Firepedia is a new networking resource for fire performers, artists and enthusiasts. Established by sideshow performer Caria Hendrix, firepedia features tutorials, informational articles, entertaining blog posts (some of which are contributed by yours truly), podcasts, videos and more. Soon, there will also be a list of performers from around the world to enable networking and [...]
Coney Island is gearing up for their 11th Annual Film Festival, which will take place at the the legendary Sideshows By The Seashore and Coney Island Museum September 23-25, 2011. They are currently accepting entries, so if you have a video project, get them in before April 29th. Categories this year include: Feature Short Documentary [...]
When you throw a tribe of wandering sideshow performers into a van together for a few weeks, interesting things transpire when we’re bored. Currently, The Invisible Man Corporation and Cut Throat Freakshow have joined forces for a Midwestern tour and two of our members, Eric Odditorium and Cut Throat, are making sideshow history with a [...]
Two fabulous museum exhibits featuring circus artifacts have just opened for the spring season: 1) The Cincinnati Art Museum The Amazing American Circus Poster is an exhibit featuring 80 circus posters created between 1878 and 1939 by the Cincinnati-based Strobridge Lithographing Company, along with materials related to circus advertising. Strobridge was the leading printer for [...]
So you want to expand your circus, and feel your show could use an elephant. Once upon a time, this would entail tracking down an elephant owner or breeder, purchasing a calf and continuing on your merry way. Those days ceased to exist with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and now Uncle Sam regulates [...]
Getting a job with one of the largest and longest lasting circuses is no easy feat, and I’ve often wondered how performers charm their way into such a career. I recently stumbled across an interview with Andre McClain, a third generation cowboy who had never attended a circus in his life until the day he [...]
That’s right; The Invisible Man Corporation is heading out on tour, joined by the Cut Throat Freak Show, and the fun starts tomorrow. On the road, the Invisible Man Corp. will consist of Mister Hamilton, Eric Odditorium, Ballyhoo Betty (aka yours truly), Nos and Ivar. Joining Cut Throat for this tour is Hermee The Clown, [...]
From 1968 to 1997, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College educated hundreds of entertainers, eager to hone their clowning chops. Throughout the course of its lifetime, this school was located in Venice, Florida, Baraboo, WI and finally Sarasota, FL. If you were lucky enough to be admitted to this college, (“It was [...]
In 1958, Al W. Stencell scored a summer job with a traveling carnival at the age of 12, and has been working in the business ever since. He went on to form the The Royal Brothers Circus, and later established two more outfits. After a lifetime of carnie experience, Al’s photos, memorabilia and stories have [...]
If you’re in the NYC area and have some sideshow skills, then you’re in luck! Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! in New York is hunting for new talent, and they’re currently accepting videos (now through March 25) that display amazing feats of entertainment. If you’re one of the lucky chosen few, you’ll be in good [...]