Bindlestiff Family Cirkus
Encyclopedia
The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus was founded in 1995 By Keith Nelson and Stephanie Monseu. (Originally, the duo called themselves 'Fireplay'.) Since then, they have toured the world with their mix of circus and sideshow. In 1999 The company became a non-profit organization
incorporated as 'Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc.' The mission statement was as follows:
(from bindlestiff.org)
They have also produced several editions of the Cavalcade of Youth--a showcase for performers 21 years of age and under.
and converted it into a performance space called the Palace of Variety and a museum called The Free Museum of Times Square. During the seasons that followed, The Palace of Variety became the focal point of variety arts in New York City
. As many as fifteen shows per week were performed in the theater by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and other performing artists from around the world. Acts included music concerts, plays, sideshow exhibitions, burlesque shows, and a flea circus. The Free Museum of Times Square showcased the history of Time Square. They were forced to close in February 2004, due to the planned demolition of the building.
, Late Night With David Letterman
, The Today Show and the Glastonbury Festival.
In 2008 they collaborated with M.J. Loheed to create an online reality show called simply, "The Bindlestiffs" The webisodes detailed the behind-the-scenes drama as they toured with their political parody "Kinko For President"
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
incorporated as 'Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc.' The mission statement was as follows:
Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc. is a non-profit performing artsPerforming artsThe performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
organization dedicated to increasing the knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the history of circus, sideshow, vaudeville, and related arts through activities including performances, lectures, print media, and workshops for the general public as well as creating opportunities for cultural exchange and fostering a sense of community.
(from bindlestiff.org)
Shows
Since 2001 The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus has been producing full length theatrical productions including 'Buckaroo Bindlestiff's Wild West Gender Bender Jamboree' (2001) 'High Heels and Red Noses' (2003) 'From the Gutter to the Glitter: A Night Out with the Bindlestiffs' (2005) - directed by Michael Preston.They have also produced several editions of the Cavalcade of Youth--a showcase for performers 21 years of age and under.
The Palace of Variety
In 2002, the company found a defunct shoe store just off Times SquareTimes Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
and converted it into a performance space called the Palace of Variety and a museum called The Free Museum of Times Square. During the seasons that followed, The Palace of Variety became the focal point of variety arts in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. As many as fifteen shows per week were performed in the theater by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and other performing artists from around the world. Acts included music concerts, plays, sideshow exhibitions, burlesque shows, and a flea circus. The Free Museum of Times Square showcased the history of Time Square. They were forced to close in February 2004, due to the planned demolition of the building.
Company Members
The company has included a number of performers. Some of the mainstays have included: founders Keith Nelson and Stephanie Monseu, keyboardist Raja Azar, aerialist Tanya Gagne, clown Christine Duenas, musician Peter Bufano, clown Matthew Morgan, juggler Adam Kuchler, drummer Tim Hoey, flea circus impresario and clown Adam Gertsacov, magician Magic Brian, daredevil clown Jonah Logan, and magician/m.c. Scotty the Blue Bunny. This is by no means a definitive list.Appearances
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus has enjoyed various high-profile appearances including HBO's Real SexReal Sex
Real Sex is a television series broadcast on and a production of HBO. As its name implies, Real Sex is a sexually explicit "magazine" which "explores sex '90s style."...
, Late Night With David Letterman
Late Night with David Letterman
Late Night with David Letterman is a nightly hour-long comedy talk show on NBC that was created and hosted by David Letterman. It premiered in 1982 as the first incarnation of the Late Night franchise and went off the air in 1993, after Letterman left NBC and moved to Late Show on CBS. Late Night...
, The Today Show and the Glastonbury Festival.
In 2008 they collaborated with M.J. Loheed to create an online reality show called simply, "The Bindlestiffs" The webisodes detailed the behind-the-scenes drama as they toured with their political parody "Kinko For President"