In the Interest of History, StripTrapeze

I don't remember where I heard it, but somewhere along the line I picked up the tall tale that the trapeze started out as some kind of prop in places of ill repute, if you catch my drift. As much as I doubt the truthfulness behind that origin story, there's no denying that such tales are a part of the trapeze's history.

Ladies and gentlemen, for your viewing pleasure, strip trapeze circa 1901!

For those who are interested, this is what I found concerning the origin of the trapeze:

The slack rope was the first of the aerial acts. Through the iconography contained in newspaper advertising material we can date the American introduction of the single trapeze to the season of 1856. In that year, two circuses had such acts. Sands, Nathans & Co. had Denzer and Bliss; Flagg & Aymar featured Henry Harris. These men did acrobatics while hanging from the still bar. However, there is record of English performers hanging beneath hot air balloons as early as 1851. In a tented circus the still bar was usually suspended from a spar that jutted out from the center pole. Lacking the impetus provided by swinging, these artists treated the bar much as the horizontal bar was used in later years. As might be expected, their actions were overshadowed by the higher, swinging feats performed on the slack rope. Eventually, the trapeze came to be used as a swing itself. We first find it referred to as the "flying trapeze" in 1864 on the Tom King Circus. The origin of the flying trapeze, but not of its name, lies with Jules Leotard in Paris in 1859. Early trapezes were hung only fifteen feet from the ground. With the adoption of swinging they were suspended at ceiling height. It was then that the flying trapeze began to supplant standing riding as the favorite act of spectators. [Source]

Not 8.6, but 86

There are days when I finish a show and feel a little stiffer than I can ever remember feeling. Or times when I am stretching and my hips really don't seem to agree that I should be making them do what I am making them do. And there are definitely mornings where I wake and think "So this is what the onset of arthritis must feel like."

Then I see videos like the one below and mumble something about something and keep my mouth shut.

I would like you to meet Johanna Quaas. Basically, she's about to put you to shame.

Quaas competed in Germany's Cottbus Challenger Cup and dominated on the parallel bars and floor

What have you done today?

Ladybugs, and Gentlemites, Bugs and Grubs, Cicadas of All Ages!

A friend of mine has a series of clown acts about insects and I can't help but think of him when I see this! Here's to you, R!

Amaluna - A Little Bit of Background

I wanted to post this yesterday with the other Amaluna posts, but between taking advantage of my last day in Copenhagen and getting ready for the voyage to Berlin, I didn't have the chance.

The following is an interview with Amaluna director Diane Paulus. I like how she says that the idea behind this female-centric show wasn't so much about women's issues as it is about showcasing strong female characters and a matriarchal society. By doing that, I think, you still ultimately touch upon women's issues, but in a way that isn't preachy or pedagogical.

Also, I love how the hoop artist character of Prospera is portrayed by an older acrobat, and that the women you see in this video all look so strong and powerful.

But enough about what I think. See for yourself!

UPDATE - From the Montreal Gazette:

"The upcoming Cirque du Soleil production Amaluna will be a love story inspired by Greek mythology, Amazonian warrior women and Shakespeare, featuring 70 per cent female performers.

The story, modelled after Shakespeare's final play, The Tempest, tracks the romance between a shaman queen's daughter and a prince, on a remote island called Amaluna. Paulus, who has been working on the show for two years, said it will be an 'homage to women.' "

More Amaluna

Amaluna Preview

The first images of Cirque du Soleil's latest show, Amaluna, are out and it looks really awesome. This is a show where women rule. I'm loving the fierce tribal woman vibe that the pictures convey. And the role of women in circus has been on my mind quite a lot as of late, so I'm very curious to see if they've done the subject justice, or if it will be just another first degree, grrl power look at femininity.

For more photos, go here.

How Do I Get Here?

I have no idea where this is, I just randomly found this image on an image sharing website. All I know is that I want to go here. I want to go here right now.