The circus has come to town: July 5, 2010, marks the bicentennial of the birth of P.T. Barnum, American showman and founder of what became the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.  (And by the way, Barnum did not say, "There's a sucker born every minute."  This was said by a rival of his about customers paying to see an exhibit that Barnum had copied from him.)

In Mr. Barnum's honor, this week's Whizbang will open with an hour or so of music devoted to tightrope-walkers, clowns, trapeze artists, the midway and carnivals and circuses in general.

This week also marks the 70th birthday of a former member of the other Greatest Show on Earth, the one and only Billy Shears, aka Ringo Starr aka Richard Starkey, whom the I.W.H. will salute with live and cover versions of some his best-known songs, along with the usual assortment of related oddities.

Tuesday, 7/6/10  8-10 PM     Rebroadcast Friday midnight after P5K.