News for January 10, 2006
Carnies rendezvous with dentistry [10-23-2004]
RALEIGH, N.C. - Downwind from the cotton candy, the caramel apples and the deep-fried Oreos, carnival worker Robert Weaver stepped into a mobile dentist’s office on the state fair midway to pay the price for his love of sweets: three pulled teeth.
For carnies like Weaver, who runs a saltwater taffy concession, the long hours, low pay and sugary temptations of the carnival life can produce a mouthful of misery.
So every year, volunteer dentists come to the North Carolina State Fair in a bus, offering free care to any fair worker with the time - and the courage - to walk in.
“It hurt all day and all night,” said Weaver, whose stubbly beard did little to hide the bulge in his cheek. While bad teeth run in his family, he admitted that his taste for taffy, chocolate-covered bananas and deep-fried Twinkies didn’t help.
Running away with the circus [01-05-2006]
The National Circus School is auditioning young Vancouverites within the next month, at a time when trapeze-riding, trampoline-jumping, and juggling are becoming legitimate full-time careers. The post-secondary circus-arts program places more than 90 percent of its graduates in jobs at Cirque du Soleil and other smaller troupes—a fact that attracted West Vancouverite Alexander Grant. The 18-year-old Sentinel High School Grad was accepted into the school this fall after last winter’s round of tryouts. “The best part is it’s wonderful to see the people in each year of the program—to see everyone from the very beginner to someone on the trapeze,” he said. “You can see what you could become if you stay there. It’s very motivating.” Grant said his courses include a well-rounded blend of gymnastics, trampoline, basic fitness, dance, acting, nutrition, and other areas.
Bent on performing [01-10-2006]
Meaghan Wegg chuckles when she recounts her decision to run away and join the circus.
The 20-year-old native of Teeswater, Ont., had been an acrobatic dancer since the age of 2, but after watching a performance of Cirque De Soleil on television, the contortion and aerial hoop specialist turned to her mother and declared her goal.
“I said, ‘Mom, I want to do that,’.
Gymnast Ponor considers circus career [01-10-2006]
Gymnast Catalina Ponor said in an interview for Mediafax news agency that she would be tempted to be part of the “Cirque du Soleil” circus group, as she received a proposal in this respect while she was participating in last year’s European Gymnastics Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. “I do not dislike the idea. On the contrary, I am quite tempted by the idea and do not exclude this option. I also saw some tape recordings of them and I think the whole thing is very beautiful. And there is also a lot of money that can come out of this,” Ponor said.
Popularity: 11% [?]
