flying in a model from New York for one day only, just for one shoot at our little circus! I would be in my wheel in full costume and make-up and I was told that as a main feature in the magazine, the photo would take up at least a quarter of the page, maybe more.
But my excitement quickly turned into some serious feelings of insecurity.
The model was stunning. She was exactly what you would imagine if someone told you to picture a fashion model in your head. Tall, slender, blonde, cheekbones to die for... and when the camera started clicking, she easily maneuvered from one sultry pose to the next with barely a second in between positions.
Me? Well, at first they wanted me upside down. But then they decided I was "so cute" that I could stand upright behind the model. Yipee... where she is tall, I am quite short. Where she is slender, I am muscular, almost boxy by comparison. I swear, in the photos I saw afterward, I looked like a squat little dwarf...
Moreover, no one told me what to do or where I should look. So sometimes I looked at the model, sometimes the camera. I had a very limited range of movement because I was standing in the wheel and any shift in weight would have caused it to roll out of the position desired for the shot. I had no idea why I was even there.
In the photos I saw afterward, I mostly look like I hate the model and maybe want to murder her. In the ones that I thought I looked good, the model was typically shifting from one pose to another. In the ones where she looked good, I looked like I was going to do her bodily harm.
When I pointed this out to the photographer, he insisted I just looked proud. I'm not so sure about that. Fortunately, he said he could just take her from one photo and me from another to make one super photo. I really hope he does.
The entire thing left me feeling terribly self-conscious and unattractive. I know that people have different standards of beauty, and many people at the circus reassured me that they like the way I look way more than the model looked, but my self-worth seemed to have decreased considerably from when I got up in the morning.
One thing I really like about circus is that very often it shows women of many different body types. They range from the petite and fit hand-to-hand flyer, the strong and slender aerialist, the muscular firecracker acrobat, and everything in between. Circus showcases every kind of woman, for the most part*, healthy and strong, each and every one of them beautiful.
I know this to be true. But when all was said and done, I certainly didn't feel that way. And the blow was that much harder as it came at me from inside my own home. The entire thing shook me in ways that I can't express. They were made all the more confusing by events that would occur the following evening...
* Like many fields (or just plain life) where the body is subject public scrutiny, eating disorders lurk. Luckily, I haven't encountered it much in my career. But that is not a subject I wish to address at this time.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
From Russia with Love
One night after a show, a man came up to me speaking a language I didn’t understand. Seeing as my German is pretty weak, this is not surprising. Only this man wasn’t speaking German, he was speaking Russian.
Naturally, the first thing he asked me was if I was Russian.
I swear, they always know… “Niet Ruski, my family… Ukrainski.”
After a nod of understanding he took my both my hands in his and kissed them. Then he kissed his own hands in a gesture that is universally understood to mean “magnificent”. He went on trying to express a few more things but then simply settled on taking my hands again, offering a small bow, and then kissing them one last time.
Needless to say, I was a little overwhelmed. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone bow to me and kiss my hands before.
I guess he liked my act.
Naturally, the first thing he asked me was if I was Russian.
I swear, they always know… “Niet Ruski, my family… Ukrainski.”
After a nod of understanding he took my both my hands in his and kissed them. Then he kissed his own hands in a gesture that is universally understood to mean “magnificent”. He went on trying to express a few more things but then simply settled on taking my hands again, offering a small bow, and then kissing them one last time.
Needless to say, I was a little overwhelmed. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone bow to me and kiss my hands before.
I guess he liked my act.
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