Off to Help with Urban Legend at Circus Flora

One week ago, tonight (4 June), I was at the Big Top in St. Louis' Grand Center starting to volunteer for the new season of Circus Flora. Their 2025 season show, "Urban Legend," began last week. I was there with a few volunteers to help finish setting up the seating and to watch the dress rehearsal show.

I returned there last Sunday (8 June) for the matinee performance. After helping tidy up the seating area, I was stationed at one of the Big Top entrances to greet the audience. I offered programs for the show; plus, this day I also gave away Circus Flora cups courtesy of Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital. One of their recent patients served as honorary ringmaster for the day.

"Urban Legend" features the clowning of Daredevil Chicken, the trained dogs of Mutts Gone Nuts, and the highwire exploits of the Flying Wallendas.

There's also hand balancing from Kyran Walton, the rollerskating duo of Alexis & Mary, the juggling of Book Kennison, and the perch pole of the Dauntless Duo. Also, there's acrobatics courtesy of Circus Harmony's St. Louis Arches.

Yo-Yo the Storyteller leads us through this tale of a monster stalking the city and the efforts to deal with it. Joining the company for all this are the clowning of Daredevil Chicken, the aerial rope performance of Madison Ward, and the trampoline wall act Off Axis. Live music is performed by the Circus Flora Band.

It's always a great time when you see a Circus Flora show, and "Urban Legend" is no exception. I look forward to volunteering with the circus, having done so since 2014. Tonight, I will be back for another volunteer shift.

"Urban Legend" runs through 22 June. Check it out. The whole family will love it.

Later.

Links to Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

Circus Flora: Circus Flora | A St. Louis Tradition For Over 30 years

Grand Center Arts District: Grand Center Arts District | A Landmark Destination for the Arts

Siteman Kids: Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital - Siteman Cancer Center

Circus Harmony: Home - Circus Harmony

  

Catching Up in Mid-June

I realized that I have not posted here in just over one month. Somehow, I have not been able to post to this blog though some noteworthy things happened to me in that stretch. Here's a brief catch up.

My last youth soccer referee assignments of the season were on Sunday, 19 May at World Wide Technology Soccer Park. They were under 13/14 girls matches and they went well. (I had some tournament games the following Sunday the 26th, but they got called off due to stormy weather.)

The IPMS/Gateway meeting on Tuesday, 21 May had a good strong turnout of models for the Modeler of the Year Contest. I talked of the recent awards from Missouri Professional Communicators for editing the club's newsletter and writing and distributing the press release for their 2023 Invitational.

Memorial Day weekend started on Saturday, 25 May with going with Julie to the St. Louis CITY SC match against Seattle Sounders at CITYPARK. Julie and I had fun, except that Seattle won the match 2-1.

I did go to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Town and Country for their Greek Festival on Monday the 27th. I had a nice lunch there before going to Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield for the Wings over St. Louis program. I saw the Commemorative Air Force's B-25 Mitchell "Show Me" and some military vehicles on display.

Two nights later (29 May), Julie and I were together again at Missouri Botanical Garden for the first of their Whitaker Concert Series programs. We saw jazz singer and bassist Janet Evra perform, and I was most impressed by Evra's performance.

That Saturday morning (1 June), I was at the St. Louis Artists' Guild to join with other Missouri Professional Communicators (MPC) members in assembly goody bags. These bags would go to registrants at the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) Conference in St. Louis later that month.

On Wednesday, 5 June, I worked the first of three straight Wednesdays as a volunteer for Circus Flora. Their show "Marooned!" played last month at the Big Top in midtown St. Louis. It was a rehearsal show that I witnessed on the 5th, a full show the following Wednesday (12 June), and an abbreviated daytime show one week later (19 June). I was so happy to help volunteer again with the circus, and Circus Flora's company appreciated me and the other volunteers for our efforts.

Julie went with me to see CITY host Portland Timbers on 8 June, which ended up a 0-0 draw. I went myself on 19 June for the match against Colorado Rapids, but CITY lost that one 3-0. Before the latter match, I won the "Schlaffle" raffle held at the St. Louligans' street party by Schlafly Tap Room. The prize package included: a four-pack of Schlafly Supporter Session Hazy Pale Ale; a CITY can coozy; a miniature soccer ball from CITY and University of Missouri-St. Louis; a pair of CITY socks; and a CITY/Lou Fusz Automotive Network banner.

Back tracking a bit, on Sunday 9 June I drove to Overland Park, Kansas for the concluding day of the Heartland Model Car Nationals, presented by KC Slammers. It was great seeing the over 600 car model entries on display, plus seeing fellow scale modelers.

I spent Sunday afternoon and early evening 16 June with Julie. We swam in the pool at her apartment complex, then watched some streaming TV in her apartment with her roommate Joan. Julie and I then had a nice dinner at Applebee's in Creve Coeur.

The June IPMS/Gateway meeting on the 18th featured the annual "Slam Fest," where participants had two hours to assemble and finish a model kit. I built a Spitfire that was in a post-World War II natural metal scheme. The finished models were entered in a People's Choice Contest, with votes determining the top three entries. My Spitfire did not make the top three, but it was a fun time, nevertheless.

Late last week was the NFPW Conference. I will tell you about that in my next post.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

IPMS Gateway Chapter: IPMS Gateway Chapter (google.com)

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC (stlcitysc.com)

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church: Home | Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (assumptiongoc.org)

Missouri Wing, Commemorative Air Force: Missouri Wing (commemorativeairforce.org)

Missouri Botanical Garden: Missouri Botanical Garden

Janet Evra: Janet Evra

Missouri Professional Communicators: Missouri NFPW affiliate | Missouri Professional Communicators | Clayton (moprocommunicators.org)

Circus Flora: Circus Flora | A St. Louis Tradition For Over 30 years

St. Louligans: Saint Louligans – Supporting Soccer in the St. Louis Area – St. Louligans – Supporting St. Louis Soccer (stlouligans.com)

KC Slammers: KC Slammers – Model Car Club

 

Helping at Circus Flora: "The Quest for the Innkeeper's Cask"

The past two Wednesday evenings (15 and 22 June) have seen me in the Grand Center Arts District, under the Big Top that is home to Circus Flora. I am back as a volunteer for the eighth year.

This season, Circus Flora's show is "The Quest for the Innkeeper's Cask," which began its run on 9 June and will last until 3 July. The story has the circus troupe going through St. Louis' underground caves searching for a ghost innkeeper who has been causing mischief in town.

I report to work one hour before the show begins to put on my volunteer apron and button, before cleaning the seats. Just before the house opens 30 minutes before showtime, me and the other volunteers get our briefing from house manager Harald Boerstler before assuming our positions. We act as ushers helping the audience find their seats.

When the show begins at approximately 7:00 pm, I find a seat in the mezzanine to watch the performance. There is a 15-minute intermission midway through the show, and the volunteers help the audience members as needed in leaving and then returning to their seats before the second act begins.

The last act is a flying trapeze routine, and I help the ring crew by sitting near one of the safety net supports. This is so any audience members that may walk by there don't get tripped up by the cable. The ring crew takes down the net right after the company leaves the ring, and then the audience safely leaves the tent. The show ends after approximately two hours. After the audience leaves, I and the other volunteers pick up any trash left near the seats and dispose of it before checking out.

"The Quest for the Innkeeper's Cask" has a variety of acts, including equestrian artists Caleb Carinci-Asch and Lea Innocenti; The Flying Cortes trapeze act; The Flying Wallendas high wire act; featured performers Britt Lower and Ambrose Martos; Russian Cradle act Sam Renaud and Louis Joyal; The St. Louis Arches acrobats; and Trio Black Diamond, who perform trio hand balance equilibrium and duo antipode (foot juggling). Cecil McKinnon plays Yo-Yo the Storyteller and there is a five-piece band performing throughout the show.

We had about 180 attendees at last night's show, and they all enjoyed the event. Seeing these people leave the Big Top in such a good mood makes my work worthwhile.

I have one more volunteer shift scheduled for this season, this coming Wednesday night (29 June). Hope to see you there.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

Circus Flora: Circus Flora | A St. Louis Tradition For Over 30 years

Grand Center Arts District: Grand Center Arts District | A Landmark Destination for the Arts

 

Lunch and Shopping in Historic St. Charles

Off work today, I got my hair cut at Great Clips and my flu shot at CVS, both near South County Center. My fun part of the day would take place to the northwest of St. Louis.

Late this morning, I drove to Historic Main Street in St. Charles, which has many historic buildings, shops, and restaurants. I walked from the parking lot near the Missouri River to Magpie's Cafe for lunch. After waiting for some time, a table was free for me on the patio.

Magpie's Cafe opened in 1984. In 2019, after its original owner Rhonda Crane died, my friend and Mehlville High School classmate Donna Schaffrin purchased the cafe and runs it to this day. A few weeks ago, I ran into Donna at World Wide Technology Soccer Park, where I was refereeing and her sons were playing. I wished her well on Magpie's and Donna invited me to come have lunch there sometime. Today was that sometime.

I ordered a Half & Half combination of soup and sandwich. The server recommended the Baked Potato Soup, which I selected to go with the Philly Beef sandwich. They were delicious. The Baked Potato Soup--a baked potato, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions--is a long-time staple of Magpie's.

After that, I had room for dessert. Again, I went with the server's suggestion and had the Blackberry Cobbler, served ala mode. It was decadent, but most satisfying.

Before I left my table to pay the bill, I told the server (whose name I didn't get) about how I knew about this restaurant. She thought it was a small world that I knew Schaffrin, and she would tell Donna hello for me.

After paying my bill at Magpie's, I walked up Main Street to Main Street Books. Earlier this week, I ordered a book for sale there, Unleashing the Soul. It's a collection of poems written by my friend, T.M. (Tara) Pedroley. We knew each other from a singles Meetup group we were in a few years ago. (Tara was the group's organizer.) I am looking forward to reading these poems, and Tara said she would sign my copy when we meet next month for an event in town.

 

Walking along Main Street to return to the parking lot, I saw some straw figures in a small park. The city was holding a straw poll of these figures, asking visitors to vote for their favorites. I didn't vote, but noted two witches on display.

Back home now, I will be out volunteering at Circus Flora tonight.

Later.

Websites of entities mentioned in this post:

Great Clips: Haircuts for Men, Women, & Kids | Great Clips Hair Salons

CVS: CVS - Online Drugstore, Pharmacy, Prescriptions & Health Information

St. Charles Tourism: Historic Downtown Restaurants & Shopping | Saint Charles, MO (discoverstcharles.com)

Magpie's Cafe: Magpies Restaurant | South Main in Historic Old St Charles MO (magpiesonmain.com)

Main Street Books: Main Street Books | Your St. Charles Independent Bookseller

Circus Flora: Circus Flora | A St. Louis Tradition For Over 30 years

Circus Flora Returns--And So Do I

Last night (9 October), I was back at Circus Flora as a volunteer for the circus's 35th season--my 8th as a volunteer. Their new show is "The Trial of the Century," which began two nights before and runs through 31 October.

I checked in an hour before the show opened at the Big Top in the Grand Center Arts District. We volunteers had to show proof of being vaccinated and wear masks, but otherwise it was just like the previous seasons. After the house manager briefed us volunteers, I took up my station at the center of the seating area. When the audience came in a few minutes later, I was able to help them find their seats.

The Trial of the Century is a spoof of courtroom dramas, with the audience as the jury. A thief has swiped cats, juggling clubs, and costumes from a circus and trapeze performer Sylvia is accused of the crime. Jonathan Burns is the attorney defending her in Yo-Yo's court, when not clowning around. Is Sylvia guilty or innocent? You'll have to come to the show to find out.

Acts include Circus Harmony's St. Louis Archers acrobats, juggler/acrobat/clown Kellin Quinn, hand balancer Danielle Saulnier, the wall trampoline act Swing Up, trapeze act Duo Rose, the Savitsky Cats trained cat act, Laura Lippert, and flying trapeze act the Flying Cortes. Fun for the whole family

I will be back volunteering at Circus Flora for three more performances: this Wednesday morning (13 October) at 10 am, Wednesday 20 October at 7 pm, and Wednesday 27 October at 7 pm. Hope to see you there!

Later.

Links of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

Circus Flora: Circus Flora | A St. Louis Tradition For Over 30 years

Grand Center Arts District: Grand Center Arts District | A Landmark Destination for the Arts

Duo Rose: Duo Rose Trapeze

Circus Harmony: Circus Harmony

The Savitsky Cats: The Savitsky Cats - Performing Cats - Cats for Movies and Commercials

The Flying Cortes: Flying Cortes - Variety Attractions

Back to Circus Flora for The St. Lou Revue

For the first time in two years, I ran away to the circus--Circus Flora. Last night (5 June), I was a volunteer for the circus' weekend-only show "The St.Lou Review," which played at the Big Top in the Grand Center Arts District of Midtown St. Louis. (The COVID-19 pandemic cancelled last year's show.) It was a great feeling to return to the Big Top and volunteer with Circus Flora.