49 years ago this week, the 1963 Edition of the Al Sirat Grotto Circus opened in Cleveland’s Public Auditorium. Even though, I was only 17 at the time and a sophomore in high school, I boldly wrote to George E. Hoffman, the Circus’ General Chairman and ask that I be considered for membership in the band. Several days later, this envelope (which featured Evelyn Currie on the front) arrived in the mail. |
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
1963Grotto Circus #1 (From Eric Beheim)
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4 comments:
Hi Eric
By coincidence Kenny Dodd is in
the process of transcribing some
music from old wire recordings of
the Cleveland Grotto show of 58
Is there any chance you may have
the program from that year
Or if anyone else might I'm sure
Kenny would be very grateful
Thanks
Realizing that, in years to come, an envelope addressed to me from the Grotto Circus’ General Chairman would be as much a treasured keepsake as the letter itself, my mother had the foresight to steam it open so that it could be saved intact.
The thing I remember best about that building was while exiting the back door you looked down on the exact lake front area where the Ringling menagerie was destroyed by fire.
Chic, I don't have the 1958 Grotto Circus program. Check with Rich Deptula of Lorain, Ohio.
The East 9th Street lot that Buckles refers to was where I saw the Ringling show under canvas in 1952. It was later the site of the Cleveland Press Building.
Right across the street from Public Auditorium was the AUDITORIUM HOTEL, where many show people stayed over the years. Each year during the run of the Grotto Circus, the Grotto maintained a "hospitality suite" in the hotel for the benefit of the performers.
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