Ch. 7 Germans
The owners of the classic circus got rich by exploiting people, animals, and talent. John Ringling was the Musk/Zuckerberg of his day. The modern circus is also exploitive. When an artist performs an act for Ringling/Feld Entertainment, they have to sign over the rights to the act. While I was touring with Ringling, I was able to watch the incredible Quiros perform the Leap of Life. Roberto Quiros would leap over three relatives sitting on the high wire with no net 30 feet off the ground.
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In 2007, Wolfgang choreographed an act I directed for the American Youth Circus Festival at Illinois State University. This act is flawless—17 kids performed together at their highest level, not a single juggling ring dropped.
Jesse Suttles’ Eye Opening Experience, New Life Plans
OMG! This place is amazing! I just wish I could bring all my family and friends and bring them here for good. I never thought it would be possible to have an experience like this. For crying out loud, my career choice has always been to be a Navy SEAL. But now that I have been here in Rappenhof, Germany and attended eye widening classes like partner acrobatics, lyra, juggling, and much more, I have officially decided to make circus my career choice.” – Jesse Suttles, Ludlow Kentucky
When it came time for the World Wheel Championships, a global competition in Wolfgang’s specialty act, we wanted to bring the games to Cincinnati. I enlisted my uncle Rick, a football coach for Mount Saint Joseph University, across the river on Cincinnati’s west side, and we applied to bring the games to the USA.
The powers-that-be for the IRV (International Wheel Federation) is based in Switzerland, and, just like bidding for a mini-Olympics, we had to submit a video and loads of paperwork to them. We won the bid and welcomed 300 coaches and athletes from 15 countries. The impact of tourism on this region/nation was immense. It ricocheted across the country, generating millions for the USA as visitors to the games worked in side trips to the Grand Canyon, Hollywood, Manhattan, Miami, and beyond.
Tate West spent her Junior year in high school at CircArtive School, a fully accredited circus high school. I posed the question to Tate. I cannot drop everything and head to Germany for two weeks. Tate enthusiastically said, “YES, I want to go!” Tate was the lead on this trip to Germany.
Tate was the first in her family to fly on an airplane when we toured to CircArtive in 2014. Read her blog: Join the Circus… See the World…
Ludlow no longer qualifies for IGJD help. Ultimately, the Germans and all the artists contributed to the ultimate #CreativeClass development in Ludlow. The property reinsurance firm, Insurify, culled data from 48 states (all but Hawaii and West Virginia) to see the hottest residential market from 2010-2020. Ludlow performed best in all of Kentucky; now, we have many food options. Ludlow’s schools are ranked at the top in Kenton County.
