HISTORY of The Pink Flamingos

"The Official Band of The Inc 500!"- Inc Magazine

The Story

The story begins in 1982, in Vancouver, BC. In this inspirational haven of creativity a group of friends and street performers met at a theatre workshop in Vancouver, BC. Infused with a similar spirit of adventure, they rented a studio apartment together and started experimenting with various theatre skills. They eventually connected with the Japanese art form known as Bunraku- a highly disciplined form of puppetry which utilizes three people to operate a single life-size puppet- and formed a non-profit theatre based around it. The founders included a Med Student Dan Moyer, a Graphic Artist Deborah Noble, and an entrepreneur John de Wolf. From the beginning they combined hard work mixed with an old world sense of family that over 20 years later still holds true.

They challenged each other with various art forms and passions and watched as opportunities blossomed. Eventually a half sized school bus was purchased and within a year the theatre was touring across Canada and into Northeastern US.

By the mid 80's they had developed a reputation as a premier children's entertainment company. After a year of traveling and refining their art the troupe parked in DC for 6 months of extended performances. The Washington Post said at the time - “You have to see it to believe it.” However, they had begun nourishing a dream of building a theatre arts center/ retreat; so they sat down to decide where to make it happen- the DC area or head west. They put their faith in the flip of a coin.

They ran out of gas money in Albuquerque and haven’t looked back. They settled in: performing, teaching, and honing their theatrical talents. They also became a vital force in the community. Following the entrepreneurial spirit of the region they began several businesses. Their aim- to found an arts community in the Southwest region. The business ventures became barter focal points eventually providing the means to create a permanent center to continue and share their artistic endeavors.

Albuquerque was very supportive of this unique band of performers. During this time various projects were locally commissioned including: a novelty 50's act- Frankie and the Corvettes, several enormous sculptures and a full length original musical staged by the New Mexico Symphony.
The company began to grow, and longer range visions put into place...
During this time other people came on board including a geophysicist, a writer, a doctor, and a mime, all attracted by the energy and spirit of the group. With the dream of a theatre center in mind they devoted all of their energy to somehow purchasing and acquiring materials to build what would become an over 7,000 square feet building mixing residences with rehearsal, performance and other business spaces. They had started a print shop, and worked day and night bartering with (they couldn’t afford to pay cash) building suppliers; trading printing for concrete, steel I-beams, windows, roofing, siding, heating, etc. And they learned construction, ultimately doing 90% of the labor. (local workers shook their heads and laughed at the “white gringos” and the mostly female crew, one inspector laughed and even said- “I thought you were all dead or disbanded”.)

Questions were asked of the non-profit theatre group/ construction crew over and over as the building was raised, “Who are you people?” “Are you a commune?” “How can you do what you do?”

They broke ground on a theatre arts center in the mountains of New Mexico, between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Over two years, literally with their own hands, a 7,000 foot dream was erected and became base of operations. Here they rehearsed, wrote new material, stored their equipment and began building a recording studio.

The Birth of the Flamingos

In 1986, on Christmas Day, an event happened that changed their direction- in every way- dramatically. The center they had built burned to the ground. It took with it hundreds of props, costumes, puppets, backdrops, and instruments as well as almost all personal belongings. This could have been a moment of despair. Instead it became an opportunity: to re-evaluate the company and the lives of the people connected to it. A decision was made that night (twenty people on a friends living room floor) to expand their music, yet still nurture their theatrical roots.
They needed a name for this new act they were envisioning. Someone pointed out the legend of the Phoenix- a bird that rose from the ashes of its own flames- and that in ancient Egypt pink flamingos were considered to be a symbol of that same mythical bird. And so the act became known as The Pink Flamingos. More on the Fire.

On the road again

There was one major speed bump that became a blessing in disguise- no one wanted to perform in bars and lounges for a living. And the act they'd developed wasn't quite right in theaters... However, as a musical act they brought with them a foundation of theatre skills and quirkiness that quickly payed off. They found themselves in demand, especially in the Corporate Entertainment circuit. Starting locally in New Mexico, but quickly going national, the Pink Flamingos realized they were a perfect match for the corporate market. Audiences were incredibly receptive to the fresh energy The Pink Flamingos brought to the stage. Their years of theatrical training fused with the unique formatting of conventions, in all their challenging permutations, created an entertainment experience that no one had ever seen before.
Among other connections they began working with the lead singer from The Drifters Ceaser Valentino. A consummate performer who grew up on the road with the likes of Jackie Wilson, Ceaser infused The Pinks with his authentic, energetic and unforgettable performing style
The demand grew and grew and for the next ten years The Pink Flamingos travelled the country, then the world, playing in capitals of Europe, India, Thailand, and throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and more.

Celebrity Enterprises & Pink Flamingo Productions

Throughout the 90's demand for The Pink Flamingos continued to increase. To help meet this demand they joined forces with a true legend in the industry who quickly became one of their closest friends, Gordy Singer with Pipeline Artist Management. Through his guidance they formed a parent company called Celebrity Enterprises to specialize in supplying productions for the corporate market. Various ventures were begun under the umbrella of Pink Flamingo Productions including Art Explosion, The 3 Painters, Flamingo Express, Art of Broadway, and Birds of Paradise.

Today The Pink Flamingos continue to infuse everything they do with the same spirit of adventure with which they began. Known as a haven for lost souls and troubadours alike they find themselves continually attracting like minded artists and continually reinventing themselves.