The Flea Circus Returns To Coney Island!
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SUMMARY:
WHAT: Acme Miniature Flea Circus at the Coney Island Museum
WHERE: Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Ave. Brooklyn NY 11224-2816
WHEN: Sunday July 27, 2008 at 4pm.
COST: $5
MORE INFO: http://www.coneyisland.com
MORE INFO: http://www.trainedfleas.com
CALL: 718 372 5159
ELECTRONIC PRESS RELEASE: Press Release PDF (707K: must have Adobe Reader)
PUBLICITY PHOTOS: Press Images of the show
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Coney Island, NY
7/10/08
This summer, the fleas on the beaches of Coney Island may not be run of the mill sand fleas. Instead they may be highly trained and specialized fleas Midge and Madge, taking in the sites before or after a show.
That's because this year, the flea circus will make its historic and triumphant return to Coney Island, the summer hotspot that used to boast more flea circuses per square mile than any other amusement area.
The
show, the Acme Miniature Flea Circus, is an authentic Victorian flea
circus that features trained fleas Midge and Madge who perform
spectacular circus stunts as seen before (and on top of) the crowned
heads of Europe. Midge and Madge will perform their star turn at Coney Island's historic Museum
on Sunday July 27.
Details magazine called the show "One of the top alternative
circuses in the country." The New York Times said "The appeal
is irresistible... Gertsacov is every bit the fantastical impresario,
in his purple top hat and cash-register voice, introducing us to the
wondrous insects itching (sorry) to perform" And the Los Angeles
Times says that "Professor Gertsacov holds the audience (and the
stars of the show) in the palm of his hand."
According to Professor A.G. Gertsacov, ringmaster and proprietor of
the Acme Miniature Circus, flea circuses were popular entertainments
during Victorian times, but had nearly disappeared since the advent
of television. The last popular American flea circus was Professor
Heckler's of Time Square, which left New York in 1957. The rumor is
that Heckler thought that the nude shows were giving his fleas a bad
name.
There are now only a handful of flea circuses still performing
throughout the world. Gertsacov's is arguably the most famous. The
Rhode Island native (now based in Yonkers, NY) and his amazing insect
stars have performed throughout the country, and in Canada, Chile,
and Brazil. He recently spent three months performing in Times
Square, less than two blocks from where Professor Heckler once had
his fleas. Gertsacov has also been filmed for documentaries on the
History Channel, the Travel Channel, and numerous news programs. He's
even been a question on Jeopardy!
Gertsacov's educated insect stars pull chariots, dance on a
tightwire, and perform other circus-like stunts. While he does not
reveal his method of training (a proprietary secret, he explains) ,
he assures the curious and the civic minded that he uses only methods
of positive reinforcement to teach the insects their routines. "I
treat them as if they are my own flesh and blood," Gertsacov says.
"And in some ways, they are."
Professor Gertsacov will bring his minuscule marvels to perform at
the historic Coney Island museum as part of their "Ask The Experts" Lecture series . He
invites all curious parties to come and see the show that was deemed
one of the top shows of the world famous Spoleto Festival in 2004.
But he asks that you leave your dogs and cats at home. Gertsacov
quips, "I don't want anyone to steal the show."
The show will take place at the Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Ave in historic Coney Island. Showtime is 4pm. Tickets are $5 and includes entrance to the museum.
For more information about the show, or to reserve tickets, call the
Museum at 718 372 5159.
Or visit
http://www.coneyisland.com/museum.shtml
For press information, photographs, or interviews, please contact
Flea Master Professor A.G. Gertsacov at 401-351-2596 or visit the
flea circus website: http://www.trainedfleas.com.
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