THE BERTINI'S

Family makes circus life's work


Vlastek Valla juggles as his wife, Kim Sue Valla, looks on. The couple and children Vincent and Violet perform in the show at Circus World Museum

from: wiscnews.com
By Annie Getsinger, News Republic
July 22, 2013
Baraboo--Performing is all in the family for the Vallas. And it has been for generations.
Vlastek and Kim Sue Valla and their children, Vincent, 11, and Violet, 3, are making Baraboo their home for the summer as they perform in Circus World Museum’s all-new Big Top Circus Performance with their comedy trampoline and Bertini unicycle acts.
The couple met as children, performing with their families on various circus shows throughout the U.S. They have been married for 18 years.
“We’re just circus show kids,” she said.
“She knows things about me that I don’t even know,” Vlastek Valla said as he took a cranky Violet backstage to cool off from the heat.

 

Vlastek Valla’s family defected from communist Europe when he was 7. After coming to the U.S. to perform, the family returned for a second time and never left. The performer is now 40, and his own family unit has taken to the show scene.
“Originally the unicycle act was brought over by Ringling Bros.,” said Kim Sue Valla, 41. “Then they sent them back to Europe after the contract was up. They liked it so much that they figured out a way to come back and stay here, and they made their life here.”
Vlastek Valla was born in the Netherlands and remains a French citizen. His family traces their roots to the Czech Republic, his wife said. Before coming to the U.S., the family toured Greece, England, France and all over Europe.
“His father dropped everything when he was 57 and started a new life in America,” said Kim Sue Valla.
Her own father, Carl Wong, also came to the U.S. as a circus performer.
“My father came over with the Chinese Acrobats, and they toured with Ringling for many years, and later my dad became an aerialist,” she said.
Kim Sue Valla’s mother, Joanne Wilson, is an animal trainer and former aerialist. She recently performed in the Baraboo National Bank customer appreciation day at Circus World.
“I’m not going to retire,” said Wilson. “That’s for sure.”
Kim Sue Valla’s aunt Trudy Strong did a three-year performance stint at Circus World about 30 years ago with her Dalmatian dogs and ponies.
“She’s done it all, aerialist,” Valla said. “She’s trained tigers.”
“She’s visiting now and seeing all the friends she had,” Wilson said.
The Vallas are enthusiastic about being in town for the summer at an attraction that celebrates the circus.
“Being here at Circus World is being part of our heritage,” said Kim Sue Valla. “This is a place dedicated to what we do.”
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