Cirkus Cirkör and Inside Out take Brooklyn.

The Swedish traveling troupe, Cirkus Cirkör had their US debut at BAM in Brooklyn last weekend. Experiencing this "Little Circus That Could" was a relevation, not unlike discovering a diamond in the ruff. Their inspired mini-extravaganza, Inside Out, proved to be a genuinely original, hip, artsy Rock n' Roll Circus, with a fabulous ensemble of performers - including multi-talented aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, mimes, contortionists, clowns and musicians.

Going deeper and darker than their more-well-known competition, Cirkus Cirkör’s highly creative and compelling production featured recurring themes about the realities of life - and death - and how one must face their own fears to really live. When combined with the troupe's creative less-is-more, “let’s put on a show!” DIY theatre vibe, Inside Out was an exciting, uplifting, life-affirming experience - both visually and emotionally – set to the driving rhythms of Irya's Playground, a great, real Swedish rock band -- who could have been a fabulous show by themselves.

Irya Gmeyner, the band's captivating lead singer (who is originally from Britain), sounds like a younger, energized Marianne Faithful. Dressed like a classy 1960s Las Vegas showgirl with a Fender Telecaster slung around her neck, she definitely hits the high notes, as does the hard-driving yet understated group of seasoned, pro musicians. Cirkus Cirkör’s trained troupe of skilled circus professionals were equally fun, charismatic and a joy to behold - still maintaining a personable, down-to-earth energy - like people you would like to hang out with and know.

If you ever enjoyed Cirque de Soleil and wish you could go back in time and see them before they got so corporate slick, expensive, new age-y and full of themselves – you will fall in love with Cirkus Cirkör - like much of the audience did last weekend at BAM. Hopefully someone will have the good sense to book them for at least two weeks next year.

DO COMPANIES REALLY READ THEIR EMAIL? New Series. (Garmin)

As a former Garmin owner I received a recent email from them about their new products. I finally decided to take my name off their list. While on the Garmin website I saw they had an email address for users to submit stories and testimonials about how Garmin products have affected their lives (stories@garmin.com). Inspired, I sent off a short email of what was on my mind in relation to their company.

MY EMAIL SUBMISSION:

I just removed my name from your email database for the following reason: In early 2007 I bought a $500 Garmin unit. I used it a few times until it was stolen when my car window was smashed the day before Christmas in 2008. I immediately called Garmin and asked to have the unit DEACTIVATED. I had registered it properly and upgraded the software so you had access to all the unit's specs. The person I spoke with told me you do not do that even if I could prove it was my Garmin that got stolen. I offered to provide the Police Report and any other paperwork associated with the break-in (i.e. window repair insurance forms etc....) You said NO.

I now have an IPhone which I use for directions. I can see the traffic with Google Maps for free and can get turn by turn instructions from other software. AND IF I EVER HAVE MY IPHONE STOLEN I CAN DEACTIVATE THE ENTIRE UNIT WITHIN MINUTES - making it useless. In addition I can locate the phone via GPS if it is turned on with Location Services activated.

I was incredibly disappointed. I was not only being victimized by the theft but by your company's wimpy response. I will probably never buy anther Garmin product and I wish you luck. Abby Weissman

THE GARMIN COMPANY'S EMAIL RESPONSE:

Thank you for your faith in Garmin products and for taking the time to share your story with us. By submitting this comment to stories@garmin.com, you grant permission to Garmin to publish your name, story and/or testimonial, along with any associated photographs or digital images, on Garmin’s blogs, in Garmin’s internal newsletters, in Garmin’s marketing materials, in Garmin’s annual report to its shareholders and on Garmin’s website. If you do not want Garmin to publish your name, story and/or testimonial for these purposes, then you must promptly reply to this email and request that Garmin not publish your name, story and/or testimonial for these purposes.