Sep 11, 2013 ... Robbins is also featured on the Modern Con Man series of instructional DVDs:
How to ... Bloomsbury Books has released his book The Modern.
Oddities from the Collection are featured during September at The Barnum Museum The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport will present programs in September. Wednesday, September 11, 12:15 p.m. - Sneak Peek series continues with Oddly Marvelous: Artifacts Made of Strange Materials. This month’s lunchtime program will feature artifacts from The Barnum Museum’s collection that are quite unusual, even odd, because they are made of unexpected “materials.” During this informal presentation, Curator Adrienne Saint-Pierre will show and discuss a diverse and fascinating group of objects, ranging from a Native American “war club,” a lantern made from a blowfish, a chair made of horn that belonged to P. T. Barnum, an intricately carved coconut bowl said to have been made by a slave, and others. Several of the artifacts to be shown are part of the museum’s original collection that belonged to the Bridgeport Scientific Society and the Fairfield County Historical Society, for whom P. T. Barnum built the Barnum Institute of Science and History (now The Barnum Museum). Those two organizations collected many unusual items from near and far, at a time when many museums actively acquired “curiosities” that appealed to people’s sense of wonder around and about the world. Even with today’s access to information about almost anything in any part of the world, curious objects from the past still cause us pause to marvel and wonder. Come see these “oddities” and bring your curiosity—as well as your lunch, if you like. Saturday, September 14, 2 p.m. - P.T. Barnum and the Age of Wonders - A talk and demonstration presented by Todd Robbins. If the name is familiar to you, it’s probably because you have seen him on one of the more than 200 TV shows he has done. These include all the major network morning shows, the late night talk fests of Letterman, Leno and Conan O’Brien and the NBC special, Extreme Variety. Howard Stern has said about Robbins, “This is truly an amazing talent” and Penn & Teller say, “Todd Robbins is a god!” Recent appearances include The Discovery Channel’s Oddities and Lost Magic for the History Channel. In addition to being a featured performer, Todd has often been called upon to speak as an authority on all things unusual. Robbins is featured talking about sword swallowing and swallowing disorders on Spike TV’s 1000 Ways to Die. Robbins was a reoccurring expert on the History Channel’s Wild West Tech, where he expounded upon Dime Museums, traveling sideshows, Spiritualism, narcotics and prostitution in the Old West. He also provided commentary and insight on the DVD of the classic sideshow/horror movie FREAKS. Robbins has also been a consultant on numerous TV shows and movies, including several episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent and three seasons of Criss Angel’s Mind Freak on A & E. Robbins has created two Drama Desk nominated theater pieces that have been present off-Broadway. The first one, Carnival Knowledge, was a behind the scenes look at the world of the American sideshow and chronicled his experiences working in places like Coney Island. The second show, Play Dead, was co-created by Teller (of Penn & Teller) and was a spooky evening of ghost stories and startling phenomenon. Teller also directed this acclaimed production. A film of this stage show is now playing the film festival circuit around the county. Robbins is also one of the producers of New York’s longest running magic show, Monday Night Magic and is a partner in the parent company, Magical Night Inc., NY’s preeminent source of magical entertainment for corporate and private events.
Robbins is also featured on the Modern Con Man series of instructional DVDs: How to Scam Your Way to a Free Beer, Poker Night Scams and Cons and Work Place Pranks. Bloomsbury Books has released his book The Modern Con Man: How to Get Something for Nothing. Robbins has been the host of the Ripley’s Live! show which has been presented in numerous venues. He has also performed in every place imaginable, from the stage of Sideshows by the Seashore in Coney Island to the stage of Carnegie Hall. He is a regular performer at Feinstein’s: The Nightclub of New York at the Loews Regency Hotel and this gig has earned him the title, “The Park Avenue Sword Swallower.” He worked for a decade with the Big Apple Circus and is also a favorite on the college and university circuit, having performed on countless campuses from coast to coast. For fifteen years Robbins was associated with Coney Island USA. He started out as a featured performer in the sideshow and eventually worked his way up to being Executive Director and Chairman of the Board. One of his duties was to oversee the twelve million dollar capital campaign of Coney Island USA. He also founded and ran the Coney Island Sideshow School. It is the only school of its kind, and he has taught hundreds of students how to eat fire, swallow swords and do all the other classics of the sideshow. Currently, Robbins is working with a major Broadway producer on a revival of the 1923 musical Poppy. This was the show that made W.C. Fields a star. In addition to writing the adaptation of the piece, Robbins will be playing the Fields role. For more information about Todd, view the documentary on him American Carny: Tales of the American Sideshow or go to his website: www.toddrobbins.com. WHAT:
Programs featuring important information from The Barnum Museum's collection
WHEN:
Weds. September 11, 12:15 p.m. – Sneak Peek, Oddly Marvelous: Artifacts Made of Strange Materials presented by Adrienne Saint-Pierre, Curator $2 suggested donation, doors open at noon, bring your lunch. Saturday, September 14, 2 p.m. - P.T. Barnum and the Age of Wonders - Presented by Todd Robbins, award winning performer, creative artist, lecturer and author. Please note that seating is limited and will be on first come, first serve basis.
$5 Admission. Both events are free for museum members.
ERE:
The Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport in the People’s United Bank Gallery, entry located at the back of the historic building.
ST:
Various. Call for more information 203-331-1104 ext.100, M-F from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
back exhibition hall of the museum, featuring artifacts that belonged to P.T. Barnum, Tom Thumb and others, en for viewing and exploration on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn more about The um Museum’s current programs visit barnum-museum.org. You can also visit the museum on Facebook, view programs at www.barnummuseumexhibitions.org or communicate on Twitter @BarnumMuseum.
original Barnum Institute building is owned by the City of Bridgeport and is listed in the National Register of oric Places.
