Portage County Historical Society

Connie "Consuelo" Armstrong

Ruthie says:

"Connie was a very accomplished aerialist, and did difficult tricks with class, ease, and with very pleasing projection. She was a dear friend. She and I practiced our individual trapeze acts together many times, in Chicago, between club dates, fairs, circus, etc. She was my Maid Of Honor at our Helicopter wedding (Francarro & Estreleta) in London, Ontario in 1966. A beautiful person, a beautiful performer."

"These are four photos taken in the 1960's. The one with Eddie Albert is interesting she performed at a special event where he was a guest Star. Eddie was always into physical fitness, Vitamins and pure foods well, he was just in amazement at the work Connie performed so effortlessly. He asked if there was something they could work out together to perform a special exhibition. Of course, Connie, practiced with him. He hung upside-down on her rigging, and she performed a few strength tricks by hanging from his hands. It was great fun for them both, and resulted in this nice photo of them together."

"The other three of Connie are publicity photos of hers during this time.

She also was the feature performer in the ice show for 6 months at the Conrad Hilton downtown Chicago. She was swept out onto the ice by a skater, lifted to her trapeze hung above the ice and, then whisked away by the same skater after her performance. It was beautiful!"

Connie was married to Dieter Tasso (Videos: Deiter Tasso: A Jocular Juggler., Dieter Tasso: A Juggler's Journey to America.) a very famous performer in our Circus world. Tragically, only a few months after their wedding, Connie was killed in a car accident in January of 1969.

This is the only known film of "Consuelo". In the film she is assisted by her father John Armstrong.