THE RINGMASTER & THE COWBOY (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS)

Johnathan Lee Iverson (right) is Barnum & Bailey's first African-American ringmaster.

Johnathan Lee Iverson may be the tallest Iverson to work at the Wachovia Center when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ringmaster opens there tonight. Iverson, who says he's not sure if he's related to Allen Iverson, told us "Growing up a 6-foot-5 black man, everyone expects you to play basketball. I still got to Madison Square Garden but I'm not dunking."
The ringmaster, who is wishing the best for The Answer and his daughter Messiah, once trained for an opera career and he's not the only circus performer with a singing background. Andre McClain, an exotic animal trainer, grew up a cowboy in Kansas City, toured with an all-black rodeo and is also a country singer. The circus is in town through Sunday.

YOUR HELP NEEDED---

I received the following e-mail this morning---

Hi.I hope you may be able to help me.

I have an advertising sign from Dunks Brothers Circus and have done extensive research to try and find some information on them but without success so I emailed Hartland Smith and he replied suggesting I contact you in the hope that you may be able to help.

I am not sure but assume they were an american circus.I have attached a photo for you to see. Any help would be appreciated.

Regards Tony Stacey

If you know anything about this title I'd appreciate you letting me know.

Or contact me (leave a comment) and I'll give you his e-mail address.

Dick

FROM DAVID P ORR---

COME TO SARASOTA

for real Circuses under the BIG TOP.CIRCUS SARASOTA:

Tuttle & 12th ST.Thurs. Feb.25th & Fri.26th 7:00PM Sat. 27th 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM SOLD OUTS un. 28th 1&5:00 PM

CLOSING DAY.

SAHIB SHRINE CIRCUS:

Beneva & Circus Blvd. UNDER the BIG TOP. Fri.26 & Sat.27th.. 3:00&7:00 PM Each DayProduced by Serge Corona.

BIG CAT HABITAT

Kay Rosaire All Animal performers under the BIG TOP. Sat.1:30&5:30PM - Sun.1:30 PM Until March 7th.

It All Happens in Sarasota.

FROM THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER---

HEINZ KLUETMEIER / Feldentertainment.com Johnathan Iverson , with the circus for more than 12 years, is its first African American ringmaster.

Two are making history with Ringling's circus

By Monica Peters
For The Inquirer
Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson and cowboy Andre McClain are in town with the circus this weekend making history as they tour with Barnum's FUNundrum, a celebration of P.T. Barnum.Iverson is Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's first African American ringmaster. Performing with Ringling Bros. for more than 12 years, Iverson knows the importance of his presence in the industry.
"I did this for young people who may feel they don't have access to a bigger forum," he cites as one reason for becoming the ringmaster. "I never planned to join the circus. The opportunity came up and I took it."
Iverson, who has a sly sense of humor, also notes that he is one of the attractions. "I really look hot in their costumes and I lead the charge," he jokes.
Andre McClain, an African American cowboy on his third tour with Ringling Bros., will perform as part of the show that comes to the Wachovia Center today through Sunday. McClain also will appear in the preshow that starts an hour before showtime, allowing ticket holders to see animals up close, visit with performers, and get autographs.
McClain, who was raised on a Kansas City, Mo., ranch, comes from an African American cowboy heritage dating to the early 1900s. Although he has a degree in business, he chose life as a cowboy.
"We're educating people, teaching histories," McClain says. "African Americans are the originators of the cowboy lifestyle. Africans and Mexicans are the original cowboys."
FUNundrum marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of entertainer Phineas Taylor Barnum, founder of the circus that became Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.
This year's show includes a motorcycle troupe that performs inside a 16-foot sphere, high-wire artists suspended 40 feet in the air at a 45-degree angle, and Masters of Musculature who use their bodies in feats of contortion.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Barnum's FUNundrum, today through Sunday at Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St. Showtimes are 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. All Access Pre-Show and Animal Open House begins one hour before showtime. There is no pre-show or open house before the 10:30 a.m. show today. Tickets: $10 to $90, required for viewers age 2 and older. Information: 215-336-3600. Tickets can be purchased through comcastTIX.com, by calling 1-800-298-4200 or at the Wachovia Center box office.

WHAT IS CAVALIA?

CAVALIA COMES TO TAMPA

"I think they're the most beautiful animal on Earth. They have power, they're very noble, they're very frightening," producer Normand Latourelle says about horses.

Cirque acrobatics meets the equestrian world in this unique show

Estelle Delgado, left, and Geraldine Boutet perform "Le Miroir" astride matching Gray Spanish Geldings. (Alex Garcia / Chicago Tribune)
St Petersburg Times photo

Underneath the big top Tuesday morning at the Florida State Fairgrounds, workers pull the plastic sheeting used to protect the tent from the ground and keep it clean for Cavalia. The tent is 110 feet tall and covers 30,000 square feet.

VON BROS CIRCUS (1960's) PART 2 (FROM RICHARD REYNOLDS)

Von Bros Circus was owned by Henry Vonderheid, Red Rock. PA.

He also owned a tourist attraction called Red Rock Game Farm just

west of Dallas, PA.

The last years of the show featured equipment that He purchased from the closed

Hunt Bros Circus.

Henry was a good friend of Brother Bill''s

He passed away just before opening day in either 1967 or '68.

He died of complications suffered when one of the old

Hunt Bros Elephants did a head stand on him a few years before.

Henry's brother Albert has been touring with Cole Bros Circus the last few years.

As a purchasing agent and his wife works in the show office.

Another brother Freddy lives in Gibsonton.

A PHILADELPHIA TRADITION!

VON BROS CIRCUS 1960'S (FROM RICHARD REYNOLDS)

CIRCUS HOLLYWOOD SET-UP, SARASOTA SHRINE, (FROM SCOTT BUNDY)

The Sarasota Shrine Circus, this week in Sarasota.
These pictures were snapped by Scott Bundy who lives right
around the corner from the showlot.

"CAVALIA" COMES TO TAMPA (FROM SCOTT BUNDY)

The world's largest touring tent is 110 feet tall and uses about 71,400 square feet of canvas.

'Cavalia' brings giant tent, talent

RYAN BAUER, February 23, 2010
The fair might be over, but today at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 60 workers set up and raised the world's largest touring big top tent.
About 71,400 square feet of canvas was used in constructing the massive structure, and in the coming days, a team will spread 2,500 tons of sand, earth and gravel to build a giant stage.
It's all a part of Cavalia, the world-renowned equestrian spectacular from the mind of Normand Latourelle, co-founder of Cirque du Soleil.
"We travel with 100 artists, 60 of them are on four legs, and 40 of them are on two," says Latourelle, "I think we have achieved, with Cavalia, what Cirque du Soleil has achieved with circus, but with horses."
Starting on March 12, the 110-feet-tall tent will showcase horses of 12 breeds, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, riders and live musicians. The show runs through March 21 with tickets ranging from $34.50 - $99.
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Email Cavalia's Giant TentViews: 78 Comments: 0 February 23, 2010TBO.com's Ryan Bauer talks with Cirque du Soleil co-founder Normand Latourelle about the giant tent that's set to house the equestrian spectacular, Cavalia.

RINGLING FUNUNDRUM OPENS FEBRUARY 24--WACHOVIA CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA

Visit iGotClowned.com to throw a virtual pie in the face to your friends and family!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® is roaring into town with Barnum’s FUNundrum, a celebration of P. T. Barnum so big, it is an event 200 years in the making! From the moment that you arrive, the momentum explodes as The Greatest Show On Earth® comes to life in a way that can only be inspired by the greatest showman who ever lived.

At Barnum’s FUNundrum, the funtastic and funbelieveable experience answers the conundrum. Johnathan Lee Iverson dons the iconic top hat once again to become the Ringmaster of a production that celebrates the extraordinary legacy of the greatest showman on earth!

And in following the tradition of P.T. Barnum’s pursuit for global and fascinating talent, Jonathan, who was the first African American Ringmaster, as well as the youngest Ringmaster to ever welcome Children of All Ages to The Greatest Show On Earth, is a multi-talented performer and exceptional vocalist.Families of all ages are encouraged to hop aboard and go on an unbelievable excursion that brings together performers and characters from exotic countries all over the world - even from places for which there are no geographic borders.

From the moment that audience members arrive, the momentum explodes as The Greatest Show On Earth® comes to life in a way that can only be inspired by the greatest showman who ever lived, PT Barnum.
With the Spectrum slated for demolition this April, the Greatest Show on Earth, which had performed in the Spectrum for 41 of the arena's 42 years, will headline the Wachovia Center for the first time since June of 1997.

This is also the first time the Circus, which has traditionally performed in Philadelphia in the spring, will visit the City of Brotherly Love in February.

The Philadelphia Flyers and the National Hockey League will be taking a Winter Olympic break in February which enables the Circus to perform at the Wachovia Center from February 24 through 28.
Circus fans can arrive one hour before show time for the interactive All Access Pre-show to learn circus skills, become CircusFit®, meet Ringling Bros. performers and get an up-close look at the animal stars of The Greatest Show On Earth® – FREE to all ticket holders!

Circus fans can also visit the Animal Open House SM and discover the efforts that Ringling Bros. makes to save the endangered Asian elephant at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation®.

from the Wacovia Center web site.

HERE'S SOME REAL CIRCUS MUSIC!

http://www.euchronia.net/sotc/

WHAT A RABBITT!!!

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COLORING BOOK & PROGRAMS

POSTERS FROM THE PAST!

WRIGHTS TENT SHOW (YEAR ?)

COLE ALL STAR CIRCUS (01.28.2010)

BMX rider Brett Marshall wowed the crowd Saturday afternoon when Billy Martin’s Cole All-Star Circus came to the Bloomfield High School gym.

Daily Messenger - Jan 28, 2008Bloomfield, N.Y. — Billy Martin’s Cole All-Star Circus wowed the crowd in the Bloomfield High School gym Saturday afternoon.
The circus headed to Honeoye on Saturday night and will be in Naples on Wednesday and Lyons on Sunday.

Another popular act was the father-son team of Vlasteck Bertinis and his 6-year-old boy, Vincent, who enjoyed the ride while his dad made his way around the ring on a unicycle.

Two local girls getting some souvenirs were Sarah VanEpps and Hannah Dewey, both 7 and of Bloomfield. The circus headed to Honeoye on Saturday night and will be in Naples on Wednesday and Lyons on Sunday.

JOE LEWIS--RINGLING CLOWN

TERRELL JACOBS 1949 CALENDER

FAMOUS COLE CIRCUS 1962 #3 (FROM JIM ELLIOTT)

IT SURE WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF SOME

OF YOU COULD IDENTIFY SOME OF THESE FOLKS!

LEAVE A COMMENT PLEASE!

I beleive this is Heinze and Pattie Rucker