Posted 4/5/2004 9:29:38 PM by Webmaster
News from Clifford Johnson viewed 1186 times
Monday, April 05, 2004 - Jacksonville, Florida article
There are not enough words to describe the brilliant show that Producers Kimball Keller and John Winn debuted in Jacksonville, Florida this past weekend.
“Galaxy of Thrills”
Jacksonville, Florida March 25- 28, 2004
There are not enough words to describe the brilliant show that Producers Kimball Keller and John Winn debuted in Jacksonville, Florida this past weekend. The Galaxy of Thrills was the most comprehensive culmination of Daredevil and aerial thrill acts ever combined. Kimball and John went after the best of the best in an endeavor to produce the World’s largest thrill show including such names as The Winn’s, The Nocks, The Uria’s, The Frisco’s, David Daniels, Bill Brown, Dave “The Bullet” Smith, The XFM Extreme Team Motorcycle jumpers and Many others.
In all my years as a circus fan, I have never seen anything this grand including The Greatest Show on Earth. The entire show theme seemed to encompass a ride like no other; the show started at one level and kept climbing right until the end. I could not believe that the audience was actually standing on their feet before the last two acts were finished. The audience seemed to be thrilled throughout the entire show constantly screaming, yelling and jumping up and down.
The show lineup went as follow: The announcer, Kimball Keller delivered the pre-show announcements and invited everyone to sit back and relax as he was about to take them on a Galactic Journey like no other. After the National Anthem was sung, and the overture was played Kimball then introduced the “Galaxy of Thrills” and then pointed skyward to the Lovely Miss Tina Winn and her slide for life. Tina slid by her neck down a cable that had to be some 200 feet long trailing a large piece of brightly colored material. After she finished we were given a brief introduction to the two stuntmen perched high above the thrill show area some 50 feet. When ready, David Daniels and Bill Brown lit themselves on fire, and after being fully engulfed dove off the tower into their waiting airbags. Extremely impressive to see such courageous daredevils, as you might see in the movies. The audience was then given a brief look at the Extreme jumpers, they came roaring out of nowhere on little Honda XR 50 minis, then the heavy metal 250s, they launched themselves off the take off ramp jumping some 70 feet into the air and performing the most bizarre stunts one could imagine. Kimball promised they would be back in the second half of the show. These are the type riders that you would see on ESPN or the X Games. The riders left the thrill show front and right away Kimball took us to The Motorcycle on the Wire with The Winn family. The Winn’s performed incredible stunts over 60 feet off the ground on a roaring motorcycle including the trick where they spun the entire motorcycle and trapeze around the wire, apparently they performed this feat for the opening of “Epcot” Disney in Orlando. John got the crowd going as he prepared for his last stunt, a headstand while the motorcycle rolled backwards down the cable, as it appeared to be out of control. Kimball then took us right away to three very large aliens from Africa The Frisco Elephants. I had never seen the Frisco elephants or their operation before, but I have to say they have quite a presentation in the ring as well as the rest of their operation. Their entire animal area was extremely clean and inviting. The Worlds largest petting zoo is just that, what a combination of animals they carry. The tiger display is quite impressive as well.
Next came the sway poles with Michelangelo Nock and David Daniels, over some 70 feet in the air. From what I understand this is one of the most dangerous acts in this business today. You could not tell that from the death defying performance they gave including a mid air exchange from one pole to the other.
Following the sway poles came a pitch for show times and the usual stuff then onto the beautiful and talented Miss Ashley Winn and her Hula Hoop Magic. It has to be in the blood, as she is definitely has the flare and showmanship. What a role model she is for the children in the audience.
Next came the double wheels of Destiny with Michelangelo Nock and Hans-Peter Winn, what flash and flare they gave the crowd. Both of these guys put on one heck of a performance both inside the wheel and outside, jump roping then walking blindfolded and finally faster and faster to the applause of the crowd. This writer has seen smaller wheels, but these two gigantic wheels at “show front” really made the show. One could certainly tell that these, as well as all the other performers were the cream of the crop.
Making her debut here in Jacksonville; Galaxy Girl, I have to say Wow……….she is billed as America’s newest sports super hero, and let me tell you she has to be. She climbed a giant ladder high into the sky some 80 feet, as if that wasn’t enough. After completing a gymnastic routine on a trapeze without a net or other safety equipment, she asked the audience if they wanted her to go higher, she then went to the top of a sway pole space station which was over 130 feet up in the beautiful afternoon blue sky to finish her routine. The announcer asked the audience to hold their applause until she reached the safe confines of the Earths surface. I could hear the people around me gasping for air. What an indescribable presentation, you just have to see her. Galaxy Girl closed the first half of the show, which led us to a 20-minute intermission.
Intermission was also packed with lots to do, including the Worlds largest free petting zoo, elephant rides, pony rides, a tattoo booth, souvenir photos with the monkey from The Doctor Doolittle Movie “ Wilson”, food, beer, novelties and last, but not least helicopter rides in a French Alloutte.
The second half opened with the song “Born to Be Wild”, Kimball Keller welcomed everyone back and immediately went right into the Globes of Death featuring the Nerveless Nocks and The Urias Globe Riders. Throughout the presentation both families pushed the envelope for the crowd. Both started with one rider: First in for the Urias Riders was Irwin. Then in for the Nocks, Israel after this run, The Nocks introduced the Worlds youngest daredevil in the globe, 5-year-old Cyrus Nock, the crowd went crazy as he took his bike around the globe. Next Kimball asked the crowd if they wanted to turn it up a notch. The Urias Riders brought a second bike in, as well as Miss Ashley Winn to stand in the middle of the their Globe, The Nocks brought in Carolina, both stood there with screaming motorcycles only inches from her head.
It was hard to believe that she show had more to offer, but just when you thought it could not get any louder or faster Kimball surprised us. The Next to follow were the Extreme Jumpers, out of nowhere came the XR50 Honda Minis and not far behind them roared the big bikes, the 250 heavy metals. All the bikes made several passes then the big bikes went right to the takeoff ramp and gave a us a taste of what was to come. The crowd went nuts and jumped to their feet. Kimball was assisted with the announcing by one of the XFM Extreme Riders Narrators, he explained what the jumpers were doing. Each trick had its own unique name and one could definitely see why. The ramp launched them into the air some 70 feet at which point the riders would hang off the bikes in impossible positions. Some names included a cliffhanger, heart attack, scorpion and more. The Narrator asked the guys to come show front, and talk to the audience about what they were doing. The riders were extremely professional and thanked the audience for coming out to see them. The riders must have jumped for 20 minutes building higher and tougher tricks the entire time. When the riders were finished Kimball sent them off and then brought them back for an encore at which time the audience stood and roared for more. What a send off!
Last, but not least to close the show, Kimball asked the audience if they knew what the net was for to his right, he then asked if they saw that big red white and blue cannon at the other end of the field. The audience screamed in anticipation, as they knew what was about to happen. Kimball then introduced the current world record holder for the longest human cannonball shot, currently in the Guinness Book of World Records at over 181 feet. Kimball said, “Please welcome Dave “The Bullet” Smith. The crowd could not have been any louder and once again stood to their feet. After making last minute checks of his net and rigging he made a pass in front of show center encouraging the fans. He then made his way to the cannon to prepare for his shot. Dave climbed the barrel and then disappeared after a final salute to the audience and Kimball. Kimball asked that people to cover the ears of any small children, he then asked for help counting backwards from 5. Once the signal was given, the countdown started, with a loud bang, Dave “The Bullet” Smith sailed across the show center and into the net. The Audience went absolutely crazy. Kimball gave Daves’ final introduction and then proceeded to ask the audience what they thought of “The Galaxy of Thrills” after a standing ovation he thanked them on behalf of himself and his partner John Winn for coming out and hoped to see them all again.
I have to tell the readers that this was like no other show I have ever seen and for those that think the circus is dying. Don’t believe that for a minute………these guys brought back my childhood memories of action packed shows in the Midwest. At a time when shows are closing and falling by the wayside these guys came up with a concept that is innovative and creative and will carry them far. A special thanks to Producer Kimball Keller and Associate Producer John Winn for allowing me access to the performers and backstage. Also a very special thanks to Michael Valley and Mike Donohoe for their quick thinking when one of the fire diver daredevils suffered 2nd degree burns during the one of the shows that I attended, had it not been for their immediate reaction the burns could have been much worse. One last, best wish to Melvin Urias who I understand had to have stitches after a crash in the globe on the last day. This just goes to show you that this is an extremely dangerous business with the highest caliber of professionals. Thank you for bringing us the best of the best!
Sincerely,
Mr. Clifford Johnson
Circus Fan
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