Author Archives: Circus Smirkus
Meet Mark Lonergan
by Genevieve Martineau The halls of the museum are empty, all the visitors have gone home for the night. Security guards roam through the various displays, checking that everything is in it’s place. The clock strikes midnight. In the corner of your eye, you see something. Did that statue just move? And the next thing you know, a magical museum springs to life full of jugglers, aerialists, clowns and contortionists! This is the work of Mark Lonergan, who is back for the second year to share his vision as the Big Top Tour Creative Director. Coming from his own company,…
Circus Smirkus comes to town for its 30th year
Editor’s note: This story first appeared on WTEN Albany on July 11, 2017 and was written by Jimmy Marlow. Video used by permission. SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Circus Smirkus is back in town for its 30thanniversary “Big Top Tour” and you’ll have four chances to catch it, twice on Tuesday, and twice on Wednesday. Circus Smirkus is a high-energy, enthusiastic show put on by some of the world’s best, and youngest circus actors. This year’s show theme is “Midnight at the Museum.” The show takes you on an adventure through the halls of a museum at night, when everything comes…
Circus Smirkus at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Written by Rob Mermin, founder of Circus Smirkus I recently took five Smirkus alum to the 10-day, circus-themed Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall in Washington, D.C. What a fun event! There were circus luminaries from across the country, artists and directors, like: Dolly Jacobs (the only circus performer in history to be honored with a National Heritage Fellowship award by the National Endowment for the Arts), Rafael Palacios – fourth generation trapeze artist, inducted into Sarasota’s Circus Ring of Fame, has performed for the likes of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco and Pope John Paul II. Elena Panova – Award…
Circus Smirkus sets a red nose record
Editor’s Note: This article was written by Mandi Kreisher, one of 3 tour counselors who travel all summer with the young performers. “They’re not female clowns, they’re clowns.” -Barry Lubin AKA Grandma the Clown 2017 is one for the clown books here at Circus Smirkus! Last year the Smirkus Clown Alley consisted of half females and half males but this year for the first time, and hopefully not last, the Clown Alley is made up primarily of females. Five out of the six clowns in the Big Top Tour are female, which is out of the norm for most circuses….
WPTZ: Vermont’s Circus Turns 30
Editor’s Note: This piece was produced by Renee Wunderlich of WPTZ News on July 9, 2017. It will play after a brief ad.
Troy Record: Circus Smirkus marks 30th anniversary
Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Troy Record newspaper and website on July 5, 2017 and was written by Weekender Staff. SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Circus Smirkus, an award-winning international traveling youth circus, is returning to the Spa City on its 30th Anniversary Big Top Tour. Click to watch the broadcast below. Families can gather under the Big Top Tent this July 11 and 12 at the outdoor field at the Saratoga Casino Hotel for four “adventuresome” performances by Circus Smirkus, presented by the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs. Performances will take place at 1 p.m. on 6 p.m….
Video Preview: Midnight At The Museum
Watch the video preview of our 30th Anniversary Big Top Tour, or click here to purchase tickets. CLICK THE LINKS BELOW GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! July 14 & 15: St. Johnsbury, VT July 17 & 18: Keene, NH July 20 & 21: Hanover, NH July 23 & 24: Milford, NH July 26 & 27: Marshfield, MA July 28, 29, & 30: Waltham, MA Aug. 1 & 2: Northampton, MA Aug. 4 & 5: Newbury, MA Aug. 7 & 8: Freeport, ME Aug. 10 & 11: Kennebunkport, ME Aug. 13 & 14: Bartlett, NH Aug. 16, 17, & 18: Montpelier, VT Aug. 20: Greensboro, VT
Two Week Camp Sessions Have Started!
This blog post is written by Head Counselor, Nathan Eckstein. Where is the summer going?!? It is hard to believe that we are already on day two of Session III. On Sunday, we welcomed 80 campers for our first two-week session of the summer including 4 international campers – 3 campers from Palestine, and 1 camper from France. We also welcomed another clown coach, Kelsey Custard, to camp. She is fresh off the European leg of the Amaluna Cirque du Soleil show – welcome to Smirkus Kelsey and campers! The energy in the air is electric with a mix…
Jump Day Troubles
There are no ordinary days here at the circus, but there is always much planning. We plan everything from where we set up site, to when we eat meals; from how we are going to still have a show in the rain, to who is going to take out the trash. However, in life and in circus, we know not everything always goes as planned! Today was a great example of this. Note the photo of the flat tire below! Our mishap occured on what is called jump day – or the day when the crew packs up the lot…
A Day In the Life: Concessions
This post is by Rachel Thompson, the Tour PR Intern for this year’s tour. We are all settled here in Essex Junction, VT and the Troupers are so excited to be performing two sold-out shows here on the first day! It’s all hands on deck today at the circus, and we’re going to give you a glimpse into the work life of a Smirkus concessionaire! The moment you walk into Mille, the concessions tent, the sweet smell of cotton candy being spun and the delectable aroma of popcorn popping fills the tent. The bright lights from dinosaur bubble blasters and light up…