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Thursday, January 08, 2009
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16 comments:
At some point in the show, they wheeled out a large cabinet amidst much fanfare but the shroud was tangled and wouldn't drop.
I later learned from my host that a tiger was concealed in the base.
Back to the drawing board on that one.
Refresh my memory, please.
What was the name of the high-priced and much heralded magic consultant?
Ok. Kudos for the three sitting tigers. Looks nice and I'm sure not easy to get those laying down to stay there.
Is this something new or seen before years ago? Dion
Magic Consultant was Jim Steinmeyer....Tava has one hell of an act with or without the fancy tricks.....ASUCRE!!!!! Does anyone know if the majority of the cats are from Lance Ramos?
AC
Looks a lot like tricks in Kelly Miller act last fall, only with a few more cats. KM probably had greater number of hind leg walkers.
Anonymous # 1,
Taba not Tava.
Deion,
Common behavior in old acts. Making a resurgence in Hispanic acts.
Anonymous # 3,
Totally different from the act on KM last year.
Wade Burck
Hard to believe that that it has been 20 years since Gunther's farwell tour!
Jimmy Cole,
That was something I was hoping not to be reminded of. Sure would be wonderful is something/someone got close again.
Wade Burck
Those of us with long memories can remember when Gunther’s new leopards-panthers-pumas display was introduced on the 107th Edition: while the band played the very dramatic "Benediction of the Daggers" from Meyerbeer’s opera "Les Huguenots", Gunther entered the big cage (still empty of cats) and bounded gracefully up onto a high pedestal. A curtain was lowered that completely hid him from view. After a brief interval, it was raised to reveal Gunther with the leopard “Kenny” draped around his neck. Amid cheers and gasps of astonishment from the audience, the music built to a rousing climax. Then, on a whistle cue, the band segued into Sousa’s "Nobles of the Mystic Shrine March" as the act itself got underway. THAT was magic!
I was with Henry Schroer when he went to purchase Blackie the panther for Gunther’s act. There were 3 identical panthers. The first one nuzzled Henry, the 2nd looked a little wary, and the 3rd was a black ball of hissing spitting cuisine-art! "I'll take this one!" said Henry as he ducked swipes from Blackie.
I asked Henry what he had against Gunther? Henry told me that the other 2 cats would probably sleep through the act, but Blackie would be really good.
He sure got that right.
AC,
Yes, these are cats owned and trained by Lance.
Chris
I believe that two of the cats were trained by Mark Gebel: the hind leg walker and the tiger that hops across the ring for the closing trick.
Taba is a fine showman and a great fellow, probably worthy of greater billing. Taba never got to see GGW work but he has many pictures of him in his dressing room and admires him greatly. If he had a son (he has one daughter), the young fellow would probably be named Gunther!
When he had a morning show here in Baltimore, he opened his act by singing the catchy opening "Good morning Baltimore" line from the opening song of the musical "Hairspray" which is set in this town. His "azucar" (literally sugar) is our equivalent of "sweet" and comes from Celia Cruz, the popular Latin singer. In short, he connects with his audience in his "purr-fect Ang-glass!"
Dick Flint
Baltimore
Not only is Taba a great performer but he is a great man...humble and talented a very potent combination!!! AC
When I first met Taba he was warm & gracious, still is. For some reason he asked me, maybe he asks everyone he meets, "Did you know Goonter? Do you have some pictures of him you could let me have? I lluuvv Goonter!" I was happy to oblige him. I, personally think he's one of the best things to happen to RBBB in recent years, love the act and love his chatter, especially the well-noted A Z U C A R.
Paul G.
Paul & Dick,
I first met Taba I think in 2002 when he came to Richmond. He was the first choice for the new Hawthorn cat act that Luis Palacio had just trained with the tigers and lion. I spent most of a day with him, and he is a live wire all right,and a nice guy. When I first saw him work after he was on Ringling, and I heard asuca it sounded like a Russian slang word for a female dog, suka(translated b**ch). I turned to my son Adam, and said, "what did he just say?" Adam said, "it sounded Russian. It sounded like he called them a b**ch." I thought, that can't be right. They took the mic away from me when I said "Oh, nuts" one time. LOL After the performance he explained what he was saying and it made sense.
I like Taba, and I also realize that every animal act, and every trainer/Tiger Whisperer on Ringling is going to be under a "let's look for something not perfect" magnifying glass, and respect all who withstand the heat.
It's neither here nor there Paul, but I guarantee I have more GGW pictures then he does.
Best wishes to you, Taba. Be safe.
Wade Burck
To Dick Flint,
You are correct--Jasmine and Julie--were trained by Mark, I think? I forgot about them!
Chris
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