Mr. Spin (Australia)
www.bamboozledproductions.com
The charming eight ball juggler from Australia makes a charismatic return to Burlington!
Nigel D. Martin (AKA Mr. Spin) emerged onto the streets in 1994 performing his own unique style of mime show. The Mr. Spin Show has since developed into an impressive, high-energy street show and has been a favorite of audiences in festivals and public arenas around Australia and Europe. Expect to see a mesmerizing manipulation and juggling routine, which culminates in a 7-ball juggle while balancing another on his forehead. A five-star act jam packed with wild and funny stuff!
Mr. Spin was inspired by Vaudeville greats Francis Brunn and Bobby May, and with a background in dance, Mr. Spin focuses on his high level circus skills, fluid movement and his own quirky style of comedy. Mr. Spin has performed internationally as a dancer, musician, comedian and clown. He has also toured Europe with physical theater group Slack Taxi and worked in contemporary circus with Cirfunkus and Circus Monoxide.
Mr. Spin has appeared at festivals all over the world such as the Glastonbury Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Festival and WOMAD in Singapore.
“The legendary "Mr. Spin" draws us in to his show, where in 20 minutes of high octane silliness, we can lose sight of the pure skill and hard work behind say, the 2 full-metal Baseball bats, spinning like propeller devil sticks on one hand stick each."
Reg Bolton – Kaskade Magazine
el Gleno Grande (West Virginia)
www.horseguy.com
"A consistent and winning crowd pleaser, topping audience surveys as a favorite entertainment."
Ted Killmer, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
"Unique, captivating, and really, really funny. Truly I have never seen people laugh that hard!"
Erika Wollam, Nashville Summer Lights Festival
el Gleno Grande aka Glenn Singer specializes in visual comedy using hilarious optical illusions, a dry delivery, and a warm conversational style. His spoof of a circus equestrian act keeps audiences laughing and laughing again every time they think about it. el Gleno’s horsing around appeals to children and adults alike. El Gleno and his trusty steed have been delighting audiences at major festivals and gatherings all over the world. Be sure to catch this wild pair on Church Street during the Festival of Fools
Waldo & Woodhead (Vermont)
www.mrwoodhead.com
“Hilarious…delightful…energetic fun.”
Children’s Bookwatch
“Woodhead is a winner…An expression of happy confusion…An actor who lives for laughs.”
Burlington Free Press
The Waldo & Woodhead Show is a character-driven show of theater, music, comedy and juggling that visually demonstrates the power of cooperation between people with vastly different dispositions. For the past twenty years Waldo & Woodhead have performed for audiences all over the world. Their show has been broadcast on television in the U.S., Canada, France, Japan, Chile, Switzerland, and throughout the Middle East. Waldo & Woodhead have collectively appeared in seven feature films and star in four family videos. The late Gregory Hines called Waldo & Woodhead, the funniest and most original act he’d ever seen.
Pedro Tochas (Lisbon, Portugal)
www.pedrotochas.com
“Not to be missed for those who like to laugh with the small things of life.”
Marco Marques, Horizonte
Pedro Tochas will melt your heart without uttering a single world. He is a regular street and stage performer and a past cast member for a popular Portuguese TV comedy series. He gained his prowess through studies in physical theatre and comedy at the Celebration Barn Theater (USA), Circomedia-Academy of Circus Arts and the Physical Theatre (UK). As well, in 2003 Pedro was awarded "The Biggest Fool” (Norway) and in 2006 was the winner of the Adelaide International Buskers Festival (Australia). He returns to Burlington for his second appearance at the Festival of Fools!
“O Palhaço Escultor” translated as The Sculptor Clown, Pedro’s interdisciplinary work is the one-man equivalent of “Wallace and Grommit.” It’s a visual treat for all the family that will never cease to entertain and amaze. Akin to your favorite silent movie, expect with an elaborate language of facial expressions, the telling of (convoluted) tales filled with immortal love, a full entourage of discombobulated feelings and all the mishaps and mayhem that accompanies the beautiful evolution of life.
Brent McCoy (Northeast Kingdom, Vermont)
www.brentmccoy.com
Whether welding five safety cones together or balancing precariously atop his Rolling Globe-Olla, this “Clown at Work” will leave you spellbound for the entire show.
Meet Brent McCoy, a truly original and hardworking variety entertainer. In street and theater performance, private functions and school shows, his work has been called fabulous, funny, and amazing by audiences everywhere.
Brent McCoy grew up in Vermont on a small dairy farm. He learned to juggle at the age of 15 hasn’t stopped since. Since 2003, McCoy has performed and taught all over the world. Highlights include AEMI Clown Festivals in China, numerous International Buskers’ and Vaudeville Festivals across North America, and well over 50 schools, colleges and summer camp programs around New England. Brent and his partner Maya are the founders of Vermont Vaudeville, a performance and production company that brings Vaudeville-style entertainment to Vermont and beyond .When he’s not performing, he enjoys gardening, cooking, and farming in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
Blackstreet Boyz (Los Angeles)
www.alfredandseymour.us
Since 1990, Alfred Carr and Willis Green (AKA Seymour) have been performing on Television, The Tonight show, Kenan and Kal and in film, theater and festivals around the world. In 1993 they won the “People’s Choice Award” for best variety act on Nickelodeon’s Round House. Following this great success, they became regular comedians at The Ice House and The Comedy Store, both in Pasadena, California.
After a few years of stand- up comedy, Alfred and Seymour developed their own show; an exhilarating combination of side-splitting comedy and crazy antics – wholesome fun for the entire family.
With their relentlessly entertaining brand of humor and positive, inspirational message, Alfred & Seymour quickly caught the attention of the USO and landed tours with both the US Navy and Air force. This is one unique and superlative comedy act that should not be missed!
Two Man Gentlemen Band
(New York City)
www.thetwogentlemen.com
The Two Man Gentlemen Band’s brand of hot, raucous, retro swing is fast becoming an underground sensation. Just a few years ago, The Gentlemen were busking in New York City’s parks and subways. These days, they traverse the country incessantly, playing hundreds of shows per year for ever-expanding crowds of dedicated fans.
The Two Man Gentlemen Band sound is a high-energy blend of the vintage and modern musical stylings. Musically and visually – the duo incorporate elements of hot jazz, rhythm & blues, tin-pan alley, and western swing. And their “keen vocal harmonies” (The New Yorker) recall 20s and 30s groups like the Mills Brothers. But their pithy, irreverent original tunes are full of lyrics “so off the beaten path as to be virtually cliché free.” (Bluegrass Journal).
The Two Man Gentlemen Band’s live show is an absolute must-see. Some reviews: “Terrifically entertaining!” (Mountain Xpress – Asheville, NC) “An unparalleled experiment in controlled chaos!” (Seven Days – Burlington, VT) “This kind of good time is rarely seen anymore!” (Valley Advocate – Northampton, MA). “Romping, outstanding fun!” (About.com) “They put on a clinic in how to engage an audience.” (New Haven Register – New Haven, CT)
Circus Whacked!
En-Joy Productions (Vachon, WA)
www.en-joyproductions.com
The Intergalactic Traveling Circus from Planet Nix has come to steal Earth's best ideas, and its best people!
Aerial Antics, Music, Comedy, A Circus of interplanetary dimensions!
They're very friendly....yeah, TOO friendly!
EnJoy Productions creates original theater, music and outrageous live events. Based on Vashon Island Wa, EnJoy combines circus, comedy, music and mind-bending spectacle to disturb, provoke and incite giddiness.
Esther Edelman is an aerialist, director, physical performer and teacher with 20 years of experience at international stages and events. On silk, trapeze, dancing or in a clown nose, she is a co-founder of UMO Ensemble, creator of Rapulnzel: A Radical Aerial Telling, and the owner/creator of Silkaerial.
Martha Enson creates in the air, on the ground and the imaginal space in between. She is a mover, designer, performer, and director. A co-founder of UMO, performer/director at Teatro Zinzanni and Artistic Director of EnJoy Productions, her work has been seen in Barcelona, Cancun, atop the Space Needle (alongside Esther), and at stages indoor and out across the US.
Kevin Joyce creates music, comedy and shows that combine the worlds of Vaudeville, theater and utter nonsense. A co-founder of UMO, performer/director with Teatro Zinzanni and Creator/Host of the TV Variety Show Big Night Out, he currently creates and produces shows with his partner Martha in EnJoy Productions.
Their latest creation, “Circus Whacked!” promises to be comedic and aerial delight!
Mildred Hodittle, (Newport, OR)
Mildred Hodittle is everyone's frumpy, grumpy and exotic Aunt, she has been performing since 1980 when she was pushed out on stage, kicking and screaming. She realized it wasn't so bad when people laughed at her, and she at them, but it still makes her nervous. Mildred is one of the first solo woman clown street performers of the "modern era," and a pioneer for
female street performers of today. She has the rapid wit of the most ostentatious heckler so you’ll not want to cross her, but beware -her laugh is contagious!
Mildred has performed with the Pickle Family Circus in San Francisco, the Super International Street Performing Show in Amersterdam and street fests in Edmonton. Alberta Japan, Singapore, New Zealand and then some! Performing on the street is her favorite venue, "Being with the people is what its all about for me…" says Mildred. Don’t miss her on Church Street!
Dux the Balloon Man (Burlington, Vermont)
www.duxtheballoonman.com
You have seen balloon dogs and balloon giraffes. Simple characters. One color. Cartoonish. Dux the Balloon Man banished these basics from his repertoire years ago. He performs his balloon twisting talents on Church Street in downtown Burlington each summer, and like the characters of one of his famous mentors, Buster Balloon, Dux’s balloon characters each have their own personalities and their own flair. They are multi-colored and unique. Kids love them, and they love Dux’s quirky humor and energetic performance. But Dux is an artist at heart, and like most artists, he dreams BIG.
As of late, Dux’s balloon work is living large and his latest pieces are frequently on display during concerts at South Burlington’s Higher Ground. His pieces are inspired by glass blower Dale Chihuly, and the large-format balloon stylings of Jason Hackenwerth. Dux’s installations are huge, (tens or hundreds of feet depending on the piece), colorful, and amorphous. Like a giant latex Rorschach hanging from ceilings and over city streets. Balloon artists are for kids, you say? Well, Dux would be the balloon man to change your mind…
SEE ALSO 30 HOURS OF ART
‘Experience’ - Grounded Aerial Dance Theater (New York City)
www.groundedaerial.com
Emotionally charged choreography amplified into the air!
Come play with Grounded Aerial and enter into a place where the shortest people are 8 feet high, and others can bounce and soar above and over your head! After an exploration with magical airborne creatures, you too can try to fly! (all ages and sizes welcome!)
Grounded Aerial founder and choreographer Karen A. Fuhrman specializes in both ground and aerial choreography. She has performed with Pilobolus on the 2007 Oscars Award Show, Ellen DeGeneres, Good Morning America, and the Conan O’ Brian show. Other credits include Cirque du Soleil’s Cavalia, De La Guarda (off-Broadway NYC), and MOMIX dance company.
With Grounded Aerial, Ms. Fuhrman’s choreography has appeared all over the world, including Yerba Buena’s Art Festival in San Francisco, and on stage with contemporary jazz performers Medeski, Martin and Wood at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City . Ms. Fuhrman premiered her evening lengths piece, an aerial play- called “Insectinside” for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and most recently in Park Slope Brooklyn.
Circus Minimus – (Vermont)
www.circusminimus.com
“The program’s variety was wonderful and very funny. Amazing what you do in two weeks!” —Emily McCully, author, NYC
Witness a special circus performance by local kids! During a special 2-week Burlington City Arts camp entitled “The Circus Kids Create,” camp-goers aged 7-13 worked with master circus artist WT McRae from Circus Minimus and these performances are the culmination of their hard work! Marvel at how far they've come just this summer -- as clowns, acrobats, jugglers, unicyclists, and tight-rope walkers. The operating philosophy of Circus Minimus? "Any kid can do it." It's a chance to run away and join the circus--and still be home in time for dinner. Come see the results for yourself. Great for kids and families.
SEE ALSO SPECIAL EVENTS
Michel Groisman (Brazil)
Michel Groisman develops work that integrates visual art and corporal games, devises equipment to be used with the body in various performances, and group games for interactive purposes with the public. The interdisciplinary nature of his work has earned him art research scholarships from several institutions, including Rioarte (2004), Vitae (2002) and Uniarte da Faperj (2000). His work has been showcased in museums and performance festivals of dance and theater worldwide. Michel started to devise corporal equipments in music school, where he graduated as a music teacher. It was then that he discovered that he could invent new instruments, but they ended up not being musical at all, rather equipment, that serves as a vehicle for self-investigation well as human interaction.
Door of Hands:
A solo hand game that explores the many shapes one can make without ever disconnecting their hands. With a projector, the artist's solo game is shared with the public, which tracks in real-time a series of bewildering shapes that make and unmake on the participant’s hands.
Polvo (Octopus):
Octopus is a card game played in small groups where people interact in different ways. Each card has a picture of a different part of the body. Players combine their own cards and reproduce the resulting combinations with their own body. When the combination is impossible to be made alone the player has to borrow a part of someone else's body to be able to continue to play. Polvo is an easy game to teach and play and has remarkable social effects on those involved. Come experience it for yourself!
Sirva-se (water games)
Sirva-se is a group experience where participants are invited to place glasses in various parts of their body - glasses Groisman developed specifically for this propose. With the glasses placed, the water is used as a mean of communication between people, passing the water from one to another in different ways.
Transference
Transference is a performance piece where Groisman uses many candles attached to different places on his body. With continuous movement and dexterous skill the flame is passed from candle to candle throughout the body. With the help of a tube system the lighting of one candle extinguishes another. The act is slow, mesmerizing and hauntingly beautiful – not to be missed!
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
SEE ALSO 30 HOURS OF ART
Church Of Circus (Vermont)
http://churchofcircus.tumblr.com/
The Church of Circus is a 'pop-up' group art exhibit installed temporarily in the former Outdoor Gear Exchange storefront at 152 Cherry Street, just off Upper Church Street. In a dizzying installation of sculpture, painting, photography and performance art, 10 Vermont-based artists put their own spin on the Brechtian tradition of collaboration and audience participation as a vehicle to aesthetic experience. The Church of Circus preaches 'Art For All,' creating an interactive, lively and provocative atmosphere for all who enter.
Artists:
Art Bishop Bell
Kat Reverend Clear
Clark Choir Boy Derbes
Andy Abbot Duback
Nancy Deacon Dwyer
Wylie Your Grace Garcia
Elliott Dean Katz
Abby Church Mouse Manock
Mr. Masterpope
Tony- Lee Preacher Sangastiano
Hours:
Friday, August 5: 5pm-10pm
Saturday, August 6: 12pm - 10pm
Sunday, August 7: 12pm - 6pm
SEE ALSO 30 HOURS OF ART