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play in the spotlight The Greatest Show in Baraboo Circus World’s moment on the big screen By Michael and Jean Muckian Fans of “Water for Elephants,” the recent movie based on the best-selling book, will remember the early-morning scenes of roustabouts unloading colorful wagons from the Benzini Brothers circus train. If a few crewmembers seemed more adept than others, chances are these were Steve Freese, executive director of Circus World Museum in Baraboo, and Harold Burdick, the museum’s wagonmaster. “Th ere’s an art to unloading circus wag- ons from a train, and it can be dangerous if it isn’t done right,” says Freese, a former state assemblyman who has led the mu- seum since 2007. “We taught the actors playing the roustabouts how to do this, and it’s the scenes during the early morning hours that we are in.” Freese and several staff members lent 20th Century Fox their expertise—along with 15 circus wagons and numerous fi lms, photos, banners and memorabilia—to give the fi lm about a down-and-out circus during the Great Depression its consider- able authenticity. Freese hopes the popu- larity of the movie starring Reese Wither- spoon and Robert Pattinson will arouse an interest in circus history. Circus World Museum, opened in 1959 on the Baraboo site where the Ringling Brothers not only founded their historic circus but also wintered their show for 34 years, holds the world’s single largest collection of circus artifacts. Part of the Wisconsin State Historical Society and a National Historic Landmark site, the mu- seum is once again attracting attention. Th e attendance increased to 62,213 last year, compared to 46,000 in 2006. In addition to a variety of exhibits, the museum offers 10 daily circus perfor- mances as well as special events during the 2011 summer season. On July 23-24, audi- ences can be part of the fun at Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World. Th e 90-minute reenactment features cowboys and cowgirls, a Civil War cannon and an authentic Gatling Gun demonstration, plus trick riding, roping and shooting. For more on local arts and entertainment, visit Culturosity at bravamagazine.com. Th e fun of circuses past mirrors the joy of fi lmmaking, according to Freese, who estimates that he and his staff saw roughly 50 percent of “Water for Elephants” being fi lmed in Piru, Calif. Th ey worked closely with the set designer and art director to ensure the fi lm was as accurate as possible. “Historians will walk away from this fi lm saying that it was extremely well made from a historical perspective,” he says. And after seeing it on the big screen, it’s history that can come alive with a short jaunt to Baraboo. Visit circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org. Continue the season of art fairs with the July 4 Art Fair in the Park, part of the annual Monona Community Festival. The event, scheduled for Winnequah Park, joins the Taste of Monona and an evening of In- dependence Day fi reworks that will likely draw thousands of amazed onlookers to this lovely park. Visit mononafestival.com/artfair. Then bring your walking shoes and most discerning eye to Madison Museum of Contemporary Art’s 53rd annual Art Fair on the Square, set to convene July 9-10 on Madison’s Capitol Square. The fair attracts more than 200,000 attendees to view the works of more than 450 artists representing just about all artistic media. Visit mmoca.org/ events/artfair. As you circle the square, wander off down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to fi nd the annual Art Fair off the Square. Put on by the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople, it offers more opportunities to fi nd talented local artists. Visit artcraftwis.org. Fine Art Squared…Again 64 BRAVA Magazine July 2011 Photos by Brittney Scharine (top) and courtesy of Madison Museum of Contemporary Art