By Mitch Traphagen
GIBSONTON - Grab some cotton candy and smell the sawdust under the big top. The memories come so thick and so fast that its impossible to not be a child at the circus.
That magic, the magic of the circus, is back in town. On Saturday, Jan. 11, the Gibsonton IISA Showmen's Circus will perform three shows under the big top. As in previous years, the proceeds of the circus will go to charity - most of which is in Hillsborough County.
It's easy to visualize. The elephants, the trapeze and high wire performers and the animal acts all come quickly to mind. It is impossible to visualize, however, without hearing the sounds of the circus band tying everything together.
According to Chris Christ of the International Independent Showmen's Association, many circuses don't even carry a band anymore. That, however, will not be the case with this weekend's Gibsonton circus. A full 16 piece band will perform under the direction of veteran conductor Charles Schlarbaum. Not even Ringling carries such a large band. "It will be the largest circus band in North America," said Christ.
Schlarbaum grew up in the business. He has seen it all, some of his stories probably could not be printed in the Observer. "I guess the best memory is having done it," Schlarbaum said. "You have your ups and you have your downs."
He is the consummate professional and has the experience to back it all up.
"I guess my hands fit a shovel pretty good," he said. "I learned this business from the bottom up." Schlarbaum played in the 33rd Army Band in the 1950s and has never looked back. He has played with the big names and small. He was the musical director for the Sarasota International Circus Festival and Parade, the bandmaster for the Wallenda Circus, on the conducting staff for Windjammers Unlimited (a circus music historical society) and works on a free-lance basis writing and arranging scores for various other production numbers and acts.
In addition to Wallenda, he has been involved with numerous circus productions including Ringling Brothers and most of the major Shrine circuses in the midwest and east coast. His television credits include the Mike Douglas Show and the George Plimpton special "Man on the Flying Trapeze."
"I've been playing in a circus band for a little over a half a century," Schlarbaum said. "My great uncle was working shows at the turn of the century. He was doing wagon shows in 1913, forget the railroads and semi trucks, they were using mules. I guess I got the bug from listening to all of his war stories."
The circus became his life. "Typically in the old days I'd have 36 weeks on the road under canvas (the big top). Then I'd do six weeks at a circus in Puerto Rico. After that I'd go back to Key Biscayne and do some hotel work. If I had a day off it would be a mistake on the part of the scheduling agent."
On reflection of his life with the circus Schlarbaum said, "It's been good to me, I've travelled and have been meeting people from all over. I've been from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Anchorage."
Times, however, have changed but the circus is one of the constants of Americana.
"Circus-wise things haven't changed much," he said.
"As far as the music goes, you can go back to the 1800s and they were playing popular music of the day back then.
People sometimes complain about hearing modern music today but it's what circus bands have always done. Times
have changed and the music has changed. It's basically the same thing, though. Some places you need a waltz,
sometimes you need the tune from Mission Impossible."
After more than 50 years on the road, Schlarbaum may be slowing his schedule down a bit. He is quick, however, to rattle off upcoming shows in Pennsylvania and other states. Although today he is placing emphasis on other pursuits.
He is a member of the Showmen's Shrine Club and of the Riverview V.F.W. Both have taken on an important role in his life. The music, the show, always will go on for him, however. Like the other performers in this weekend's Gibsonton circus, Schlarbaum will not be paid and he certainly does not need another line for his resume.
"It's good for the community," he said. "You have to do community work."
The Gibsonton Circus will perform three shows at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. on Jan. 11 at the Showmen's Club at 6915 Riverview Drive in Gibsonton.
In addition to the Schlarbaum's band, the circus will also feature several animals acts, high wire and trapeze acts and much more. The circus midway will open one hour before each show.
Admission is $6 in advance or $8 on the day of the show. Free tickets are available for children. Tickets are available at the Showmen's Club, the Observer News, Otto's Hardware in Riverview and Gulf Coast Building Supply in Gibsonton. All of the proceeds of the event will go to charity.
For information call 677-3590.