 All right. Hello everybody. I'm Nick Walenda and I want to personally welcome you guys to Big Apple Circus right here at Lincoln Center It's always an honor to be back here in New York City I was just talking with the mayor telling me my family history and our first performance ever in the United States was back in 1928 right here in New York City. So it's always an honor to be here But before I get any further. I just want to welcome of course our distinguished guest Mayor Eric Adams who also walks a tightrope. That's one thing that we definitely have in common I also want to give a special thank you to Debra Lansberg for my heart media as well as Caroline Mendel from the Child Mind Institute. Thank you for being here. We really appreciate you guys for 45 years the foundation of the Big Apple Circus has been based on philanthropy and I'm honored to carry on that initiative One of the greatest joys in life is giving back It is my personal goal that everyone and anyone that would normally not have the opportunity To see the art of circus would get that great opportunity From Olympic athletes to death-defying daredevils The performers under this big top continue to inspire others every single performance here at Lincoln Center that nothing is impossible We are a circus with a purpose and I'm excited to announce that in the spirit of giving Tuesday We've partnered with iHeart media as well as Child Mind Institute so that throughout December The Big Apple Circus will be giving our Tuesday evening performances away To the local community and families in our area in hopes of inspiring all of them To do what we do at the circus and chase our dreams and never give up With that being said it is my incredible honor to welcome to the podium our amazing Mayor Eric Adams Thank you Thank you so much Nick an amazing story As you have defeated what many people will believe is the impossible and As we talked backstage sharing how it's really mind over matter and Although you Do these what appears to be death-defying feet by walking over a Structures from high heights You're showing us how to remain present and grounded as we deal with some difficult times now and the partnerships that we have assembled together with iHeart media Deborah we want to thank you for being here and Caroline Mandel and My good friend Ken Shun shine sunshine Who understands the power of this circus for over 45 years here? in the city Doing these amazing performances and now I'm showing the power of this season people often get it mixed up The season is called Thanksgiving not thanks receiving and how do we give these performers behind me? They give their heart and souls to make New Yorkers laugh to enjoy life after coming from over two years of the Negative impact of COVID to be able to sit down with family again and to sit in the atmosphere. That's uniquely Identifiable as a circus To see the enjoyment of life as we watch everything from jugglers to type rope artists to the famous clowns that do the Entertainment that keeps us smiling. This is what the Big Apple Circus represents But they're now also opening on given Tuesdays and stating that every New Yorker doesn't matter your economic status We know you're going through hard times during this moment of our lives that Given Tuesday is going to give back to them allow you to come here and enjoy the circus I look forward to a great show and we're going to get the word out as much as possible To make sure that all New Yorkers know the circus is not only in town But you could come and be in the seats and enjoy the performances Nick you and your family. Thank you so much Continue to do the great things you're doing I'm Ken sunshine on behalf of the Big Apple Circus, but really on behalf of New Yorkers. I'm I'm here to thank Mayor Adams for being here Yet again, I've I'm a veteran of New York politics I've known every mayor since John Lindsay some I've known real well some I didn't want to know so well Every one of them has at least acknowledged the entertainment community. It's hard not to love the Big Apple Circus It says New York has anything but let me say something that is just the fact There has never been a mayor like Eric Adams who's embraced the world of entertainment as A business if not one of the great things that makes New York New York Besides the jobs and the ancillary jobs hotels tourism Restaurants etc. It's part. It's the spirit of what makes us unique and There's never been a mayor It's certainly in recent times that not only embraces the community but gets the economic force It is and you know what's great about the entertainment community We don't want anything from government. This is not my friends in real estate Intimately asking for a lot of things all we want to do is be able to entertain and attract her So again, thank you Eric Adams for embracing this world and embracing the world of live entertainment It's a pleasure to be here. I'm Caroline Mendel I'm a clinical psychologist and senior director of clinical services for school and community programs at the child of mine Institute On behalf of the child of mine Institute I would like to thank the Big Apple Circus for giving us the opportunity to brighten the holiday season For so many of the students that we reach by sharing the joy of the circus At the child of mine Institute We are dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning challenges By giving them the help they need to thrive Our school and community programs clinicians see the need firsthand and we have provided mental health services and professional training To over 60,000 students Educators and caregivers in high-need New York City public and charter schools At this critical moment for child and adolescent mental health We would like to remind families in New York City that help is available and to please visit childmind.org To be connected to resources Thank you once again to the Big Apple Circus for giving young people the chance to dream big No questions on the tickets anything like that that Nick can answer all good Great