Sad Clowns: The Circus Protest

For these clowns, this fight is no joke.

Among the many protests I've seen in Bogotá, today's circus workers' march was one of the most colorful. However, like a sad clown, the circuses say their future is endangered. One man I talked to said that taxes on circuses are going up; another said the circuses are being strangled by regulations and red tape.

Whatever the troubles, the circuses' extinction would be a great loss to Colombia's children.

'The traditional circus lives.'

This guy's not clowning around!

'The Institute of Recreation and Sports Carries the Circus to its Grave.'

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Circus in the Streets

The theatre festival now going on in La Candelaria includes street theatre across the city. Today, Chiminiguagua performed in the National University's Plaza del Che. 

The group's costumes were inspired by the gods of the Muisca indigenous people. 

But what would Che Guevara have thot about all this running and tumbling under his gaze?

Jugglers walk down a La Candelaria street.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Circus, Circus in the National University

Scenes from today's circus performances on the National University's Bogotá campus. The performances continue tomorrow afternoon. 

The National University, known as La Nacho, is better known for colorful political graffiti and leftist demonstrations than art. But the university has several museums and theatres, and often hosts cultural events. 

El Poderosisimo performs.

You can contact El Poderosisimo at 320-202-0040 or 313-331-8955

Media Maquina performs. 

A pink elephant - one of the university's many colorful grafittis. 

Poseidon or a mermaid? A surprising sculpture in front of the arts building. 

Collecting tips. 

A collection of colorful bicycles. 

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Circus in La Candelaria!

Along with the ongoing theatre festivals in Bogotá, a small circus has set up in La Candelaria this week.

The Tenth Bogotá Circus Festival is a small affair going on in the parking lot of La Candelaria's local City Hall, on Carrera 5 and Calle 12b. You can't miss the tent.

The shows change. Last night an acrobat did her thing. Tonight, The Pambazos Bros, a Brazilian/Uruguayan clown troupe.

For more info. on the Circus Festival, call 391.555.4164, 300.320.9836, or 672.1110 . 

Not quite Barnum and Bailey!

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours