From Henry Penndorf

Hello Bill, It is short notice but tomorrow at 6:00 P.M. January 31 at the Bard Graduate Center (38 West 86th Street), in New York will hold a panel discussion on “The Future of the Circus in America”. The panel discussion is part of the circus exhibition currently at Bard Graduate Center Gallery (18 West 86th Street). The gallery exhibit will be ending on February 3rd. Maybe some of your readers in the New York City area would be interested in attending. It sounds like it might be an interesting discussion. A copy of the notice for the discussion is attached. The notice outlines topics for discussion and who will sit on the panel. I think there are additional issues that are facing the circus in America that should also be included in this forum. Issues like, when did the circus become politically incorrect and no longer is considered wholesome family entertainment and how that is affecting the future of the circus Then of course there is the larger issue of the animal rights lobby and their agenda of putting an end to circuses exhibits performing animals. This past Sunday I attended the gallery's exhibition, “Circus and the City: New York, 1793-2010. I enjoyed the exhibit and thought it was quite good, but it was not as extensive as I had hope it would be. The exhibit did have some great memorabilia on display. There was a large selection of vintage photograph's and original circus posters. I saw Clyde Beatty’s pith helmet, whip, and chair, complete with teeth marks. There were costumes from Karl Wallenda, Merle Evens (along with his coronet) and Barry Lubin’s “Grandma” costume. There was also a nice section devoted to P. T, Barnum. A little disappointed that there was no mention of Gunther Gebel-Williams. Note…anyone considering going to the panel discussion, on Thursday night from 5:00 to 8:P.M. there is FREE admission to the Bard Graduate Center Gallery. Barry “Grandma” Lubin will be making a special appearance with the Royal Hanneford Circus when it appears at the Westchester County Center over President’s Day Weekend. I have my tickets…Saturday, February 16th, 2:P.M. I hope all is well, Henry