Circus Vargas comes to town
By: LORELL FLEMING - Staff Writer
Shows set for Temecula, Perris, Hemet, Lake Elsinore | ∞
It's that time again. The circus is coming to Southwest County.
Circus Vargas is scheduled to bring its big-top tent and family-oriented entertainment to Lake Elsinore, Temecula, Perris and Hemet over the next several weeks.
In addition to the clowns, trapeze acts and the like, Circus Vargas has some new acts and performances -- such as "Snake Whisperer" Ted McRae and his Burmese albino python, trained dogs and cats and gyrating trampoline jumpers, Circus Vargas spokeswoman Joan Hart said.
"We are aiming to be the best traditional circus under the big top in America today," Hart added. "We want to give the public a quality show."
Lake Elsinore shows will be in the parking lot of The Diamond baseball stadium Wednesday through Sept. 23. Perris shows will be at Perris Boulevard and the Ramona Expressway Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. The Temecula shows will be at Lake Skinner Oct. 11-15, with Hemet shows at the intersection of Florida and Palm avenues Oct. 18-22.
Circus Vargas was started in 1969 by Clifford Vargas. After Vargas died in 1989, Roland Kaiser and Joseph Muscarello took over the business until they retired in 2003.
At that point, the Flying Tabares -- a trapeze artist group that performed for Circus Vargas for many years -- formed Tabares Entertainment and restarted the business.
The alliance between the Flying Tabares group and Circus Vargas eventually became more intertwined. Tabares trapeze artist Nelson Quiroga of Argentina met and married juggler and seventh-generation circus performer Katya Arata Quiroga in 1993 after four years of working in the show. They've been married for about 14 years, Hart said. The couple is expecting their third child.
"Katya is the stepdaughter of Roland Kaiser," Hart added. "Katya joined the Flying Tabares act after she joined the family."
Katya Quiroga said taking over Circus Vargas was an easy decision for her and her husband to make.
"It has been an opportunity to have our own business and to have my family working together again," she added. "We want to give people that sense of family in our show. We even greet people as they come to Circus Vargas and when they leave. We want our audience to feel special."
For more information about Circus Vargas -- including times, and how to purchase tickets, call (877) 468-3861 or go to www.circusvargas.org.
-- Contact staff writer Lorell Fleming at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2621, or at lfleming@californian.com.
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Gina wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:15 AM:Using animals in circuses is an unnecessary and inhumane practice that's harmful to both the animals and the public. Unlike the human performers who choose to work in circuses, exotic animals are forced to take part in the show. They are involuntary actors in a degrading, unnatural spectacle. While many people associate the circus with "safe, wholesome, family fun" — an association promoted aggressively by the circus PR machine — the truth is much darker. Government inspection reports reveal ongoing mistreatment of animals in circuses, as well as failures to provide the basic minimal standards of care required by law. Animals used in circuses have been injured and killed, and have injured and killed humans. Circuses that exploit animals make lofty claims about their "educational" value and their contributions to "conservation." But the real message that these circuses send to children is that it's acceptable to abuse animals for amusement and profit. Please do not encourage attendance at these SAD events.
Modern wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:59 AM:I saw this circus a few years back and it was really bad. Ringling Bros. is much better.
Logan wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:53 PM:The circus industry does not abuse animals. Circus Vargas only has dogs, horses, and a couple snakes and anybody who has dogs or horses will tell you that you can train them without abuse. Further more the scientific industry as well as several animal welfare organizations support animals in circuses. For example Professor Ted Friend of the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University actually found that animals 'perk up' before they go into the ring. A recent investigation by the Finger Lakes Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found "positive care of elephants by circus employees during the event." So please don't let the fear of animal abuse prevent you from going to see the circus, because there is no animal abuse there.
Laura wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:04 PM:I think the message sent to kids is to have a good time, watch skilled trapeze artists who work hard at their craft, see a few elephants walk around a couple times, and learn new things. Some elephants get eaten and killed in africa by poachers, wonder if they would have rather been in the circus? I dont think its great for the elephants, but how do you explain to kids that its NOT okay to make elephants walk around in circles and stand on a ball, but its totally ok to slaughter cows and chickens so we can go to McDonalds... Hopefully Gina is a vegetarian. I myself love hamburgers, chicken and the circus. God gave us beasts to eat, to help with our work, to be our companions, and even to entertain. Lighten up.
People Eating Tasty Animals wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:12 PM:I LOVE the circus! Lions and tiger and bears. Welcome to Temecula Circus Vargas and please just ignore those pesky animal "rights" activists.
Nikki wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:34 PM:My comment is in reply to Gina. You make it sound as though these animals are plucked from the wild and taken into circus. These animals have been in captivity for generations and are trained in similar methods to domestic dogs ie. food rewards for good behaviour. Many circus animals are used in the film industry should we ban films with animals? Horseracing is entertainment should we ban that? Its food for thought.
Katya wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:02 AM:Circus Vargas is a fantastic 2 hour family friendly performance, fun for all ages,and has amazing international acts! Gina,before you write a comment on the use of exotic performing animals you should check to see if they have any exotic animals first!Modern, if you saw Circus Vargas several years ago, it was under different ownership, it is completely and totally all new and exciting for 2007!We are glad you like Ringling though, it is also a great show!
I saw the clowns! wrote on Sep 21, 2007 7:46 AM:Oh, wait. That was the Temecula city council.
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