After a first look at Circus Vidbel on Saturday, photographer Kevin Downs returned over the next few days and took these beautiful portraits of the performers against the backdrop of the Big Top. The photographs have a timeless quality that evokes the classic portraiture of the Golden Age of the Circus. You can see the complete set, including a few candids, on flickr.
Circus Vidbel’s Big Top is set up at 3100 Stillwell Avenue, just off the Boardwalk in Coney Island. Shows are Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are $10.00 and are on sale at the ticketbooth one hour before showtime. For more info visit the Coney Island Fun Guide.
Update, July 17…
Catch the show this weekend! The circus will be here only through Sunday, July 17th and then will be hitting the road again. Discounted tickets are now available online
http://coneyisland.eventbrite.com/
Related posts on ATZ…
July 10, 2011: Photo Album: Vidbel Old Tyme Circus Opens in Coney Island
June 21, 2011: Zamperla-Zoppe Riders Coming to Zamperla’s Coney Island
May 11, 2011: Coney Island 2011: Summer Photography Workshop
September 2, 2009: Coney Island Baby: Cyclone, the Mini Donkey at the Ringling Circus
Great pictures
oh it’s been a long time since I saw that film. now I’m in the mood to see if there is a trailer on YouTube!
Kevin’s portraits also reminded me of Harry Atwell’s classic photos. His specialty was photographing the circus for over 50 years, starting in the early 20th c, so chances are you’ve seen his photos even if you don’t know the name!
These are so good- thinking of “La Strada”
Wow, beautiful portraits. I hope I can check out the circus soon.
Wonderful photos, thanks for posting them!
Catch the show this weekend! The circus will be here through Sunday, July 17th and then will be hitting the road again
http://coneyisland.eventbrite.com/
Great portraits– we caught the show before it closed on Saturday July 16. It’s a shame– there were so many people on the boardwalk, spending money at Deno’s for kids, and for the cost of 3 3 minute rides they could have seen the hourlong circus.
Adam, I’m glad you caught the circus before it left Coney Island! As I mentioned in an earlier post, the circus usually has sponsors in the towns that they play who sell tickets for them, but in Coney Island they were on their own as far as drumming up business. I don’t think a circus can fill a tent in Coney without advance sale tickets and marketing to groups. And tons of advance publicity a la Ringling
Trav SD, who writes the vaudeville & performance blog Travalanche, saw the show on Sunday and makes some valid points in his thoughtful review.