Through the years we've learned about the Ringlings, Lobster Boy and other local claims to circus fame and infamy. Learn more by watching The Circus is Coming to Town, a rare behind-the-scenes look at the origins of the circus, its Florida connections and continuing legacy.
The series delves into Florida's circus shows as well as the experiences of living performers. Deborah Walk, the Ringling’s Circus Museum Tibbals Curator, breaks down the long and fruitful relationship between Tampa Bay and the Circus.
Bill Powell and David Kiser, senior executives with Feld Entertainment Inc., owners of Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey, talk about the economics, practice and organization today. Peggy Williams shares her life’s work as one of the first female graduates of Clown College to her current position as the Circus’ Education Outreach Manager.
Internationally famous trapeze artists Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Ries share their stories as performers and how they're carrying on the legacy of the circus with their school, Circus Sarasota.
This program is cooperative program of the Tampa Bay History Center and USF’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The television series is based upon these lectures produced by TBAE Network. It does not, sadly, delve into animal rights issues, an ongoing controversy that has had an impact on public perception of and nostalgia for Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus and other circuses with animal acts. But as a history/cultural lesson goes, The Circus is Coming to Town should offer some illuminating historical tidbits on a local and regional cultural tradition.
If you miss an episode and want to catch up, reruns are scheduled soon. Episodes will be added to TBAE's On-Demand library just as the network did with its series Characters of Ybor City, according to spokesperson Jessica Sturges. "It truly is a great program and the collaboration between OLLI, TBHC, and TBAE has been so wonderful," she adds.
The Tampa Bay Arts & Education Channel is on Bright House 614 and Verizon 32.
This article appears in Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2015.