This monthly showcase of variety performers has a lot to be proud of.
The New York based cirkus family Bindlestiff has some great shows lined up all year long and not just in Manhattan. The company also has performances in Hudson NY and other locations. But, the monthly BOSVR as I refer to it as has so many great acts every month and an audience that sees it one month will see a ‘variety’ of other acts the following month. Keith Nelson hosts the monthly extravaganza and believe me it IS an Extravaganza!
The first performance of the evening is usually is reserved for Keith. Here is the ‘diablo’ or Chinese Yoyo act which he excels at.
Bethany Shao performed an amazing ‘hand balancing’ act.
Host Keith Nelson has a wonderful knack for presenting his skills in between the other acts. He claims it is the only time he gets to rehearse them. Here is his lovely spinning wooden top act.
The eccentric act of Cassandra Nemser was opera singing mixed with magic linking rings. Montana Miller told a true biographical story about her aerial work and meeting a sky-diving man that swept her away.The back stage hands that move the show along by placing and replacing props for the acts also happen to be talented performers themselves. Here is clown/physical comedian Adam Auslander adding to the hilarity of the evening.Brian Klimowski has a great talent for the Yoyo and sang/danced was well.
In every monthly show there is a ‘walk-up’ slot to be filled by anyone that wants to participate ‘last minute’ by walking up to Keith and telling him they want to ‘go on’. This month it was Ambrose Martos and he performed a clown verbal improv that involved audience participation and tickled the audience’s funny bone for sure.
Closing the show was Jared Shanks who performed the aerial ‘straps’ act. It was really wonderful to see his control and skill.
As Keith calls up all the performers for the curtain call he reminds the audience to ‘meet at the bar’ upstairs and buy your favorite act a drink!
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Every first MONDAY of the Month at Dixon Place. Come and enjoy the talent!
In 2010 I had a concept in my head one day that I should photograph my favorite subjects (Clowns) without their performance costume and makeup and match it with a performance shot. The ‘Unmask’ shot would be black and white and the performance shot in color. I decided to call it The Clown UnMask. I began shooting in Feb. 2010 with one of the funniest clowns I know and admire. Glen Heroy.
I followed up with many more (almost 50) until I stopped shooting the series in 2016. Here is a comprehensive list of the performers (with links to the original posts) I documented in my ‘hallway’ studio. In the order in which I photographed them. Full post are reached by using the links. Some portrait are provided for visual excitement!
(The wall came down in 2016 so the series was discontinued)
Not pictured here but hysterically entertaining were the Cabaret Decadanse (Andre-Anne LeBlanc and Serge Delauriers)
Produced by Mark Rubinstein, Brett Haylock, Mick Perrin, James Tod, Nick Zuppar and Gavin Kalin/Edward Snape; creative producer, Mr. Haylock; lighting by Willie Suddon; sound by Richard Fitzgerald/Sound Associates; production stage manager, Bianca Houston. At the Union Square Theater, 100 East 17th Street, Manhattan, 800-653-8000, ticketmaster.com. Through March 30. Running time: 2 hours.
Ambrose Martos has performed standup, clown, improv, sketch and dance around New York City and the world. He was a finalist in the BBC Open Mic competition at the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival and once had his roller skating disco act described as “brave comedy” by ABC’s Diane Sawyer. Ambrose is a regular host and performer at New York City’s best vaudeville reviews and has performed on the largest cruise ship in the world for Royal Caribbean. Ambrose plays the lead role in the indie film Lutoski Fish Sticks. He is a 1997 graduate of Clown College, a member of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit and part of the comedy trio Happy Hour.