A few years ago, my wife found a used copy
of A VERY YOUNG CIRCUS FLIER for me at a library book sale. Published in 1979, this is a children’s book
about Armando Farfan, Jr. (Tato) and his family The Flying Farfans
from when they were with the Ringling Red unit.
(The text is written as if Tato is the one describing everything.) Today,
some 35 years later, the book’s many photos have great historical
value since they document what the Red unit was like back then. (Many of you should be able to comment at
length on who and what is being shown.)
Where are the Farfans are now and what they are doing?
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Tuesday, July 08, 2014
Children's Book #1 (From Eric Beheim)
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7 comments:
Tato & I just recently worked
together on "Broadway Bares 24"
He & some of his troupe have
been featured aerialists for 10
years with this annual event
Many of the Farfans now live
in Glitter Gulch
For a number of years author
Jill Krementz would come visit
Tato during Bares rehearsals
Dolly Jacobs who is coowner &
founder of Circus Sarasota with
her husband Pedro Reis learned
& flew with the Farfans for a
few years on the Red Show as
well as performing her award
winning Roman Ring routine
http://www.reviewjournal.com/view/southwest/former-circus-performer-works-his-magic-las-vegas
Armando is a very successful designer/fabricator of unique aerial equipment.
Chic has first hand knowledge of Armando's work, so I hope Chic will comment.
Mike
Jill Krementz wrote many books
including several "Very Young"
about similar kids professions
She was married to the author
Kurt Vonnegut who died in 2007
When the 109th Edition played San Diego in July 1979, the Flying Farfans worked at the same end of the arena where the band was located. Most of their spectacular tricks were done using only drum rolls, so I had to chance to watch them up close at every performance. I recall that it was a really good flying act. Incidentally, here is the music that we played for them in 1979:
“Espana,” “Artist’s Life Waltz” (Strauss), “Sweethearts Waltz” (Victor Herbert), “Can-Can” (Cole Porter) and the closing fanfare that Bill Pruyn always used for the Red Unit flying acts.
The Flying Farfans worked opposite of the Flying Segreras. Those boys worked hard and the family practiced about every night. They were extremely dedicated to their work and family. I watched them quite a bit with the Flying act as well as their dog acts. They had Anna's Pink Poodles, the Dobermans (which I thought was quite impressive), and later the Russian Wolfhounds that Tina Gebel started working or purchased. Since then I learned that Armando Sr. had passed away from Leukemia, Anna remarried and I SAW A BEAUTIFULLY amazing bird act with peacocks,! Anna is one classy woman no matter what she is doing. Anna Berosini. Buckles had pictures of her doing another animal act earlier, chimps perhaps? Unfortunately I have not kept in touch. I see Tato doing some great work but do not know yet what Gino is doing.
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