Difference between revisions of "Circus Ring of Fame"

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===History===
 
===History===
  
In mid-1985, the Sarasota Convention and Visitor Bureau's director, Larry Marthaler, was invited by Sarasota Mayor Bill Kline to join a group of local business leaders to explore ways to promote the approaching centennial celebration of the city by possibly employing a circus theme. [[File:Circus_Ring_of_Fame.jpg|400px|left]]Sarasota was the winter home of [[Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey]] Circus, as well as home to several other circuses and many circus families. Yet, after weeks of meetings with the committee and interested parties, everyone was running out of suggestions.  
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In mid-1985, the Sarasota Convention and Visitor Bureau's director, Larry Marthaler, was invited by Sarasota Mayor Bill Kline to join a group of local business leaders to explore ways to promote the approaching centennial celebration of the city by possibly employing a circus theme. [[File:Circus_Ring_of_Fame.jpg|thumb|Photo Composite of the Inductees (2022)|400px|left]]Sarasota was the winter home of [[Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey]] Circus, as well as home to several other circuses and many circus families. Yet, after weeks of meetings with the committee and interested parties, everyone was running out of suggestions.  
  
 
Most of the ideas being reviewed were too ambitious and required extensive outlays of up-front money. Then, one evening, Larry and his wife, Mary, were watching TV when the news showed an induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Larry said “that’s it,” and the idea was conceived for a ''Circus Walk of Fame'' in Sarasota. He shared the idea with the committee, who liked it, but didn’t want to infringe on ''Hollywood Walk of Fame''. Therefore, the name ''Circus Ring of Fame'' was chosen.
 
Most of the ideas being reviewed were too ambitious and required extensive outlays of up-front money. Then, one evening, Larry and his wife, Mary, were watching TV when the news showed an induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Larry said “that’s it,” and the idea was conceived for a ''Circus Walk of Fame'' in Sarasota. He shared the idea with the committee, who liked it, but didn’t want to infringe on ''Hollywood Walk of Fame''. Therefore, the name ''Circus Ring of Fame'' was chosen.

Revision as of 01:46, 26 September 2022

Based in Sarasota, Florida, in the United States, the Circus Ring of Fame® recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the art and culture of the circus over the span of a career. The "Ring" was created in 1988 to honor famous circus performers from around the world and the rich circus heritage of the Sarasota area, which has been home to a significant number of circuses and circus performers since the John and Charles Ringing moved their winter quarters there in 1927. Each year, honorees are nominated by the public and voted on by former inductees, historians, scholars and knowledgeable members of the global circus community.

Each inductee is honored with a bronze wagon wheel plaque that is placed on a walk in a park located at St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. The annual Circus Ring of Fame® induction ceremony attracts every year a large crowd of circus artists, executives, fans and members of the greater circus arts appreciation community, who gather to honor the inductees, past and present.

History

In mid-1985, the Sarasota Convention and Visitor Bureau's director, Larry Marthaler, was invited by Sarasota Mayor Bill Kline to join a group of local business leaders to explore ways to promote the approaching centennial celebration of the city by possibly employing a circus theme.
Photo Composite of the Inductees (2022)
Sarasota was the winter home of Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus, as well as home to several other circuses and many circus families. Yet, after weeks of meetings with the committee and interested parties, everyone was running out of suggestions.

Most of the ideas being reviewed were too ambitious and required extensive outlays of up-front money. Then, one evening, Larry and his wife, Mary, were watching TV when the news showed an induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Larry said “that’s it,” and the idea was conceived for a Circus Walk of Fame in Sarasota. He shared the idea with the committee, who liked it, but didn’t want to infringe on Hollywood Walk of Fame. Therefore, the name Circus Ring of Fame was chosen.

Prominent Sarasota artist Frank Hopper (1924-2022), who had done a piece of artwork for the Centennial, was brought in to help design the wagon wheel symbol that ornate the inductee's bronze plaque. The initiative was approved in 1986 and the first induction was in April of 1988. In 1993, the Circus Ring of Fame® Foundation became independent from the Convention and Visitor’s bureau and incorporated as a non-profit organization.

Inductees

A

Felix Adler (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.), Fay Alexander (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)), Andres, Alberto, and Alfredo Atayde (circus owners), The Ashton Family (acrobats, circus owners), Reggie Armor (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)), Elly Ardelty (trapeze), Harold Alzana (highwire)

B

The Bale Family (animal trainers, equestrians, aerialists), James Anthony Bailey (circus owner), Phineas Taylor Barnum (circus owner), Richard Barstow (choreographer), Joseph Bauer (sway pole, daredevil, circus producer), Charly Baumann (cat trainer(English/American) An trainer or presenter of wild cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, etc.), Clyde Beatty (cat trainer(English/American) An trainer or presenter of wild cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, etc.), Josephine Berosini (highwire), The Bertinis (unicyclists), Paul Binder (circus producer and director, juggler, ringmaster(American, English) The name given today to the old position of Equestrian Director, and by extension, to the presenter of the show.), Allen Bloom (circus executive), Ursula Böttcher (polar bear trainer), Fred and Edna Bradna (performance director, equestrienneA female equestrian, or horse trainer, horse presenter, or acrobat on horseback.), Francis and Lottie Brunn (jugglers), Ernie "Blinko" Burch (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.)

C

George Carden (circus owner), The Carillos (highwire), Hubert Castle (tightwireSee Tight Wire.), Terry Cavaretta and The Flying Cavarettas (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)), Alfredo Codona (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)), Con Colleano (tightwireSee Tight Wire.), Antoinette Concello (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze), aerial director), Arthur M. Concello (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze), circus executive), Charles and Mathias Coronas (highwire), The Clarke Family (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)), Alfred Court (acrobat, circus owner, cat trainer(English/American) An trainer or presenter of wild cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, etc.), The Cristiani Family (equestrians, circus owners), Cucciolo (comedy equestrian), William "Cap" Curtis (tent master)

D

Ben, Eva, and Norma Davenport (circus owners), Del Moral Troupe (perch pole), Pinito Del Oro (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc.), Cecil B. DeMille (filmmaker), Lola Dobritch (tightwireSee Tight Wire.), Kenny Dodd (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.)

E

William "Willie" Edelston (trapeze coach), Gee Gee Engesser (equestrienneA female equestrian, or horse trainer, horse presenter, or acrobat on horseback., animal trainer, circus producer), The Flying Españas (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)), Merle Evans (bandleader)

F

Irvin Feld and Kenneth Feld (circus owners and producers), Italo Fornasari and Family (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team., comedy acts), "La Norma" Fox (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc.), The Fredonias (Risley actAct performed by Icarists, in which one acrobat, lying on his back, juggles another acrobat with his feet. (Named after Richard Risley Carlisle, who developed this type of act.)),

G

Tito Gaona and Family (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)), Ian Garden (circus owner and producer), Gunther Gebel-Williams (animal trainer), Otto Griebling (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.)

H

Ward Hall (sideshow operator), The Hamid Family (circus owners and producers), The Hanneford Family (equestrians), Struppi Hanneford (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc., cat trainer(English/American) An trainer or presenter of wild cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, etc., circus owner), Doctor J.Y. Henderson (circus veterinarian), John Herriott (equestrian, animal trainer), William Heyer (equestrian), Allen Hill (circus owner and producer), Tim Holst (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team., ringmaster(American, English) The name given today to the old position of Equestrian Director, and by extension, to the presenter of the show., circus executive and producer)

J

Dolly Jacobs (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc., circus producer), Lou Jacobs (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.), Terrell Jacobs (cat Trainer), Victor Julian (dog trainer), Jumbo (elephant)

K

Emmett Kelly (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.), Floyd R. King (circus owner), Karl L. King (music composer), Herta Klauser (Cuneo) (bear trainer), Arthur, Alexander, and Dorita Könyöt (equestrians), King Charles Troupe (unicyclists)

L

Lalage (Hedwig Roth) (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc.), Guy Laliberté (circus producer), La Tosca (Canestrelli) (bounding rope), Jackie LeClaire (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.), Lillian Leitzel (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc.), Rudi and Sue Lenz (chimpanzee trainers), The Loyal-Repensky Troupe (equestrians), Barry "Grandma" Lubin (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.)

M

Gene Mendez (highwire), D.R. "Dory" and Isla Miller (circus owners), Charles Moroski (Czeslaw Mroczkowsky) (Equestrian)

N

The Nelson Family (Risley actAct performed by Icarists, in which one acrobat, lying on his back, juggles another acrobat with his feet. (Named after Richard Risley Carlisle, who developed this type of act.)), Count Nicholas (ringmaster(American, English) The name given today to the old position of Equestrian Director, and by extension, to the presenter of the show.), Bello Nock (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team., acrobat), The Nerveless Nocks (swaypoleA high, flexible vertical pole (originally made of a single piece of wood, and today of fiberglass) atop of which an acrobat performs various balancing tricks.), Henry Ringling North (circus owner), John Ringling North (circus owner)

P

The Flying Palacios (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)), The Pedrolas (tightwireSee Tight Wire., aerialists, clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.), Fred Pfening, Jr. (circus historian), John Pugh (circus owner and producer)

Q

The Quiros (highwire)

R

HSH the Prince Rainier III of Monaco (founder, International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo), Pedro Reis (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc., circus producer), Dan Rice (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team., circus owner), The Richter/Casselly Families (circus owners, equestrians, animal trainers), The Ringling Brothers (circus owners), Albert Rix (bear trainer), Pablo Rodriguez and Family (aerial horizontal bars), Rogana (Dora Rogge-Foster) (sword balancer), Harold Ronk (ringmaster(American, English) The name given today to the old position of Equestrian Director, and by extension, to the presenter of the show.), Derrick Rosaire and Family (animal trainers), Manuel "Junior" Ruffin (cat trainer(English/American) An trainer or presenter of wild cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, etc.)

S

Charles Schlarbaum (bandleader), George Scott (animal trainer, comedy), Galla Shawn (Mary Gallagher) (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc.), Charles "Chuck" Sidlow (Clown), Charlie Smith (train master), Mabel Stark (cat trainer(English/American) An trainer or presenter of wild cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, etc.), Starless Night (high schoolA display of equestrian dressage by a rider mounting a horse and leading it into classic moves and steps. (From the French: Haute école) horse), Tony Steele (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)), The Stephenson Family (animal trainers), Wilson (Willie) Storey (circus manager, talent agent)

T

Dieter Tasso (juggler), The Theron Family (bicycle act), Franz "Tihany" Czeisler (magician, circus owner and producer), Massimiliano Truzzi (juggler)

U

Unus (Franz Furtner) (hand-balancer), Victoria "La Toria" Unus (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc.)

V

Pat Valdo (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team., company manager), Ciff Vargas (circus owner and producer), Roberto de Vasconcellos (equestrian), Miguel Vazquez (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze))

W

Cedric Walker (circus owner and producer), The Wallenda Troupe (highwire), Carla Wallenda (highwire), Jenny Wallenda (highwire), Nik Wallenda (highwire), Tino Wallenda (highwire), Ward-Bell Flyers (flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)), Rex Williams (elephant trainer), Dime Wilson Family (clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team., aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc., animal trainers), Hans Winn (thrill actA spectacular act that focuses on the display of danger, whether real or staged. producer), Tina Winn (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc.), May Wirth (equestrienneA female equestrian, or horse trainer, horse presenter, or acrobat on horseback.), Buckles and Barbara Woodcock (elephant trainers)

Y

The Yong Brothers (hand-balancers)

Z

The Zacchinis (human cannonballs), Jacqueline Zerbini (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc., cat trainer(English/American) An trainer or presenter of wild cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, etc.), Jean "Tarzan" Zerbini (cat trainer(English/American) An trainer or presenter of wild cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, etc., circus owner and producer), Sylvia Zerbini (aerialistAny acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc., equestrienneA female equestrian, or horse trainer, horse presenter, or acrobat on horseback.), Alberto Zoppe (equestrian, circus owner)

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