Peekskill, New York Residents Clown Around in World-Famous Circus
Omnium Circus will bring its jaw-droppingly, awe-inspiringly uplifting show, “I’m Possible,” to TWO Hudson Valley venues: Proctors Theatre (432 State Street, Schenectady NY) in Schenectady, New York on Friday, November 1 at 6:30 pm, and then the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater (1008 Brown Street, Peekskill NY) in Peekskill on Sunday, November 3 at 3:00 pm as part of their 2024 Fall Tour. Tickets are available at omniumcircus.org.
Peekskill Residents Clown Around in Omnium Circus
“I’m Possible” tells the story of Johnny, a young boy who dreams of joining the circus. Audiences follow Johnny’s inspirational journey as he enters a world featuring beautiful aerial artistry, daring hand balancing, the world’s fastest female juggler, a Guinness World Record holding crossbow act, free standing ladder, contortion, comedy and even a performer who hangs by her hair. It’s a show for all ages that is not to be missed! Peekskill residents Dick Monday and Tiffany Riley are the show’s clowns!
Maike Schulz
Over the last 20 years, Peekskill residents Tiffany Riley and Dick Monday (Slappy & Monday) have used the power of humor to empower and inspire – building their own brand of comedy rooted in healthcare, education, performances, and event production. Not just performing partners but also life partners, they have headlined at circuses and festivals worldwide including Circus Sarasota, The Big Apple Circus, The Lone Star Circus, Hanneford Circus, Circo Atayde and Ringling Bros., and Barnum & Bailey. They created the clown troupe, The New York Goofs, Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse, and the Laughter League.
Slappy & Monday entertain on every level – from smaller productions to large-scale circuses. Featuring a talented ensemble of musicians, comedians, magicians, singers and cirque artists, shows have been performed around the world, from China to the Middle East – and even in Paris, Texas. Slappy and Monday entertain on every level, whether as clowns in a circus or producers of an entire event. This comedy duo present both entree and reprise acts, featuring juggling, music, eccentric dance, bubbles and lots of laughter.
In the past 15 years, they have had hundreds of students train with the New York Goofs, and many of them have gone on to perform with Ringling Bros., The Big Apple Circus, Cirque du Soleil, and in theatrical companies around the country. Students have included professional clowns, actors, doctors, nurses, stockbrokers, lawyers, and even members of the clergy! Slappy & Monday say, "Clowning is our passion, and it is our mission to help ensure that physical comedy will live long and prosper through continuous training of new talent."
About Omnium Circus:
Omnium: A Bold New Circus is a first of its kind: a singularly inclusive Circus that is multi-abled and representative, highlighting and celebrating the diversity that shines through the joy and excitement of Circus arts. As a non-profit built on a tripod of Entertainment, Employment and Education, Omnium Circus is comprehensively inclusive and accessible on stage, behind the scenes and in our audience.
Maike Schulz
Omnium Circus, which The New York Times calls, “genuinely extraordinary,” is the only circus in the world to be presented bilingually in English and American Sign Language, Omnium not only brings together a world-class group of performers, but also incorporates unprecedented audience accessibility. Among the special accommodations provided are live audio description, tactile experiences, relaxed seating for neurodiverse and sensory sensitive audience members and more. This ensure that Omnium is a live experience that has been specifically created to be enjoyed by all.
Maike Schulz
“We are so excited to bring our show to Schenectady and Peekskill and give area families a chance to experience our unique production for the very first time,“ said Founder and Executive Director Lisa B. Lewis. “There has never been a circus like Omnium and there has never been a time when we needed the circus more to unite our hearts and fill our spirits with joy.”
Spirit Halloween Relaunches Spirit Christmas with 3 New York Locations
Spirit Christmas is a seasonal retail store operated by Spencer Spirit Holdings. A sister brand to Spirit Halloween, the store offers various decorations and costumes for the Christmas season, along with visits from Santa Claus. If you're expecting it to be a spooky kind of Christmas store, don't. It will be a tried and true Christmas store.
At some point, the 1990’s incarnation of the store was discontinued. Spencer Gifts tested the concept themselves after acquiring the Spirit Halloween brand in 1999, operating their own Spirit Christmas stores in 2005 and 2006. In 2024, the store was revived once more, with 10 locations set to open. Below, you can find the full list of locations
Gallery Credit: Conor M Walsh
Previous Townsquare Spotlight Interviews
Welcome to Townsquare Spotlight! Here, we get to shed a light on the incredible arts and entertainment that happens in and around the Hudson Valley. We speak with creatives, artists, leaders, and celebrities who are performing, starting programs, and living in the Hudson Valley!
Townsquare Spotlight is a spin-off of In Touch - Townsquare Media of the Hudson Valley's Award-Winning Public Affairs and Issues Program. You can also listen to Townsquare Spotlight wherever you listen to In Touch:
Gallery Credit: Conor Walsh
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