Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Update - May 26, 2011 Bindlestiff's winter was filled with Cirkus Cabarets, Open Stages, Cavalcade of Youth performances, cirkus skill workshops, and much more across New York State. We just returned from performing at Super Giant in Bangkok, Thailand and are looking forward to Summertime. What better way to celebrate the warmer days than going to the Cirkus? We are preparing for a summer filled with Cirkus, and the fun starts this weekend. This update includes: * Bindlestiff's Memorial Weekend events * Bindlestiff Open Variety Stage Show at Galapagos cancelled. Seeking new home. * NYC Unicycle Festival * Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth at Spiegeltent * The Bindlestiffs Season 2 is coming soon * Become a Bindlestiff Volunteer * Hickey Shields Design saga continues * Support the Variety Arts For the most up to date info visit http://www.bindlestiff.org or call 1-877-BINDLES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bindlestiff's Memorial Weekend events Although some of the Cirkus' Memorial weekend activity will be at members only clubs and other private affairs, we are performing at a couple events you may want to visit. Big Gay Hudson Valley’s The Pride Preview Party Big Gay Hudson Valley’s The Pride Preview Party is taking over the grounds of the Locust Grove Estate in Poughkeepsie, NY on Friday, May 27th from 5pm to 1am – Rain or Shine! Entertainment for the evening includes live performances by the Hudson Valley’s very-own Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Drag Bingo with Trixie Starr, live musical performances by local musicians, and the transformation of the historic Locust Grove Estate into a fabulous dance club by the DJs of Superior Sounds and Prephab. The Pride Preview Party is a picnic, and we encourage everyone to pack the most fabulous picnic dinner possible. Tickets are available at the door. Be sure and bring your picnic basket! Fees : $10 per person * * * Columbia Land Conservancy Country Barbecue This family friendly event marks the kick-off to CLC’s 25th year celebration. Children of all ages can expect lots of hands-on activities, interactive displays, and cool projects to make and take home. There will be a working oxen demonstration, duck herding border collies, a farm animal petting zoo, and much more. Children will have the opportunity to learn all about the wildlife at CLC’s Public Conservation Areas in our activities tent. Other highlights throughout the day include variety performances by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, music from the Mountain Laurel Band, dancing, fresh local food and beverages, and the always popular silent auction. The event is at the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company, Shaker Museum Road, Chatham, NY. Tickets are available in advance. For more details: http://clctrust.org/events/7/25th-anniversary-country-barbecue/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bindlestiff Open Variety Stage Show Galapagos Art Space cancelled the Bindlestiff Open Stage Variety Show. We thank Galapagos for over two years of providing the the Open Stage a home, but with our new homeless situation, Bindlestiff Open Stage Variety Show is seeking a new venue. If you know of a venue that can accommodate circus and variety acts and wants to help provide a home to this important performing arts "laboratory," let me know. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2011 NYC Unicycle Festival The 2011 NYC Unicycle Festival will be rolling across the Big Apple Sept 2-4, 2011. This year's festival includes a 13 mile ride across Brooklyn, a spectacular Saturday on Governors Ilsand featuring public showcases, learn to ride workshops, a trials course, unicycle sports (basketball, hockey and races), and much more; and an open ride at Grant's Tomb on Sunday. We are currently sponsors for this years event. If you have any ideas, let us know. NYC Unicycle Festival updates are available at http://nycunifest.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bindlestiff in Spiegeltent Bindlestiff Family Cirkus returns to the Spiegeltent at the Fischer Art Center's Summerscape at Bard College, Anandale-on-Hudson, NY. Get your tickets now, these shows sell out. If you have never been into a Spiegelent, come experience Bindlestiff in one of the most luxurious locations they perform. The Summerscape season features two weekends with the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, and one weekend with Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth All Stars. Bindlestiff Family Cirkus for the whole family: 7/16, 7/17, 8/13, 8/14 at 3:30PM:   Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth: 8/30 and 8/31, at 3:30PM Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret for mature audiences: 8/13 at 8:30. More details: http://fishercenter.bard.edu/summerscape/2011 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Bindlestiffs Season 2 is coming soon The Bindlestiffs (webisode series) has started working on season 2. Look for the first webisode in the coming months. The Bindlestiffs Season 1, the ten episode series documenting the 2008 Bindlestiff Family Cirkus tour is available on a limited edition DVD. Ordering information is available at http://www.thebindlestiffs.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Become a Bindlestiff Volunteer Want to run away with the Cirkus, at least for a night? Bindlestiff is always seeking folks to to assist at shows. If you would like to start volunteering for Bindlestiff, contact Ellia Bisker at ellia@bindlestiff.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hickey Shields Design saga continues Bindlestiff is owed $26,700 by Hickey Shields Design for services rendered for the Park Avenue Armory Carnival, October 7 to 11, 2010.  Josh Hickey (owner of Hickey Shields Design) continues to ignore our appeals and has made no attempt to create a payment plan.  Bindlestiff has paid most of the artists involved with our own funds, leaving Bindlestiff in a financially fragile position.  Although the situation is going to court, we are faced with a situation in which someone has failed to compensate the artists for a five day event. Through loans, donations, and the understanding of the artists, we have been able to continue our Cirkus filled mission during this period. To see more details or offer support visit http://www.causes.com/causes/584869# * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Support the Variety Arts We ask for your contribution in support of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and our mission to promote, develop and sustain the variety arts. If you feel a connection to Bindlestiff—if our unconventional vision and values speak to you, if you consider yourself a Bindlestiff at heart, or if you just love coming to our shows—we invite you to deepen that connection this year by making a tax-deductible financial contribution. We need your help to continue creating provocative, thrilling performances, conducting youth programs that develop skills and self-esteem, and cultivating a vital community of variety artists, all while keeping ticket prices accessibly low. Tax-deductible donations can be made at http://www.bindlestiff.org/menu/donate.html or by sending a check or money order to Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc., PO Box 1917, New York, NY 10009. Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization devoted to the preservation and evolution of the variety arts. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bindlestiff Family Cirkus PO Box 1917 New York, NY 10009 1-877-BINDLES www.bindlestiff.org Bindlestiff Family Cirkus PO Box 1917 New York, NY 10009 http://www.bindlestiff.org 1-877-BINDLES info