Monday, March 23, 2009

Cole Bros. 2009 #3


IMG_9483, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

7 comments:

Chic Silber said...

Two of the greatest guys ever

in our industry and thankfully

are both still at it

My very best to them both along

with my sincere respect

Chic

Frank Ferrante said...

Is that Roland Kaiser on the left?
~frank

Chic Silber said...

John Pugh & Ward Hall

Chic

Anonymous said...

Frank, no, it's Johnny Pugh and Ward Hall.

Frank Ferrante said...

Thank for the ID. Roland gave me my start as a candy butcher the first year that the show opened at The Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, CA. I know he went on to Circus Vargas, anyone know what he's up to now?
~frank

Chic Silber said...

Retired

Last I heard his wife's daughter

and son in law were trying to

keep the Vargas show going

Chic

Anonymous said...

Circus Vargas is now under the helm of Nelson Quiroga and Katya (Arrata) Quiroga, who is Ingrid's daughter (Roland's stepdaughter). Nelson, Katya and Nelson's brother Alberto joined forces as Tabares Entertainment, named after their Flying Tabares Trapeze Act that won a Gold Clown in Monte Carlo a few years ago. Their act toured with RBBB's Gold Unit, before they took on Circus Vargas, which had been off the road for at least a year, sort of rotting away in the California high desert. Each year since, they have poured money and resources back into the show, and it is quickly regaining the reputation and route that Cliff Vargas established back in his heyday. According to first-hand accounts, the show is really beautiful and the program is absolutely superior. Interestingly, ex-RBBB personnel have moved over to Vargas including Jon & Laura Weiss and Ted McRae (formerly the "Gator Guy"). The show has brought back animal acts with a trained house cat and dog act, plus a rosinback riding act and a Liberty Horse and Pony routine. These entrepreneurs are to be congratulated for their perseverance and continuing success! If you check out their web site, they also give credit to Mr. Vargas as the show's founder and circus innovator, which he certainly deserves! Wouldn't it be great if Nelson, Katya and Alberto brought Circus Vargas back as RBBB's main American competitor, as it once was with Mr. V at the helm? Now that's something to look forward to!
Neil Cockerline
Minneapolis, MN