David Aiken -- The Checkerboard Guy
www.checkerhead.com -- from Vancouver, Canada
With a comic twist built into such stunts as The Six-Foot Unicycle of Death, The Tight Rope of Death and his signature piece, The Flaming Leap of Death, is it any surprise that The Checkerboard Guy is known around the globe as a Comic Daredevil!
Over two decades of manipulating everything from flaming torches, thirteenth century battle axes and even stinky shoes, often while balancing on top of unicycles, tight ropes or unsupported eight-foot tall aluminum ladders (and we’re not talking step ladders here) mean that an incredibly high level of skill is second nature.
The Checkerboard Guy, armed with his razor sharp wit, brilliant comic timing and keen fashion sense, will have you busting a gut every time and leave you wanting more! This may explain why some people come back to see his show again and again and again.
Reid Belstock
www.reidbelstock.com -- from Colorado
Reid began juggling at the age of 15, as a way of overcoming gross and fine motor skill impairment. One year later, Reid began his first performing opportunity at Elitch Gardens, a local Amusement Park. From the very first show, he knew it was a calling. After high school, Reid went off to study with Ringling Brothers, and Barnum and Bailey Circus Clown College, where he learned the fine art of Slapstick and Physical Comedy. Reid began to mix his technical juggling skill with slapstick humor, and a short time later, the show was created. From that time, Reid has performed across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. His performances range from Theaters to Colleges and Street performing to Hotels.
Bucket O’ Fun – From Vermont
Comprised of Burlington-based theater professional Trish Denton and circus artist Eric Denice, Bucket O' Fun is an educational, performance team rallying side-show flavored community spectacles for all-ages. Bucket' O Fun began in 2006 when the team traveled to Maine to attempt a daring 4 man roller-diamond using only skates and suspenders. The success was such a racket that the fun never ended!
When she is not directing original theater or performing waterless high-dives, Trish works with children as a teaching artist specializing in choreography, mask, voice and physical acting. She has mentored children with her unique gifts with Burlington City Arts, Circus Minimus, All Together Now!, Very Merry Theatre and The Shelburne Museum.
Besides building, furniture making, bicycle crafting or working the land, Eric is a trusted gymnastics instructor and youth circus educator. He has also been a teaching artist with Circus Minimus and independently coaches gymnastics in schools and gyms throughout Vermont. He has advanced training in juggling, unicycle, acrobatics, trampoline and floor.
Both individuals are wholly dedicated to building strong communities and healthy lifestyles through the arts.
Jonathan Burns’ Flexible Comedy
www.flexiblecomedy.com -- from Pennsylvania
Combining Comedy, Contortion, and Unique Stunts, Jonathan Burns performs an act unlike any other. What started over 15 years ago as a children's birthday party magic show for is now an interactive comedy experience that has been a hit on stages across the globe for audiences of all ages. Jonathan has been seen at over 200 Colleges & Universities, at Festivals in the US, Canada, China, & New Zealand, and he recently performed his signature Underwear Trick on NBC's The Jay Leno Show. Unique Stunts, Uncommon Comedy, and Unforgettable Audience interaction makes Jonathan's act one you really need to see to describe.
Mark Ettinger
www.markettinger.org - from NYC
Mark Ettinger: Comprehensivist, composer, conductor, teacher and multi-instrumentalist, Mark’s played piano with Bo Diddley, sung with The Bobs, conducted the Cincinnati Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and professed at the Mannes College of Music. He has released two albums of original song: In This World, and Songbirds of Tralfamador, and is at work on a third. His chamber opera The Triangle, based on texts by W.B.Yeats, was produced in 2005, and his score to Coming, Aphrodite (2009, La Mama) was nominated for an IT award. For recordings etc. see www.markettinger.org. He has been the music director for the Flying Karamazov Brothers since 1999, and has written music for 3 x 104 of their shows. He continues to search inside and out for songs of enlightenment and hopes to get a little further down the path before the lights go out. He thanks his teachers for so much. He loves his family, toasters, mice, elm leaves, loons, cathedrals, words, roses, friends, walking, sunrise, the dhamma and his family.
The KamiKaze FireFlies
www.kamikazefireflies.com -- from California
The Kamikaze FireFlies, featuring Rob Williams and Casey Martin, are a fire breathing, cube spinning, whip cracking, and stilt walking duo that blend vaudeville with sketch comedy, and circus skills with stand up. The show is described as hilarious. It is a constantly changing series of routines, patter, physical impossibilities, unbelievable situations and audience interactions. Based in L.A., the duo have delighted audiences in theatres and festivals around the world, including appearances on The Tonight Show, Broadway, and have been given a Guinness World Record, Join this tangle of absurdity and audience interaction as they try to catch lightning in a bottle and bring peace and joy to the world at affordable prices.
MarchFourth Marching Band
www.marchfourthmarchingband.com - from Oregon
MarchFourth Marching Band (M4 to its fans) is a kaleidoscope of musical and visual energy that inspires dancing in an atmosphere of celebration.
Aside from their marching band themed costumes, as well as the 5-piece percussion corps and 7-part brass section, M4 is far from a “marching band” in any traditional sense (though this group of about 20 has been known to parade down Main Street before taking the stage). M4 is anchored by funky electric bass and has been evolving into a more guitar- and vocal-driven musical experience. The show will take you on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the gypsy camps of eastern Europe to the African jungle by way of Brazil, echoing the deepest grooves of American funk, rock, and jazz then boiling it all together in cinematic fashion with high-stepping stilt-acrobatics and dazzling dancers. This genre-busting, in-your-face experience is not to be missed!
Richard Stamp - Stompy / Dot Comedy
www.dotcomedy.info -- from England
Stompy, is a highly sought-after talent on the international festival scene, creating hilarious unique characters and theatrical happenings in the street. Expect the unexpected when Stompy is in town! We could see any number of his characters in town, including Steve “Woko” Jackson the wacky cooking show host, the Unfit Athletes, Zonika and Freed the hugging tourists, or, as a TV reporter covering the festival for Festival TV. Dot Comedy has performed in the UK, Europe, North America, and the Southern Hemisphere. They have created over 25 Productions ranging from the large scale Get Lost dotMaze show to solo shows, smaller installations and walkabout pieces. They specialize in site specific commissions including The Manchester Commonwealth Games, The Brits Awards and the 2011 Rugby World Cup, New Zealand.
Michael Trautman
www.michaeltrautman.com -- from Maine
Cringe in horror as Michael Trautman runs with pointy objects. Gasp in disgust as he plays with his food. Just try to look away as this overgrown delinquent stuffs five ping-pong balls into his mouth, ALL AT THE SAME TIME!
This is the kind of guy your parents warned you about. Heedless of repeated warnings not to try that at home, Michael has perfected the art of senseless and dangerous stunts, and now he's showing them to your family. This is THE VISUAL COMEDY SHOW, a solo tour de force.
Wells & Woodhead
www.thefoolz.com -- from Denmark & Vermont
“Frenetic, frenzied, and joyfully unpredictable” best describe the madcap antics of Wells & Woodhead, a character-driven amalgam of music, circus arts and comedy that demonstrates the power of synchronicity between two performers with vastly different dispositions. Their circus skills are in the outer limits, but the rudiment of their art is their ability to play with the crowd, insuring the audience will be wearing their happy faces long after the show is over. Selected performances include: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; Le Plus Grande Cabaret du Monde, Paris, France; Wintergarten Variety Theater, Berlin Germany; World Expo, Osaka Japan; Comedy Festival at Ceasars Palace, Las Vegas; Lincoln Center, New York; Humour Festival, Bejing China; along with festival and TV appearances in over 35 countries. Hop onboard and take a fun-filled ride where anything joyously entertaining is possible.
Aileen Wilkie -- From Scotland
With lipstick, slapstick, high heels, a wee tartan skirt, her 6ft unicycle, 5 balls and 3 matching tartan clubs you have a combination unlikely to work… or so you’d think.
From Edinburgh, Scotland, “Aileen is one of the most experienced female street performers in the world, a true vaudeville entertainer. Her gentle and charming repertoire and huge circus skills will have you clapping and roaring for more.”
Aileen has performed all over the world and most recently in S.P.A.C.E, Big Island, Hawaii, for longer than she will say.
Kate Wright - The Ding Dong Show, Yvonne Calling
www.katewright.com.au -- from Australia
Kate Wright has been training and performing since she was a youngster with Adelaide’s Cirkidz Circus. She moved to Melbourne and completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts with a double major in Dance and Drama. Feeling a love for circus, she decided to move to Christchurch to train at CircoArts with a Diploma in Circus majoring in hula hoop and juggling
In her solo show, 'Ding Dong Yvonne Calling', Kate becomes “Yvonne,” an Aussie beautician on a mission; a combination of circus and comedy served up with a good dollop of cheese, Kate also works with U.K outdoor theatre company dotComedy, and has co collaborated with film maker Paul Bell and performer Richard Stamp to create a new work 'Festival T.V'.
Doloreze Leonard - Madame Zazou – From Quebec
Legendary Quebec performer Madame Zazou is the Mistress of Ceremonies for two unforgettable late night cabaret shows in Contois Auditorium. She is a founding member of Cirque du Soleil, and was part of the first American tour. She performs and teaches clowing around the world, and will bring a special, crazy-wonderful element to the Festival¹s late night shows.