The Big Apple Circus is a circus that is located in New York City. Opened in 1977, it has become a tourist attraction as well. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Big Top of Billy Smarts Circus Cambridge 2004. ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the state of New York and the entire United States. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. ...

History

The beginning

Paul Binder and Michael Christensen were a pair of American street jugglers who, after meeting in San Francisco, decided to travel to Europe in the early 1970s. During 1974, while in Kent, England, they decided to tour around Europe with their act. Eventually they would also participate in the prestigious Nouveau Cirque de Paris, in France. When they decided to return home in 1976, they had gained some celebrity in Europe. Paul Binder (born c. ... Juggling is a form of skillful, often artful, object manipulation. ... Nickname: Location of the City and County of San Francisco, California Coordinates: , Country United States of America State California City-County San Francisco Founded 1776 Government  - Mayor Gavin Newsom Area  - City  47 sq mi (122 km²)  - Land  46. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ... A blonde haired, very skilled worker with a 70s look. ... coat of Arms of Kent For other uses, see Kent (disambiguation). ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto)1 Unified  -  by Athelstan 927 AD  Area  -  Total... Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The 1970s

The idea of starting a circus school to train future "first" generation circus performers was the innovation of Russian born Gregory Fedin and his then wife Nina Grasavina. The school had a humble beginning working out of a Lower Manhattan loft.
The circus couple collaborated with the Paul and Micheal to develop the Big Apple Circus following the European style "one ring" circus tradition. In 1977, they located and secured an open grounds area where they could debut the Big Apple Circus. The small green tent was filled with big hearts of performers, families and circus enthusiast the summer of 1977. Headlining that show was Paul Lubin (Single Trapezist) , Ethel Janneir (Dog Act) a tight wire number, Micheal and Paul (Jugglers and Clowns), the Back Street Flyers, Mia and Jesse (double trapeze) and a host of performers. This area was located at Battery Park, in New York. A Manhattan loft is a one room residence in a formerly commercial building. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Battery Park (to New Yorkers, The Battery) is a 21-acre (8. ...

During 1978 the circus moved from Manhattan. By 1979, two circus arts schools had been opened with money raised from the circus shows. Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Manhattan is a borough of New York City, New York, USA, coterminous with New York County. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ...

The 1980s

The Big Apple Circus began the 1980s decade with a lot of media attention, having established a special holiday celebration in honor of the circus and its staff, and then appearing in a Hollywood film. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... ... Film is a term that encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. ...

In 1981, the circus began performing at Damrosch Park of Lincoln Center for the first time. Its winter season has been at Damrosch Park ever since. Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. ...

In 1982, the circus won a silver medal at a circus performing competition held in Paris. Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... The Eiffel Tower has become the symbol of Paris throughout the world. ...

1983 saw the circus begin to tour, as tours across New England began to be arranged. The circus also received an Obie award that year. Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the region in the United States of America. ... The Obie Awards, short for Off-Broadway Theater Awards, are annual awards bestowed by the newspaper The Village Voice on theater artists performing in New York City. ...

By 1984, the New York School for Circus Arts/Big Apple Circus relocated to East Harlem (1 East 104th Street) . The New York School for Circus Arts inconjunction with the NYC Public School system and ArtsConnection established the Young Talent Circus Training Program (Mr. Richard Levys' brainchild). The circus program mission was to teach talented children of diverse ecomonic communities circus arts. One of the goals was to nuture and develop talent into potential circus performers. A core group of young circus "talent" participated in a circus competition resulting in a "Gold Medal" award. Three years later another group from the pre-professional circus program (located in the Harbor School for the Performing Arts in East Harlem) would compete in the II Rampe International Circus School Competition in Monte Carlo, Monaco. These students were awarded the Junior Jury and Nice Marin Awards. The New York School for Circus Arts techncial and artistic faculty included: Mr. Philip Beder (trampoline, tumbling, acrobatics and gymnastics))Mr. Abel Shark (Back Street Flyer) Mrs. Irina Goldstien (trapeze, acrobatics) and Ms. Rosalinda Rojas (aerial, ground acrobatics and choreographer) and Mr. Sasha Pavlata guest instructor and circus specialist. In 1985, the famous Boston Pops teamed up with Big Apple Circus for an extraordinary collaboration and live performance. That same year (1985) and for the next few years performers (Micheal Christenson (Big Apple, Deni LaCombe (Big Apple and Cirque Du Soleil), Carlos Guity (Big Apple), Rosalinda Rojas (Big Apple and NYSCA) appear as guest artists with the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center (Manon, Turandot and Macbeth). Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... The Boston Pops Orchestra was founded in 1885 as a subsection of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. ...

One of the biggest steps in the institution's history was taken in 1986, when the circus opened the clown care unit, a group of professional clowns, trained extensively in hospital procedures, circus skills, and improvisation, make rounds as "clown doctors." Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

1987 marked the circus' tenth anniversary, and big time celebrations were held during the entire year. A new tent and seating system was bought. Topping the tenth anniversary celebrations was a prestigious silver crown, which the circus won in Monte Carlo, Monaco. This year six acrobats/ jugglers showcased their talent at the International Circus School competition in Monte Carlo. The creative and technical (dance and acrobatic) projected was headed by Rosalinda Rojas. Carlos Guity and James Clowny were the two lead pre professional competitors. Many of these New York School for Circus Arts students advanced to international professional circus careers. Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Monte Carlo is a very wealthy section of the city-state of Monaco known for its casino, gambling, beaches, glamour, and sightings of famous people. ...

During 1988, the Big Apple Circus once again made headlines, when the company participated in the first circus collaboration between China and the United States in history. "East Meets West" debut at the Lincoln Center Damrosch Park Winter Season. Paul Binder received an honorary doctorate in fine arts from Dartmouth College that year. Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Fine art is a term used to refer to fields traditionally considered to be artistic. ... Dartmouth College is a private, coeducational university located in Hanover, New Hampshire, in the United States. ...

In 1989, NYNEX started to sponsor metropolitan New York tours to residents of the area and tourists as well. The tour included a trip to the Big Apple Circus' grounds. Michael Christiensen received the Raoul Wallenberg humanitarian award that year for the creation, three years before, of the retired clown's pension program. The same year, the circus and some of its performers were showcased on a Woody Allen movie, Alice. In 1989 also, the circus surpassed the amount of one million dollars in fund raising for the first time. Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... NYNEX Corporation (pronounced Nine-x) was a telephone company which served five New England states (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont) as well as New York. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... Woody Allen (born Allen Stewart Königsberg on December 1, 1935) is a three-time Academy Award-winning American film director, writer, actor, jazz musician, comedian, and playwright. ... Alice is a 1990 motion picture Alice Tate, the mother of two, with a marriage of 16 years, finding herself falling for the handsome sax player, Joe. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

The 1990s

By 1990, there was increased interest in Big Apple Circus and its performers in cities outside the New York/New England area. This was in part due to the circus' exposure in the Allen film, as well as a result of all the diverse achievements the circus. So, that year, Chicago and Columbus were included in the circus' yearly tour, with those two cities becoming the first two cities outside New York/New England where the circus performed. Michael Christensen received two more awards, including one named after Red Skelton. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: , Country United States State Ohio Counties Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield Government  - Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area  - City  212. ... Richard Bernard Red Skelton (July 18, 1913 – September 17, 1997) was an American comedian whose greatest impact — in a career which began as a teen circus clown and graduated to vaudeville, Broadway, MGM films, and radio — began when he reached television stardom with The Red Skelton Show (NBC, 1951–1952...

The Harlem Hospital Center, founded with funds that came from the Big Apple Circus, was opened that year, and the hospital's pedriatic area in particular became a headlining facility, as professional performers specially trained as "clown doctors" would visit perform for patients. HBO aired a special documentary about the circus that year also. Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... For the record label, see Hospital Records. ... HBO (Home Box Office) is an American premium cable television network. ... Documentary film is a broad category of visual expression that is based on the attempt, in one fashion or another, to document reality. ...

In 1991, Big Apple Circus' performers participated in a collaboration between American and Russian circus performers. That same year, Paul Binder was given a presidential medal of achievement by Dartmouth, as well as a doctorate in fine arts by the Pratt Institute. Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Pratt Institute is a specialized, private college in New York City with campuses in Manhattan and Brooklyn. ...

In 1993, the circus set a new attendance record. A new tent was purchased, and Michael Christensen was given a Parenting Achievement award by Parents magazine, to recognize his work with the Clown Care Foundation. Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ...

Gary Dunning became the Big Circus' executive director in 1994. Meanwhile, Christensen received another award, this one the "Sullivan Trail Sertoma's Club Service to Mankind Award". A creative Center campaign was announced, the coffee brand Chock full o'Nuts began sponsoring the circus, and a new mark was set as far as most funds received during one year. Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ... A cup of coffee Workers sorting and pulping coffee beans in Guatemala Mature coffee fruit still on the plant Coffee is a widely consumed beverage prepared from the roasted seeds — commonly referred to as beans — of the coffee plant. ... Chock full oNuts was a hugely popular chain of lunch counters in New York City that spawned a brand of coffee. ...

Peter T. Grauer became the circus' Chairman in 1995, replacing Patricia Rosenwald. Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ...

In 1996, the circus' Art in Education program began to work in different grade schools. Clown Care continued to develop, opening chapters in Washington, D.C. and in Connecticut. Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Students in Rome, Italy. ... Nickname: Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: , Country United States Federal District District of Columbia Government  - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D)  - District Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack...

1997 saw new attendance records set, as an estimated 170,000 people went to see the circus' "Medicine Show" production over a total of 114 New York City performances. Clown Care completed 150,000 hospital visits in one year for the first time in the program's history, and Paul Binder received an honorary doctorate from Rhode Island College. Year 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar). ... Rhode Island College is a state-supported comprehensive college founded in 1854, located in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. // [edit] History The school was established as the Rhode Island Normal School (RINS) in 1854 to prepare teachers. ...

During 1998, the circus was able to break attendance records again, as it celebrated twenty years of operation with engagements at New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and in Boston. The Boston engagement was particularly pleasant for the circus' performers, as it was one of the longest stays in that city that they had ever experienced. TJ Maxx, a major American company, began to sponsor Big Apple Circus appearances in Chicago and in Atlanta by bringing the circus' "Circus of the Senses" to those cities. Circus of the Senses is a circus performance specifically geared towards children with special needs. Sign language interpreters and sound augmentation for deaf patrons allow the audience to experience the circus as never before. In 1999, over 6,000 children took advantage of these performances. Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a 15 acre (61,000 m²) complex of buildings in New York City which serves as home for 12 arts companies. ... Nickname: City on the Hill, Beantown, The Hub (of the Universe)1, Athens of America, The Cradle of Revolution, Puritan City, Americas Walking City Location in Massachusetts, USA Counties Suffolk County Mayor Thomas M. Menino(D) Area    - City 232. ... TJ Maxx is a specialty store that sells off-price apparel, giftware, and fine jewelry. ... Hotlanta redirects here. ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ...

That same year (1999), Michael Christensen was inducted into Miami's Ambassador David A. Walters pediatric Hall of Fame, for his "contributions to pediatrics" by way of the circus and its different programs. For other uses, see Miami (disambiguation). ...

The 2000s

In 2000, Binder and Christensen continued garnering awards, being declared "Living Landmarks" by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. Once again, "Circus of the Senses" attracted a large number of special children, with 9,000 kids participating. 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Circus dropped plans for a second unit that was to play in theaters after less than successful financial results during a trial run.

2001 saw the circus' best known performer, clown "Grandma" (Barry Lubin), inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame. A new seating system was installed in the circus big top, and, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the circus opened its "Dreams of a City" show, which was dedicated to the City of New York. Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Photo of International Clown Hall of Fame inductee Barry Lubin as the lovable Grandma Barry Lubin, recently inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame, is an inventive, creative physical comedian most familiar to circus audiences as Grandma, the eager and adored star of the Big Apple Circus. ... The International Clown Hall of Fame is located in West Allis, Wisconsin and maintains a national archive of clown artifacts and history. ... A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly...

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed November 1, 2002, as "Big Apple Circus Day". A newsletter, "The Ringside Report", was produced and sent exclusively to circus members and donors, and a Clown fashion show raised more than one million dollars, which were promptly transferred to the circus' various charity programs. The circus celebrated its 25th anniversary with a documentary film about the creation and production of that year's show. Michael Rubens Bloomberg (born 14 February 1942) is an American businessman, philanthropist, and the founder of Bloomberg L.P., currently serving as the Mayor of New York City. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Fashion illustration by George Barbier of a gown by Jeanne Paquin, 1912, from La Gazette du bon ton, the most influential fashion magazine of its era. ...

Carnival show actors and circus performers Pedro Carrillo and Aleysha Goulevich entered the Guinness Book of World Records when, in 2003, they set records, at the same moment, in their different specialties: Carrillo skipped a rope on the high wire 1,323 times in a row, and Goulevich twirled 99 hula hoops at the same time. Carnival or Carnivale is an annual Christian festival season. ... The Guinness Book of Records (or in recent editions Guinness World Records, and in previous US editions Guinness Book of World Records) is a book published annually, containing an internationally recognized collection of superlatives: both in terms of human achievement and the extrema of the natural world. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 2003 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Children playing with hula hoops. ...

"Circus to Go", a traveling stage show, allowed Big Apple Circus to reach new communities that year. allowing the company to venture to the American Western states for the first time. Michael Christensen, meanwhile, received another honorary certificate, when he was given the "Distinguished Alumni Award" by the University of Washington's arts department, and he was also given an award by Exceptional Parents magazine. The latter award was presented during a Baltimore Orioles baseball home game. Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 4, 5, 8, 20, 22, 33, 42 Name Baltimore Orioles (1954–present) St. ... This article is about the sport. ...

In 2004, the TV documentary created by ABC TV on the Circus picked up an Emmy award, in the "Outstanding Entertainment in Programming Single Program" category. shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... An Emmy Award. ...

2005 saw the introducution of a new big top tent. Clown Barry Lubin collaborated with Steve Smith to produce a show entitled "Grandma goes to Hollywood".

External links

• Big Apple Circus' website