Thursday, November 13, 2008

Circus Vidbel #6


IMG_8240, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Posted by Buckles at 11/13/2008 05:51:00 AM

9 comments:

Mike Naughton said...

Ian M. Garden, Jr. and his Welsh Pony Drill.

13 November, 2008 07:07
24-HOUR-MAN said...

While laying over at CWM while we were working there Ian Jr, was asked to work the July 4th show, so they could see the act. He came to me & asked if it was all right with Trudy & I if he worked it. I said it was fine with us, then I said did you ask your dad about it, he replied, "yes and he said make sure it's okay with Bill & Trudy first".....Gentlemen all the way!

13 November, 2008 13:21
Harry Kingston said...

What is Ian jr. doing working for Vidbels show???
Is Garden Bros closed down as they had a large show in Canada and is business that bad.
Harry

13 November, 2008 16:26
Mike Naughton said...

In Canada, Garden Brothers runs from March thru August approx, altho they did have a shorter season than usual.

Mike and Suzy did a season or two for Ian in Canada.

I have done a few summer seasons with Ian, either 1. announcing, 2. ponies or 3. announcing and ponies.

There are a couple of shows in the northeast that have a very friendly working relationship with other show owners; a very nice way to conduct business.

Suzy asked me for some booking input for their revival fall tour but we were unable to help due to a busy workload.

Like I said, a nice way to conduct business.

13 November, 2008 18:32
Mike Naughton said...

PS. The Circus Vidbel tour was just a short tour to get the show back on the road and ready for 09. It was 3 or 4 weeks (?).
As I stated before, a very strong performance, all top acts and a live band that sounded like 6 pieces. A little box of jewels.

13 November, 2008 18:36
Harry Kingston said...

Mike,
Thank you so much for the info on Vidbel as I have never seen this circus yet. It does not come to Texas.
I just wondered how a small show like this could afford Ian jr. as I would imagine he does not come cheap.
I had the great pleasure of seeing Ian Garden work here in Beaumont,Tx when Dick Garden had this Sterling and Reid Bros here.
I was out there at winterquarters every day and it was like a kid at Christmas time.
Dick made me feel at home and i had the run of the place and met wondeful show folks.
I met Ian Garden and his wife and watched him train horses close up and what a great showman.
I found out about Garden Bros and it playing those hocky arenas in Canada.
When Ian was flying back to Florida Dick was going to get him a taxi and I say no i will take him to the airport for free.
Always glad to help out a great circus person like him.
It was like christmas every day for me to go as to se the circus being built and welcomed out there and not told to get the hell out of here.
They were going to pitch 8 cases of programs and Dick told the concession lady give them to Harry and man did i take them quick.
I really had a great time out at winterquarters.
Harry
Beaumont, Texas former home of Christy Bros 5 ring circus

14 November, 2008 07:05
Mike Naughton said...

Vidbels were able to hire IAN GARDEN because they paid him with Canadian dollars.

When I was with Ian Jr. we played the Canadian province of Ontario. Garden Brothers is to Canada as RIngling is to the United States; everyone in Canada knows Garden Brothers.

This was their 70th season. A while ago Ian SENIOR had a television show that was a weekly feature; many USA acts worked the program. This high profile opportunity cemented the Garden name into the mindset of the Canadians.

While I was there, IAN JUNIOR had a deal with another television producer in a reality program called "Life's Circus" where two tv crews followed us around from morning to night. The show ran for two seasons, I was there when the first season was running on television. During intermission, IAN JUNIOR was mobbed by autograph seekers and when our families went out to eat we constantly heard, "Aren't you Ian from the circus?"

It was like hanging out with Brad Pitt.

14 November, 2008 07:44
Harry Kingston said...

Mike,
Thank you again so much for the info.
Visting with Ian senior he told me all about the tv show and I knew nothing about the new reality show.
You know maybe we need to do that kind of a show over here so we can get folks off there butt's to go to a circus.
Viisitng shows when they come to town I am still amazed to here people say i have never been to a circus.
What does it take a stick of nitro to move folks.
but they do still come to to see a circus.
I just saw Luna Bros Circus a very small show on 4 vehicles but they make money and it is all paid for.
The tent looks great and it is the size if a Christmas tree lot tent.
The posters are hand made and the guys but on a good show for small town folks.
They only played 4 states this year but still do good business.
Harry

14 November, 2008 10:51
Mike Naughton said...

Harry,
You are correct in saying that there should be a television show (or CHANNEL) devoted to the Circus.

The Garden Brothers project in Canada is an example. The public were already "introduced" to the circus performers, musicians and tech dept BEFORE the circus arrived in town.

I was fascinated that the audience members would inquire about the little details from the previous season, such as: how is Bob's trailer hitch?, did the so and so family find work for this year? The Garden kid got so big since last year.

You would walk the halls in those hockey arena and you would hear the incoming audience say as they passed a performer in the hallway, "Oh, that's Carolina, she is so pretty."

It was amazing, truly amazing and it shows you the power of television/cable.

14 November, 2008 11:01

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