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Vegas Variety Circus Festival with Julia Makarova & Maxim Popazov- Circuspreneur Podcast Ep.107
28 Plays29 days ago
#VegasVarietyCircusFestival #Circus #LasVegasEvents #CircuspreneurPodcast
In this episode of the Circuspreneur Podcast, we celebrate the return of the Vegas Variety Circus Festival, happening October 22–27 in Las Vegas.
Following the success of its 2024 debut, the Festival promises an even more extraordinary showcase this year:
- Awe-inspiring circus performances ✨
- Innovative and daring new acts 🎭
- Stunning visuals and international artistry 🌍
But beyond the spectacle, the Festival stands for something bigger:
- Global cultural exchange – bringing together artists and audiences from every corner of the world.
- Community and economic impact – enriching Las Vegas’ cultural landscape and driving tourism.
- Social responsibility – for every ticket sold, a donation supports transformative programs for foster children.
🌟 The Visionaries Behind the Festival
Maxim Popazov – Founder & Entrepreneur
Maxim Popazov carries forward the legacy of the Popazov-Koch Russian circus dynasty, a family tradition spanning more than 150 years and seven generations. A globally recognized hand-balancing artist, Maxim is celebrated for three unique performances:
- Hand Balancing on a Pedestal, inspired by Anatoly Zalevsky.
- The Advocate, a book-themed act choreographed by Ruslan Ganeev.
- Chair Balancing, directed by Valentin Gneushev.
Maxim has performed on the world’s most prestigious stages, including Circus Krone (Munich), Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, Swiss National Circus Knie, Royal Theater Carré (Amsterdam), World Christmas Circus (Stuttgart), and Friedrichstadt-Palast (Berlin). His artistry also captivated millions on America’s Got Talent, where all four judges voted him through to the Judge Cuts.
Currently based in Las Vegas, Maxim has been a celebrated original cast member of “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace since 2011. His vision of creating an international circus festival came to life in 2024 with the launch of the Vegas Variety Circus Festival, featuring a distinguished jury including Dr. Alain Frère, co-founder of the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival.
Julia Makarova – Artistic Director & Co-Founder
Julia Makarova is a fourth-generation circus artist whose aerial performances have earned her international acclaim. She has appeared on television around the world, with her most memorable moment on Britain’s Got Talent, where Simon Cowell declared her “the best aerialist he had ever seen.”
Julia has won top honors at some of the most prestigious international festivals, including the Festival Internacional del Circ Elefant d’Or (Spain), International Circus Festival of Italy Latina, and the Chimelong Hengqin International Circus City Festival (China).
As Artistic Director, Julia combines her heritage and global achievements with a passion for innovation. She leads a team of talented artists who bring the Festival’s productions to life, ensuring every performance embodies both tradition and modern creativity.
🎟️ Why It Matters
The Vegas Variety Circus Festival is not just a show—it’s a movement. By celebrating circus as both heritage and innovation, Maxim and Julia are creating an event that inspires wonder, builds community, and strengthens Las Vegas as the world’s entertainment capital.
👉 Learn More & Get Tickets: https://vegasvarietycircusfestival.com
👉 Subscribe for more Circuspreneur insights.
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to StageLink and Guests
00:00:01
Circuspreneur Podcast
This podcast is also available via stage link.com, the groundbreaking new platform for live performing arts. Please support the podcast by liking, subscribing, commenting, and tagging the podcast.
00:00:11
Circuspreneur Podcast
It helps us to continue to bring the industry high level content. I'm your host, Sinead Stiletto, and my guest on today's Circuspreneur podcast or guests are founders of the Vegas Variety Circus Festival, Yulia Makarova and Maxim Papazov.
00:00:28
Circuspreneur Podcast
Welcome to the podcast.
00:00:29
Julia & Maxim
Hello, we're happy to be here. Thanks for having us here. yeah
00:00:34
Circuspreneur Podcast
I'm so excited to have you both here. It's such an honor. And i want to tell listeners a little bit about who you are and a little bit about the Vegas Variety Circus Festival.
Vegas Variety Circus Festival Overview
00:00:45
Circuspreneur Podcast
This is a highly anticipated return.
00:00:48
Circuspreneur Podcast
On October 22nd through the 27th, the Vegas Variety Circus Festival is offering an extraordinary experience for audiences of all ages. Building on the success of last year's inaugural event, I went to that one, this edition promises to enhance the artistry and entertainment value even more. Attendees can look forward to a mesmerizing showcase of awe-inspiring performances innovative acts and stunning visuals.
00:01:13
Circuspreneur Podcast
Beyond the performances, the festival is committed to creating lasting memories, igniting wonder, and promoting global cultural exchange. By bringing together performers and audiences from across the globe, the Vegas Variety Circus Festival enhances the city's vibrant cultural landscape and stimulates local economic growth through tourism, community engagement, and and international collaborations.
00:01:35
Circuspreneur Podcast
Fantastic. For every ticket sold to the Vegas Variety Circus Festival, a donation will be made to support their transformative efforts for foster children. Also amazing. And then a little bit about Maxime and
Founders' Backgrounds
00:01:47
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yulia.
00:01:48
Circuspreneur Podcast
Maxime Popazov, almost no introduction needed, is the founder and entrepreneur behind the organization. He belongs to the seventh generation of the renowned Papazov Koch Russian circus dynasty, which has a legacy spanning 150 years.
00:02:02
Circuspreneur Podcast
Currently residing in Las Vegas, he performs in the show Absinthe at Caesars Palace, where he has been one of the original performers since the show's inception in 2011. And to Yulia. and to julia Yulia Makarova is the artistic director and co-founder of the Vegas Variety Circus Festival. She is a fourth generation circus performer and one of her notable performances led Simon Cowell to declare her the best aerialist he had ever seen it after her appearance on Britain's Got Talent. Wow.
00:02:30
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yulia is also a winner of numerous prestigious prizes at some of the world's most famous circus festivals. us what guests I have today on the show. You're both just, you know, again, like I always say need zero introduction.
00:02:44
Julia & Maxim
It's one on
00:02:48
Circuspreneur Podcast
Well, I hope you love that that that that introduction is as much as I loved saying it all because was...
00:02:54
Julia & Maxim
of the best introductions in my life, I tell you.
00:02:59
Circuspreneur Podcast
I'm up there. I'm up there. It's very glad to know. i you know, going to... But I'm so happy to have you both on the on the podcast today. i I'm so ah ah thrilled and you know excited about the work that you're doing and that you're putting back into the circus community and also to the Las Vegas local so circus community, which is like super important you know in terms of bringing the festival world to America and to Las Vegas because we don't have a ton of that.
00:03:29
Circuspreneur Podcast
in America in the way that we have in Europe, for example, or we have it in Asia. So if either one of you wants to start off by discussing why you wanted to develop the Variety Festival and what it means to create these international collaborations and bonds for the circus industry in Las Vegas.
Festival's Community Impact
00:03:48
Julia & Maxim
Well, it's always been my our dream, yeah, my dream, our dream to do the circus festival in Vegas. And when I start performing here since 2011, it's always come to my mind that this city really needs a festival.
00:04:01
Circuspreneur Podcast
Wow.
00:04:01
Julia & Maxim
And it's also about to give back to the community.
00:04:04
Julia & Maxim
You know, it's not only about be successful, work, make money, which is great, but it's also about give back to the community and help young talents to find the best contracts in their life.
00:04:15
Julia & Maxim
And for the producers, circus producers, to find the new talents. For example, this year we have 17 judges from all over the world. And to together with VAP international circus producers from all over the world, we have 45 people almost in total.
00:04:30
Circuspreneur Podcast
wow
00:04:31
Julia & Maxim
people who participate in our festival, they have a great opportunity to meet people, to networking here with almost all worlds, Europe, United States, South America.
00:04:44
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. So we're really happy about that. Yeah. You know, in the end, we want to have good time. smoke
00:04:50
Circuspreneur Podcast
Always.
00:04:51
Julia & Maxim
yes yeah And for everyone to have a good time also.
00:04:55
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah. How will it be different, ah you know,
Festival Attractions and Acts
00:04:57
Circuspreneur Podcast
from last year? I loved going to the festival last year. know, you had it in the Performing Arts Center at UNLV, which was also, you know, fantastic. But this year you've changed it and now you're going to be in a tent.
00:05:08
Circuspreneur Podcast
So what are the dynamics that you wanted to bring to this year? You're also going to have, I think, like a little theme park, right? Like where it's like circus fun, which I also thought was really great, know, for the children, um know, which we'll talk about later on in terms of the foster children that you are supporting with the festival.
00:05:17
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:05:23
Circuspreneur Podcast
And how also too, that's so important in terms of like social circus. And I'd love to also understand maybe how you're going to expand your program eventually, which I'm sure you're probably looking into, but how important and was it to spice things up and make things a little bit different this year?
00:05:23
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:05:37
Circuspreneur Podcast
I think even more circusy than last year. Mm-hmm.
00:05:40
Julia & Maxim
yeah Yeah. Well, You know, we have the circus roots. Therefore, it's always been our dream to do it, not only in the theater as a red carpet event, but also to do it in the circus.
00:05:48
Circuspreneur Podcast
he
00:05:50
Julia & Maxim
Therefore, we're really thankful this year to Circus Vargas and to Marinelli because they are our partners, Circus Vargas this year, and they give us great support to bring this beautiful tent, Marinelli tent, to Las Vegas.
00:06:03
Julia & Maxim
uh to craig regional park and there we also will have our inflatable amusement park for kids so this year we kind of combine two things in one and it's so beautiful and great being the circus tent i mean don't get me wrong i love stage but i like circus there's also more opportunities more opportunities bigger acts can be taken ariel as well as last year we had some problems with ariel and things so this year we give more opportunities yeah like this year we'll have marinelli brothers they do this in the amazing will of death act yeah
00:06:31
Circuspreneur Podcast
Oh yeah. Oh yeah.
00:06:33
Julia & Maxim
We also have a dog act this year.
00:06:35
Circuspreneur Podcast
Oh, okay.
00:06:36
Julia & Maxim
Yeah, it's a beautiful dog act. Yeah. And we have a video this year as well.
00:06:39
Circuspreneur Podcast
Will of death.
00:06:42
Circuspreneur Podcast
Oh, that's great. um I'm glad that you were able to adapt that um have like even bigger and death defying acts with,
00:06:51
Julia & Maxim
Yes. Uh-huh.
00:06:54
Circuspreneur Podcast
with, with, with will of death. I mean, you know, listeners are going to love Love, love that. can you describe and talk about, you know, the importance, know, of festivals? Again, you discussed how, you know, this provides work opportunities for local circus artists.
00:07:08
Circuspreneur Podcast
They are able to get seen on the international stage.
00:07:09
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:07:11
Circuspreneur Podcast
And this is how we make connections in the circus. People see you at a festival. They offer you a contract. You get a prize. You get to meet people that are in castings. They get to see you face to face.
00:07:19
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:07:20
Circuspreneur Podcast
You get to interact with them, probably speak to them. which is not something that you ordinarily do just in the course of your job and sending ah ah a video or sending a link or sending your social media. They get to see really who you are as a person.
00:07:34
Julia & Maxim
yeah Yeah, I think that's the that's the whole thing about the festival. It's about meet new people, meet new opportunities, have new connections. I think that's very important, especially especially to Las Vegas. We're really thankful to all of our partners from all over the world. you know Basically, we're so happy because no one say no to us.
00:07:54
Julia & Maxim
Everyone accept all our invitation. Everyone give us full their support. For example, this year we've been in Mexico for a Latin Congress of Circus.
00:08:05
Julia & Maxim
And it was great, amazing as well.
00:08:05
Circuspreneur Podcast
Thank you.
00:08:07
Julia & Maxim
So many producers come there, not only from the Latin, from the South America, but also from Europe. Yeah, it was a big event. It was a big event. And some of them will join us for our festival this year as well from from Mexico and from the Latin community in general, from the Latin circus producers.
00:08:25
Julia & Maxim
So I think it's really important for a circus world to be to stay traditional, but stay traditional today.
00:08:31
Circuspreneur Podcast
yeah
00:08:31
Julia & Maxim
And that's we try to do, you know. but Yeah, because the world is changing very fast. And so convince to convince kids this time with iPhone, with a smartphone in their hand, ah come come and see the show.
00:08:37
Circuspreneur Podcast
Hmm.
00:08:45
Julia & Maxim
And I think the most important also goal of our festival, that it must touch people. If it's touched, then it will work. If it doesn't touch, no matter which tricks you do, it's not gonna work therefore for example this year we'll have this beautiful clown from europe his name is tito lester and he have very sensitive sensitive sensitive and emotional acts which we believe will touch each heart you know
00:09:11
Circuspreneur Podcast
yeah Touch them with even more circus.
00:09:14
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah.
00:09:14
Julia & Maxim
in
00:09:15
Julia & Maxim
we also have another clown very good more of a tradition i say from circuit marianelli he's amazing as well so what what i'm trying to say we really try to combine uh the tradition but it must be the tradition yeah but it must be the tradition today sorry julia what you wanted to say where We're adding circus with variety.
00:09:34
Julia & Maxim
So like last year, as you maybe saw, we had singers as well. We had two singers last year. What we want to do in the future is bring not just circus acts, but also to have dance acts, singing acts, because it's a variety of acts, because the community as well to bring them more into having the opportunity to perform.
00:09:41
Circuspreneur Podcast
Mm-hmm.
00:09:53
Julia & Maxim
Like this year, we will have local dance schools and gymnastics schools performing in the opening. to give them the chance to perform in front of an audience.
00:10:02
Circuspreneur Podcast
that's great. I love that. i mean, and it's all, you know, we're all a part of the same family. So it's so nice that you have a space where, know, because they're eventually going to be in the same show together, you know, circus is singing, circus is dancing, you know, circus is so many different things, whether you're coming from sport and like, that's your buy-in. We like, we have so many different, um I think, you know, aspects that,
00:10:23
Circuspreneur Podcast
and art forms that come into circus now than ever before. i mean, I don't think it's ever been on this level, no matter how multifaceted circus has been, you know, over these, you know, hundreds and hundreds of years.
00:10:31
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:10:34
Circuspreneur Podcast
But now it's more common for people to think, oh, okay, like I can come from this background and I can see myself in a circus show or in a circus festival.
00:10:43
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. But nowadays circus is is a complete different thing. It's not like just a traditional thing where it's just an act the next person and now we have like it's a storyline the acts are storylines you feel emotions you feel happiness sadness watching the performance so it's a different thing in our days
00:11:02
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah, exactly. And people really want to know, i think, the performers. And I think this is a great way, again, for the community meet them. You know, I hear that a lot, even, you know, like locally in Las Vegas, where they're like, we see the performers, but, you know, we don't feel as connected to them sometimes in like the really big shows.
00:11:17
Circuspreneur Podcast
And sometimes, you know, I tell them about the festivals, like you can get closer to the artists, you know, you maybe even be able to speak to them after the festival. And they're like, wow. And some of the artists also too competing work in the big shows as well in Las Vegas, which I think is also great.
00:11:32
Julia & Maxim
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's for sure. Yeah, therefore, for example, we also have this distinct, like, performers after each show, they will be signing program books. We'll have these beautiful program books.
00:11:43
Julia & Maxim
They're designed by Igor Makara from England, from Coventry. He does this beautiful piece of piece of art with all this design and drawings. And also from Fabrini, from very famous a painter from South America.
00:11:58
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yes.
00:11:59
Julia & Maxim
Yeah, Fabrini, you know,
00:12:00
Circuspreneur Podcast
From Brazil.
Audience Engagement and Inclusivity
00:12:01
Circuspreneur Podcast
I love Fabrini.
00:12:01
Julia & Maxim
yeah Yeah, yeah. And Fabrini did one of the first paintings for dinner shows. Yeah. For Colaccio.
00:12:07
Circuspreneur Podcast
God.
00:12:08
Julia & Maxim
He did this beautiful artwork and he's doing it for us as well every year. It's a new poster that was an idea to have like each year this piece of art, you know. So each year is different to another year.
00:12:19
Circuspreneur Podcast
Wow.
00:12:20
Julia & Maxim
Anyways, what I wanted to say, the performers after each show, they will be signing those program books, those booklets, and then the audience can buy those booklets and and have an opportunity to talk to their favorite performer as well.
00:12:31
Circuspreneur Podcast
Oh, that's great. So this could be their opportunity to be inspired to, you know, run away with the circus if they're not already in it.
00:12:36
Julia & Maxim
Yeah, no yeah, yeah. Run away with the circus. Yes. How romantic that. Yeah.
00:12:43
Circuspreneur Podcast
Come on, mom. Come on, dad. It's time to sign me up, which is great.
00:12:45
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. Let's run away. Yeah. Well, it's a sport as well, like gymnastics, acrobatics.
00:12:49
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah.
00:12:51
Julia & Maxim
Circus is also a sport. It's good for the health, moving around. Okay. Sometimes it's a bit too much as well, but, you know.
00:12:59
Circuspreneur Podcast
I mean, we promote it for literally everyone. I think it's the best solution for every kid, whether it's gymnastics, going into circus, I think it's the best. And I love that you're giving back, that there's going to be donations made to foster children.
00:13:12
Circuspreneur Podcast
And we were speaking about that before we got on to the podcast, you know, that you really want to do this also too, as like a social circus movement, as well as, you know, the festival to continue to give back.
00:13:19
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. Yeah.
00:13:21
Circuspreneur Podcast
Because sometimes we see, you know, with circus in Vegas, that so many kids have never even seen a Cirque Soleil show. And they live right here or they've never thought that they could be in a
00:13:28
Julia & Maxim
yeah
00:13:32
Circuspreneur Podcast
so I love listening and hearing, you know, the expansions of, you know, making sure that the local children have access to the show. And you said there's going to be like one show where it's only going to be the foster children.
00:13:42
Julia & Maxim
Correct. It either will be one show or maybe two or even three shows. Maybe it will be split. We're not sure yet. But it's, yeah, it's do the their logistics and all that to bring everyone together to one spot at one time.
00:13:55
Julia & Maxim
We also, besides the foster care kids, we give away 50 tickets per each week for local kids, for local families. Yeah.
00:14:02
Circuspreneur Podcast
Wow.
00:14:03
Julia & Maxim
We'll have our campaign start very soon on the radio, on the local radio stations, and they will be giving away 50 tickets every week.
00:14:07
Circuspreneur Podcast
here
00:14:11
Julia & Maxim
A week, yeah. Yeah, for five minutes.
00:14:13
Circuspreneur Podcast
Wow.
00:14:13
Circuspreneur Podcast
That's so great.
00:14:13
Julia & Maxim
For anyone who make a phone call, so make a phone call for a few minutes.
00:14:17
Julia & Maxim
Yeah, yeah.
00:14:17
Circuspreneur Podcast
So you have to call in to be able to get the tickets, right?
00:14:20
Julia & Maxim
Yeah, yeah, yeah. They will make an announcement, hey, if you want a free ticket, call this number now.
00:14:21
Circuspreneur Podcast
Okay.
00:14:24
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. yeah
00:14:25
Circuspreneur Podcast
Oh, nice. Nice. Nice.
00:14:27
Circuspreneur Podcast
What other? yeah
00:14:27
Julia & Maxim
Sort of a lottery, basically.
00:14:30
Circuspreneur Podcast
Oh, a lottery.
00:14:32
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. Who got the goal first is the one who gets the ticket.
00:14:32
Circuspreneur Podcast
ohs
00:14:35
Circuspreneur Podcast
Oh, okay. So everybody be in line, be ready.
00:14:38
Julia & Maxim
Right?
00:14:38
Circuspreneur Podcast
it's time to get our it's seven to get our circus tickets. That's so great. So again, you're also too partnering with so many different um spaces locally in Las Vegas. What do you think is so important about supporting local circus festival development, you know, by the local officials and, you know, the local governments here?
00:14:57
Circuspreneur Podcast
Do you feel like you've gotten enough support, you know, in terms of grants? and things of that nature to be able to, you know, support the festival and expand the festival.
Funding and Support Challenges
00:15:06
Julia & Maxim
To be honest, yeah, to be honest with you, you know, we don't, we have zero of support. We don't have any foundation whatsoever. We have no grounds, nothing. It's all my money and the money of my company. And we're working really hard to bring more and more sponsors. This year we have Fanny Kerridge, yeah, and the Mark Doyle from American Circus Fest.
00:15:26
Circuspreneur Podcast
yeah
00:15:26
Julia & Maxim
They are our sponsors.
00:15:28
Julia & Maxim
Of course, Circus Vargas. giving us a very big support this year as a sponsors circus abracadabra from south america from frederico corda they're giving very big support to us as well but that's about it we don't have any more yeah we don't have any more ah ah support than that regards the foundation yeah we'll have for example local circus splash they give us uh their beautiful lighting towers which will be in the front of the circus because we're in vegas and we want to have more sparkle we want to be beautiful yeah we want to have more lights
00:15:57
Circuspreneur Podcast
be too That's why. it can never be too much here.
00:16:01
Julia & Maxim
we need like so they are great they're helping us as well but that's it government not helping us at all uh the city north of las vegas they're very nice they give us i would have say a special rate a special treatment and the craig regional park they're amazing regards that but no official support for culture yeah and i think united states is such a big country it's a multi-confessional multicultural country. And and I think it's the most multi-confessional, the most multicultural.
00:16:32
Julia & Maxim
And I think it's so important in this country to develop art more and more, especially family art for families. So where kids can educate themselves and have hope as well.
00:16:44
Julia & Maxim
That, you know, that it's always there is a hope. and the and And you always, if you have a goal and if you have a dream, you can follow it, you can fight for it and you can be successful. And I think that's most important message we want to give to the local community. Bring your family, bring your kids, wear live entertainment.
00:17:02
Julia & Maxim
And the the whole thing about live entertainment that in the movie industry, for example, yeah you can record one more time and one more time and one more time till it's perfect. The circus performers, the circus performers, they have only today, only now.
00:17:17
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. Be perfect in the front of the audience because the most important judges is the audience. It's people who come and judge us. If they don't accept it, then. Yeah. If they don't like it, that's it.
00:17:28
Julia & Maxim
They don't like it. you know so you need to do your best. Yeah, yeah. so you need to be perfect now.
00:17:33
Circuspreneur Podcast
Every time.
00:17:34
Julia & Maxim
this it's It's very important for us to bring this message to the local community that we want to support. We don't want to only take and anyway, with one week of performances, you cannot win a lot.
00:17:46
Julia & Maxim
It's more of for our hearts, my heart and Julia's heart to give back to the community and help, really help to young talents find jobs, to producers find talents and for families and kids, the local kids here in Las Vegas get attracted by circus, get attracted by live entertainment, not only by the virtual world these days.
00:18:06
Julia & Maxim
Maybe get off of their phones, get them to do physical things.
00:18:06
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah.
00:18:09
Julia & Maxim
Or get them off the streets as well doing other things.
00:18:10
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yes. Any opportunity.
00:18:14
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah.
00:18:14
Julia & Maxim
because
00:18:15
Julia & Maxim
Because the circus is the only art which combines many aspects of life together.
00:18:21
Circuspreneur Podcast
Mm-hmm.
00:18:22
Julia & Maxim
yeah It's not only acrobatics or for example aerial or juggling. it's also if you want to be comedian you can be great comedian yeah yeah if you want to be magician you can be magician if you want to be animal trainer and animal trainer in the sense of uh no in the sense of good training in the sense of communication with an animal more of a presentation of an animal yeah to the audience in a good way you also can do that so circus combine many things together i think circus it's like many many points of life
00:18:26
Circuspreneur Podcast
Thank you.
00:18:52
Julia & Maxim
together in one yeah because l l l so also cloud wise there is clowns which make you laugh and there is white clowns we say but which are serious yeah and sometimes they make you cry
00:19:04
Circuspreneur Podcast
This is sometimes scary.
00:19:06
Julia & Maxim
or i mean we're in the halloween why not yes
00:19:09
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah, right?
00:19:11
Circuspreneur Podcast
Tis the season. There'll be none of that at the festival.
00:19:11
Julia & Maxim
look
00:19:13
Julia & Maxim
yes
00:19:14
Circuspreneur Podcast
we're not We don't have scary clowns and at the festival.
00:19:16
Julia & Maxim
more yeah
00:19:18
Circuspreneur Podcast
and All the parents, please listen up. None of the kids are gonna be scared.
00:19:22
Julia & Maxim
We're not circus of horror. No. Right. Yeah, right yeah and they we're not that there for sure.
00:19:26
Circuspreneur Podcast
We're not universal. that's that's that's That's Area 15, that's different.
00:19:32
Julia & Maxim
Yeah,
00:19:34
Circuspreneur Podcast
More laughter, less scare.
00:19:36
Julia & Maxim
yeah, yeah, for sure.
00:19:37
Circuspreneur Podcast
but But it is during like the big holiday season too, know that you're having you know that you're having the festival, which I'm sure would be a great impact too and probably help with some of the advertising.
00:19:39
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:19:46
Circuspreneur Podcast
Also too, there's like a lot of competition during this time too, but this is the season.
00:19:49
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:19:49
Circuspreneur Podcast
you know I think it's great that you're having it during this time where people are wanting to go somewhere, people are wanting to do something.
00:19:55
Circuspreneur Podcast
And again, signaling to you know the wider know entertainment and and and just environments in terms of tourism, that there is more happening here.
00:19:55
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:19:56
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. Uh-huh.
00:20:03
Circuspreneur Podcast
And I think that's so important where we're trying to diversify this economy here so that there are even more, know, yeah
00:20:08
Julia & Maxim
yeah
00:20:12
Circuspreneur Podcast
industry events that will excite people. So it's kind of like something for everyone. I think traditionally in America, you think about festivals and you think about like the French festival concept, which is a bit different than they do it in Europe. So I think bringing this traditional model with also to having it, you know, modern with those modern influences is a way to bring all of those worlds together. Like you're talking about Maxime.
00:20:34
Circuspreneur Podcast
It's great.
00:20:34
Julia & Maxim
Especially here in the us s festival, when you say festival, they all think food fest.
00:20:40
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah, that too.
00:20:40
Julia & Maxim
Whereas in Europe,
00:20:41
Circuspreneur Podcast
Mm-mm.
00:20:41
Julia & Maxim
Festival is like show, like a circus festival is acts, performers. Here, when you say festival, they think food fest. So it's also to bring the culture of festival doesn't only mean this. It also means this.
00:20:55
Julia & Maxim
And especially in the US, there isn't actually very many circus festivals at all.
Role of Arts in Cultural Investment
00:20:59
Julia & Maxim
There's just like ah ah American Fest that I know. And then Renato's recently Las Vegas Fest. Yeah, no. And in regards, to go back to your question about the support grants and the government support and all that.
00:21:11
Julia & Maxim
I think in general United States, ah for America, not only for us, but for all other cultural projects, it's really important maybe to have a separate department.
00:21:22
Julia & Maxim
That would be great.
00:21:22
Circuspreneur Podcast
yeah
00:21:23
Julia & Maxim
Give a full support to people like that who want to do something new and support the community and support kids because kids, it's our new generation. Yeah.
00:21:31
Circuspreneur Podcast
you Right. we need like a We need a minister of arts and culture, which I think is fascinating.
00:21:37
Julia & Maxim
It would be great to have one. yeah
00:21:38
Circuspreneur Podcast
You know, it'd be great. Like we don't have one in America and that like keeps us from so many things and it makes, you know, our funding difficult.
00:21:41
Julia & Maxim
right
00:21:46
Circuspreneur Podcast
And like you're saying too, why isn't there a direct ah a direct ah department that only handles arts and culture? um know, we have the National Endowment for the Arts, but they are limited.
00:21:58
Circuspreneur Podcast
in their scope. They definitely don't do it in the way that they have that in other parts of the world, which again, you have to go to like seven or eight different agencies to get like one thing of support when you're in the arts, instead of just having, you know, skilled workers.
00:22:08
Julia & Maxim
Exactly. Exactly.
00:22:13
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:22:13
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah. That are representatives that represent can all just do this one thing. And I think that makes it so challenging for us here in America and something that we can, we're working towards trying to change that through policy.
00:22:26
Circuspreneur Podcast
But in the meantime, it's like, how do we continue to develop these amazing events that you guys are putting on you know, and get them the support that they need.
00:22:32
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:22:34
Circuspreneur Podcast
So that also what we see too is that the events don't get the support they need and then they die out really quickly. So you have one, two, maybe three years and then no one's able to do it again.
00:22:44
Circuspreneur Podcast
And it almost always comes back to either the regulations that don't work in our favor as circus or the funding because its it's it takes a lot of money to put these programs.
00:22:53
Julia & Maxim
yeah guess Yeah. Yeah. Hmm.
00:22:55
Circuspreneur Podcast
These festivals on, yeah. Do you want to speak to, you know, also to, again, you know, you talked about the how this was self-funded, but the difference that it could make if you had adequate funding, you know, to produce the festival.
00:23:05
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:23:08
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. yeah Yeah. That's for sure. Well, ah I don't know what can we do, right? We only can hope, I guess.
00:23:16
Circuspreneur Podcast
Well, and the outreach.
00:23:16
Julia & Maxim
<unk> more and and and And try to drug their attention.
00:23:21
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. you
00:23:21
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah, exactly.
00:23:22
Julia & Maxim
or something important no no way curious you know even with formula one and many good things which happen in us it would be really great you know if if if some of those money they make if they can put it to support the community that would be great you know it's like
00:23:24
Circuspreneur Podcast
for more attention.
00:23:38
Circuspreneur Podcast
can Yeah, I think that's a great idea. That right there, anybody listening out here, that's an awesome idea.
00:23:44
Julia & Maxim
and
00:23:48
Julia & Maxim
it's For example, this year in March, I went as a part of the jury to the circus festival in Bayou in France and Normandy.
00:23:56
Circuspreneur Podcast
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:23:58
Julia & Maxim
And there, the city of the Bayou, they give the full support to the circus festival of that city in France, Bayou. And the mayor of the city had a reception for us as well.
00:24:06
Circuspreneur Podcast
do
00:24:10
Julia & Maxim
He invited all of the judges and the organization committee of the festival to his mayor house. And he asked each of us which support we think he can give to the circus.
00:24:22
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. that would be great if ever government here yeah i can give the same attention yeah to the art yeah what
00:24:25
Circuspreneur Podcast
yeah
00:24:30
Circuspreneur Podcast
What can we do for you? that i mean, what what a wild concept. i
00:24:35
Julia & Maxim
right yeah but that's the part of the city they have there
00:24:37
Circuspreneur Podcast
that's crazy
00:24:40
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah, that, that, and and that to me, you know, again, those are things and examples that we use, you know, when we're speaking to local lawmakers here, when they ask, how can we help?
00:24:51
Circuspreneur Podcast
Because they do. And they say, what are the suggested, you know, things that we do?
00:24:54
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:24:54
Circuspreneur Podcast
And I think what's important, you know, what we always try to tell everyone is that we know our system is different here in America. So we're not just necessarily talking about, you know, um the ways the ways that the strategies that they have or the plans that they do in other parts of the world.
Future Partnerships and Media Integration
00:25:06
Circuspreneur Podcast
because the system is different and we understand that.
00:25:09
Circuspreneur Podcast
We are talking about what our system can support. We can also create new things like you did with this festival. You can create things from kind of out of nowhere and then you can establish those things. They can become the law.
00:25:21
Circuspreneur Podcast
And I think it's important to have circus you know perspectives like both of yours that are you know involved in these conversations. I liked how you talked about partnerships, Maxime and also Julia, and in already other local events that are happening, if those events would open themselves up more to partnering with circus festivals and with other events that people want to do, that would be so great.
00:25:29
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. Yeah.
00:25:44
Circuspreneur Podcast
So it's not just you know know just like a singular effort that you're making, but that those events that get a lot of media, they get a lot of press, they could easily you know incorporate the circus festivals inside of, know, their huge media packages and huge media presences, not only just using their funding and the money that they make from that and allocate some of those resources to you guys, but also in engaging and having more of that like partnership and more crossover with events and things like that to promote the festival.
00:26:00
Julia & Maxim
yeah
00:26:14
Circuspreneur Podcast
I think that's a, that would be a genius idea. Yeah.
00:26:16
Julia & Maxim
yeah that would be fabulous thank you we're gonna vote for you a senator all around
00:26:24
Julia & Maxim
as a senator and um
00:26:26
Circuspreneur Podcast
yeah
00:26:27
Julia & Maxim
yeah
00:26:29
Circuspreneur Podcast
One day, day, all of us, one day it's going to be a whole circus government, a real circus government, not the ones that they're always making fun of, but the real circus government that functions well.
00:26:30
Julia & Maxim
A bit of an yeah
00:26:39
Julia & Maxim
art and cultural section with everything.
00:26:44
Circuspreneur Podcast
because our industry functions so well and your festival is a great example of that. Look at everything that you're doing on your own. Imagine if you had the support of the local government, of the local city.
00:26:56
Julia & Maxim
yeah
00:26:56
Circuspreneur Podcast
Yeah.
00:26:57
Julia & Maxim
and because because sooner or later we want to grow you know now but when we meet we work a lot with the local performers and thanks to our partners we have people who support us sending acts to us they're covering their transport travel uh expenses so the acts can come to us but and also we bring for our ah own money people from europe yeah yeah as well and the judges and the jury as well but
00:27:03
Circuspreneur Podcast
Mm-hmm.
00:27:21
Julia & Maxim
In the end, in in the future, we really want to grow. we want to have big troops, big acts from all over the world, from China, from Europe. Yeah. So in order to do that, or even big acts, maybe with animals also, who knows, you know, in a good way.
00:27:29
Circuspreneur Podcast
Mm-hmm.
00:27:36
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. and notfriending yeah that That would be really great. But for that, we will need funding for fundings for sure.
00:27:43
Circuspreneur Podcast
Right.
00:27:43
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. Yeah.
00:27:44
Circuspreneur Podcast
And so, you know, we're coming down to the last couple of minutes, Julia and Maxime, and thank you so much for coming on to the podcast and discussing the beautiful and the amazing work that you're doing. Again, I i love the re the the the outreach that you're doing and that aspect.
00:27:59
Circuspreneur Podcast
of how the circus festival can support the local community and support children. We all know that, you know, children are struggling in so many ways nowadays, and we know that this can make a great educational impact on their mental health, on their physical health, things that we know they are having issues with, that parents are trying to figure out the solutions for them and where they can go for a supportive community that will lift them up, not only as children, but also too within the rest of their lives,
00:28:09
Julia & Maxim
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
00:28:14
Julia & Maxim
yeah
00:28:28
Circuspreneur Podcast
so that they have something to look forward to in terms of a hobby and then also too as a career because that is what made all of us who we are today.
00:28:30
Julia & Maxim
yeah
00:28:36
Circuspreneur Podcast
So when speaking to that and leaving us in the last couple of moments the podcast, can either both of you, Julia and Maxime, speak to the importance of giving children something as valuable as the circus in their lives?
00:28:50
Julia & Maxim
Yeah, you're absolutely right. yeah I even could not say better than than you said. That's the most important goal we are achieving.
00:28:58
Circuspreneur Podcast
So funny.
00:28:59
Julia & Maxim
because we want to give back to the community. so yeah yeah yeah that's for sure and that's that's make us happy as well yeah because it's not all about money it's about you know it's about good feeling inside you that you can give uh someone else to develop in the way they want and it's nice to bring them a smile as well and you see their faces when they come that they're so excited because they haven't had these opportunities sometimes even so it's it's nice
00:29:26
Circuspreneur Podcast
Well, that's wonderful and that's beautiful. And thank you both for the hard work that you're doing. i just want to let listeners know again, it is not easy to produce circus festivals of this nature, of this size and scope, and they have done it now two years in a row.
00:29:37
Julia & Maxim
Yeah.
00:29:41
Circuspreneur Podcast
Do not miss. your opportunity to enjoy the festival, to support the festival. Again, everyone, you know spread the word on your social medias, use the connections that you have, invite people in the community that you think could benefit from the from the festival and partner know with Julia and with Maxime in any way, shape or form that you think could be you know conducive to their efforts because that's what we need to do as a local circus arts community as an international circus arts community, support each other, know lift each other up, and not you know exhaust our resources just trying to do everything on our own and by ourselves.
00:30:20
Circuspreneur Podcast
And we'll continue to appeal you know to the local governments and officials and know show them the beauty of the culture of circus arts and that it extends into so much more just outside of the Las Vegas Strip and how we have so much more to offer if only we had the proper funding.
00:30:20
Julia & Maxim
Sure. Sure.
00:30:38
Circuspreneur Podcast
so Thank you everyone for tuning in.
00:30:40
Circuspreneur Podcast
This Circuspreneur podcast is also available via stagelink.com. S-T-A-G-E-L-Y-N-C dot C-O-M. The groundbreaking new platform for live performing arts that provides unmatched access and connection to this vibrant world of shows and entertainment.
00:30:40
Julia & Maxim
or
00:30:53
Circuspreneur Podcast
If you're a professional in the performing arts, visit stagelink.com slash pro. S-T-A-G-E-L-Y-N-C-P-R-O. Stagelink Pro offers industry professionals higher visibility, networking opportunities, and tools to support and enhance their careers. Thank you so much to you both again.
00:31:08
Julia & Maxim
Thank you. You're amazing. And may all your days be circus days.
00:31:14
Julia & Maxim
yeah Thank you.
00:31:14
Circuspreneur Podcast
I love it.
00:31:16
Julia & Maxim
Thank you.