Sideshow

:For the informal automotive skills event, see sydeshow.

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:for Australian usage see Sideshow alley.

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In American usage, sideshow is an extra secondary production associated with a circus. Its proper name is a "Ten in One", referring to the practice of having a revolving show of ten acts under a single tent.

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Sideshows had a hierarchy of performers in terms of prestige, with "Born Freaks", people with congenital physical peculiarities, at the top, followed by "Made Freaks" such as tattooed men and women, and "Working Acts" such as sword swallowers and fire eaters. Contrary to contemporary perceptions, which holds the term freak show to be pejorative, many of the "Born Freaks" were not looked down upon by their fellow performers, and many were in fact the owners and operators of the shows.

Related Topics:
Freak show - Pejorative

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Today only a few "Ten in One" shows remain active in the world. The Sideshow by the Seashore sponsored by Coney Island USA in Brooklyn, NY is the oldest.

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The anthropologist Jim Rose runs a modern sideshow called Jim Rose Circus.

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The Cut Throat Freak Show is another active modern sideshow based out of Phoenix, AZ.

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