Tag: Paul Binder

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American Circus Big Apple Circus Circus Clown Comedy Performing Arts Photography Story Teller

The Rob Torres Tribute Book

After a year of assembling photographs, quotes, personal comments, essays, and more photographs we finally have a beautiful book to offer the fans and friends of Rob Torres.

The professional photographers that have contributed their work to the book are: Michelle Bates, John Cornicello, Rob Falk, Mark Gardiner, Maike Schulz, and Wednesday Aja. Of course, I have photographs in the book as well.

A community celebration of the life of Rob Torres.

Commentary by Paul Binder (co-founder of The Big Apple Circus), Ernest Albrecht (Spectacle Magazine), Dominque Jando (Circopedia) and Martin Ewen (clown and author).

The softcover version of the book is available here.

 

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American Circus Big Apple Circus Circus Clown Comedy Performing Arts Photography Physical Theater Tent Show

IN/SIGHTS – Big Apple Circus Clowns

Big Apple Circus ClownsBig Apple Circus Clowns

“1987 – Big Apple Circus Clowns. This shot encompasses the wonder of clowns’ first contact with the audience: hope, innocence, vulnerability, and impending mayhem.”

~ ~ Paul Binder – CoFounder of The Big Apple Circus

(Pictured above top to bottom: Michael Christensen as Mr. Stubs, John Lepiarz as Mr. Fish, David Casey as Oaf and Jeff Gordon as Gordoon.)

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American Circus Big Apple Circus Circus Clown Comedy Dance Juggling Magic Music Performing Arts Photography Women

The Big Apple Circus Needs Your HELP! NOW!

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BIG APPLE CIRCUS:

CASH IS DWINDLING;

AT RISK OF SHUTTING DOWN PERFORMANCE

FOR GOOD!

PLEASE HELP KEEP THIS AMAZING NEW YORK CIRCUS ALIVE! 

New York, NY – The Big Apple Circus, which announced several weeks ago that it was in dire financial condition and launched a $2 million fundraising campaign to Save the Circus, said today that it is low on cash and that unless it receives a significant infusion of funds by Friday, it will have to cancel performances for next season and possibly for good.
“When we went public with our urgent call for help, we needed to raise $250,000 a week over a two-month period to survive.  As of today, we have not met that goal,” said executive director Will Maitland Weiss.  “Several large supporters have made pledges, but those are contingent on our getting much closer to our target.  And so, our cash is dwindling. We are at a point where we are living day to day, week to week. We must raise $600,000 by Friday in order to preserve our circus for the upcoming season and beyond.”
As of June 22, the organization had raised more than $400,000 in cash and a further $300,000 in pledged contributions from its board, ticket buyers, current and former staff members, and others, with $90,000 of that from 900 donors to their online crowdfunding site, www.savethecircus.org. With only $400,000 in cash received to date, cash flow is in critical condition, and unless the organization raises another $600,000 in cash by Friday, performances for the fall season will be cancelled, and it is unlikely they will be resumed in future seasons.
“We’ve been heartened by the outpouring of love and support from our fans, who have made contributions large and small in response to our appeal,” said Big Apple Circus artistic director Guillaume Dufresnoy. “The Big Apple Circus is a cultural treasure that has brought joy and wonder to families and children of all ages and abilities, all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and all income levels for 38 years, and we want to be here for them for generations to come.”
Contributions can be made online at www.savethecircus.org, or by contacting Lauren Braun at (646) 616-6829.
About Big Apple Circus

Conceived and founded by Paul Binder and Michael Christensen to be a leading presenter of live family entertainment and a nonprofit performing arts institution, our nation-wide performances and community programs have made our 38-year history far-reaching and full. Our mission is to invigorate the communities we serve with the joy and wonder of classical circus. We create authentic, direct contact; laughter and delight, under the Big Top and in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools across the country. For more information, visit www.bigapplecircus.org.

This is my post for this year’s great show THE GRAND TOUR! How can we let this Circus leave NY?
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American Circus Big Apple Circus Circus Comedy Exhibit Juggling Performing Arts Photography Street Performing Variety Arts Ventriliquist

Capturing Clowns – Dance Magazine article April 1983

Not to get reminiscent about the past but here is an article published in Dance Magazine in April 1983.

Titled “Capturing Clowns”.  Featuring my photographs of performing artists.

Dance Magazine April 1983

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Most of my work at the time was done in studios since I was working a ‘night shift’ job at a photo lab and had access to rental studios.

The first picture above is a studio photograph of MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’ award winner Michael Moschen. Juggler/Inventor/director.

Second is ventriloquist/actor David Strassman taken with his friend ‘Chuck Wood’. David has created some brilliant videos and inventions in the ventriloquist genre.

The third picture is one of the first photographs taken of Big Apple Circus founders Paul Binder and Michael Christensen upon their return to New York from traveling thru European circus juggling as a duo.

Portrait photographer Gordon Munro took the photograph of me with the flower.

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Aerial Acts American Circus Big Apple Circus Circus Clown Comedy Juggling Photography

Big Apple Circus – LUMINOCITY – Cunningham Park, Queens – May 18 thru June 15th, 2014

There is nothing like seeing a show you love a second time!

I photographed the Big Apple Circus show when it opened at the Lincoln Center Bandshell in the fall of 2013. It was a terrific show!

And it got even better!

Here are some photographs I took of the show on Opening day (Sunday, 5/18) at Cunningham Park, Queens. It is a beautiful site. You can relax in the park, talk a walk and then go see the circus…It also happens to be ‘warm’ out which adds to the novelty.

Big Apple Circus LUMINOCITY set.The beautiful set was designed by J. Michael Deegan and gives you the feeling of being in Times Square.

John Kennedy Kane is the Ring MasterRing Master John Kennedy Kane keeps the show moving along with a perpetual magic sparkle in his eyes.

Ty Tojo juggles amazingly.Ty Tojo juggles so well he is in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Daniel CyrDaniel Cyr performs the ‘free ladder’ routine after a ten year break from it.

Pierre Ginet performs at Big Apple CircusPierre Ginet speaks fluently in 5 languages but be careful when speaking with him since he mostly is an amazing ‘pickpocket’. 

Mongolian Angels were amazing at the Big Apple CircusMongolian Angels were magnificent in their amazing trapeze act.

2014.05.18_BAC_745The Mongolian Angels were so amazing I had to post another picture.

Jenny Vidbel performs with her dogs at Big Apple CircusJenny Vidbel performs with her dogs and horses in the show.

Jenny Vidbel performs with her beautiful horses.Graceful and charming Jenny Vidbel works with her horses and controls their manners beautifully.

Rob Torres performs with The Big Apple CircusRob Torres finds a moment of hilarity in his ‘hat’ act.

Rob Torres performs with Big Apple CircusAn audience member puts Rob Torres’ hat on his head during his ‘hat’ act.

The Dosov Troupe performs teeter board act.The Dosov Troupe performs amazing teeterboard feats.

Duo Guerrero walked the tightwire.Werner Guerrero and Aura Cardinali (Duo Guerrero) walk down an incline wire while Aura is on Werner’s shoulders. Great Act!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABig Apple Circus Co-Founder Paul Binder watches Duo Guerrera.

2014.05.18_BAC_788Duo Guerrero again on the shoulders. But this time Werner is on Aura’s shoulders.

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The show was directed by Michel Barette

For more information on Cast and Creative go here.

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For more information and tickets to LUMINOCITY go here.

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American Circus Big Apple Circus Comedy Juggling Photography

Juggling Archive – Paul Binder and Michael Christensen – Street Jugglers

Paul Binder and Michael Christensen jugglers.

Paul Binder and Michael Christensen just before co-creating The Big Apple Circus.

I photographed Paul and Michael just after they arrived back in NYC from performing all over Europe as street buskers and in some of the celebrated European circuses.

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JUGGLE THIS is coming soon! Get ready to have some fun.

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American Circus Big Apple Circus Circus Clown Juggling Performing Arts Photography Tent Show

Big Apple Circus – ‘Luminocity’ @ Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Big Apple Circus "Luminocity".

What a wonderful night at the Circus…Big Apple Circus

This year’s new show titled Luminocity is a great success. Selling out to crowds of appreciative audiences all season.

You can still see the show during their upcoming summer season when they will be in New Jersey and Queens, NY later this year.

Here are some photographic highlights from the show!

2014.01.10_BAC_045The Ringmaster and guide thru the streets of New York is the enchanting John Kennedy Kane.

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Daniel Cyr at The Big Apple CircusDaniel Cyr performs on the ‘free ladder’. One of the founding members of Cirque Eloise from Canada.

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Acro Duo at The Big Apple CircusThe Acro Duo (Vitaliy Prikhodko -Ukraine and Alexei Anikine – Russia are the Duo)

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Rob Torres performing with the Big Apple CircusWorldwide traveling clown Rob Torres is back at the Big Apple Circus for another season of ‘funny stuff’.

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Jenny Vidbel performing at The Big Apple CircusJenny Vidbel brings her beautiful horses and dogs to the Big Apple Circus this year for a wonderful showing.

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Pierre Ginet performing at The Big Apple CircusPierre Ginet  fools around with an audience member as he ‘picks his pockets’ of the wallet, and his watch.

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Duo Guerrero performing at The Big Apple CircusWerner Guerrero jumping over Aura Cardinali (Duo Guerrero) during their amazing highwire act.

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Ty Tojo performing at The Big Apple CircusTy Tojo in a relaxed moment during his incredible high powered ball juggling act.

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For more information on the Big Apple Circus and their upcoming schedule go here.

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Not posted here are two other acts that were tremendous.

The Dosov Troupe – Teeterboard Act

Mongolian Angels – Dynamic Trapeze Act

The Big Apple Circus Band was so delightful with Rob Slowik, conductor/trumphet.

The show was directed by Michael Barette

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Lynn M. Stirrup – Executive Director

Guillaume Dufresnoy – Artistic Director

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The Big Apple Circus was founded in 1977 by Paul Binder and Michael Christensen

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American Circus Big Apple Circus Circus Clown Mime Photography Tent Show Vaudevisuals Interview

Vaudevisuals interview with Paul Binder – Founder of The Big Apple Circus

I photographed Paul Binder when he and Michael Christensen had returned from Europe and started working on the development of a New York-based circus. Soon to become The Big Apple Circus.

Paul Binder and Michael Christensen jugglers.

Paul Binder and Michael Christensen in a studio shot by Jim Moore.

Paul Binder interview about his never ending fascination with the  Clown.

Paul’s new book “Never Quote The Weather to a Sea Lion”.

Paul Binder's mew book.

Available at Amazon.com

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Big Apple Circus Clown Juggling Photography

Vaudevisuals Gallery – Paul Binder and Michael Christensen

Paul Binder and Michael Christensen of the Big Apple Circus

Paul Binder and Michael Christensen had just gotten back to the states from traveling thru Europe and performing in some the circus’ there.

I invited them to my studio and we did a few fun shots of their club juggling. This was taken in 1978.

Paul and Michael were on their way with the new created New York’s BIG APPLE CIRCUS!

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Circus Clown Performing Arts Photography Video

PBS premiering new film about “Big Apple Circus”.

CIRCUS is a new six-hour series that takes you on an unforgettable trip with the legendary Big Apple Circus. From the big top to the “back lot,” explore a distinctive world with its own rules, lingo and no fixed address. Follow the diverse characters who make up the Big Apple family and find out what it really means to live life in the ring. Premieres in November, 2010. (PBS Press Release)

I mention this because my first posting of my new series CLOWN  UN_MASK was Glen Heroy.

https://vaudevisuals.com/2010/02/the-clown-un_masked-glen-heroy/

He has a terrific place in the documentary showing off all his delightful talent.

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