International Clown Hall of Fame to Open Doors on May 21.

ENTER LAUGHING! 

Baraboo’s International Clown Hall of Fame & Research Center Opens For Funny Business On Friday, May 21, 2010

 

Baraboo, WI (April 29, 2010) -- The world’s foremost organization dedicated to the preservation of the art, craft and history of clowning will open its doors in Baraboo on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 10 am. 

The International Clown Hall of Fame & Research Center is located at 102 4^th Avenue in historic Downtown Baraboo, the city that gave birth to Ringling Bros. Circus.  

“Over the past four months we've been involved in the happy task of sorting and cataloguing the world's largest archive of clown artifacts,” says Greg DeSanto, Executive Director of the Hall.  “From the cash box built by August Ringling for his sons’ very first circus performance to the scrapbooks of legendary circus clowns such as Poodles Hanneford, Mark Anthony, the Sherman Brothers to authentic vaudeville contracts, personal effects, costumes, props and correspondence of some of the greatest funnymen on earth, it is our honor and privilege to preserve this priceless resource.”

 

“The clowns who left their professional lives in our care loved their work and their careers, opening their hearts to audiences on a daily basis.  We are extremely excited to be able to share these artifacts and the fascinating stories behind them.” 

In addition to the priceless archives, visitors will see a clowning “Wall of Fame,” honoring the exceptional group of international funny folk who have been enshrined in the Hall. 

“The ICHOF has been embraced by the Baraboo community in every sense of the word,” DeSanto adds.  “Without the support of downtown businesses, local government officials, circus fans and enthusiasts and friends, this opening would have never happened.” 

The Clown Hall of Fame will be open six days a week from 10am to 5pm.  Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for children and seniors.  Rates for groups are also available. 

For further information, call (608-355-0321) or visit the Hall’s website at www.theclownmuseum.com  

“We are honored to join the Circus World Museum and the Al Ringling Theater as key spokes in Baraboo’s celebrated wheel of circus history,” DeSanto concludes.   “We look forward to welcoming you to the legends of laughter.”  

9th Annual Juggle This! At Pratt in Brooklyn April 8-11

NYC's 9th Annual Juggling Festival!
Thursday April 8- Sunday April 11, 2010

At Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY

Juggling, workshops, games, shows, prizes, special guests, a raffle and more!!

For more information click the links to the right. All events open to the public.

JUGGLING AT PRATT STUDENT UNION
Thursday 7-11 pm (open juggling)
NOTE: NYC Jugglers will not be meeting at the Tony D Rec Center.

JUGGLING AT PRATT ACTIVITIES RESOURCE BUILDING
Friday 5-10:30 pm (open juggling)
Saturday 10 am-7 pm (open juggling & workshops)
Sunday 10 am-5 pm (open juggling, workshops, & games)
FREE and open to the public. Appropriate for all ages. No experience necessary.

SHOW SPECTACULAR AT PRATT MEMORIAL HALL
Saturday 7:30 pm
Featuring world-class local and international talent.
General Admission $10
General admission $10 BUY TICKETS NOW
Advance purchase recommended as the show will sell out.
Online ticket sales end Friday at 7pm.
Tickets will also be available in the ARC on Friday & Saturday.

LATE SHOW AT PRATT STUDENT UNION
Saturday Following Show Spectacular (approx. 11pm)
FREE Open Stage "Renegade" Show.
Parental discretion is advised.

Juggle This is hosted by Jugglers Anonymous: the Pratt Chapter with support from the NYC Jugglers.

Find out more about NYC juggling clubs here.

For full details including directions , visit the Juggle NYC website: http://www.jugglenyc.com

NY Downtown Clown Golden Nose Awards

NEW YORK DOWNTOWN CLOWN
GOLDEN NOSE AWARDS

The New York Downtown Clown Golden Nose Awards

Monday, April 19th, 2010
Red Carpet Arrivals 7:30 pm
Presentation set to begin at 8pm
The Kraine Theatre 85 E 4th St (btwn 2nd Ave & Bowery)

Tickets are not for sale.
To request tickets email info@newyorkdowntownclown.com

Dress: Formal Attire- Noses Optional

Winners of Audience Choice Awards will be announced on April 19th 2010 at The Golden Nose Ceremony and award statues will be given out to the winners.
...

THE 2010 New York Downtown Clown GOLDEN NOSE AWARD NOMINEES ARE:
(nominees appear in alphabetical order) 

Audience Choice Best Clown Act:                  
ICETACLES! The Last Chance of A LIfetime, Created and performed by: Lynn Berg, Audrey Crabtree, Jonathan Kaplan, Maria Parra, Jeff Seal and Shawn Wickens
Choreography by Ronald Hoffman
Kiki and Ted, by Aya Tucker and Aram Alan Aghazarian
Magic!, by Joel Jeske, Mike Richter, and Christopher Lueck
Otto and Lewis, by Matthew Duncan and Brian Foley, aka Bambouk Clown Theatre.
Audience Choice Best Clown Character:       
Brett Alters- Squeeks the Clown
Eric Davis- Red Bastard
Olivia Lehrman-Ms. Pretty Smart
Roland Zwicker Jr.- Roland Zee
Clown of The Year:
Eric Davis will be awarded the 2010 Clown of the Year Award for his unparalleled service to the clown community. This year alone Mr. Davis directed Kill Me Loudly:  A Clown Noir, taught workshops in Bouffon and Clown, was a finalist for the Andy Kaufman Award at Caroline's Comedy Club, and is a curator for the upcoming NY Clown Theatre Festival. Mr. Davis’ artistic work serves as an ambassador of American performance to the world. He has performed his famed Red Bastard character around the globe including shows in Canada, Europe, and Australia. His work is completely valued by his peers and therefore has workshopped Ovo and the new Kodak Theater project, both for Cirque du Soleil. It is with great respect and gratitude that New York Downtown Clown presents the 2010 Clown of The Year Award to Eric Davis.
Clown Organization of The Year:
Big Apple Circus Clown Care

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.

-----------------------

New York Downtown Clown is proud to present the ONLY Clown Awards Show in North America- The New York Downtown Clown Golden Nose Awards.

This fourth-time annual event will honor Clown Excellence from performances of the New York Downtown Clown Monthly Revue’s 2010 year. In addition to the awards presented, the evening will include performances, door prizes, red carpet, and audience participation games with prizes. The show will also feature Clown Superstar Presenters.

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE SHOW

AWARD CATAGORY EXPLANATIONS 

The Audience Choice Awards go to the clown or clown group which receives the most votes over the past year at The New York Downtown Clown Revue performances in a specific category. The four Nominees are the top four most voted for in each category. The one with the most votes in a category is the winner of that category and will be announced at the Golden Nose Awards Ceremony on May 19th.

Clown Organization of the Year goes to the company or group that has accomplished an outstanding clown achievement. This award goes to large scale achievements which serve the clown community as a whole or to achievements of clown work for commercial/mass appeal. Nomination and Award are at the discretion of New York Downtown Clown producers.

To be eligible for the Clown of the Year category, the clown must have appeared on stage or in a film of the current year’s Clown Revue. This award is for individual clowns that work professionally and artistically and have also made contributions to the larger clown community through education, mentorship, directing, producing, and/or other forms. Nomination and Award are at the discretion of New York Downtown Clown producers.

This is the only Clown Awards Show in North America.

Call for submissions 2010 Toronto Festival of Clown

Call for submissions 2010 Toronto Festival of Clowns

From June 3rd to 6th, 2010, some of the World's best Clown and Physical performers will take over 6 Noble Street, the beautiful Pia Bauman School of Creative Movement.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL.

The Toronto Festival of Clowns aims to bring together clowns and physical theatre artists of all disciplines and backgrounds and provide a common space to showcase their work. 

Now entering its 5^th year, the festival continues to encourage the risk and exploration of the clown, hosting new and established works that inspire and delight. 

Past festivals have hosted some of North America’s top clowns, including David Craig (Roseneath Theatre, Napalm the Magnificent), Eric Davis (Red Bastard), Michelle Smith and Dean Gilmour (Theatre Smith-Gilmour), Sue Morrison (Institute of Canadian Clowning), John Turner (Mump & Smoot), and Leah Cherniak (Theatre Columbus).

Call for performers
They are looking for 4 full-length productions with a maximum show length of 60 minutes.  All forms and styles of clowning and physical theatre are encouraged to apply – Red nose, mask, bouffon, character pieces, acrobatics, et al.  Please note that the festival is not tailored towards children.
How to Apply
Your application should include the following:

1. Primary contact name, phone, snail and email addresses
2. The title of your piece, playwright, genre and running time
3. Performer/company names and bios
4. Short description of piece/Letter of intent (maximum 3 pages)
5. Photos are very important for us to have to get some visual sense of your show/what you’re working on.  Hard copies are great or digital files – send to festival@torontoclown.com
6. Video (optional)
7. Technical or other special requirements (we may be able to accommodate these with enough notice)
8. 2 cheques/money orders payable to Canada Clown:
1. a non-refundable $25 CDN administration fee
2. $150 production fee: This will ONLY be cashed if your show is accepted into the Festival – if your show is not accepted, the cheque will be destroyed

They must receive your application on or before Monday March 22^nd, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. On or before April 5^th you will be contacted regarding the status of your application.  Should your show be accepted, you will be notified at this time of performance dates and times.

NOTE:  If you withdraw from the festival after April 19^th, you will lose 50% ($75) of your production fee.  If you withdraw from the festival less than one month prior to your performance date, your $150 production fee will not be refunded. 
To apply send your submission to:  
Toronto Festival of Clowns
551 Concord Ave. #1
Toronto, ON, M6H 2R2
What you get:

• 2 performance dates and times over the duration of the festival.
• All performances in a newly renovated 115 seat theatre, with back stage access and a back cross
• Basic festival lighting and sound capability
• 2 lighting specials per company
• A green room
• Blanket festival publicity – the Festival has been featured in the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, CBC, Andy Barrie in the morning, NOW Magazine and the Festival has also served as a scouting ground for Cirque du Soleil.
• 75% percent of the ticket money sold for your show.  Single tickets will cost $10.   

NOTE:  You must PROVIDE YOUR OWN STAGE MANAGER for your production should you be accepted into the Festival.

If you have any questions please feel free to email:  festival@torontoclown.com

The Holey Trinity of Festival Producers:
Dave McKay, Adam Lazarus, Sarah Buski

I am my own commedia mask

In honor of International Commedia Dell'arte day, I took a series of self-portraits with my ibook camera that I am titling "I am My Own Commedia Mask"

Masks? I don't need no stinkin' masks! :o)


I've attached the slideshow here. But if you can't see them because you don't get flash, visit http://bit.ly/commedia_faces for the FLICKR page.

February 25: International Commedia Dell'Arte Day

(Thanks to new papa Brian Foley for bringing this to my attention!) He'll also be performing at the View Theatre, Roy Arias Studios on Feb 25 in celebration.  See the postcard below for details)

Associazione SAT

has proclaimed February 25, 2010, a worldwide Commedia dell'Arte Day

Simultaneous events will occur all around the world as theatre companies, scholars, students, and audiences celebrate Commedia dell'Arte on Feb 25, 2010. There will be shows, conferences, lectures, and workshops in dozens of global cities. This worldwide festival is promoted by the Italian cultural association SAT and organized by Faction of Fools using viral and grassroots tools, such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

View the current list of worldwide participants!

For more information, email them, join the Facebook group “Commedia
dell'Arte Day,” and become a "Facebook fan" of Faction of Fools.

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Theatre companies--large and small--will produce shows in the style of Commedia dell'Arte using traditional character types and scenarios. On Feb 25th, events will occur in hundreds of cities as diverse as Boston, Barcelona, Bangkok, and Beirut. The flagship event will be in Bologna where SAT and La Fraternal Compagnia will host an international conference of prominent European scholars and performers. Other companies are invited to produce events in their own cities and may utilize the free scripts and performance guides that are available on the Faction of Fools website http://www.factionoffools.org.

Commedia will also be in the classroom as theatre instructors dedicate their February 25th class time to Commedia dell'Arte at drama schools and universities around the world. Primary and secondary school teachers in the US can find easy-to-use, free curriculum that will aid them in teaching a lesson on Commedia dell'Arte tailored to their theatre, art, history, literature, or language classes. Curriculum will be available on the Faction of Fools website in January.

Did you know that Commedia dell' Arte is not recognized
as a "World Cultural Heritage"?

The United Nations' cultural wing (UNESCO) has officially recognized indigenous theatre traditions such as Japan's Noh and Kabuki; however, the famous "stock characters" of Commedia dell'Arte--Arlecchino (Harlequin), Pulcinella, Dottore (the Doctor), Pantalone (the Pantaloon), Scapin (Scapin), and Scaramuccia (Scarmouche)--have yet to be acknowledged.

The Italian cultural association SAT is petitioning the nation of Italy and the United Nations (UNESCO) for official recognition of this famous and monumental theatre form, and Faction of Fools is proud to support this appeal.

To organize a “Commedia dell'Arte Day” event in a theatre or classroom near you or for more information about SAT's petition for recognition of Commedia dell'Arte as "World Cultural Heritage," email Faction of Fools Artistic Director Matthew R. Wilson.

Commedia dell'Arte Day is promoted by SAT and is organized by Faction of Fools and the SAT project incommedia.it.

Clown Car Commercial for KCI

This commercial has a lot of great elements in it, and to my mind, uses the clowns in just the right way.
(Thanks to Toto Johnson for pointing this out, and being in the commercial to boot!)