THE BALLOON MAN

Hip Hop Clown Continues Legacy
The family of Ivan Vargas, known as Von the Hip Hop" clown, has performed in Ringling Bros for two centuries.




Ivan Vargas' dragons show. He says he was “born on Ringling Bros”—almost as if it was another world. Vargas has never known anything else. For the last two centuries all his family has done is performed in the circus
Source: Courtesy of Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey Circus
By Rebekah Sager
Fox News Latino
Published July 13, 2012
Ivan Vargas says he was “born on Ringling Bros”—almost as if it was another world. Vargas has never known anything else.
 For the last two centuries all his family has done is performed in the circus.  The legend is, his great, great, great, great-grandfather had a trained cow act in Mexico City. He was scouted by the circus going through town, and the rest is Vargas family history.

The legend is, his great, great, great great-grandfather had a trained cow act in Mexico City. He was scouted by the circus going through town, and the rest is Vargas family history. 
 Source: Courtesy of Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey Circus
From animal trainers and handlers, to acrobats, aerialists, and clowns, Ivan says the film “Like Water for Elephants” rings true for him.

“The cast, crew, and animals still travel on trains—11 months out of the year and perform 8-13 shows per week—it is very much like living on another planet," he said.
The mile-long trains are privately owned by Ringling Bros. "We still set up tents and the clowns still use steamer trunks for all our belongings,” Vargas says.

 

Ivan Vargas started performing at age 13. By 16, he was essentially an independent adult performer. He says the circus makes children grow up faster than in the real world.
 Source: Courtesy of Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey Circus 
Auguste: which means “foolish” in German, is the buffoon. He does pratfalls and takes hits.
 White Face: The traditional clown. He’s the aristocrat, the one in charge, and the straight man in the act.
 Character: Originally the Tramp or Hobo, but today can be any character—firefighter, policeman, or businessman.
 Ivan aka “Von the Hip-Hop” clown, is a mix of Auguste and Character.
Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/lifestyle/2012/07/13/von-hip-hop-clown-his-work-is-no-joke/#ixzz20ZGoBeuz