Circus vargas
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Circus Vargas is an American Circus based in California. It was built on the premise to bring an old time circus to everyone; currently it has been billed as one of the world’s biggest traveling circuses still using a canvas tent. Owned and operated by Tabares Entertainment; the circus currently produces bi-lingual bus and truck circus shows, in English and Spanish throughout the western United States.
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[edit] History
In the mid-1960’s Clifford E Vargas began laying the foundation that would lead not only to his recognition but also to his domination of the world of circus.
Vargas’ mission to rejuvenate the Big Top was undoubtedly influenced by his childhood fascination with the circus. He was a frequent spectator at circuses that every year visited his hometown of Livermore, California, where his Portuguese-descended family maintained a farm. Vargas began as the ticket seller, doorman and ringmaster. During his life with the circus he transformed it into a three ring spectacular, traveling the world and competing with the best of the best, all the while in old circus style canvas tents.
After the death of Clifford Vargas in 1989, Roland Kaiser and Joseph Muscarello, both longtime friends of Vargas and management executives with the show, joined forces and took the reins of America’s Favorite Big Top Circus. Through their tenure, there was many obstacles, rising cost, and declining attendance where just a few. There where numerous animal cruelty during this decade, some site changing management attitudes while others say the more educated circus (and zoo) goers attitude about animal care spurred these complaints. Kaiser and Muscarello where instrumental in transformed the circus into a more intimate one ring ‘European style’ circus. They continued running the circus until they retired in 2003. It was then the Circus went on hiatus looking for a buyer. Two years later the Tabares Family stepped in and have been running Circus Vargas ever since.
Clifford E Vargas had discovered brothers Nelson and Alberto during a trip to Argentina while looking for talent for his 20th anniversary show. When Vargas saw the brothers standing ovation performance they where hired on the spot. The Tabares brothers went on to spend three seasons with the circus, where Nelson met and married seventh generation circus performer Katya Tabares.
When the Tabares family heard of the closing of Circus Vargas, the circus that launched their career, they where truly saddened. They became US citizens and launched Tabares productions to become the new proud owners of Circus Vargas. During their tenure they have brought back the family friendly feeling of the show, as well as steering away from wild animal acts and concentrating on the human spectacles.
[edit] Timeline
1972? Clifford E Vargas starts circus with two trucks and 8 animals, no tent
1972? Acquired (possibly overtaken) Miller Johnson Circus
1974 New Orleans disaster, flooding, high winds, elephants lost, trucks broken
1976 100 Cities 35000 miles, 17508 Sq Ft Tent, 22 Acts, 33 trucks 160 employees, 9 elephants, 8 Andalusian horses, worth over 1 million
1980 Start of the three-ring circus?
1984 World Tour?
1987 Start of Decline Planned 175 City tour, only pans out to 99 Cities
1989 Clifford E Vargas Dies
1989 Ronald Kaiser (Concessions Manager) and Joseph Muscarello (GM) Take over
1989 Circus goes from three rings to a traditional European 1 ring, a more intimate affair from an idea of Ronald Kaiser
2003 Ronald and Joseph retire
2004 On Hiatus
2005 On Hiatus
2006 Tabares Family Takes Over
[edit] Incidents
1974 New Orleans disaster, flooding, high winds, elephants lost, trucks broken
1979 Minnie (Elephant) dies of old age in Thousand Oaks at Vet
1983 Trainer attacked by bear while attempting to feed it
1985 Candy Clark was bitten in the leg by a tiger
1986 Sandy Dobritch's trailer, which caught fire from electrical wires
1988 2 Chimps die from carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty heater
1989 Humane Society Animal Abuse / Neglect / no water for chimps / confined conditions for animals
1993 Lion Attacks trainer
1994 USDA Fine failure to maintain vet care / TB test / shade / records / transport vehicles / itinerary
1995 USDA Fine Failure to submit an itinerary
1995 Employees Using Drugs Charges
1995 USDA Fine Failure to provide proper care for animals / vet care
1996 Hadie Dies during dental appointment. (Elephant)
1996 Joyce Dies in transport to vet. (Elephant)
1996 USDA Fine Elephant Welfare / TB Quarantine
1999 USDA Fine (Failure to have vet program)
2000 USDA Fine Elephant Welfare
2001 USDA Fine (no Documents)
When reading this, it is important to note, no spectators have ever been hurt from a incident in the 30+ years of Circus Vargas, nor has there ever been a human fatality. Also note all cases of animal mishandling happened during a management change, Furthermore the current management does not show wild animals.
[edit] TV / Movies
"The Nick Cannon Show" (2002) ... Circus Location, Circus Set
"Dismissed" (2001) ... Circus Location
"Super club de los tigritos, El" (1999) ... Circus Artists And Location
Side Show (1981) (TV) ... Circus Location
[edit] Management
Clifford E Vargas, Joe Muscarello (VP and GM), Jack Bailey (VP and locations director),
[edit] Performers
Ring Masters Luis Rivera, Jon Weiss, Tommy Baker, Ted McRae, Smokey, Joey Pon,
Acrobat The Pharoahs, Jonny Luxem, Tibi and Eva, The Platos, Pete and Petrova, Cinthia Anton, Roberto Anton, Patrick Marinelli, Marinellis, Katya Quiroga, Espana, Italos, Pat Anthony, Fornasaris, Beckman, Cristianis,
Ariel Acrobat Giovanni Anastssini, Gladis Anastasini Elena Shochina, Lyudwig Shochina, Gala Shawn, Oscar Macias, Great Vashek, Oscar Tabares, Josue Tabares, Alberto Tabares, Patricia Tabares, Nelson Quiroga, Katya Aeata, Mirna Anton, Guzman, Camadi, Morales, Ayak, Kathleen, Bill Bannister, Tracy Bannister, Donna Wilson, Joanne Wilson,
Bears Doris Naughtin
Big Cats Stacy Lacey, Alan Gold, David Polk, Pat Anthony,
Contortionist Miss Stephanie (Antons)
Clown Billy McCable, Dale Longmire, George Clyatt, Bruce L Warner, Bruce Gutilla, Torreblaca, Veekay the Clown, Scott Parker, Italo Fornsari, George Cliat, Victor, Diamond Jim Parker,
Children Sole Anton, Maxi Anton, Tony, Beau (kid clown), Luke (kid clown), Princess Stephanie, Nicole (the living doll), Emanuel Anton, Dima Shochina,
Domestic Animals Vladimir Kopaev, Trudy Strong, Astillita Junior,
Elephants Rex Williams, Kenneth Arthurs, Leon, Bert Pettus, Lee Keener, Walt King, Barbara King, Sandy Dobritch, Ted Polk,
Freak Show Jesus Chuy Aceves, Miss Delilah, El Diablo The Blockhead,
Horses Miss Mariela, Nelson Qurioga, Trudy Strong, Billy Baker, Dory Miller,
Juggling Robby Rethy JR, Matthew Esqueda, Jordon Esquenda, Dorian Esqueda, Fernande, Osmani, Martin,
Menagerie Chip Arthurs, Mr Polk, Bill Strong, Ivanov, Falcons, Roberto,
Motorcycles Starlord’s
Reptiles Ted McRae
Vargettes Kitty, Darlene, Vanessa Thomas, Dionne Paray, Zizi Macaggi, Tracy Kim Mayo, Kathy Braa, Ninette, Kari,
Others Fornasakis, Maria Moria, Peter Luvas, Tepa & Tavana, The Dam brothers, Anita Vargas, Dos Santos, Grorge Bruno,
[edit] Support Staff
Production Dione Thompson (Choreographing), Dale Longmire (Production Coordinator), Jerry Braa (Musical Director), Hedy Jo Starr (Costumes), Mariam Espana (Wardrobe),
Accounting Tony Jenkins (Operations Controller), Eva Yingling (Accounting), Jeanette Yingling (Payroll),
Office Mary Braa (Box Office), Esmerelda Rodriguez (Front Door Superintendent), Cindy Miller (Marketing),
Catering Roland Kaiser (Concessions Manager), Peter Kinosh (Assistant Concession Manager),
Operations Scott Benedict (Operations), Frank Feaier (General Superintendent), Guy Pickup (Property Superintendent), Raul Lantony (Electrical), Mike Gorman (Advance),
Tents Tom Larson (Tent master), Jim Palmer (Assistant Tent master), Cesar Mendoza (Tents), Jesus Fajardo (Tents), Vittorio Arrata (Tents),
Public Relations Douglas Lyon, Kenneth Bowsox, Gary Geweniger, Jerry Dignay,
[edit] Elephant Names
Anna May, Billie, Tiki, Colonel Joe, Tusko, Lisa, Benny, Baby ben, Ruby (Rafiki), Tusko (Sobik), Lottie, Gypsy, Minnie, Diamond (Zimbabwe), Rax (Bimbo, Barney), Colonel Joe (Dillinger), Minnie (2), Hattie (April), Sue, Kate (Katie), Booper (betty boop), Judy, Brat (Myakka, Cheerful), Gardner (Tarzan), Joyce, McClane (Gabriel),
[edit] Horse Names
Sonny, Big, Little, ?
[edit] Dog Names
Fleckles, Popeye (BTS Herding Dog), ?
[edit] Big Cat Names
?
[edit] Types of Animals
Black Maned Nubian Lions, Royal Bengal Tigers, Siberian Tigers, Appaloosa Stallions, Andalusian Horses, Syrian Bears, Chimps, Belgium Horse, Miniature Horse, Sheep Dogs, Goats, Llamas, Camels,
[edit] Tent Stats
Orange (70’s)
-17508 Square Feet
Blue 4 post (early 80’s)
-90000 Sq Ft
–4 56’ Main Poles
–37 Quarter Poles
–24478 Feet Cable and Rope
Red / Blue 4 post (90’s)
-90000 Sq Ft
Blue / Yellow Twin Goal Post (00’s)
-90000 Sq Ft
-500 Stakes
-4 Miles of Rope and Cable
-1500 People Capacity
-17 Tons
-30 Men X 7 Hours Setup
-Hand Made in Milan Italy
== Act Names: ==
National Anthem
The Worlds Largest Mixed Group of Lions and Tigers!
The Circus Vargas Clowns
“Can Can” Aerial Ballet featuring the Circus Vargas Vargettes
Mr Polk (Domiceries) – Trudys Dalmations – Mr Strong (Prancing Pony’s)
The Guzman / Camadi Duo (Hi wire)
The Italos (Gymnastics)
Ted Polk and Colonel Joe (Elephants)
Los Fernandes – The Osmini Sisters – The Martins (Juggling)
Ivanov Sisters – The Falcons – Roberto Troupe (Menagerie)
The Fornasaris – The Beckman Troupe – The Cristianis (Trampoline / Teeterboard)
The Flying Moralse – The Flying Fornasaris (Trapeze)
The Circus Vargas Liberty Horses
Maria Moria – Ayak Bros – Miss Kathleen (Aerialist)
The Starlords (Motorcycle)
The Circus Vargas Elephants trained by Rex Williams with the Vargettes
Finale
Kneisley Cradle Act (Banisters)
Perch Act
Wheel
Head Balancing Trapeze
Cloud Swing
Barrel
Bull Fighting
The Lyra (Aerobatics)
Snakes
Cubes
Roman Rings
Olympic High Bars
Bears on Bike
High Wire bike
Contortionist
Wheel of Death
Sword swallowing
[edit] Locations:
11559 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, CA 91605
223 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA
