MURAT SHRINE CIRCUS

LOOMIS BROS CIRCUS

The Enchanting Miss Rebecca performs her aerial silk act in the Loomis Bros Circus. November, 2009 in Perry, Florida.

Gary Sladek performing daredevil chair balancing act at the Loomis Bros Circus, in Movember 2009, in Perry, Florida.

CENTRAL FLORIDA FAIR

The Central Florida Fair is now underway in Orlando.

Wade Shows on the midway.

2010 Central Florida Fair
Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida
February 25 - March 7, 2010

Since 1887, the 11-day Central Florida Fair has celebrated the best in regional arts and crafts, live music and dance, food, livestock shows, thrilling carnival rides, fascinating interactive exhibits and much more! The Wade Shows Midway boasts 100 rides and attractions. Admission is charged.

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL TIME IN PLANT CITY

Scene from last year's Strawberry Festival Midway
This year's dates are March 4th thru 14th in Plant City, Fl.
Bell City Shows has the Midway.

HUMAN CANNONBALL BY LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III

Human Cannonball by Loudon Wainwright III, from the album Grown Man
A nice bit of writing, after Wainwright read Emmanuel Zacchini, Seniors' obituary. I was looking for a performance of this beautiful song and couldn't find one so I put this together. Emanuel Zacchini Sr. Human Cannonball, 84 Published: September 16, 1993
Emanuel Zacchini Sr., who with his four brothers made a career out of performing a circus human cannonball act, died on Monday in Sarasota, Fla., where he lived. He was 84.
Mr. Zacchini's 175-foot cannonball jump at 54 miles an hour in 1940 was a world record and made the act famous. Mr. Zacchini ended his jumping career after suffering a broken neck in an accident in 1951.
Born in Italy, he was brought to the United States in 1934 by John Ringling, the circus owner. He started the cannonball act four years later with his brothers Mario, Teo, Bruno and Vittorio.
In addition to Mario and Vittorio, survivors include two daughters, Flora Pfefferkorn and Delia Cristiani; nine grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.
posted on you tube by washhandstwice

SUNDAY FUNNIES

BILLER BROS CIRCUS SIDESHOW

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)