Latest news with #circus
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Festival adds £4m to Great Yarmouth's economy, says organiser
A festival of circus and street arts has added £4m to a town's economy, according to its organisers. Fifty-five companies took part in The Out There Festival, which was held in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, from Thursday to There Arts said the event attracted 65,000 people this year, compared with 40,000 in Mackintosh, the company's artistic director, said: "We had some good weather, but [also] a phenomenal programme." The festival saw 250 artists put on more than 150 hours of free entertainment across three Circus performed AIthentic on Saturday, a play set on the jib of a mobile crane about a futuristic universe where users struggle to maintain control of their rights to use digital services, which was commissioned by Out There Arts and premiered at the festival. Mr Mackintosh added: "We have had a lot of people who have discovered the festival for the first time and they've thought it was great, and we've also had more people stay longer."We've been booking hotels for artists and we've noticed how many of them have been full." Mr Mackintosh added: "This is the second year since we moved [the event] to May [from September] and there's more room to grow this time of year."That allows us to grow across the week and build towards really big days on the Friday and Saturday."There was also a real international gathering and there was a huge buzz."We had 287 creative delegates, of which half were international, attending the Fresh Street conference [at the Hippodrome], and they have gone away saying 'wow' so it's been great."We also had a keynote speech from [the musician] Brian Eno, and he has now become a big fan of Great Yarmouth and says he will rave about it and promote the festival." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seaside arts festival gets under way
The world's smallest nightclub, circus performances and a family comedy show are some of the highlights on the bill of a seaside arts festival. The Out There Festival in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, began on Wednesday and ends on Saturday, featuring a line-up of more than 60 artists. Organisers say the event - which also offers a number of world premieres and international shows - is the UK's biggest outdoor arts festival. Director Joe Mackintosh said the 17th festival promised a "one-of-a-kind experience for audiences of all ages". He added that many events were free, with people encouraged to make donations if they could. Visitors can visit the Miniscule of Sound, billed as the world's smallest nightclub, that fits into a space the size of a wardrobe. An aerial circus performance from the Estonian-based Three Sisters will also entertain audiences, alongside a family-friendly comedy show devised in Great Yarmouth by Darryl J Carrington. Follow Norfolk news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@ or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830 Circus acts prepare for 16th annual festival Children help make props for festival Circus festival moves show dates to school holiday Out There Arts
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Great Yarmouth's Out There Festival gets under way
The world's smallest nightclub, circus performances and a family comedy show are some of the highlights on the bill of a seaside arts Out There Festival in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, began on Wednesday and ends on Saturday, featuring a line-up of more than 60 say the event - which also offers a number of world premieres and international shows - is the UK's biggest outdoor arts Joe Mackintosh said the 17th festival promised a "one-of-a-kind experience for audiences of all ages". He added that many events were free, with people encouraged to make donations if they can visit the Miniscule of Sound, billed as the world's smallest nightclub, that fits into a space the size of a aerial circus performance from the Estonian-based Three Sisters will also entertain audiences, alongside a family-friendly comedy show devised in Great Yarmouth by Darryl J Carrington.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I transformed my tot's boxroom into a circus-themed space for £8 – people are amazed when they see what it looks like
A THRIFTY mum has left people open-mouthed after sharing her daughter's epic bedroom makeover on a budget. Ana J Dacre took to Facebook to post snaps of the jaw-dropping boxroom transformation that cost her less than £10. 2 So if you're looking for some inspiration for your tot's bedroom - or even your own - you've come to the right place. Before the stunning glow-up, the toddler's room was very plain, featuring just a a bed, light walls, a mini bedside table and a lamp. But thanks to a Facebook Marketplace bargain, as well as some impressive DIY skills and a whole lot of upcycling, the thrifty woman was able to give the room a totally need look. Now the walls boast a fun circus-themed wallpaper, a circus tent above the three-year-old's bed, as well as several circus-inspired decotations. Another new change was the huge pine bookcase which the mother had snapped up second-hand for just £8. To give it a more funky appearance that would fit the overall bright aesthetic, Ana changed the original colours to dark blue, as well as attached the curtains which she had made herself. There were also plenty of drums, a huge array of prints, books and more - and judging by the snaps online the little girl has approved the glow-up. Ana wrote in the caption: ''Hi everyone,I just wanted to show you my 3y old daughters circus themed bedroom... ''It's not 100% finished yet as after the move we struggle to find all the bits and pieces haha but it started lookin' good... ''Lamp,circus tent, curtains and all furniture been hand made/upcycled by me. AliExpress is selling a tiny home for just £5k - it comes with two bedrooms & would be the perfect granny flat ''Total cost for the room 8£ as I already had people told me not to hoard stuff,'' she chuckled. 'You've put a lot of work into that' Since being shared in the popular DIY On A Budget Official, the transformation has already taken the internet by storm, winning the DIY fan more than 440 likes. 10 DIY hacks for under £1 each These simple and affordable DIY hacks can help you get creative while saving money Homemade Air Freshener: Mix baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Place it in a small jar with a perforated lid to keep your home smelling fresh. Upcycled Tin Can Planters: Clean and paint empty tin cans to use as stylish planters for herbs or small plants. Custom Phone Stand: Use a sturdy piece of cardboard or an old plastic credit card to create a custom phone stand. Decorate it with washi tape or paint. DIY Lip Scrub: Combine sugar and a bit of honey or coconut oil to make a natural lip scrub. Store in a small container. Personalised Bookmarks: Use old greeting cards or decorative paper to create unique bookmarks. Punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon for a finishing touch. Decorative Mason Jars: Paint or decoupage old mason jars to use as decorative vases, storage containers, or candle holders. Easy Cable Organiser: Use empty toilet paper rolls to organize cables and cords. Decorate the rolls with colorful paper or tape. Magnetic Spice Jars: Attach small magnets to the lids of small jars and stick them to a metal board or fridge for easy-access spice storage. Handmade Coasters: Cut out squares from old corkboard or felt and decorate them with paint or fabric to create custom coasters. Natural All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent. Use it to clean surfaces around your home. Dozens of social media users flooded to comments, where one wrote: ''Absolutely stunning, so creative, love it .'' Another chimed in: ''You've put a lot of work into that, mits fab. Great find with the book care.'' A fellow mum said: ''I love it !! I once wanted to do my little one circus bedroom, he was born into the circus world, don't think I could of achieved anything like this.'' ''Absolutely incredible I love it, wish I could get my creative mojo back,'' someone else commented. ''Love this n love that it's vintage looking too wallpaper is amazing,'' another member of the popular page said.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This Day in History, 1890: A Ponderous Moving Mountain startles the sluggish blood of Vancouverites
When you do a Google search for Queen Jumbo in Vancouver today, a pizza place in Langley comes up. (It's behind McDonald's at 26426-56 Ave.) If there had been an Internet 135 years ago, it would have come up Queen Jumbo, the 'Massive, Mammoth Mastodon' that was appearing in McMahon's New United Shows circus on May 26 and 27, 1890. McMahon's circus was a popular attraction in small towns and cities in western North America in the late 1880s and early 1890s. But it wasn't a mere circus: Advertisements trumpeted it as a 'Circus, Museum, Wild Animal Exposition and Grand International Horse Fair!' The McMahon's extravaganza had made its debut in Vancouver in 1889, when the fledging metropolis was only three years old. In true huckster hype, the 1890 edition claimed to have been 'Enlarged to Four Times its Former Size,' which made it '100 Times More Grand.' Queen Jumbo was the big new attraction, 'A Ponderous Moving Mountain' that appeared with another elephant, Romeo. 'The presence of the largest animal in the history of the world, a living, breathing mountain of flesh, is sufficient to startle the sluggish blood of the most inert among us,' said a preview story in the May 25 Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser. Another attraction was Prof. Redmond, who ascended in a balloon, did parachute jumps and also performed in a flying trapeze act. To reel in the rabble when the circus hit town, Redmond went up in the balloon at 5 p.m. May 27 for about half an hour, 'which was witnessed by the whole city.' It worked. The Daily News-Advertiser claimed that 3,000 people jammed into a tent for a performance that night, which may be a bit of an exaggeration — the 1890 Henderson's Directory estimated Vancouver's population was only 12,890. Some of the old stories about McMahon's circus are hilarious. Apparently it became so popular 'irresponsible vultures' were selling fake tickets. In the May 17, 1891, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, a story warned people 'some impecunious tin-horn hobo may undertake to deceive the people of Seattle by advertising the appearance of McMahon's circus sooner than its regular date, as has been the case recently in other places.' Ne'er-do-wells often followed the circus around. On June 9, Sinclair the clown got into a beef with a 'three-shell swindler' who was 'plying his vocation' on the McMahon's circus grounds at Rosyln, Wash. 'Sinclair was badly clubbed over the head,' reported the Post-Intelligencer on June 10, 1891. 'The city marshal arrested the grifter, who attempted to draw a revolver.' Sadly, the McMahon's circus also had its share of tragedies. Redmond the balloonist died in Snohomish, Wash. only three days after leaving Vancouver in 1890. His balloon 'was carried away' by the wind and 'lit on a very large pine tree,' and Redmond was thrown out and 'fell fully 70 feet, killing him instantly.' On May 25, 1892, Henry Hollins, the six foot nine 'coloured giant' in the McMahon's side show, was getting into a rail car to go to bed when another car 'suddenly jammed against the one he was on, crushing his right leg.' He was taken to town but died. On Nov. 18, 1892, owner McMahon was travelling by private train car to the Chicago World's Fair when he fell ill in Helena, Mont., with consumption (tuberculosis), 'aggravated by a severe cold' and died. He was only 37. Another McMahon's circus played the American mid-west through 1897, although it's not known whether its proprietor Joe McMahon was related to John S. McMahon. Joe McMahon met his maker on April 3, 1897, in Wichita, Kansas, when a police officer from Abilene, Texas, arrested one of McMahon's employees on a Texas charge. They quarrelled and the police officer shot McMahon dead. On April 14, 1898, The Saturday Evening Kansas Commoner cast some aspersions on the mid-west McMahon's circus and its followers. 'McMahon's shows were followed by such a gang of swindlers, fakirs and thieves that several times the militia of Kansas was called for to suppress them,' said the Commoner, which was published in Wichita. 'Once Governor Lewelling of Kansas actually sent a company of state militia to capture McMahon's circus. The sheriff of a certain county had tried to arrest the gang of robbers, and were driven off with shotguns.' The west coast McMahon's circus never seemed to have any problems in Vancouver or British Columbia, however. jmackie@
