Step Right Up!
December 20th, 2006 by Lola
Face painting, cotton candy and sensual trapeze dancers? Sign me up! I attended the 29th annual Big Apple Circus gala at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park. As I was greeted by clowns and top-hatted gents, I began to wonder where else in this crazy, mixed-up city I could sip Checker Cab Blonde Ale and munch popcorn while watching children frolic around the big top.
Before the show began, Mayor Michael “Big Top” Bloomberg delivered a witty address, nearly stealing the show from the clowns themselves. A Big Apple Circus organization official announced that the night had brought in $1.7 million. Then the evening’s entertainment began, accompanied by a gourmet boxed dinner, including a chicken roulade, herbed couscous, salmon and an apple-date crumble.
Just steps away from the stately buildings in which the Metropolitan Opera and American Ballet Theater’s high art graces the stage, I laughed and smiled while watching a goofy Frenchman shape balloon animals, a parasol-equipped lady navigate the tight rope and a troupe of tiny dogs walk across ladders and barrel through their trainer’s legs. I was taken back to my childhood, and I was loving it.
As I made my way out of the extravaganza, I was handed a plentiful gift bag and a People magazine so that I might catch up on the latest scandals whilst painting my face and watching The Polar Express. So next time you see a sasstress traipsing across Eighth Avenue with a spongy red nose on, you’ll know who sent her.
Check out the Big Apple Circus in New York until January 7th, for ticket and tour info, click here.