World Circus Day is Here Again!

It's World Circus Day! If you've found your way to my blog today, you're already off to a good start! Last year I suggested all kinds of ways to celebrate. And while I still think the best possible way to celebrate would be to attend an event near you, a close second would be to cozy up with a circus inspired film! I've featured a couple so far this month and would like to add the 1956 classic Trapeze to the list of films every circus fan should see.

But because today is a special day, I have a special surprise for you! If you don't have the time or energy to find a circus film to view, look no further. Today, for your viewing and circus pleasure, I present Charlie Chaplin's The Circus!

The next seven parts are after the jump. Enjoy!

It's That Time Again...

Ladies and gents, World Circus Day is almost upon us. April 21st 2012 will be the third annual installment of this international ode to circus. But if you paid any attention to the picture at left, you already knew that.

I think it's a lot of fun that there's a day once a year where we take a moment to reflect on the awesomness that is the circus. So whether you don floppy shoes and a spray flower, walk around the block on your hands, or simply take in a show (be it live or on film), make April 21st a day to remember. Be sure to check back here on the 21st! Because in honour of World Circus Day, I have a surprise in store for you!

It's World Circus Day!

Ladiiiiiiiiies aaand gentleman! Boys and girls! Children of aaaaaaaaall ages! Happy World Circus Day!

Not sure how to celebrate? Why, there are hundreds of ways!

You could brush up on your American circus lingo. Or perhaps hum a few bars of Julius Fucik's Entry Of The Gladiators, the Universally recognized theme song of the circus. Or you could discover a lesser known circus discipline with a quick search on Youtube! Might I suggest antipodism, Icarian games, or perch? Or, if you prefer to make some discoveries on your own, the National Circus School of Montreal has a great list of circus disciplines. Just click on the name for a brief description.

Better still, find out if there are any events happening near you! With 32 participating countries registered, you never know, there may be an event right in your backyard!

If there are no official events, maybe there's a circus in town? And if there isn't, what better excuse to watch Tod Browning's Freaks or Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth?

Then, of course, there are the truly hands-on methods of celebrating this day of circus. Head outside and do a cartwheel, a handstand, or other acrobatic feat in your repertoire! Try and juggle! Throw a pie in someone's face! See how many people you can fit into a car!

Okay, now I'm just getting silly...

So grab a leotard and your floppiest shoes and celebrate the circus!

World Circus Day

Did you know that there's a World Circus Day? No? Well, I'm rather embarrassed to admit it, but neither did I! The good news is (for you and for me), that's no longer the case! Celebrating its second edition, World Circus Day 2011 will take place on Saturday April 16th.

According to the website, "World Circus Day is a special day for families all over the world to celebrate the magic of the circus. Stage a special event, take a kid to a circus, throw a circus party, dress up like a clown, join a circus fans association, or create your own circus, complete with your family pets."

Headed by the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque and under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stephanie of Monaco, this year's World Circus Day will consist of events in 32 countries!

For more information about World Circus day and the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque, visit their website.

World Circus Day is a week from today, how will you celebrate?