|
|
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Contributors
Recent Comments
Retirement Fund
Favorite Links
- Circus Historical Society
- Circus News
- Circus Fans Association of America
- Showfolks of Sarasota
- Arkansas Elephant Sanctuary
- Jim's "All My Days are Circus Days"
- Pat Cashin's Clown Alley
- Bill Strong's Yesterday's Towns
- Circus Links
- Circus Model Builders
- Magic Gallery
- Tim Perkins Blog
- Trumble's Carson & Barnes Blog
- Dick Dykes
- Wade G Burck
- Chuck Mayo
- The Circus Blog
- Jackie LeClaire
Subscribe
Blog Archive
- March 2023 (15)
- February 2022 (5)
- November 2021 (33)
- October 2021 (3)
- September 2021 (61)
- August 2021 (37)
- May 2021 (39)
- April 2021 (10)
- March 2021 (17)
- February 2021 (103)
- January 2021 (137)
- December 2020 (21)
- November 2020 (76)
- October 2020 (151)
- September 2020 (73)
- August 2020 (65)
- July 2020 (181)
- June 2020 (174)
- May 2020 (225)
- April 2020 (181)
- March 2020 (124)
- February 2020 (221)
- December 2019 (36)
- November 2019 (77)
- October 2019 (166)
- September 2019 (146)
- August 2019 (62)
- July 2019 (250)
- June 2019 (238)
- May 2019 (311)
- April 2019 (355)
- March 2019 (367)
- February 2019 (313)
- January 2019 (373)
- December 2018 (377)
- November 2018 (348)
- October 2018 (378)
- September 2018 (381)
- August 2018 (542)
- July 2018 (514)
- June 2018 (153)
- May 2018 (4)
- April 2018 (3)
- March 2018 (110)
- February 2018 (296)
- January 2018 (590)
- December 2017 (569)
- November 2017 (587)
- October 2017 (565)
- September 2017 (405)
- August 2017 (509)
- July 2017 (575)
- June 2017 (558)
- May 2017 (653)
- April 2017 (562)
- March 2017 (507)
- February 2017 (451)
- January 2017 (516)
- December 2016 (367)
- November 2016 (479)
- October 2016 (449)
- September 2016 (517)
- August 2016 (427)
- July 2016 (400)
- June 2016 (360)
- May 2016 (272)
- April 2016 (374)
- March 2016 (481)
- February 2016 (405)
- January 2016 (429)
- December 2015 (240)
- November 2015 (381)
- October 2015 (477)
- September 2015 (461)
- August 2015 (427)
- July 2015 (463)
- June 2015 (421)
- May 2015 (350)
- April 2015 (416)
- March 2015 (467)
- February 2015 (441)
- January 2015 (460)
- December 2014 (408)
- November 2014 (379)
- October 2014 (416)
- September 2014 (378)
- August 2014 (413)
- July 2014 (414)
- June 2014 (482)
- May 2014 (429)
- April 2014 (367)
- March 2014 (458)
- February 2014 (406)
- January 2014 (390)
- December 2013 (508)
- November 2013 (353)
- October 2013 (423)
- September 2013 (468)
- August 2013 (536)
- July 2013 (490)
- June 2013 (447)
- May 2013 (411)
- April 2013 (401)
- March 2013 (407)
- February 2013 (372)
- January 2013 (432)
- December 2012 (413)
- November 2012 (388)
- October 2012 (398)
- September 2012 (376)
- August 2012 (387)
- July 2012 (382)
- June 2012 (351)
- May 2012 (356)
- April 2012 (367)
- March 2012 (351)
- February 2012 (336)
- January 2012 (410)
- December 2011 (393)
- November 2011 (283)
- October 2011 (333)
- September 2011 (363)
- August 2011 (356)
- July 2011 (336)
- June 2011 (363)
- May 2011 (351)
- April 2011 (324)
- March 2011 (327)
- February 2011 (253)
- January 2011 (368)
- December 2010 (359)
- November 2010 (315)
- October 2010 (342)
- September 2010 (345)
- August 2010 (352)
- July 2010 (344)
- June 2010 (335)
- May 2010 (338)
- April 2010 (321)
- March 2010 (369)
- February 2010 (318)
- January 2010 (338)
- December 2009 (358)
- November 2009 (338)
- October 2009 (354)
- September 2009 (368)
- August 2009 (354)
- July 2009 (401)
- June 2009 (403)
- May 2009 (375)
- April 2009 (346)
- March 2009 (406)
- February 2009 (341)
- January 2009 (353)
- December 2008 (351)
- November 2008 (362)
- October 2008 (391)
- September 2008 (375)
- August 2008 (382)
- July 2008 (324)
- June 2008 (349)
- May 2008 (375)
- April 2008 (383)
- March 2008 (369)
- February 2008 (426)
- January 2008 (457)
- December 2007 (360)
- November 2007 (369)
- October 2007 (359)
- September 2007 (361)
- August 2007 (370)
- July 2007 (341)
- June 2007 (307)
- May 2007 (298)
- April 2007 (391)
- March 2007 (374)
- February 2007 (326)
- January 2007 (385)
- December 2006 (343)
- November 2006 (252)
- October 2006 (213)
- September 2006 (174)
- August 2006 (180)
- July 2006 (176)
- June 2006 (155)
- May 2006 (178)
- April 2006 (170)
- March 2006 (149)
- February 2006 (134)
- January 2006 (154)
- December 2005 (135)
- November 2005 (137)
- October 2005 (113)
- September 2005 (100)
- August 2005 (102)
- July 2005 (103)
- June 2005 (43)
14 comments:
Is there a reason this guy is wearing his big brother's trousers?
Yes, this seems to be in a lot lately and it looks awful (concerts, weddings, etc.)!
Carl
This show has a fortune invested in lights and yet they allow the announcer to wear dead black. I've never met a lighting designer that could make dead black look bright and snappy.
Thirty years ago, when all we had were quartz lights on poles around the ring, there was brighter and more colorful wardrobe. Now we have the most advanced lighting possible and everyone wears black.
Black is the conventional manifestation of mourning, sorrow and bereavement...very appropriate for pay day.
---
Part 2, Having been contracted to the TZ route, many years ago, we opened in Ft. Wayne and then had 2 or 3 months off, much to our surprise. Consulting an attorney who told us the phrase "as per route" could mean anything: one day, a week, a year, etc.
Our attorney poked so many holes in the "standard circus producers contract" that it looked like Swiss Cheese.
A lesson learned from a Frenchman with a loin cloth. Sacre bleu!
Anonymous,
If you had had the good fortune to meet Mr. James C. Hall 33 years ago, he would have tipped you off to all that mumbo jumbo and saved you the future grief.
A former Rated-Pro,
Wade Burck
Hello Bloggers:
Could someone please fill me in with some information about black wardrobe? I thought there always was a stigma with black wardrobe- that it was bad luck to wear it in the ring. I know Mr. Vargas absolutely went ballistic if anyone wore black wardrobe. Realistically, even with modern "mood" lighting, black wardrobe just does not show up, especially at any distance. And as a circus photographer, black wardrobe is the worst to photograph as it eliminates all detail. Thus the use of black in many magic and illusion props (i.e. the black arts). I suppose that black wardrobe helps to hide the dirt, but it depends on the dirt- Oklahoma red mud isn't hidden on black wardrobe! (From days spent on Carson & Barnes...) I agree that there seems to be a plethora of black wardrobe now and it just is not flashy- I don't care what you do to doctor it up! I suppose black may have a slimming effect, although on some very large people- it doesn't work. I would like to hear anyone else's thoughts, especially about the bad luck aspect. Are there any other superstitions associated with wardrobe? I know that Joanne Wilson & PeeWee Pinson told me that wearing yellow wardrobe on Opening Night is considered bad luck, since that was the color that Leitzel was wearing when she fell, but are there any others? I would really like to know!
Thanks,
Neil Cockerline
I'll assume the trousers are cut according to a "style." As a Wal-Mart shopper style is largely lost on me. In defense of the coat, assuming several changes through the show black certainly isn't uncommon anymore. I saw one gentleman recently in a jacket so colorful it looked like the carapace on some kind of flying beetle.
Neil,
I don't know where you got the idea Mr. Vargas didn't like black? That deal he had me dress up in at contract time was most certainly black, not counting the studs, and open crotch, of course. I'm sure Alan Gold and Wayne Regan can confirm this. Barbara, word had it you designed the costume. Is that true?
Wade Burck
Anonymous,
That lovely little town you refer to as "2 or 3 months off" is actually a popular repeat date, played quite often, called Pending. Some performer's have actually been insightful enough to get a mail delivery service from there. As I was counseled many years ago, "you had better learn your Geography Pal, if you hope to make a living in this deal.
Wade Burck
As to wardrobe for announcers, I feel that Brian LaPalme probably has the best wardrobe on the road today. He always has several changes during each performance and they are always in top shape. He also is one of the best announcers that I have ever heard. He gets the audience into the show and keeps them there.
Bob Kitto
POS: His peanut pitch was so great that at times he ran the venders out of product.
Bob,
I have to disagree with you on this. I think the sharpest Ringmaster is Dame Thomas Baker (or is it Sir? Help me out here, guy's) in the tail's he lifted off Ringling a couple of decades ago. I addition to holding up nicely like any well crafted Eves Brookes, they are therapudic for Paul Kaye. On a long, slow 3 show day when the great man is waxing poetic, and pining for the "good old days", when "ballet broad's were a dime a dozen" and Al hadn't taken flying lesson's yet.", all Tommy has to do is lift the lapel's of his jacket, and show Paul what color "it used to be". Calm's him right down, and he goes back to sleep until show time.
Wade Burck
The title "SIR" as in SIR BILLY BAKER cannot be passed from father to son since it is a honorary knighthood from the Crown.
In recognition of Mr. Tommy Baker's contribution to the circus and the endless joy that the circus brings to children world-wide, the Crown would consider granting the esteemed Mr. Baker an honorary position with the LADIES OF THE GARTER, a fine and noble bunch of broads.
Queen Lizzy,
Brilliant history lession. Thanks for the consistancy. My friend, Paul Kaye wanted me to ask you if you had an extra one of those "honorary" deals he could have. He also wanted to know how the circus scene is doing over there? He's thinking, probably straw house's, right? Come on, Paul, don't bust her hump. It's 2008. Why don't you make sure you have 689 web's packed for next year. You might need them. Barbettes cominging to help correograph.
Wade Burck
To the Honourable Mr. Burck,
By recommendation to her Majesty, the Queen, you have been appointed the Director of Nominations for the LADIES OF THE GARTER, colony side only.
Kindly forward your list of nominees to Buckingham Palace.
This noble position is one of great honour, we trust you will keep its heritage close to your heart.
As we say around the Palace:
An odd knight
during an odd night
is perfectly alright,
but you can never have
too many Queens
Cheerio!
Sir Slopily Shod
Queenie Babe,
Damn!!!! You whacked me hard with that sword. You are just supposed to tap lightly. Paul thought you broke my shoulder. He was already to start looking for a new dressing room mate for next year.
While I am honored at the position you have offered, and Lord know's I could use it on my resume, what with my PR campaign in full swing and all, you might want to reconsider. Take a look at the hey rube I started trying to work out judging protocol for that other inbred hemophiliac, on the other side of the lake.
Wade Burck
P.S Speaking of Sloppily Shod, what's your son been up to lately. Haven't heard much over here in the colonies.
Post a Comment