| Paul Binder, the 66-year-old founder, artistic director and ringmaster of the Big Apple Circus, will be stepping away from the tanbark next year after three decades as boss man of the little top. |
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Big Apple Circus
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This comes from a very lengthy article in the NY Times that in a nutshell explains that Guillaume Dufresnoy will be the new Artistic Director, Paul will remain in an advisory capacity and Mr. Stubbs will be sent for the laundry.
The performance is listed as having 4 horses, 8 dogs and 28 performers.
About the same size as the Ken & Nicole offerings.
He has truly developed a classy organization, and found a special place in the circus world. It is a great show and always has something unique. The horses are great as always, but elephants are still missed! A circus is elephants, cats, flyers, and clowns.
Carl
The full length article states the Paul and Mr. Stubbs were awarded Landmark Status for taking out a a circus and making it non-profit and kept it going for 30 years.
There are many showfolks who have been in a non profit circus mode for many years and I would like to know where I should send their names so they can be officially recognized.
How very true.
The circus profession in the real world is often Loss-Sharing.
I used to think Non-profit meant you couldn't make it as a Capitalist....My thinking has changed to...Non-Profit = BIG Bu$ine$$..(501c3)...
Hey, the end product is a great show that is a credit to the industry.
A budget of 21 Million is roughly 400,000 a week, 57,000 a day. All done without elephant rides, a balloon pitch and face painting. With that kind of money you don't need the carnival.
God Bless them however they get the money. Raise your hand if you would like a souvenir balloon, $2 each.
Straight ahead Charly,
Are you connected to the Kansas City Outfit? "God Bless them however they get the money" is what the Capo said when he learned someone torched the pizza shop as a reminder to Fredo not to be late with the vig again.
Wade Burck
This is to get us back on track to recognize Paul Binder. More than most anyone in recent decades, he worked to recognize the performer as a circus artist. The emphasis was on the talents of the performer and he was creative in how he sought to provide deserving salaries to outstanding artists. With big Apple, he has made a valiant effort to help educate the public to focus on the talents of the artist, the historical core of the circus. Bravo, Paul, and thanks for giving us a fine circus--one where we could consistently expect quality and tradition--for the last 30 years. May you enjoy your little house along the banks of the Connecticut River more frequently though I know your work to help the Big Apple Circus endure will continue.
Dick Flint
Baltimore
What always made a impression on me in regards to Paul Binder..Was, here was a Street Busker..performing for what Folks would throw into his Hat..Yet, He had a Dream..and He made that Dream not only a Reality, But also a Standard...We all have dreams..He made his..come to Life...I never met Paul..Sure hope to someday....
"Mr. Paul" has afforded us countless wonderful memories over the 26 years Diane and I have been
so attached to the BAC, too many to mention here, but the number one memory that comes to mind with
always great joy is all those moments when the curtain parted and Anna May and the other Woodcock elephants came quickly lumbering into the ring to perform some of the best routines to be seen anywhere.
One regret: 31 years ago I worked in lower Manhattan. one afternoon while in the company cafeteria on the 19th floor of 110 washington St. I chanced to look out the window and saw a "tent" in the middle of a landfill along the Hudson River. I wondered what the heck a "tent" was doing down there:
it sure didn't look like one a construction company would use. I think I even took a picture. But damn, I never got down to take a look. If I had I would have seen the BAC from "day one". I'm still looking for that photo.
Thank you Mr. Paul and you too Mr Stubbs and the Woodcocks for so much.
Paul G.
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