Hi Buckles, Love the site...view it regularly. Huge circus fan from Chicago...seen every Ringling show in Chicago since I was 5 back in 1985 (115th ed.) and now enjoy taking my kids to the show (luckily they do the opening night cheap seats!). Anyway for me November has always been the time of year that RB comes back to Chicago. I was wondering since you were on the show for several years (and many of the blog contribitors were once with the show) if you could answer some questions for me? For instance, with such a long stand 2 weeks in Rosemont and 2 weeks in Chicago did show get to 'settle in' more than say a 2 night stop? (I guess this would go for any of the longer stands). Also, did the train stay in one central location during the stay or did it move from Rosemont to Chicago? Also just out of curiosity, does the show and crew always stay on the train or do they sometimes stay in hotels or at the arena itself (because it seems like at times the train could be rather far from the arena). Finally, to your best knowledge how long did it take to set up the show in the arena? Thanks so much for the great site! Brandon Sterk |
Thursday, November 04, 2010
From Brandon Sterk
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3 comments:
Dear Brandon -
When I was with the show back in '74, I believe that we played six WEEKS at the old Chicago Amphitheater on the Southside. The train was parked on the other side of the parking lot at the rear of the building. (Chicago cops would patrol the parking lot frequently. It became a game for some of us to wait until we say the cop car enter the lot on the far end, then we would race to the train. The cops would see us, turn on their lights and give chase!) I also remember a 'Union man' by the name of Carmine Labada who took a cut from all the 'constashioneers'!
Another tidbit, we unoaded the flats as soon as they were spotted, no matter what time of day or night. The elephant and horse walk could differ as we were at the mercy of the local police, traffic and safety folks. Unless of course Gunther grew impatient, and away we went!
Erik Jaeger
Frank,
Carmine would stop by the Medina Shrine circus too.
You have to admit he was a sharp dresser though.
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