I graduated from Chavez School of Manual Dexterity and Prestidigitation in Los Angeles, CA. in April, 1948. I spent the next ten years working with various sideshows on carnivals and circuses. Beginning in 1959 I had my own 10-in-1 sideshow, touring with carnivals throughout the U.S. and Canada for over thirty years. I'll be using this site to tell some stories from my life during those times; my many varied adventures as an outdoor showman, illusionist, and prestidigator.
 

- Luna

DEAR FRIENDS PLEASE NOTE: On the evening of December 21, 2006, just 5 days short of his 80th birthday and surrounded by his family, Vanteen passed quietly of natural causes at the home of his daughter in Three Points, Arizona. I was not present as I was again in the hospital due to my ongoing battle with ovarian cancer. I wish to thank all those who have visited this site over the years and enjoyed it. Be assured that I will keep the site on the web as an archive, so that others who are interested in this now-vanished lifestyle can read about it from someone who lived it firsthand.

My sincere thanks to everyone who visits here!

 - Luna
 

Above, a photo of Van with "Billiard Balls" - one of his specialties - taken during his Chavez days, when he performed his act evenings at nite clubs in the LA area.
 

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