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.”  

ICHOF Names Greg DeSanto Executive Director

Couldn't happen to a nicer (or more deserving) guy.  Greg was one of my instructors at Clown College, and I've seen him a few times, including the couple of days that I was researching in Baraboo.  He's a very funny clown, and a historian and collector-- with one of the largest collections of clown video in the world (perhaps with a close second with Pat Cashin)  Anyway this is a great development, and will hopefully continue to advance the field of clowning.

 

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INTERNATIONAL CLOWN HALL OF FAME AND RESEARCH CENTER SENDS IN THE CLOWNS–AND BRINGS MUCH MORE – TO BARABOO

World’s Foremost Organization Dedicated To The Preservation Of The Art, Craft And History Of Clowning Names Greg DeSanto Executive Director

Baraboo, WI (January 18, 2010) – A bright addition to Baraboo’s unique circus heritage was revealed today as The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center announced the opening of its new headquarters in America’s Circus City.


Internationally renowned for its research and involvement in the art, craft and history of clowning, the ICHOF boasts the world’s most wide-ranging collection of clown artifacts and memorabilia, including wardrobe and props from many of the most famous names in clowning history.


“We are delighted to send in the clowns – and send them to Baraboo, back home where they belong,” said Greg DeSanto, recently named the ICHOF’s Executive Director. Himself a celebrated clown and circus historian, DeSanto, a Baraboo resident, performed at the Circus World Museum for over seven years. He’s also been featured in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, the Big Apple Circus and other major shows around the world.


As we expand our presence in Baraboo, we hope that scholars and historians and the public at large will experience our fascinating exhibits and extensive archives,” DeSanto says.


Founded in Delevan, WI in 1986, the ICHOF was created as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, honoring and supporting the international art of clowning. The first and only group of its kind, it provides both rich research opportunities and educational outreach, along with the world’s largest collection of artifacts and collections concerning the art of clowning.


In 1988, the ICHOF began enshrining international artists who have enhanced and advanced the art of the clown. Since then, sixty-one performers have been inducted into the Hall, including Red Skelton, Lou Jacobs, Emmett Kelly, Otto Griebling, Felix Adler, Barry Lubin, Bobby Kaye, Jimmy Williams, Frosty Little, Steve Smith, Grock, Charlie Chaplin and Bill Irwin. The prestigious Lifetime of Laughter achievement award is also presented annually.


Fulfilling its commitment to community outreach, the Hall’s Caring Clown program provides therapeutic humor for children and their families at the Milwaukee’s Children’s Hospital. With Long Term Laughter Care, the ICHOF brings fun and comfort to residents at skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers.


“We are honored to join the Circus World Museum and the Al Ringling Theater as key spokes in Barboo’s celebrated wheel of circus history,” adds DeSanto. “We welcome residents and visitors alike to join us in our ongoing efforts to promote and preserve the grand and glorious history of hilarity.”

Cruel & Unusual Comedy at MOMA (NY) May 20-June 1, 2009

Cruel and Unusual Comedy: Social Commentary in the American Slapstick Film

May 20, 2009–June 1, 2009

MOMA will be running a number of silent film comedies during the last part of the month. The series, titled Cruel and Unusual Comedy, will feature a number of evenings of silent films, grouped in themes, that use comedy to address pretty . All films are from the U.S. and are silent, with piano accompaniment by Ben Model. All running times are approximate.

You can read film notes written by Steve Masa and Ben Model on their specialty blog http://cruelandunusualcomedy.blogspot.com/

You can find out more about the series on the MOMA website
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/films/948

Tickets are $10, less for seniors and students, and free if you are a MOMA member (although you do still require a ticket.

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Drag Shows: Cross-Dressing the Sexes
Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 4:00 p.m.
With piano accompaniment by Ben Model

• Getting Rid of Trouble 1912. USA. Directed by Del Henderson. With Charlie Murray. 10 min.
• Sweedie Learns to Swim 1914. USA. Directed by Wallace Beery. With Beery. 10 min.
• Chasing the Chaser 1925. USA. Directed by Stan Laurel. With James Finlayson. 10 min.
• Get ‘Em Young 1926. USA. Directed by Fred Guiol. With Stan Laurel. 18 min.
• Good Night Nurse 1917. USA. Directed by Roscoe Arbuckle. With Arbuckle, Buster Keaton. 18 min.

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Race Riots: Beyond Black and White
Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 4:00 p.m
With piano accompaniment by Ben Model

• A Change of Complexion 1914. USA. Directed by Phillips Smalley. With Henry Bergman. 10 min.
• Haunted Spooks 1920. USA. Directed by Hal Roach. With Harold Lloyd, Sunshine Sammy. 20 min.
• Below Zero 1925. USA. Directed by Norman Taurog. With Lige Conley, Spencer Bell. 18 min.
• A Natural Born Gambler 1916. USA. Director unknown. With Bert Williams. 20 min.
• Black and White 1913. USA. Directed by Del Henderson. With David Morris. 10 min.

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Gratuitous Violence: No Turn Unstoned
Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
With piano accompaniment by Ben Model

• Deep Sea Panic 1924. USA. Directed by Roy Del Ruth. With James Parrott. 12 min.
• Their First Execution 1913. USA. Directed by Mack Sennett. With Ford Sterling. 10 min.
• The Phoney Cannibal 1915. USA. Directed by Charles E. Ward. With Lloyd Hamilton, Bud Duncan. 10 min.
• The Counter Jumper 1922. USA. Directed by Larry Semon. With Semon, Oliver Hardy. 18 min.
• Cold Hearts and Hot Flames 1916. USA. Directed by John G. Blystone. With Billie Ritchie. 20 min

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Animals and Children: No Harm Done
Friday, May 29, 2009, 4:00 p.m
With piano accompaniment by Ben Model

• An Elephant on His Hands 1912. USA. Directed by Frederick Thomson. With George Ober. 10 min.
• Cat, Dog, and Co. 1929. USA. Directed by Anthony Mack. With the Our Gang kids. 18 min.
• Mind the Baby 1924. USA. Directed by Al Herman. With Pal the dog. 18 min.
• The Knockout 1923. USA. Directed by Len Powers. With the Dippy-Doo-Dads. 10 min.
• When Summer Comes 1922. USA. Directed by Roy Del Ruth. With Billy Bevan. 18 min.

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The Machine Age: Mack Sennett vs. Henry Ford
Monday, June 1, 2009, 4:00 p.m.
With piano accompaniment by Ben Model

• Lizzies of the Field 1924. USA. Directed by Del Lord. With Billy Bevan. 18 min.
• His Bread and Butter 1916. USA. Directed by Edward Cline, Hank Mann. With Mann, Slim Summerville. 18 min.
• Get Out and Get Under 1920. USA. Directed by Hal Roach. With Harold Lloyd. 18 min.
• Squeaks and Squawks 1920. USA. Directed by Noel M. Smith. With Jimmy Aubrey, Oliver Hardy. 18 min.
• Neck and Neck 1924. USA. Directed by Fred Hibbard. With Lige Conley. 18 min.

Online Circus Art Museum from the Netherlands

Pat Cashin (the curator and mastermind behind http://www.clownalley.net) asked me about a source for European circus posters. Before I had clownlink, I had found this and emailed people about it, but apparently never thought to put it up online. This is an amazing resource of thousands of images from European circuses. And a lot of them are available for sale. Looks like prices range from 7 Euros to 105 Euros, and the purchasing engine is in Dutch only. But it looks pretty straightforward. http://www.circusmuseum.nl/eng/ Enjoy!