Seeking artists appropriate to 1880-1890 Victorian era

[Lynneski]

I'm putting together a bid to produce a Victorian festival to be held in Southern Ontario the second week of September. I've done some homework, library time (great resources I'll post soon), and found some very tasty art to feature. But I can't seem to fill in a few blanks - I'm specifically looking for:
-medicine side shows
-minstrels
-travelling panoramas
-automatons (the real mechanical kind, not human statues)

Any help or lead you can provide is greatly appreciated. And if your artform and costuming are particularly suited to the era, please drop me a line if you are interested in the date.

Thanks,
Lynne

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

Minstrels?

Get Giraffe!

They're a band that plays traditional Irish music on stilts, how could you go wrong?
I know the producer personally, he's a brilliant, loving man who operates his business out of a little church in the Berkshires. He needs cat food too, you might get a good price out of him.

[Steven Ragatz]

Check with Brian Foley. He posts to the forums occasionally. I don't know much about him, but he showed a short segment of his medicine show at MotionFest last year. I gather that he works it at Ren Fests, but without the costume, and the Ren-period context, I thought that what he showed at MotionFest would be very appropriate for a turn of the century character. I was most impressed with his presence and stage energy.

Of course, I have no idea if he is interested, or even available, but he popped into my mind when I read your post. Good luck with your production.

Steven Ragatz

[fracksfreakshow]

What's a "medicine" sideshow? Would that be Frack putting some tylenol in his mouth and shoving them down when he sword swallows? Cause if that's it count Frack in.

[Steven Ragatz]

"medicine show: a traveling troupe, esp. in the late 1800's, offering entertainment in order to attract customers for the patent medicines or purported cures proffered for sale."

- Webster's

Apparently, they sold snake-oil and other stuff, but threw in some entertaining bits to gather a crowd. I imagine that it is very similar to doing a rain-maker show.

Steven Ragatz

[Lynneski]

Thanks, fellas, for the leads.

Toby, my reply to your mail bounced back. Is there another address you can send me?

Lynne

[worldwidese]

Are we to assume this is to be a paid gig?

[Lynneski]

Yup. Fee-based, non-hatted, travel and accoms all to be negotiated. Schedule is to be determined, but variety acts will be 2-4 performances per day (2 days), depending on nature of the act and length of show. Only a few focussed circle shows, most are roving or installation.

Anything else?

Lynne

[willie the clown]

how about a punch and judy show? it's my speciality,rooty toot tooty thats the way to do it. if your interested send an email.have a wonderful spring.