Robin's shirt reads "Keep Staring, I Might Do a Trick".
It's Elmo's World, the rest of us just live in it.
Jackie upon learning that he was the only one who'd be doing full whiteface.
Jackie
Barry in Repose
Elmo Gibb, King of the Ring
Toby Circus Ballantine witha Coco tribute of his own, on high stilts during come-in
Toby with Henrietta
Karen, Robin and Barry's expressions as I explain to them that we aren't getting paid for this.
Elmo Gibb
Jackie LeClaire
Barry "Bonzo" DeChant
Robin "Rusty the Handyman" Eurich
Karen Bell
Barry Phillips
Jackie had them eating out of the palm of his hand trom the very moment that he stepped into the ring. Never underestimate an audience's response (especially a Sarasota audience) to a honest-to-goodness three ring circus clown!
Karen Bell steps out
Toby yanking the long shirt off of Elmo
Like I said, I don't think that I've seen a long shirt longer or better made than the one Toby has
Smile, style and then profile as all clown exit running
Jackie and Robin
Another shot of everyone with the Coco tribute board that Graham had left to be placed in the lobby.
Rehearsing the clown car, Saturday morning. We had limited time in the ring to get things up and running with a group that either had never done a clown car before or hadn't done one in at least 20 years. Elmo took the lead and was instrumental at bringing all the elements together quickly.
Karen, Elmo, me and Robin. Elmo and I spent the summer teaching together.
International Clown Hall of Famer Jackie LeClaire with Barry Phillips and Karen Bell.
A Coco hat sat on the end of the wardrobe rack for the first show. It was later moved
The wardrobe rack for the 2009 Showfolks Circus Clown Alley, the
Barry Phillips and Robin Eurich fell in love and were married backstage. It's hard to believe but their union is still not recognized in 47 of the 50 states. Barry's rainbow colored pants will be flown when they proudly march hand-in-hand at this year's Pride Parade.
Toby Circus Ballantine, Jackie LeClaire, Barry Phillips and Elmo Gibb.
Circus legends and friends of clownalley.net, Sue and Rudy Lenz with Barry Phillips
Elmo getting into Toby Ballantine's long shirt, the best I've ever seen!
Me talking with Carlos Swenson, a fellow survivor of the Ringling 129th.
Stepping out of the clown car with assistance from Jackie
Barry Phillips (who stands 11' 7") stepping out just before putting
Me, Mike Naughton, Elmo and Karen Bell at the Showfolks Club after the show.MORE TO COME!
My pals Andrew Scharff and Steve Copeland join in the Coco tributes with this
HOTTO
One element of the circus continues to terrorize adults to this day, and that’s coulrophobia, the fear of clowns. Thanks to horror films like Killer Klowns From Outer Space and Stephen King’s It, the “Bozo Syndrome” doesn’t fade; it intensifies. So if smiling-face makeup makes you shiver, you’ll feel relieved to know that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ latest show, Illuscination, involves much more then multiple clown demons spawning from a small car. The new act features magic and illusions from David DaVinci, an “illuscinator” from Orlando.
Your eyes will be fixated on this modern-day Houdini as he attempts to escape a straitjacket while suspended over a den of lions. Astonishing acrobats and aerialists will fly over your head. Asian Elephants will parade under the big top in majestic glory for your enjoyment — unless, of course, you also suffer from pachydermophia (the fear of elephants); then there’s no help for you.
Find the South Florida Fairgrounds at 9067 Southern Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Tickets start at $15. The circus runs until December 28. Call 561-798-3247, or visit ringling.com.
Wed., Dec. 23, 7 p.m., 2009
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT
MR. SAUER DIRECTLY VIA HIS EMAIL.
I'm guessing it was circa 1959, before Coco was with Ringling... I had seen five years worth of Ringling shows and had the clown pages of the RBB&B programs thoroughly memorized. I thought I "knew" clowns. Then my dad took me to see the Mills Bros. Circus. Mike came out on tall stilts, so tall he was touching the tent top of the tent. WOW!!!
Then, on that verrry cooold September night, he did a water gag that doused him with gallons of water! I was sure he'd catch pneumonia but I thought, "Now THAT'S a CLOWN!"
DALE LONGMIRE
Dale Alan Longmire, 59, of Sarasota, Fla., died on Dec. 11, 2009, at Ridgelake Hospital, following an extended illness.
He was born Feb. 23, 1950, son of Rose and the late Ed Longmire.
Dale graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1968. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1972. He fell in love with the circus when he was five years old. The circus was his one ambition and after graduating from college, he sent an application to Ringling Bros. Clown College. Out of 3,000 applicants, he was one of 50 chosen to attend. He traveled throughout the United States, performing in many cities. He also performed in New York at Madison Square Garden. He designed the costumes he wore. Just recently, an anonymous circus fan sent an email stating Dale was a beautiful clown and had the most beautiful costumes he had ever seen. He also performed with Vargas, Bently Brothers and recently worked for Walker Brothers Circus in Sarasota, where he was the office manager. He was a lifetime member of First Methodist Church in Parkersburg.
He will be sadly missed, not only by his family and friends in Parkersburg, but his wonderful adopted "family" in the circus world.
Dale was preceded in death by his father, Ed Longmire.
Surviving are his mother, Rose; a brother and sister, Tom Longmire of Parkersburg and Linda Mason and husband, Mike, of Knoxville, Tenn.; one nephew, Tommy Mason and his daughters, Sidney and Shea of Knoxville, Tenn.; one niece, Rebecca Mason and her daughter, Shelby of Knoxville; uncles, Reese Blizzard of Parkersburg and Wayne and his wife, Jackie Longmire; and cousins, Christine and Bruce Wilson, Jenny and Mike Knotts, Joe and John Longmire.
There will be a visitation from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at Leavitt Funeral Home. Services will be 3 p.m. Friday. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery with Dr. Tim Allen officiating.
After the first of the year, a memorial service will be held in Sarasota, Fla., at "Showfolks" where he was president for two years.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.leavittfuneralhome.com
After a brave battle and a long illness, the world lost Dale Longmire last Friday morning.Dale was a fixture on the Red Unit, Circus Vargas and Bentley Bros. Circus for many years. He designed and produced the spec for Vargas while he was there, making it the ritziest tent show on the road since TGSOE folded its tent back in '56. I never once saw Dale not be 100% professional--immaculate, flashy wardrobe, perfect make-up, huge stage presence. After Richard Mann left RBBB, Dale was the center pole of spec, and really knew how to work it. I worked with him a few times at the Sarasota Circus Festival and the Gibsonton Showmens Club Circus.
Dale started his long battle with cancer when he was about 16 years old back in his hometown of Parkersburg, WV. He was determined not to let it rule his life. See if you can get hold of Bruce Gutilla to get some good stories of Dale.
The clowns of the 2009 Showfolks Circus in Sarasota holding a memorial picture board that was placed in the lobby. On the upper corner of the board I placed the Coco hat that I'd brought with me. Originally it rested in a place of honor on the wardrobe rack in the Alley.
My Coco tribute as Santa.
Toto Johnson and Wayne Weems at their show in Iowa this past weekend.
I'm flying down to Sarasota tomorrow morning to perform in the annual Showfolks Circus at the Robarts Arena on Saturday. Showtime are at 2:00 and 7:00 PM.
Yesterday also marked the 14th anniversary of the passing of beloved Master Clown,
The 29th anniversary of the death of John Lennon
And, on a happier note, yesterday also marked the 79th birthday of brilliant satirist, Buck Henry.
And the 111th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Emmett Kelly.
How short and precious life really is.
Yesterday I saw an email that made reference to a small plane crash just outside of Tampa. Within the article I saw a name that I knew, and my heart sank.
Dave Berman was my juggling instructor in Clown College, as well as a friend for many more years following my circus days. He was a full-time performer for many years, and then decided to settle into Sarasota, Florida, as a UPS driver. Some years back he took up flying, and purchased a small plane, flying it successfully many times.
Witnesses said they heard sputtering as the plane was taking off yesterday, and the plane then nosedived to the ground, flipping onto its top. When rescuers arrived on the scene, both people in the plane were pronounced dead. Dave was only a couple of years older than me.
- Don Bursell
Clown College photo from 1982MICHAEL “Coco” POLAKOVS, 86, of Catlettsburg, Ky., husband of Hazel Fannin Polakovs, died Sunday in Kings Daughters Medical Center. He was a professional circus clown, “Coco” notably with Ringling Brothers. Funeral service 1 p.m. Friday, Neal Funeral Home, Catlettsburg; burial at Rose Hill Burial Park, Ashland, Ky. Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to East Fork United Methodist Church Building Fund, 20100 State Route 3, Rush, KY 41168.
By David Polakovs
Michael “COCO” Polakovs, 86, of Catlettsburg, Kentucky, passed from this life Sunday to that great center ring in the sky, December 6, 2009 at Kings Daughters Medical Center.
Michael was born February 23, 1923 in Riga, Latvia. He was the son of the late Nicolai and Valentina Novikoff Polakovs. Michael was a professional circus clown for nearly 80 years. COCO is a third generation Russian circus clown, who achieved his fame in England where the family came while he was a youth. He was associated wit the Bertam Mills and Billy Smart Circuses in England, which later included tours of Europe. He came to the U.S. in 1953 to work for a limited time with the Mills Brothers Circus, before returning to England. COCO later joined Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus 8 years as advance man and goodwill ambassador. He developed several classic clown routines. He later became an independent working clown, sometimes acting as an advance performer with similar shows. Additionally Michael was a member of Greenhill Masonic Lodge 521.
Michael leaves behind Hazel Fannin Polakovs, his loving wife of 49 years, and six children, Graham Ahrhart, Sarasota Fl., Patty Dale Dalton her husband Perry Dalton, Ashland, Ky., Byron Laird, Pippa Pass, Ky., Bruce Laird, Ashland, Ky., Michelle Polakovs, Catlettsburg, Ky., and David Polakovs his life partner, Wayne Houck San Francisco, Ca., Five grandchildren Mike Ahrhart, Melody Dalton Hogsten, Christopher Dalton, Stephanie Laird Maynard and Amanda Laird, fivegreat-grandchildren, Emma Dalton, Kayla Rice, Cole Maynard, and Alex Ahrhart, and a sister Olga Kerr of England.
Preceeded in death by three sisters and one brother.
A funeral ceremony to honor the extraordinary life of COCO will be conducted Friday December 11, 1PM at Neal Funeral Home, Center Street in Catlettsburg. A message of inspiration will be offered by Pastor Richie Gindlesperger and Donnie McKenzie. Final rest at Rose Hill Burial Park, Masonic Rites will follow committal. Those wishing to call on the Polakovs family may do so Thursday evening from 6PM until 8PM and one hour prior to service time on Friday.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to East Fork United Methodist Church Building fund, 20100 State Route 3, Rush, Ky. 41168.
