October Performer Spotlight - The Bravo Brothers

This month we spotlight children's music artists "The Bravo Brothers". This duo is actually made up of an nephew/uncle team of Brian Dwyer and Rick Pantano. The Bravo Brothers music and shows are geared toward children 2 to 8 years of age. The Bravo Brothers debut album "I Like Noise" released nationally by Straw House Entertainment distributed by SONY/Red.

Brian Dwyer is a multi-talented performer, in addition to his music he is also "Big League Brian" official stilt-walker of the Boston Red Sox and appeared in the movie Fever Pitch. Brian has also performed with Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus, is a Big Apple Circus Clown Doctor at Children's Hospital in Boston, and is a graduate of the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Clown College.

Rick Pantano has been a musician since childhood and plays a wide variety of musical instruments. He performs not only with the Bravo Brothers but has also back "Bobby Boris Pickett" of "Monster Mash" fame. He is an award winning songwriter and also writes jingles and is currently creating music for a children's book

Their shows are a lively blend of original music, children's favorites, comedy with a little bit of juggling and mayhem thrown in. Their original music includes songs like the title track from their album "I Like Noise", "A Day at the Beach", and my personal favorite "Sock Monster". In addition to the Brian & Rick duo a full band is available and recommended for larger events or those with the budget to do so, nothing adds to any event like a full band.

The Bravo Brothers have performed at a wide variety of events for a multitude of clients including National Night Out, the US Navy/MWR Kids Karnival, July Fourth Events, performing arts events, theater shows, city festivals, PTO events, library appearances, recreation departments and Earth Fest Boston.

They have the kind of music that makes the little ones get up and dance and Mom's and Dad's appreciate that the music is great for listening on car trips.

The Bravo Brothers also offer to non-profit organizations the opportunity to host a low risk fundraising event in the Eastern Massachusetts area where they both call home. Please contact us for the details. However they are available to travel all over the United States.

June 2010 in Review

June went by so very quickly. This month we were blessed by a few new events and was sad to see a few long time events fall victim to the economy and other unfortunate circumstances. Such is life, riding out the good with the bad.

The first Saturday in June "Big League Brian" Dwyer was invited back for yet another repeat performance for Family Day at Fenway hosted by Northeastern University's Alumni. This is one of "Big League Brian's" favorite events and they are always a pleasure to work with.

We were able to assist Dreamland Amusements with very last minute entertainment for their carnival at the Staten Island Mall. Bringing in the Grimmy Family to present some of their amazing circus acts to the event. The Grimmy Family originated from THE Moscow State Circus, Russia. We had the pleasure of first meeting the family ten years back on one of their first tours with the Royal Hanneford Circus. The Grimmy Family performs many many acts including juggling (which they are best known for), comedy, hula hoops, contortion, plate spinning, the much sought after magical transformation in which dresses are quick changed at the blink of an eye. Daughter Viktoria is an amazing aerialist who know resides in Los Angeles where she is making a name for herself on the west coast while still performing many shows a year around the world. The Grimmy Family is very popular in the resorts of Catskills, corporate dates, circus, fairs and festivals.

Mid June we had the pleasure of sending the enchanting Miss Rebecca Ostroff and her "iron jaw" aerial artistry to the 20th Century Fox production of Water for Elephants a book by Sara Gruen which was on the New York Times Best Seller List. The movie version features Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz and Hal Holbrook it is expected to hit theaters in 2011. If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it, although it is fiction the author did a remarkable job on showing the rivalry between traveling circuses, a rivalry that still exists today. Special thanks to Porter Lontz-Underhill who we originally met some time ago on the renowned Circus Smirkus of Vermont for bringing this opportunity to our attention.

Mid June also saw the premier opening of the Amazing Anastasini Circus under the Big Top at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia. The show had an amazing cast with comedy, dogs, cloud swing, rola-bola, diablos and contortion and was produced by Giovanni Anastasini. Gordon went down to the park for the set up and opening weekend to make sure the opening went smoothly. The show was extremely well received by the park, staff and guests.

The final weekend of June we had two attractions at Trade Days in Tennessee which is a festival with a Native American Pow Wow and celebrates Appalachin culture. Chuckwagon Mac, chuckwagon display and storytelling as well as Accipiter Enterprises birds of prey were presented at the festival.

Kitty Carroll of Acciptier had this to report "Trade Days went well. Seasonably warm weather. Trade Days was a lovely site. The Pow Wow really appreciated the presence of the birds. I also go to visit with my cousin who lives just a mile away in Zionville, near Boone." She was also able to point out to the committee some out dated power equipment on their property, which can be a hazard to our feathered friends and was able to leave them with information on contacting the power company to have the equipment made safe by the regulations of the USFWS at the expense of the power company. And as anyone knows with a fairgrounds upgrades to the electrical system at the expense of the power company is as Martha Stewart would say "its a good thing!" both for the birds and the fairgrounds.

The live entertainment industry is certainly changing at such a rapid pace, new challenges include putting on an event with few or no sponsors, re-inventing advertising for the digital age, increased awareness for the need of security and keeping a budget balanced in the slow economy. Change is no stranger to live entertainment but an ever present challenge to keep us all on our toes.

March 2010 in Review

We are soaking wet up here in New England, nearly 20 inches of rain have fallen in three weeks, making March is wettest ever.  In a typical year we receive 40 inches of rain so does this mean we have received half our rain for the year? Probably not, but I'm sure there are many events wishing that were so. 

The phones have really picked up as people are snapping up entertainment for the spring, summer and fall of this year.  This month peoples interest has really turned to thrill shows, action sports shows, monster truck shows and daredevils. 

On March 21st we paid our annual visit to the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts for their fantastic Saint Patrick's Day Parade.  They had a lovely warm day, which was a rarity here in the past month.  Provided by MacKay Entertainment for the parade was Molly the Clown whom we have worked with for many years, Molly is an alumni of Vermont's own Circus Smirkus as well as a veteran of Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus.  Big League Brian also joined the crew, he is a regular performer/stilt walker on Yawkey Way at every Red Sox home game.  Brian was seen in the movie Fever Pitch and if often seen on many many sports news shows.  Boris Koski took a ride through Lawrence on his Velocipede as a Leprechaun.  Joining them in the strolling performer team was Dumbo and KooKoo the clowns.  Strolling performers are a great addition to parades, as any parade coordinator can attest, they have the ability to fill in the gaps that happen somehow between parade units and keep the audience entertained with slapstick jokes, juggling, bike riding and much more.

For the first time in the Lawrence St. Patrick's Day Parade two camels from Zoo Shows marched in the parade.  The Dromedary O'Camels as we call them on St. Patrick's Day were a big hit with the children.  I'm betting it was one of the only St. Patrick's Day Parades around to have live marching camels!  Camels are often seen around during Christmas Parade's as well as a must have for Three Kings Day Parades.  We are fortunate enough to have camels available throughout the country for appearances, parades, rides, photos shoots and even a few performing camels as well!

On Sunday the 28th is was great to get an inside look at Herschand Family Entertainment as the reality show "Undercover Boss" took CEO Joel Manby on a secret mission through some of their property's to get a day in the life view of some of their employees.  We will be visiting Wild Adventure's late this spring which is a Herschand Family Entertainment property.

We have received word from the High Flying Pages Trapeze Act that they have one short run left to book this summer.  If anyone is looking for a fantastic family show with lots of action (Trapeze, Russian Swing, Ponies) there is an opportunity to book them between August 9 to 22nd.  We should be able to accommodate one or two fairs that we can route between Michigan and Vermont.  Please call us if you would like to place an offer for this crowd pleasing act.