May_June_2001

May/June, 2001
The New
THE NEW CALLIOPE is published bi-monthly:
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Second class postage paid at Bluffton , OH.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
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Articles and advertising for The New Calliope should be
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The New Calliope
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Sioux City, IA 51104
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calolson@willinet.net
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However, The New Calliope will accept no
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Deadline for the July/August, 2001 issue is June 15,
2001 .
Questions regarding COAi membership concerns ,
including status of membership, changes of address ,
failure to receive The New Calliope , should be referred to
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Send all membership fees to Clowns of America
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ON THE COVER -- This giggle of joeys
posed before competition in Seniors
category at COAi's Internationa l
Convention in Fort Worth, TX.
2 The New Calliope

The New
CallioP-e
May/June, 2001
Published for members of Clowns of America International
MAY/JUNE, 2001
COAi OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT: Cheri Venturi, P.O. Box 367, Destrehan,
LA 70047. Phi (504) 764-0080. cherioats@aol.com
EXEC. VICE PRESIDENT: David Barnett, 138 Rainbow Dr., PMB
3839, Livingston, TX 77399-1038. Ph. (8 16) 304-5696.
davidbamett@palm.net
SECRET ARY: Teresa Gretton, 3411 Lisa Circle,
Waldorf, MD 20601.Ph. (301) 843-8212.
gretton@bellatlantic.net
TREASURER: Joyce Olson, 4 Ginger Cove. Rd.,
Valley, NE 68064. Ph. (402) 359-4131.
idano@compuserve.com
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Walter R. Lee, 1347 Ava
Road, Severn, MD 21141. Ph. (410) 551-7830.
wally788@ero ls.com
DIRECTORS
MEMBERSI-IlP: Mike Fixer, 365 Mather St., Unit 155, Hamden, CT
06514-3134, Ph. (203)288-3824. mfixer@worldnet.att.net
EDUCATION: Rex Nolen, 501 W. 84th St., Kansas
City, MO 64114. Ph. (816) 523-4616.
rnolen@swbell. net
CONVENTIONS: Patricia Roeser, 2840 Jordan Dr.,
Woodbury, MN 55125. Ph,(651) 578-1573
coaidrconv@aol.com
ALLEY, REGION SUPPORT: Catherine Hardebeck,
6027 Deerwood Dr., St. Louis, MO63123 Ph. (314) 481-
6808. catheoh@aol.com
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS
Northeast: Glenda Desilets, 55 Solomon's Hill Rd., Milford, CT
06460. Ph. (203) 877-3869. dappercoco@hotmail.com
North Central:James Cunningham, 2016 N. Highland
Ave., Joplin, MO 6480 1 Ph. (417) 624-0963
animalclwn@ao l.com
Northwest: Albert Alter, 5848 S.E. 18th Ave., Portland,
OR 97202. Ph. (503) 23 1-8576.alte red@e uropa.com
Mideast: Michael B. Cox, 7705 O'Keith Court #1802
Richmond, VA 23228 Ph.(804) 270-0809.
bonke rstc@aol .com
Midwest: Patricia Bothun, 27 Maple Ave. N., Box 700,
Maple Lake, MN 55358. Ph. (320) 963-6 277.
moose man@lkdllin k.net
Southeast: Keith Stokes, 1539 Lake Clay Dr., Lake Placid, FL
33852. Ph. (863) 465-4438.Fax (863) 465-273 1.
deelou@htn.net
South Centra l: Danny Kollaja, 422 1 Winters,Co rpus
Christi, TX 784 15-5 156. Ph. (36 1) 852-5696.­
lanky.clow n@jun o.com
Southwest: Linda Hulet, P.O. Box 789, Anaheim, CA
928 15-0789. Ph. (7 14) 778 -293 1.
pjshylo@ao l .com
VOLUME 18, NUMBER 3
Canada: Linda Loveday, 2154 Broadway Ave., Thunder
Bay, Ont.,Can .P7C 5N5.Ph . (807)939 -2160.
lulu l 955@yahoo.com .Look
Latin Countries: Pedro Santos, Box 3859, Bayamon
Garden, Bayamon, PR 00958. Ph. (787) 786-3759
jobolin@coqu i.net
International: Andrew Stevens, 34 High St., Easternon,
Devizes, Wiltshire, SN 104PE England. Ph.01380
-813658. kookyclown@tinyonline.co. uk
STAFF
Business Manager: Shirley Long, P.O. Box Clown,
Richeyville, PA 15358-0532 Ph, (724) 632-3214
or (888) 52-CLOWN coaibmgr@hhs.net
New Calliope Editor: Cal Olson, 2000 Outer Dr. N. #52.1,
Sioux City IA 51104. Ph./Fax (712) 239-4599 .
calolson@wi llinet.net
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Competition: Leo Desilets, 55 Solomons Hill Rd.,
Milford, CT 06460. Ph. (203) 877-3869.
dappcrcoco@hotmail.com
Clown Week: Bob Gretton, 3411 Lisa Circle, Waldorf.
MD 20601. Ph. (301) 843-8212.
gretton@be llatlantic.ne t
COAi WEB SITE: www.coai.org
CONTENTS
Behind the scenes............... .............. .......... 4
Makeup competition winners:
Tramp ...................... ................................. g
Comedy whiteface ..................................... 1 o
Seniors ........ .................................. ......... .. 11
Character .................................................. 12
Auguste ................ ............................... .... 14
Convention '01 ....... ......................... ...... ...... 16
COAi Board sets policies. programs ............... 17
The problem with the pig .................. ............ . 22
From the President... ................................... 26
The learning experience ............................... 28
Clown class for the kids ....................... .......... 32
International view ....... .................. .............. .. 36
A clown report from Bermuda .......... .............. 38
Alley update ............ ..................... ......... ...... 40
Tre asurer's report ......................... ................ 42
Calendar .................... .................. ........... ..... 42
Meet "Woody" ............................................. 43
Storyline magic .......... .................................. 44
Happy Birthday , Buttons ................ ......... ...... 44
COAi 's electronic community ........................ 46
The New Calliope 3

May/June, 2001
BRANSON, MO
IN THI HEART OF THI OZARKS
JULY 11TH THRU 15TH
AT THE SETTLE INN RESORT 1-800-677-6906
Produced by Charles" Albert" Lavender
Great room rotes of only $48.50 per night with up to four clowns per room (good until 6/10/01 ). Free Deluxe Breakfast,
two pools also coffee 24 hrs. a day. Over 30 Theaters where you may hove the opportunity to see some of the worlds
greatest Entertainers. We will ho_ve the Comedy Mystery Dinner Theater come to ploy for the ClownJom on Wednesday
night at 6:30pm where you con be port of the show. Dinner and the show for only $25.00 per person. What a way to
start a convention. Then on Saturday it's the Duck Rides (what a trip to make in costume) at only $12.50 per person.
Highlights
• Dinner & Show
• Over one dozen
Lectures
• Competition. And it is
so much fun.
• Balloon Competition
• Maror Cloncer (Janis
Roberts)
• The Great Jim Howle
• The Duck Rides
• Branson, what a Town
On July 12th at 9:30am Janis Roberts will start us off with her great lecture on
Character Development and away we go with other instructors like, Steve
"Peachey Keene" Long - Using Walkaround Props., Tony "Junior"Jones -
Improv, Jim Howle - Face Design & Improve Your Makeup, Michael Decker -
Hands on Balloons, J.T. "Bubba" Sikes - Gospel Puzzles for the Eyes, Candy
"B utterscotch" Will - Great Face Painting Techniques, James "Animal"
Cunningham - Magic Made Simple and Mastercraft Puppets - Interactive
Puppetry. This is only the beginning , if you need a complete schedule just drop
us a line, e-mail or a phone call will get you one sent out right away.
Don't Miss The Comedy Mystery Dinner Theater on Wednesday Night
Basic Training July 11th 2001
The basics on make up and balloons.
9:30am till 12:30pm
Instructor "Albert" the Clown
Cost$ 25.00
Learn the Ins & Outs of Gospel Clowning
1:30pm till ~:30Pm
Taught by world known instructor
J.T . "Bubba" Sikes
Cost $25.00
Register for the two only $~0.00
Registration for ClownJam cost;
Clown $75.00 Spouse $70.00
Children 16 and under $50.00
After June 10th add $5.00 to each.
At the door add $10.00 each.
No refunds after July 1st 2001
Wednesday Night Dinner & Show,
Duck Rides and Basic Training
Arc an Additional Cost
Extra Banquet Tickets$ 20.00 each
Make Checks and Money Orders
Payable to:
Holly Sales
P.O. Box 5153~
Jax Beach FL 32240
We have a secured phone line for
your credit card info.
904 - 223 - 5828
We accept
Visa, MasterCard and
Discover
Check us out at :
http://www.clownjam.com/
4 The New Calliope

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May/June, 2001
zou,, ANN1vER1ARY Eo1110N
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L,0 ~ 0,
SE/1$/IJE
~ ~ ~ 11M 1EPrEM8ER 1a, 14, 15, ,,, 2001
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---

May/June, 2001
The Complete
Clown
Femval
j~
REGISTER EARLY & $AV£!
All rotes in By By After Sept. 30
US Funds June 30 Sept. 30 and at Door
Big Thursday
$65 $75 $85
October 4
NW Festival $85 $95 $105
October 4 - 7
Combined $140 $160 $180
"Putting it an together•
BIG THURSDAY
and the
NW FESTIVAL of CLOWNS
October 4 - 7, 2001
Shilo Inn • Portland (OR) Airport
Sponsored by ROSE CITY CLOWNS
The two events-in-one you
don't want to miss in 20011
"Big ThursdayH registration includes: Thursday intensive,
hands-on workshops, lunch, & "A Night of Comedy & MagicH show.
NW Festival registration includes: Thursday Night Opening
Session and show; Friday, Saturday, & Sunday workshops; Friday
lunch; Saturday banquet; Red Nose competitions & all showcases.
Combined registration includes ALL Of THE ABOVEIII
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
SHILO INN - PORTLAND (OR) AIRPORT
1-800-222-2244 or direct to hotel at (503) 252-7500
Room rates: $99/single or double; $119/triple; $129/quad
Complimentary full breakfast buffet! Free 24-hour airport shuttle!
. , . , . ~. ' . . ...
"'
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Write to: NW Festival of Clowns (NWFC)
2028 King Way, Woodburn, OR 97071
E-mail: punkin@web-ster.com
Ph. (503) 590-6088. website: www .web-ster.com/punkin
NO? Heard enough? Fill out registration below!
Note: Big Thursday workshops limited in size; mark top 3
choices in spaces below (1 = top choice).
FEA'l'(JRJNS:
... ............ . . . . ..... . . .....
•
And mail to: NWFC, 2028 King Way, Woodburn, OR 97071 •
Founder and Artistic Director
• Please print clearly In Ink. One person per registration fonn, please. •
of the original Pickle Family Circus : Name:________________ :
Larry "Lorenzo Pickle" Pisoni : Make out check (US$) to NW Festival of Clowns (NWFC)
J.T. "Bubba" Sikes
A Clown's Clown
Bruce "Charlie" Johnson
Internationally Acclaimed Performer & Artist
Carole "Pookie" Johnson
Caring Clown Specialist
Duane Laflin
Master Illusionist
And many more of the NW's bestl
6 The New Calliope
• Clown Name: _____________
: Address: ______________ _
.
.
: City: _______________ _
• State/Prov ____ entry: ___ Zip ___ _
• Phone: ( ____ E-mail ______ _
. • Big Thursday (mark top 3 choices below: 1, 2, 3) ... . $ __ •
• [ ] Character [ ] Comedy Magic [ ] Theater [ ] Caring Clown •
[ ] Advanced Makeup [ ] Showmanship [ ] Creativity
. .
• [ ] Physical Comedy [ ] Birthday Parties [ ] Mime [ ] Juggling •
. • . .
• NW Festival .......... .................... . .... .. $ __ •
. • .
• Combined ............•...... . ..... . . . ...... ...... $ __ •
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. ,
_
,
•
.I
i\ I
,.
~

May/June , 2001
WANT TO SPEND THE SUMMER CLOWNING AROUND
IN THE SHENANDOAH MOUNTAINS OF WEST VIRGINIA?
Timber Ridge, a coed residential camp located 90 miles west of
Washington, D. C., is seeking an experienced clown to spend the
summer teaching the art of clowning to our campers.
Adult Housing
Top Salaries
Travel Allowances
June 17th - August 19th
Complete Clown Alley with over 40 gags
CALL 1-800-258-2267
"After coming off the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus I
found Timber Ridge to be not only a lot of fun, but a gr~at
experience teaching children the art of clowning"
-Frosty Little - Clown Hall of Fame 1991
Timber Ridge Clowning Director 1990, 1991
The New Calliope 7

May/June, 2001
Convention ~0/--
Be
hind the scenes
By Brenda "Flower" Marshall
COAi Past President
Has your alley ever talked about hosting a clown
convention? You may have put together a day of
workshops or even a regional festival, but what about an
international event?
Since I joined Cowtown Clowns, Alley #135, about 15
years ago, a COAi convention in Fort Worth has always
been a goal for the alley.Seventeen Cowtown members
attended our first COAi convention in Corpus Christi in
1987. Most of us watched in wonder as a small handful
of Alley #23 members produced a ton of fun for a bunch of
clowns. If they could do it. .. so could we!
Many years later, with a multitude of educational events
and a Texas Clown Association convention under our belts,
we finally got the big one! COAi was coming to our house!
Since bidding takes place two years before the actual
convention, we had plenty of time to prepare. At least that's
what you think in the beginning! Before you know it, those
two years have flown by and your city is inundated with red
noses and big floppy feet.
Having attended every COAi convention since 1987
and serving ten years on the COAi Board of Directors, w~
had some knowledge of the do's and don'ts. But the
majority of Alley #135's membership had never attended
a clown convention at all. It seems almost unfair that most of
the time at their first convention experience was taken up
with non-stop work, helping others enjoy themselves. But
this group was up to the task.
Monthly meetings and timelines (provided by previous
Left, Cowtown hosts at work.
Above, Co-Chair Chandra
Luce didn't let broken leg
stop her.
convention hosts) were what kept our committee on track .
Since Cowtown has always been a community minded
group , it was easy to ask our community to help support us
in this venture.
We knew what events were expected at a typical
convention (education, competition, COAi membership
meeting, COAi auction, theme party, award banquet , etc.),
but we wanted to add a few extras that would make this
gathering memorable. There was a dinner , held at our local
train station, to raise funds to help grant a wish for a
terminally ill child through the Make A Wish foundation .
With the help of our featured speakers, attendees were
treated to a variety show. There was a panel discussion with
some of our international members to recognize the
differences and similarities of clowning around the world.
The Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival provided some
alternative fun for participants, but also an opportunity to
show their stuff by clowning out on the streets with the
people of our city. We made sure that the clowns were
entertained by inviting the outstanding ventriloquist,
Dennis Lee of Nana Puddin, Productions to our award
banquet, and the convention ended on a high note with
the worship service presented by the Circus of the King.
The city, and believe it or not, the hotel, have already
asked when the clowns are coming back! When the
question was posed at our wrap-up luncheon on Sunday,
the Cowtown volunteers said it would be a while.They just
wanted some well deserved rest. The most exciting, and
maybe the best thing about hosting a COAi convention, is
the camaraderie that our alley has experienced. During the
two years of working on this convention, we have come to
know each other better and been able to work together for
a common goal. And the end result was exactly what we
planned. A good time and a learning experience for those
who attended, and a group of clowns here at home who
know they can accomplish anything TOGETHER!
8 The New Calliope

May/June, 2001
First -- William Leblanc
East Bridgeport , PA
Second -- Terry Bloes
Omaha, NE
Third -- Julio Capacettl
Rio Piedras, PR
Tramp
Winners of Makeup competition
in five categories were named
at COAi's International Convention
in Fort Worth, TX. Top
Ten placings were awarded
in the Character and Senior
categories. Because there were
less than 15 entrants each
in the Tramp, Comedy
Whiteface and Senior categories,
only three places were
awarded in these competitions.
Because of the lack of entrants,
no competition was held in the
Classic Whiteface category.
And the winners are ...
Here are Top Ten winners in skit competition at COAi's
International Convent ion in Fort Worth :
SINGLE SKITS (22 competitors ): First, My Childhood , John
Rhodes Jr. Second (tie), Garage Sale, Aurora Krause . Second
(tie), The Letter , James Cunningham . Third, Ice Fishing, Lisa
E~ell. Top Ten: Coming to America, Francisco Juarez ; Making
Friends, M1s~y Dunbar; William Tell, Richard Smith ; My Most
Favorite Pre1sdent, Jack ie Garner ; Talent Show , Kent Sheets ; A
Clean Cowclown , Ivan S. Vega.
GROUP SKITS (63 competitors). FirstSynchronized
Swimming , Joyce Dowell, Lisa Ezell, Christie McNeil!, Mauri Norris.
Second, Save the Rabbit , Becky Deltenre , Janie Tenorio , Mary
Lostak. Third , Lonely Boy, Aurora Krause , Kim Oxford , Jeannie R.
Rodriguez. Top Ten : Clown Hunt, James Cunninghm and Roy
Nash; Read All About It, Linda Green and June Hinkle; Senior
Moments , Charles Heil, Jr., and Pat Heil; Miss Marvelous, Barbara
Dormire and Pamela Sue Porter; Busy Bee, Pamela Bacher,
Catherine Hardebeck , Danny Lake and Karen Lake· The Box
Susan Borg, Edward Fitzgerald and Jackie Garner ; Movie Matinee,
Carmalee Boyd, Linda Greene , Susan Jackson , May Veale-Henry,
Phil Newell , Joyce Mckelvey , Snezhana Noll and Claudette Hayes.
The New Calliope 9

First -- Donna Roth
Omaha, NE
Second -- Janie Tenorio
Spring, TX
Third -- Cathy Ramsey
Pearland, TX
More winners ....
Here are winners in balloon competition held at COAi's International
Convention in Fort Worth:
SINGLE BALLOONS (24 competitors): First, Pinkacho by
Becky Deltenre. Second, Dragonfly by Cathy Ramsey. Third,
Penguin by Edwin Ramsey. Top Ten: T-Rex by Theresa Stokes;
Butterfly by Julie Cravy; Bear and Heart by James Cunningham ; Biplane
by Sheryl Long; Hummingbird with Flower by Loretta
DeAngelus; Rabbit Eating a Carrot , by Newell Barker; Astronaut by
Missy Dunbar.
MULTIPLE BALLOONS (25 competitors): First, Cow by
Loretta DeAngelus. Second, Fly by Patricia Gregory. Third , Surfer
by Voncille Sims. Top Ten: Cockatoo by Candyce Will; Ballerina by
Theresa Stokes; Old Blue Dog by Bruce Long; Unicorn by Yona
Chock; Ostrich by Catherine Mackey; Dog Panting by James
Cunningham ; Fish by Donald Kenimer.
BALLOON ARRANGEMENT (10 competitors): First, Genie
and the Lamp by Becky Deltenre. Second , A Clown Twisting the
Day Away by Theresa Stokes. Third, Hen and Chicks by Yona
Chock.
1 O The New Calliope

'---... ,.
/
J
I
First -- Bruce Long
Evansville, IN
Second -- Newell Barker
Pawhuska , OK
Stittmorewinners ...
Here are results of paradeability competition held during
COAi's International Convention in Fort Worth:
SINGLE PARADEABILITY (31 competitors): First, Macy's
Runaway Balloon by John Rhodes Jr. Second, Pigs in Blankets
by Missy Dunbar. Third, Tapes by Catherine Mackey. Top Ten:
Untitled by Bruce Long; Computer Nerd by Michael Roman Jr.;
Candy Camera by Wanda Porter; Horse Fly by Kent Sheets; The
Drummer by Ivan S. Vega; Need Milk by Richard Smith; Eggs in a
Basket by Sara Lou Manning ..
GROUP PARADEABILITY (30 competitors, three
awards). First, The Trip by Joyce Dowell, Lisa Ezell, Patricia
Gilbert, Linda Green, Donna Matthews, Christie McNeill and Mauri
Norris. Second, Barrel Racing by Becky Deltenre, June Hinkle,
Mary Lostak, Janie Tenorio and Matthew Betz. Third, Brownie
Troop by Carmalee Boyd, Linda Greene, Susan Jackson, Kay
Veal-Henry, Claudette Hayes, Joyce M. McKelvey, Phil L. Newell,
Snezhana A.Noll and Voncille Sims.
Third -- Lavonne Krumel
Omaha, NE
__,,
L.
0
·-
The New Calliope 11

May/June, 2001
First -- Luis Casiano
Aguas Buenas, PR
Second -- Richard Smith
Shrewsbury, MA
Third -- Theresa Stokes
Kingwood, TX
Character
(Top Ten)
Nancy Gillispie
Wichita Falls, TX
12 The New Calliope

May/June , 2001
·r: .-
·'\, ·- , _ I'
Kim Oxford
San Antonio,
TX
Mary Morris
Houston, TX
Forrest Wheeler
Vernonia, OR
Pamela Bacher
Bridgeton, MO
Pamela Sue Porter
Santa Rosa, CA
Catherine Mackey
Valatie, NY
The New Calliope 13

May/June , 2001
i
A u g ~p'?ent e
First -- Edwin Ramsey
Pearland, TX
~
Second -- Luis Melendez
Carolina, PR
Third -- Michael Cox
Richmond, VA
John Rhodes, Jr.
Flint, Ml
14 The New Calliope

May/June, 2001
Jackie Klleen
Nassau, NY
Aurora Krause
San Antonio, TX
Joanna Stark
San Antonio,
TX
Leanne Leblanc
East Bridgeport,
MA
Judith
Delphi,
Conner
IN
Candyce Will
San Juan Capistrano,
CA
The New Calliope 15

May/June, 2001
Above, contestant works at a
balloon creation. Left, hundreds
watched paradeabllity
competition, held in downtown
Fort Worth during arts fair.
Convention '01
Left, stilt-walking cowboy do-se-dos during theme party. Above ,
Coco and Leo Desilets keep bidders busy at annual auction.
Below, scene during makeup competition .
16 The New Calliope

May/June, 2001
COAi Board
sets policies,
programs
By Cal Olson
COAi faces a financially conservative
year but with all prospects for a
bright future .
That's how COAi's Board of Directors
and its general membership set
programs and policies of the organization
during annual meetings at the International
Convention in Fort Worth,
TX, April 16-22.
Clockwise from above: Lively
crowds jammed most convention
sessions; English joey
Arthur Pedlar talks with an
American clown after one of
his presentations; John R.
Rhodes, Jr., took first in
single paradeablllty as a runaway
Macy 's balloon; two tots
are fascinated by a clown
during downtown appearance.
,-
Financial conservatism came in the
membership's adoption of a budget
down sharply from the 2000-01
budget. But the budget was designed
to cover the expanding program of
membership benefits. Plans were
placed to inaugurate a liability insurance
program, an expanded web
site, continued subsidization for educational
programs, expansion of state
and international ambassadors programs,
and continued support of the
entire spectrum of COAi activities.
Here are highlights of Board and
general membership meetings:
MEMBERSHIP: Major concern of
COAi Board members was the sag in
membership over the past year. While
it is traditional that membership
numbers drop around 1,000 persons
when dues notices go out in the
spring, last year's drop totaled some
1,400 persons (from 6,51 O as of April
1, 2000), and membership renewals
have been slow -- back to 5,874 as of
March 1, 2001. Add to this the fact that
the dues fee will rise to $25 as of July
1, and the Board's decision was to cut
back drastically on anticipated income
from membership dues .
BUDGET: Voters at the general
membership meeting approved a
sharply reduced budget for the 2001-
02 fiscal year: $151,670, down some
$14,500 from the current year's
Continued page 18
The New Calliope 17

May/June, 2001
Board--
From page 17
budget of $166,255.
Scholarship
Alley support
TOTAL EXP.
1,000.00
173,507.00
2,000.00
800.00
151,670.00
At the same time, the Board was optimistic about
COAi's long term prospects. "A rebuilding year," one
regional vice president called it, pointing out that a solid
presentation of programs and benefits is beginning to
accrue to the members. Chief among them: A new
insurance program, continuation of scholarship and
educational grants, and a growing move on the part of the
membership to become involved in the organization's
activities.
Here's a comparison of the current and next year's
budgets:
REVENUE
Membership
Alley charters
Magazine ads
Merchandise
Convention
Interest
2000-01
$118,500.00
700.00
27,500.00
6,500.00
3,500.00
9,000.00
55.00
500.00
Misc.
Web site
Scholarship
Education
TOTAL REV. $166,255.00
EXPENSES
CC Fee 500.00
New Calliope prod'tion 32,500.00
Editor fee 31,920.00
New Calliope postage 11,250.00
Business Manager 23,000.00
Postage 8,500.00
Printed matter 5,500.00
Merchandise 1,000.00
Publicity 100.00
Convention 9,500.00
Education 6,042.00
Clown AIR 3,200.00
Misc. 25.00
Fall Board meeting 9,500.00
Officers phone/postage2,000.00
Spanish translation
Trophies
Board meeting
Professional services
Nat'I Office Ph.,Pstge
lnn'vation and Dev.
Web site
Insurance
Taxes
1,200.00
12,000.00
7,500.00
3,000.00
1,000.00
900.00
2,000.00
State, lntntl Ambassadors370.00
2001-02
$98,000.00
700.00
30,000.00
8,000.00
2,450.00
7,000.00
520.00
1,500.00
2,000.00
1,500.00
$151,670.00
800.00
30,000.00
31,920.00
9,500.00
14,000.00
5,500.00
8,000 .00
5,000.00
100.00
9,000.00
1,000.00
2,000.00
8,500.00
1,500.00
150.00
1,200.00
9,000.00
3,300.00
2,500.00
800.00
1,800.00
2,200.00
600.00
500.00
INSURANCE: Southeast RVP Keith Stokes reported
that COAi is dealing with a company that will offer
performance liability insurance to our members. Cost of the
insurance will run between $85 and $95 per member
annually, and will insure a performer against such things as
general liability, personal injury, medical expenses. Board
members voted to accept the program.The intention is that
the Board will have this insurance program in place so that it
can be ordered by individual members at the same time
they pay their annual dues (due July 1 ). Check this issue of
The New Calliope for an advertisement to this effect.
BYLAWS CHANGES: A split on several proposed
changes in COAi 's Bylaws was recorded in voting during
the general membership meeting. The membership turned
down three changes that would have provided for a past
president to become a Board member in the event that the
immediate past president would not or could not assume
the office. Failing were proposals to change Sections 7 and
9 of Article IV, and Section 2 of Article VI.
But members approved a change to Section 5 of Article
V, which shortens the time necessary to notify members of
regular or special meetings. The current section calls for
notification not less than 30 days nor more than 45 days.
The change calls for notification not less than 1 O days nor
more than 45 days.
Members also okayed a proposal to change the
deadline date for clown alley reports from the present Jan.
31 to March 1.
ALLEYS: Cathy Hardebeck, Director of Region/Alley
Support, reported that 73 alleys had not made an annual
report by April 14. Her reaction: "Too many!"
President Venturi theorized that the current drop in
alley enrollment could be due to various factors: the
economy, and the fact that last year's general membership
straw vote mandated 100 percent COAi membership in
affiliate alleys. "Compliance to the 100 percent rule may be
a contributing factor," she said.
COMPETITION: Competition Chairman Leo Desilets
told Board members he intends to retire after the 2002
International Convention in Saratoga, NY. "Ten years is long
enough," he said, adding that he'd be available to
indoctrinate the new competition director.
At the same time, Chris and Cindy Herman, COAi's
competition computer technicians, will be leaving. They
also have made themselves available to train their
Continued page 20
18 The New Calliope

May/June, 2001
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The New Calliope 19

May/June, 2001
Board--
From page 18
replacements. In his annual report, Desilets made a number
of recommendations for future competition:
+ Noting a trend "for more of a human look, no wig,
wardrobe not as bold colors, more of a theater/performer
clown," he suggested that this trend be incorporated into
skit and paradeability competition only. Makeup competition
would remain the same. The Board agreed.
+ Desilets would change the title of skit competition to
Skits and Bits, and open it to all kinds of routines, from
magic and music to balloon work and the like, "With the
same parameters we use for judging: beginning, middle
and end."He'd also consider using CDs for music.
Desilets also suggested that makeup competition be
tightened. Since there must be at least five competitors in a
makeup category to hold a competition, low entries in
seniors and classic whiteface categories last year resulted in
no competition. He suggested to merge the categories.
Desilets would also extend the time for multiple balloon
competition to a half hour from the present 15 minutes.
Board members agreed that competition rules need to
be reexamined, and appointed Board Member Glenda
Desilets to review current competition rules and make
recommendations to the Board at its meeting next
November. The hope is that any changes would be in place
for the 2002 competition in Saratoga.
RED NOSE PHILOSOPHY: Board members voted no
change in the organization's position regarding the use of
Red Nose philosophy in international conventions. The
2002 host alley elected to run Red Nose on their own time
at the Saratoga convention, with the stipulation that it must
not compete or impinge on COAi's traditional forms of
competition. COAi traditional forms of competition will be
run as usual.
The Board agreed that this procedure can be followed
by future host alleys at international conventions. But it
does not imply any change in COAi's previous decision not
to sponsor this program.
CHARLIE AWARD: Caloosa Clown Alley #97, Ft.
Meyers, FL, received COAi's 2001 CHARLIE Award, while
the individual CHARLIE Award went to Kent Sheets, of
North Fort Meyers, FL. They are given for outstanding
participation in International Clown Week Aug. 1-7. Four
alley and three individual nominations were received.
In addition, COAi's Excellence in Clowning award went
to Sheets for his lifetime accomplishments in clowning. The
award is based on a composite of factors, including
professional performance and appearance, public and
private volunteer efforts, and education. Sheets is the
fourth person to receive the award.
CLOWN PRAYER: Board members voted to reinstate
the use of the Clown Prayer on such COAi material as the
membership card and other official documents. Use of the
prayer was dropped several years ago after some members
objected to the use of religious material by a non-sectarian
organization.
DIRECTORY: Board members agreed that a COAi
Membership Directory should be published in the coming
year. Due to the conservative budget , it was felt the cost
could be covered by drawing from the contingency fund.
COAi's Executive Committee was authorized to make the
final decision.
2003 CONVENTION: Board members accepted the bid
of St. Louis COA Alley #128 to host the 2003 convention in
St. Louis, MO. Dates: April 8-13.
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE: Requests for 11 Artists in
Residence financial grants totaling $4,923 were approved
by the Board. They include:
Omaha Wild Clowndum #147, Joe Barney Sept. 22 and
23, $650 .
Kansas City Clowns Alley #92, Leo Desilets, Sept. 29,
$325 .
Juneau Joeys Alley #310, Don Burda, Sept. 14-16,
$750 .
Crystal Coast Clown Alley #249, Jackie Gamer, July 20
and 21, $275.
Clowns Galore #194, David Bartlett, Sept. 24-25, $375.
Tri Avers #287, Leo Desilets, Oct. 6, $333.
Cowtown Clowns #135, David Bartlett, Nov. 2-3, $500.
Crystal Coast Clowns #249, Jackie Garner, Oct. 4-7,
$275.
Texas Mid-Cities #85, Lori and Mark Hurley, Oct. 4-7,
$540 .
Cheerful Clown Alley #166, Don Burda, July 20-21,
$450.
Electric City Clowns #285, Joe Barney, Oct. 12-14,
$475.
EDUCATIONAL GRANTS: Two grants of $500 each
were given to alleys seeking aid in presenting educational
seminars during regional conventions. The grants went to
Kapitol Klowns Alley #6 for the COAi Mideast Regional
Convention Oct. 20, and to Northland Clown Guild Alley
#217 for the North Central Regional Conference Oct. 19-
21.
SCHOLARSHIPS Six COAi members each were
awarded $300 scholarship grants to attend educational
seminars in the next fiscal year. Funds to attend Clown
Camp went to Tom Perrine, Nan Miller, Desirae Payne and
David Liebowitz. Funds to attend Mooseburger Camp went
to Ron Metz and Lori Stamm.
20 The New Calliope

May/June, 2001
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The New Calliope 21

May/June, 2001
The problem
with the pig
By David "Mr. Rainbow" Bartlett
1427 Acadia St.
Durham, NC 27701
The first thing you should learn to laugh at in clowning is
yourself. Some of us take just about any bait and try to
defend the world of clowning with an
attitude that seems to suggest that
clowns are saintly and above criticism or
satire or ridicule.
A while back, the movie "Shakes The
Clown" stirred the self-righteous juices of
many of us. These days there is a TV ad
depicting a party clown who doesn't
seem to care any more. The clown
suggests that the kids at a birthday party
join him in a nap. To be honest .that line
absolutely cracked me up! I added it to
my act!
There is a wise old saying, 0 "Never
wrestle with a pig. You just get tired and
dirty and the pig enjoys it." My best
advice is to relax and laugh a little.
Let he who is without sin cast the first
stone. Ever told a lawyer joke? How
about a "going postal" joke? How about a minister joke? A
doctor joke? A blonde joke? A Polish joke, or West Virginia,
or Chinese waiter or auto salesman or farmer or whatever?
Ever laugh at one of these jokes?
Take a few breaths, relax and laugh a little.
If others don't get or appreciate what we do, or even intend
harm to our profession, move on. There are enough clown
lovers out there to take care of and entertain. When you run
across pigs just itching for a good roll in the mud, simply
deny them the pleasure of your company in a tussle
designed only to prolong conflict and invigorate the pig.
Speaking of pigs looking for a tussle, they are easy to find
on Internet message boards. I hate to tell you but
occasionally it gets pretty wild out there! You never know
when a mud fight will break out. Incivility reigns.
This happens for a number of reasons. First and
foremost , there actually are people out there who just love
to mud wrestle. They will say anything to provoke a sharp
emotional response. They often defend themselves by
saying it's good to "stir things up a little." To me , that line
itself is a dead giveaway that the provoker is more motivated
by boredom than by an honest desire to share information
about clowning. It is more an invitation to argument than it is
an invitation to discussion . Anger is sport to them. They
count on people being intolerant of diversity , and
unfortunately they can easily find a lot of it.
Another way to spot a pig looking for a good roll in the
mud is when they actually invite people to "flame away." In
Internet lingo , flaming someone means to direct venomous
anger toward him or her. An unfortunate thing is that good ,
well meaning people allow themselves to be emotionally
used by provokers instead of sensibly
ignoring them. Most provokers are clown
haters and others who have curious persona l
agendas .
other side.
Don't ever get into a discussion with
anybody who throws out the old fact that mass
murderer John Gacy dressed as a clown. Evil
dresses in every conceivable costume .and
anybody who doesn 't know that already isn't
going to tolerate being educated by you or
anybody else. The best thing to do is to
ignore them and deprive them of what they
want. Simply refuse to wrestle with the pig.
I think we also have a societal problem with
basic interpersonal communication. I see
angry arguments erupt quite often between
people who do not fall into the pig category.I
think that the two things that cause these
uncivil eruptions are a lack of writing ability on
one side, and hair trigger responses on the
Over these many years as a columnist for the different
magazines I have received many hot-tempered letters from
people. Some have serious disagreement with someth ing I
have written. Often though, they are from people who have
misread a column, even accusing me of taking the exact
positions I was arguing against!
The point is that I take a lot of time going over every word
of my columns for clarity, and I still can't avoid
misiriterpretation. Today 's technology makes matters
worse.People can write and immediately send messages
written hastily and with a head of steam. In the old days it
took time and cost money to send a response.The time lag
often let people calm down and think more clearly.
It's very hard to type long thoughtful responses, so
instead I see a lot of short, terse attacks. Writers don't have
Continued page 24
22 The New Calliope

TUMES
by Betty
May/June, 2001
W.R.C.A. CONVENTION
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The New Calliope 23

May/June , 2001
Pig--
From page 22
to face their readers person-to-person and this anonymity
seems to breed a sense of verbal bravado that comes
across as mean spiritedness , which leads to more
nastiness. I'm sure that face-to-face we would be mannerly
and nice.
Some people aren't as computer savvy as others and
make the etiquette mistake of writing in capital letters .which
is perceived as yelling at others.Try to take a more kindly
attitude toward this. I have a friend who always types in
capital letters because he has a hard time reading regular
print and he 's not quite computer literate enough to change
the size of the typeface.
One of my guiding philosophies is never to attribute to
malice what can adequately be explained by stupidity . This
keeps me from taking unnecessary offense (and even
helps me avoid taking offense when offense was actually
intended.)
We also need to be more accepting of all the different
types and kinds of clowning. You can learn a lot more by
listening or, in this case reading, what others have to say
than by dominating conversation, or constantly feeling you
have to defend or justify yourself and the choices you have
made in your clowning.
Finally, if you find yourself dealing with the television or
radio media, don't automatically assume they have your
best interests in mind.They have the ir own interests in mind
and that may be to have fun at your expense. Face it, we are
easy targets.
For example, in almost every radio market area there are
morning "wacky" shows that usually have crank calls as part
of their regular comedy fare. These folks are professionals
at sucking you in and making you sound like a fool. You
really should listen to all your local radio stations to see what
they do and get an insight as to what you might do when
you get a really crazy caller on the phone looking for
something like a clown for a funeral. Yes, I know there are
clown funerals, but not usually for a non-clown decedent.
If you suspect you are on the receiving end of one of
these crank calls don't get angry. Handle it with good humor
and remember you are getting great local publicity worth
lots of money! You'll be shocked at how many people tell
you that they heard you on the radio .
Here is a way to test out if rt is a radio show crank call.
Make up a reason for having to put them on hold for a
second or ask for a return number because something that
came up and you'll have to call them back in five minutes.
Time to waste is the one thing they do not have. If it is a
crank call , it gets crazy real fast , like an over-caffeinated
telemarkete r desperate to keep you on the phone .Once
you are sure who it is, it is time to show them you are a real
clown and start having fun with them .
As for television , be sure you know and trust the people
you are dealing with .Any television pieces you do will be
greatly edited and the final story may not be close to what
you thought it was going to be.
For example , Bob and Teresa Gretton spent over five hours
with a national show televis ion reporte r and crew working on
a story about "clown phobias ." Bob and Teresa had never
heard of "The Daily Show " on Comedy Central (one of my
favorite shows) .
I've seen this show rip through clowning before.
Fortunately for us.this time they picked on two strong
clowns with confident established characters. I saw the
piece three times and through it all Bob and Teresa came
off as absolute professionals and not the geeks-ingreasepaint
I know the show was hoping for.
It's great to be a fool ! It doesn 't make much sense to take
offense when someone points out that you are a
fool.Relax. Laugh . Laugh a lot. And when you are finished
laughing , go ahead and laugh some more . Just don 't
wrestle any pigs.
Last walkaround
Leonard C. Stackhouse
Leonard C. "Mr . Big" Stackhouse , 86, of Rosemont , PA.
made his last walkaround late last year.
Mr. Stackhouse , a retired residential and commercial
builder, began clowning at age 50, using a pair of 12-foot
stilts. A charter member of Delaware Valley Clown Alley
#8, he trotted with the Comic Division in the Mummer's
Parade for about 1 0 years in the ?O's. He also was a balloon
sculptor and handsaw musician .
He is survived by his wife, Ann Diem Stackhouse, two
sons , a sister and six grandchildren . He will be missed by
family and friends.
Marion "Jigsie" Bruce
Marion "Jigsie " Bruce, of Oakland, CA, made her last
walkaround March 5, 2001. She is survived by her brother,
Geoffrey Neily.
Ms. Bruce was a member of many well known clubs in the
Oakland area, and was a board member of the Zucchini
Festival. She will be missed by her many friends .
24 The New Calliope

May/June, 2001
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The New Calliope 25

May/June, 2001
From the
President
By Cheri "Cherri-Oats"Venturi
COAi President
It doesn't seem possible that the convention is already
a wonderful memory. I would like to thank The Cowtown
Clowns, Alley #135 for a stupendous job. Not only did they
have an excellent educational program but also the hotel
was most accommodating and accessible to a whole town of
great places to eat, shop and enjoy. For all of you who were
unable to make it to Ft. Worth, we missed you. We will hope
to see you next year at Saratoga.NY, or the following year in
St. Louis, MO. What a perfect world it would be if we could
all come together. (Although, I am not sure the world is
ready for that many clowns in one place.)
The COAi Board meeting and the general membership
meeting went very well. Even though this year is going to
be a conservative spending year, I feel we have
implemented some very good programs. We will be offering
for the first time a liability insurance program with $2 million
coverage. It is being carried by an A+ rated firm and will
begin this July 1. The period coverage will be from July 1,
2001, to June 30, 2002. There will be no prorating so you
will have to pay the same premium if you start in July as you
would in November but you will have $2 million dollar for
only $90. We are so excited.
Keith Stokes was able to find a company that would
accommodate all our requests. Linda Hulet also put in
many hours locating companies. If you haven't signed up
for insurance yet, you will be able to sign up with your dues
renewal and receive one whole year of insurance. There
will be no restrictions except for the use of asbestos. So
please refrain from juggling in old places and knocking
down the plaster to expose the asbestos. Just kidding. Our
Board is so pleased that we are able to offer everyone this
opportunity. We hope you will take advantage of this offer.
Any questions, please contact Shirley Long , our Business
manager.
Six scholarships and two grants were awarded this year.
Our auction money from the 2000 convention allowed us to
honor six individuals each with a $300 scholarship to an
educational workshop of their choice. Two alleys each were
given a $500 grant. The Artist in Residence program was
able to honor 11 alleys with a stipend to help bring in
various Artists in Residence. Thank all of you for submitting
your applications for the various programs. Our goal is to
have more applications next year. We are so pleased to be
able to see these programs growing from year to year.
For many of you who have requested the return of the
membership directory, we have heard your wishes and will
be producing one in the very near future. Everyone
seemed to enjoy having the directory at his or her
fingertips. Thank all of you who wrote in or emailed your
thoughts and suggestions.
We will also be upgrading the website to be even more
user friendly. Our "Ask Us" addition has been a great deal of
fun and enjoyment for all those who have been asking the
Board questions and for the Board to answer them. Each
Board member has volunteered to take a month and answer
the questions that come in. Check it out on the website.
Any suggestions or questions , contact David Barnett.
Mike Fixer did a great job of setting up an E-group for
COAi. We were testing it from July to this April and it is now
approved for all members to join that like to communicate via
the Internet. For more information check out the article in
this issue regarding use and guide lines for e-groups.
I a~ truly excited about the things that are immediately
happening and the plans for the future. We are moving in
~uch_ a positive direction. Everyone on the Board and many
md1v1dual members are stepping up and asking what can
they do. How can they become more involved? They are
sending in suggestions, ideas, and criticisms. They are
talking to their representatives and volunteering to be state
ambassadors. We as a Board await your input. We listen
and try to accommodate ideas that will best serve the
majority. Should you have any issues that you would like to
have us look into please contact your Regional Vice
President or any of the Board and we will take your
suggestions to the meeting in November.
I want to thank all the Board members for putting in
untold amounts of time during the year as well as the
convention. The meetings were productive and we were
able to cover all our topics, even though we had a shorter
period of time to work. Everyone pitched in to help and
keep the meetings moving.
The spring is upon us and the temperatures are starting
to climb. Please be good to your Clown and carry your water
and take breaks to refresh. Be good to your fellow clowns.
Ask a clown friend to do a job with you and see how much
fun it is to work with someone. Help a new clown find a
clown family. Finally, take time to hug your family and
friends for putting up with all the strange and funny things
we do. They are the unseen heroes that allow us to spread
our clown wings.
I had better sign off for now so our editor will not have to
add pages to the magazine.
Until next time ... Keep your clown noses pointed in a
positive direction.
26 The New Calliope

May/June, 2001
Bubba's
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Orange Park, FL 32067
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The New Calliope 27

May/June, 2001
The learning
•
experience
and was truly the most rewarding week I've ever spent.
Things that I learned that week are things I use to this day in
my clowning.
So what made it work so well? I think it is important to be
open to everything and everyone. I t(?ok classes that were
new and intriguing. I listened, took notes and organized
them whenever I got back to my room. Having a roommate
is a big plus. If there are two classes you both
By Karen "P eppermint" Reinholt ----------, want to take at conflicting times, you can each go
P.O. Box 13187
to a different one and then share the notes. This
Portland, OR 97213
can be done with other participants too. In the
email: Pepprmnttc@aol.com
classes, I always tried to sit next to someone new
So, you're going to a clown convention ,
and introduce myself. It is wonderful to meet so
festival or clown school. Whether it's your
many new people.
first time or not, this article is about how to
get the most out of being a participant. I
At mealtimes , never sit by yourself. Don't be
have received letters asking me this
afraid to walk up to a table where there's an empty
question and had planned on writing an
chair and ask if you can join them. The answer will
article about it. Having just returned from
always be 'yes'. Clowns are friendly and love to
the COAi Convention in Ft. Worth , I felt it
talk. Once seated , introduce yourself and then
was a good time to address some
listen. If I can stress anything , it's to LISTEN,
sensitive issues as well as help first-timers
LISTEN, LISTEN. I've learned more about
along. .__________ _. clowning from listening in classes , at lunch tables,
If you've ever wondered about what it's like to go to a
weekend or weeklong clown convention, let me tell you
that there's nothing else like it. You'll live, eat and breathe
clowning 24 hours a day for however long you're there. You
will be among people who understand your love of
laughter, your love of people and your love of clowning.
This , in itself , is an incredible experience.
First of all, shake off all the nervousness and be prepared
to have a great time! My first convention was also my first
time flying by myself, my first time with other clowns and my
first time away from my husband and children . I arrived at
the University of Windsor, Ontario , Canada all by myself , not
knowing anyone else there . I checked into my dorm room
and headed to the cafeteria for dinner. Walking into a large
room full of people eating , not knowing a single person was
disconcerting , to say the least. Just as I was reaching for a
tray, someone said "Hi, mind if I join you?'' It was an angel
from Ohio named Jeanie . She was all alone too and we
became fast friends . We had so much in common that we
switched roommates so we could be together. We'd stay
up late into the night sharing our ideas and stories. We
attended as many classes as we possibly could. We were
interested in different things , so we took notes and then
shared them with each other . It doubled our perspective on
what we learned.
We signed up for anything and everything. I had never
been that interested in puppetry, but took several classes ,
just to see what it was all about. I even performed for "Pot
Pourri" which was similar to Open Mic at The Comedifest.
Every mealtime, Jeanie and I would join a new table of
people and made lots of new friends . It was intoxicating
at impromptu get-togethers , in performances, etc. You
can't learn something if you're the one doing the talking.
There's nothing wrong with sharing your own
experiences. But figure out when's the best time to talk .
Are you being asked to share? Then by all means , share.
Are you in an informal gathering where everyone's sharing?
Then, by all means , share. And don't be afraid to share ,
afraid that your stories might not be as "good '" as someone
else's. You'll be amazed at the wide variety of skill levels
and experience levels that will be all around you. Even if
you're with a group that you feel is much more experienced ,
if they ask you to share , then go ahead. Then , be prepared
to learn from their comments on what you just told them. It's
like an impromptu coaching session.
Sitting around at tables at mealtime , there are impromptu
balloon sessions, magic sessions, juggling , etc. You never
know what's going to happen next. Absorb it all, inhale it,
and learn from it. You'll laugh so much , your mouth will hurt.
You'll learn so much, you'll forget half of it after each class.
Write copious notes in classes. Don't be afraid to try
something new . Even if you think you'd never be
interested in something , if you get an opportunity to try it,
go for it. You never know when that new door of
opportunity will open for you.
Don't be afraid to approach the instructors. There's
nothing wrong with inviting an instructor to join you for
coffee or lunch, etc. Anot her thing to try is competition.
Even if you're new, go ahead and compete. Don't worry
about winning an award. Compete for the sake of learning.
You'll learn so much from the coaches' notes that will help
Continued page 30
28 The New Calliope

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The New Calliope 29

May/June, 2001
Learning --
From page 28
you improve and grow.
During performances, don't distract yourself by taking
notes. Sit back and enjoy the performance! Notice the
nuances of stage presence, audience interaction, physical
comedy and skills. Enjoy the show. Later, you can debrief
and evaluate what you saw and learn from it.
So, now here are some do's and don'ts for everyone in
classes and performances at clown conventions and
festivals.
You can take your cell phone or pager with you when you
travel, but please, please, please leave it in your room .
There is nothing more distracting than a phone ringing or
pager beeping in the middle of a lecture or show. At one
class I attended at the convention in Ft. Worth, no less than
five cell phones rang during one 50-minute class. That's
once every 1 O minutes. It is thoroughly distracting and
ruins the continuity of the lecture. If you have an
emergency that makes it necessary to have your phone or
pager with you, please put it on vibrate. The same
restrictions for cell phones and pagers apply to
performances and competitions. It is disruptive to everyone
in the audience, not to mention the performer(s), when a
phone is ringing. Please be a courteous audience member
and be supportive of the performer(s) on stage.
While in a class I lecture , please let the instructor teach.
Too often, questions are asked that would have been
answered a few minutes later during the lecture. There are
always designated times when the instructor asks if there
are any questions . If you have a question , jot it down so
you don't forget it. If it doesn't come up in the class , by all
means ask it when the instructor asks for questions. There
are always going to be questions that come up. What is
important is to not distract from the continuity of the
class . And please remember to keep your questions to the
subject of the class. If you have concerns in another area,
connect with the instructor after class .
I know how much fun it is to share your favorite stories
about clowning. However , during a lecture is not the
appropriate time. It interrupts the learning process and
creates a disjointed teaching structure. Save those
wonderful stories for later around the lunch table or sitting in
groups in the hotel lobby or impromptu gather!ngs in the
dorm rooms .
want to make. Ask yourself if it pertains to what is being
discussed. If not, wait until a more appropriate
time, so as not to disrupt the continuity of the class.
If you want to tape a lecture or performance (either audio
or video) , always check ahead of time to see if it is
appropriate and/or allowed. Try to be inconspicuous if you
are videotaping, so as not to disrupt others' view.
Remember to be sensitive to the wishes of the instructor or
performer. It is, after all, something they 've worked hard in
preparing and you need to respect their decision .
If I can offer another piece of advice, it would be to slow
down and take the time to learn. We live in a world that is
used to instant results. We have instant beverages,
microwavable food, immediate access to the Internet , and
now we seem to want 'instant professional clown." We live
in a society that promotes fast , faster and fastest. It's no
wonder that we want immediately what it takes years to
develop.
One of my favorite TV sitcoms was "Home Improvement"
with Tim "The Toolman" Taylor. One episode was about his
wife Jill's class reunion. Tim took along his "suit in a bag,"
which was a business suit all in a bag. He was so smug
about being able to pack so easily. When it came time for
him to wear it, it was all wrinkled and he looked horrible. It
was hysterical.
I keep waiting for someone to come up with "Clown in a
bag", a way to become an instant clown . It would include a
costume, wig , makeup , a few simple tricks and balloons ,
business cards and you'd be ready to go. "Clown in a
bag". But it doesn't work like that. We all know we need to
put time and energy and commitment into learning our craft
and honing our skills. If I may quote Harry Allen from
Daytona Magic "The trick isn't good. It's how you do it that
makes it good ." I think this applies to more than magic. The
"how we do it" whether it pertains to magic , balloons,
physical comedy , face painting , puppetry , etc. is what takes
practice , time and commitment. The learning process never
ends. We're all still learning, no matter where we're at in our
performing careers.
So, go to the conventions, festivals , Comedifest, schools
of clowning and learn, learn, learn. As always, remember to
have fun with your clowning!
Recent ly at a staff panel discussion, a series of questions
led to comments and then totally unrelated stories by the
audience members. The entire focus of the panel
discuss ion was disrupted and it was difficult to get people
back on track. What I am suggesting is that you think twice
about what you might be asking or what comment you might
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How to do it
Clown class
for the kids
By Margaret "Maggie the Magical Clown"Clauder
916 Wayland Dr.
Arlington, TX 76012
For the last few summers I have taught a children's
clown class. I know many of you have done the same. Some
of you would like to do it, but are not sure where to start.
Some of you would love to have your alley sponsor a
children's clown class. I will share my experiences and ideas
with you. Perhaps those of you who have already taught
classes may get some ideas.
I was first approached to teach clown classes by a local
arts group. A clown friend of mine had been teaching the
class in the summer and she was "retiring" from it. I say
retiring, because she just did not have any interest in
continuing the program. The arts center asked me to
perform a 45 minute clown show for the community on a
Monday at 11 a.m. The children's clown classes would start
that afternoon at 1 p.m. The class would run for five days
and be a two-hour per day class. The last class would
include a performance for the public by the students.
Of course, I got as many suggestions from my
predecessor as I could. The class was limited to 15 children
age 8 to 14. To help me, I was to have an older teenager
that the arts council provided.
The city advertised the class and the performance in
their summer activities brochure that is sent to all area
homes. There are always day care centers that come to
watch my show because it is an inexpensive field trip for
them. Tickets cost $1 per child, with the proceeds going to
the arts council to defray my charge for teaching. I typically
have 100-plus children who attend the initial show .
I approach this class much differently than an adult
class. First of all, this was to be a fun class for the children to
take during the summer. I did not feel that I should drill them
with clown etiquette, the clown prayer , and all the clown nonos
that the adults get. I was not going to be too particular
on their costumes. I emphasized raiding mom and dad's
closet for funny looking old shirts, large pants and
suspenders, funny hats, socks, shoes too big for a child,
etc. The children only had five weekdays to put a costume
together, so I couldn't expect too much. I am always
surpr ised, though, with the cute outfits that some of my
students do manage to put together. Last summer, one 12-
---=
year-old girl wore a pair of her
father's pants and stuffed two small
round pillows in the butt. This gave
her a big butt appearance that was
hysterical. When she walked she
exaggerated h~r big bottom by
wiggling it back and forth. Close
your eyes and imagine a cute
.., teenage girl with her long hair in
pigtails wearing daddy's too large
pants with a big bottom. She knew
she looked funny so she ACTED
FUNNY!
Now the lesson plan. First class (Monday): Brief history
of clowning. Clown costuming. I passed around old copies
of The New Calliope, especially the competition photos.
Even though the children would not end up looking like
COAi clowns out of the Calliope, I did want them to see what
they could aspire to become. Then we began balloon
animals. I had pre-blown dozens of balloons. Each child was
allotted approximately two dozen pre-blown balloons. They
followed me as I demonstrated the twists. By the end of
class, each student had at least five different animals they
could take home. I had a small bag of balloons for each child
to take home also (which is included in the class). I took
orders for hand balloon pumps from the children when the
moms came to pick them up. The wholesale balloon store
was close, so on my way home I could stop and fill their
orders for balloon pumps.
Second class (Tuesday): Bring out balloon pumps and
practice blowing up balloons and refresh their memories on
how to make the five animals we learned the day before. In
this class we practice juggling. I demonstrate juggling
scarves. All the kids make a straight line and we all go
through the same moves at the same time for juggling
scarves. The children that learned juggling three scarves
very well I moved on to juggling three balls. I separated
these children out while the scarf children kept practicing.
Finally I had a number of plates that I passed out and
taught plate spinning and balancing. The children loved all
this hands-on activity. For the second hour of class, I would
teach one or two magic tricks. After I taught the secret, each
child would come up and perform the trick in front of the
class. I taught them the classic cups and balls routine using
paper cups and sponge balls. I also taught them a trick
using two nylon loops. I learned this trick from magician
David Ginn at one of his lectures. It is a cheap and easy
giveaway magic routine. Finally, we learned a skit from
Bonzo's book of skits called "Disappearing Water." It is a
cute magic trick that is not very magical but perfect for
clowns.
Third class (Wednesday): Skits and comedic
movement. I began to teach them skits we wou ld do in our
Continued page 34
32 The New Calliope

May/June, 2001
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The New Calliope 33

May/June, 2001
Kids' class --
From page 32
final show. We would pertorm on Friday at a senior day care
facility as our graduation. We had a skit on making a balloon
animal where several children came forward and
demonstrated how well they could make a dog balloon.
One child in the group was picked to be the fool who could
never get the balloon blown up right. When this child finally
got the balloon blown up, he couldn't get it to turn into a
dog. At the end of this skit the children presented their
creations to audience members, including the final balloon
which I announced was a pertect "worm" balloon sculpture.
We learned a juggling skit. I once again have the
children who can juggle scarves come out and juggle for a
few seconds. Next the children who can juggle balls, then
the children who could spin a plate and balance a stick
horse on their hands come out. Finally, the ultimate, one
child learned how to juggle five (count them, five) invisible
balls. This spot is usually reserved for the child who could
not earn to juggle anything at all. Instead of feeling bad that
they never could learn the skill, they are made the star of
the show by juggling invisible balls. It is very cute.
I have a wondertul tape called "Under the Big Top " by
Melody House music. This tape is pertect for any graduation
clown show. I teach the children how to act out several of
the songs on the tape as if they are skits. There is a
tightrope song for the traditional clown on a tightrope skit.
This skit uses three clowns, two holding the tightrope, and
one tightrope walker, who is called Tina. Tina has the
personality of a Miss Piggy. She is very flamboyant. She
attempts to walk on the "tightrope" while it is way up in the
air. She continually has the rope holders lower the rope
until it finally is laying on the floor. She can now "tightrope
walk" with ease across it and take her bows at the end.
There is also a song for The Strongman, another classic
clown skit, and an Elephant Tamer song for an elephant
skit. I'll save telling you the last two skits as you may be
seeing these for yourself at an upcoming COAi seminar!
Fourth class (Thursday): Children bring their costumes
to show me what they have. We discuss hair/head
coverings. We practice and polish any of the skits and put
the show in orde r. We will not do makeup until the last class.
There is just not enough time.
Fifth class (Friday): Children all show up in costume at
regular class time. Each child is required to have a parent or
another suitable adult attend the last class to help apply the
child's makeup. I supply a makeup kit which includes the
fo llowing : 1 thin black makeup pencil. 1 thin red makeup
pencil. I fat white makeup pencil. 1 pencil sharpener. 5 Q­
tips.
I pass around a bottle of baby oil from which everyone
takes a few drops on their Q-tips I also pass around baby
wipes. I will apply makeup (Auguste style) on one child while
the moms all apply makeup on their own children, copying
what I do. We basically put the same face on all the children.
We do not use auguste base on the faces. Instead , we
lightly brush dry red blush around the face for the auguste
glow. It is much faster and easier. Each child steps to the
back room with their parent and powders. We allow an hour
for putting on this simple face. It is always just about the
right amount of time.
We then car pool to the senior daycare center where
the children will be pertorming. At the end of their
pertormance they are each introduced to the audience and
presented with a certificate of completion of the class. The
senior center loves having the children pertorm for them.
They are a great audience and the children always seem to
enjoy it as well.
We start off the show with a clown parade to music. All
the children parade through the room with their funny
props, greeting the audience.
Every summer the class fills up, usually within two days
of registration being opened. This tells me that more and
more recreation centers and arts groups should hold
children's summer clown classes. Every summer we have to
turn away several children from the class.
I wish you could see all the adorable children that I see
go through my class. They are naturally funny and so full of
life. I have no trouble getting children to act silly, like I
sometimes do with adults in a clown class. They are
spontaneous. They are also imaginative.
I wish you could have seen the little girl with the pillows
in her pants. I was the teacher, but this little girl was inspiring
and teaching me. She helped to bring out the child in this
adult, too.
I hope you will consider teaching this art to children
also. You will be surprised what YOU may learn!
How to save a buck
(no, more like $ 5)
If you don't have your COAi dues statement
yet, you'll be receiving it soon. You can save
money by getting those dues into the business
office BEFORE July 1, since COAi
dues will increase $5 -- to $25 a year -- on
that date.
A WORD TO THE (FINANCIALLY) WISE!
34 The New Calliope

May/June, 2001
·---··--·--···············--
1 ~,Ja ~~ October 19-21, 2001 al
I
di North Central Regional C.O.A.I. Convention
I featuring Vince ''Vappo'' Pagliano EI_I I
• w/ 15 workshops & 3 competitions A •
1~~=~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1
• Visit us at www.clowna11ey217.freeservers.com To request registration via postal I
di for details and on-line registration mail, call (816) 532-3441 or mail to at
di E-mail: clownalley217@hotmail.com Northland Clown Guild, PO Box di
f 7492, N. Kansas City, MO 64116 1.
at Registration includes: all sessions, dealers room, Friday at
II night party and Saturday night banquet. Name:__________ di
di Before Sept. l st=$75 After Sept. 1st & at the door =$90 Address: ___ __ ____ di
di $10 non-refundable cance llation fee-No refunds after Oct. I st
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at Kansas City Airport Hilton (816) 891-8900 at
. $69 per night (up to 4 people)-Clown Convention rate State :___ Zip: ______ ,a
~ rooms held through Oct. 6th .____________ _.. di
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The New Calliope 35

May/June, 2001
International
•
view
By Andrew "Kooky" Stevens
34 High St.
Easterton,
Devizes, Willshire SN1 O 4PE
England
If you were asked by someone, "What is a clown?", how
would you answer? A funny person, a comic entertainer, a
joker maybe, possibly you could say a fool. You would be
right, of course, if you answered in any of these ways. In
fact, I expect you can think of some more.
Then you might be asked, "How would I recognize one
of they came walking down the street?" You might reply
they wear lots of makeup, but some do and some don't.
Some ladies wear a lot of makeup, sometimes maybe too
much, and if they do, I don't think they would appreciate
being called clowns.
It could then be said clowns wear funny clothes, which
are often ill fitting and baggy. I could be describing some of
today's fashions for the younger generation. Some of their
clothes are ill fitting and baggy, and -- if I may dare say so -­
funny.
How about brightly colored or dyed hair? But clowns
aren't the only ones to have dyed or brightly coloured hair
nowadays; There are still punks about, apart from the
people who are trying to be "different."
We are not getting anywhere very quickly here, are we?
We still haven't said how one would recognize a clown in
the street. So how would you describe a clown to a person
or child who had never seen a clown before, and what they
should expect if they saw one?
This is the kind of situation I put myself in when I first
decided to become a clown and start clowning. I had the
advantage that I had seen clowns before in the circus when
I was a child. I knew that they wore funny, ill fitting clothes
and had big red noses, etc., but to me the main thing was
they made everyone laugh with the ir funny antics.
I set out to create just such a clown. I checked in the ·
library for a book on clowning, but at the time there was not
too much to go on. I had to almost create my clown from
scratch. I had some idea as to what they look like, but what
did they do? All I could remember was they made a lot of
mess that everyone thought was funny. I also knew that in
the circus there was a whiteface clown who was the boss
clown and who was clever, as he never got in a mess and
often would play a musical instrument. This clown was not
the funny one; he always set up the ot~ers for the laughs. I
didn't want to be the whiteface; I wanted to make everyone
laugh .
It was not feasible for me to run away and join the circus
as I had just got married and we had a baby on the way. I was
looking at entertaining in the street, at parties and shows,
etc. This created a problem. What could I do at parties that
was funny but not too messy, since I would be entertaining
in the front room of a person's house? I could not go
juggling. Riding a unicycle was out as well as stilt walking.
But in my eyes these were not clown things anyway.
Jugglers did juggling and unicyclists rode unicycles. Some
people did both and at the same time, and stilt walkers?
Well, they walk on stilts.
Clowns were supposed to just make people laugh by
being funny. Yes, you can have comedy juggling and the
like, but as I said these things are not really possible in the
front room of a house. I was determined that I would
entertain by being funny. I knew I could so some magic, but
I didn't want to be a magician. If I did some magic, it would
have to be really simple stuff that was easy to do. I was not
looking for routines that astounded the audience or left
them amazed at how clever I was.
In my eyes too many clowns now feel they have to
juggle, ride unicycles or walk on stilts or even become
magicians to perform as a clown. I think this is a sad situation
as there is so much material around that clowns can use to
create fun or use to be funny. Thankfully, there are clowns
who are doing just this -- seeking out tried and tested skits
and routines and adapting them to their own character or
style of clowning. Hopefully, in the future, more time will be
spent at workshops or whenever clowns get together to
discuss and develop these routines, plus developing new
ones to entertain today's young people.
I do have one big hangup: I hate volunteering for
anything, especially where clowning is concerned. I know
can handle a stage performance, as I have done so in the
past. I know a lot of the traditional circus routines which I
could perform if asked to. I am just not one to push myself. I
am sure there are others like me out there, who quietly get
on with just being funny clowns. When they get the call to
help, they are only too willing to do so, and are probably
very good. After all, not just anyone can become a clown.
You have to be chosen; you cannot teach anyone to be
funny .
I would love to hear your comments on this article, so
please write or email me at kooky@kookyclown.com
36 The New Calliope

May/June, 2001
§ot a question?
If you need to talk about COAi, Business
Manager Shirley Long will take your
toll-free call on Mondays and Thursdays
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Name _______________
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Make $59 Check to: Humpty Dumpty Assn .
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Visit our web site - www.humptydumpty.org
BEHIND THE BIG
RED NOSE
A serious look at how to develop
your talents and discover your
direction in today's clowning
by David Bartlett a.k.a. Mr. Rainbow
Collection of columns, some material previously
published in the Pot of Gold series.
Send check for $35 (pJus $3.95 for priority mail) to
David Bartlett 1427 Acadia St., Durham, NC 27701.
"It tou ches so many areas that people need
lo think ahout and knoll' he.fore they step
oul the door .for the.first time in clown.
.... /Iha/you talk abou t is the
.fo1111da tio11 of cloll'ning."
Bob Grctton, Maryland
"... m, i11ve.\"l/ 11e111 ... you will use.for !he rest
o.fyour career. "
Denise Hall, Florida
"Every c/oll'n should read this /"
Leon McBryde, VirJ!inia.
The New Calliope 37

May/June , 2001
A clown
report
from Bermuda
By Marion "Dottie" MacPherson
Bermuda
email: dottletheclwn@lbl.bm
Here's how it is to be a clown on the island of Bermuda.
I was born in Scotland in 1944. When I was a child of 12
~Y family emigrated to Montreal .Canada. The first 1 o years
1n Canada was a struggle. I was married at 19 years of age. I
have three children , Bonnie,35 , Heather ,31 , and Jamie ,29 .
In 1959 my sister went to live in Bermuda . While visiting
her I met my second husband , Malcolm . We have been
married 18 years . My daughter Heather lives here also. I
have six grandchildren who think it's great having a Nana
who is a clown . I work with my husband in our painting
contractor 's business, so I am able to leave the job any time
to do a party at nursery schools , etc.
I have been clowning around in Bermuda for seven
yea~. I clown_ mostly in private homes for children's birthday
parties , also in restaurants and parks. The children's ages
run from 3 to 1 O years. I also do conventions at hotels for
various companies from the States. I amuse the children in
the summer, when the cruise ships come in, as an
entertainmen t busker .
I have also done a party on Hawkins Island for a charming
Saudi prince and his three nieces and nephew and their
bodyguards . One of the older boys saw me do magic and
make chocolate appear , so he told me to make more . I told
him I could not, so he informed me that he would have my
head chopped off . (I could see me being wrapped up in a
carpet and being flown out of the island , never to be seen
again ._) Boy, was I scared! What an experience. I had only
been in the clowning business six months. I also got to
dance with the prince. What timing -- and I had to be
dressed like a clown , with a red nose .
I do at least four birthday parties on the weekend . I also
d~ clowning in my church on special occasions . At a party I
will do ventriloquism, silly magic, face painting, tattoos and
balloons. I would now like to try and learn to play a musical
instrument. The parties I do amount to about 130 a year ,
plus my six favourite charities and church bazaars which I do
annually . It really keeps me busy. Most of the clowning I do
on the island is with English. American and Bermudian
children.
I am the only professional clown on the beautiful island
of Bermuda. There was one clown before I started ; now I am
the only one . The island is 22 miles long and two miles at
the widest point. The population is 65,000 . Only one car
per household is allowed ; this is why my husband has to
drive me everywhe re, otherwise I have to take a taxi.
Y'fhen children see me in the van or walking , they get
excited ; they wave at me, call my name . The parents do the
same.
At a convention I heard that people are wary about
hugging the children . I guess I am very fortunate here on
the island as I hug them and they hug me back . I don 't have
a problem; parents know the children are safe. The parents
tell me how much the children enjoy the show and how
much they enjoy my puppet, Freddy , who is a chicken .
"Whiskey Papa" from England suggested I need a mascot
and picked Fred out for me. Now he is the hit of my shows .
The kids love him immensely .
Most of the advertising is by word of mouth through the
parents ; the rest is by the telephone book . When I am not
working with my husband , I am working at nursery schools
clowning , or at home creating my shows . I have purchased a
new monkey. Her name is Sally. I am putting together a
show for Christmas .

May/June, 2001
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For More Information, contact:
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Phone: 888-52CLOWN
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The New Calliope 39

May/June, 2001
Alley
update
By Catherine "CATH-E-0" Hardebeck
Director, Alley/Region Support
6027 Deerwood Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63123
Greetings from the home of the Superbowl Rams. I had
a great time at the COAi convention. I was able to meet a
lot of people who I had contact with but not knowing the
faces to go with the messages.
I am pleased to annouce that Three new alleys have
joined the COAi ranks. They are:
Alley 343, Central Valley Clowns
939 E. Main St.
Turlock , CA 95380
George Joseph
Alley 344, Payasos Traviesos Del Centro
HC-02 Box 6452
Barranquitos, PR 00794
Carmen Rivera
being written on the first of April and I still do not have all the
reports in. Some alleys have contacted me and are sending
them to me. I know that someone in each alley listed below
got the report and the reminder because they did not come
back marked undeliverable. If your alley is listed below,
please contact me to get a report. Because the list is so
long I'm only going to list the alley numbers.
Alley 6 Alley 30 Alley 38 Alley 39
Alley 74 Alley 80 Alley 83 Alley 95
Alley 113 Alley 127 Alley 151 Alley 159
Alley 170 Alley 179 Alley 190 Alley 191
Alley 193 Alley 195 Alley 201 Alley 204
Alley 211 Alley 217 Alley 219 Alley 223
Alley 232 Alley 234 Alley 239 Alley 240
Alley 246 Alley 247 Alley 248 Alley 250
Alley 255 Alley 257 Alley 258 Alley 260
Alley 263 Alley 264 Alley 265 Alley 271
Alley 277 Alley 281 Alley 282 Alley 286
Alley 290 Alley 292 Alley 294 Alley 295
Alley 298 Alley 299 Alley 302 Alley 304
Alley 307 Alley 308 Alley 310 Alley 312
Alley 315 Alley 316 Alley 317 Alley 319
Alley 321 Alley 323 Alley 324 Alley 325
Alley 331 Alley 332 Alley 335
Alley40
Alley 107
Alley 168
Alley 192
Alley 205
Alley226
Alley242
Alley 253
Alley 262
Alley 273
Alley 289
Alley 297
Alley306
Alley 313
Alley320
Alley 328
I hope that by the time this article is printed the majority
of the reports are in. As you know if an Alley does not have
100 % COAi membership and a current report, the alley can
not apply for "ARTIST IN RESIDENCE", bid for a COAi
CONVENTION , or try to win the CHARLIE AWARD.
Alley 345, Chickadee Clowns
14 Catell St. #2
Bangor , ME 04401
Chris Roney
Please drop these alleys a line and welcome them.
When I sent out the Alley Reports in January, a few came
back marked undeliverable. If your alley is listed below,
please get in contact with me to send a report:
Alley 17 Griffin Alley
Alley 24 Payasos Puertorriquinos Unidos
Alley 26 Utah Clowns
Alley 192 Miracosta Clowns
Alley 203 Jolly Jesters of Charlotte
Alley 225 Pioneer Valley Clowns
Alley 227 Fayetteville United Nuts
Alley 248 Middle Georgia Clown Alley
Alley 288 Fun World Clown Alley
Alley 293 Ta! Dal Funallee
Alley 311 Royal Canadian Magical Clowns
Alley 322 Clowns of the Bayou
Alley 330 Sharin' Smiles
The alley reports are coming in very slowly. This article is
MISCHIEF IN THE SLAMMER:When Electric City
Clowns #285 got the call March 22 that Marie "Mischief"
Beck had been apprehended and had been put into jail
they were sure it was due to passing bad jokes. However ,
several of her clown friends rushed to her rescue.
Anita'YaYa" Kyratzis came with big money to buy off the
judge; Terri "Pur-Cee"Saunders brought a balloon key to
unlock the cell; Barbara "Sparky" Bird brought a sponge
cake with a file and hack saw (she didn't know you were
supposed to bake the cake with the tools inside it). It all
turned out fine : Marie, COAi's Clown of the Year 1999, was
bailed out when she raised $565 for Muscular Dystrophy.
40 The New Calliope

May/June , 2001
Leave the Venus Virus and the Martian Mumps at home!
Catch a Comet and head to the ~uad-Cities to see ...
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Name: __ ___ _____ _ Address: _______ ____ _
City/ State/ Zip: ________________ _ _____ _
Circle size: M L XL XXL XXXL
Fees (Includes banquet)
Before July 1
July 1 - Sept 7
Sept 8 - at the door
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HOTEL INFORMATION
• Holiday Inn Davenport, Iowa
• (319) 391-1230
• Rooms $69.00 (up to 4 per room)
• Call for reservations and mention:
CLOWN CONVENTION
Make checks payable to:
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Name:
Clown Name: ______
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0 Check here if you are a Junior Joey.
I will compete in the following category: _______
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For more information contact Pat Hay,; (319) 326-1355
pattypockcts@yahoo.com
The New Calliope 41

May/June, 2001
Storyline magic
By Steven Bender
Alia Mr. Pickle of lckle Pickle Products
Having just returned from two lectures in Texas . I
once again realize that quite frequently something that I did
years ago is something that when shown today is the
equivalent of something brand new for someone that has
never seen it. Having said that, I am going to present a
routine that I haven't done for many years, but was one of
my favorites when I performed it.
What is needed to perform the effect is a red silk, a salt
shaker filled with Slush Powder and an effect known as the
Vanishing Glass. To add to the presentation I vanish the
glass behind a piece of poster board which is labeled
Wherefore does it go? I use a plex stand to hold this
piece of poster board , but you could just as easily use an
oversize piece and fold it in half so it stands by itself
lengthwise . While this works perfectly when performing
from a platform or with your audience in front of you, you will
find that when partially surrounded , a felt top hat will provide
far better angles than the poster board in concealing the
glass .
"What I am about to show you is an interesting mystery
using a glass containing a red silk, a salt shaker and an
aluminum cylinder. " I set the salt shaker next to the glass
and show the empty aluminum cylinder . I remove the silk
from the glass and show it to be nothing but a glass. I then
place the silk back into the glass and place the glass and silk
behind the poster board.
There is one othe r item that is on the table from the
start, but no mention is made of it until now. I set a partially
filled glass of water in front of the poster board. I take the
aluminum cylinder and place it over the glass behind the
poster board and pull down on it in one quick motion . I now
pull out the red silk . "Wherefore does it go? The question
has nothing to do with the silk. Vanishing a silk is quite easy.
(In fact , at this point you might wish to actually vanish a silk to
prove the point that vanishing a silk is quite easy. You could
use a silk pull, a silk poke or a thumb tip.) To add to the
mystery, I shall first pour a little salt into the glass. (The slush
powder now goes into the glass.) And now some water .
And now for the mystery."
I bring out what appears to be the glass with the
aluminum tube covering the bottom of the glass.I set this in
front of the poste r board and cover it with the red silk. (If I
vanished the red silk, I now reappear it so that I can use it to
cover the aluminum tube and glass. Using a red wand (why
not coordinate the act?) I slowly push down on the silk. As
the glass is almost GONE, I give a hard push with the wand. I
now lift the silk and pull it through the aluminum cylinder and
I then show the cylinder to be empty. (The glass has
apparently vanished!) I set the red silk inside of the cylinder ,
hiding the gaff.
"No mystery would be complete without a reasonable
explanation. Obviously , to vanish a glass with water one
must be clever and cunning . I must confess I perform the
miracle by solidifying the water. I do this by using salt free
salt." I now lift the poster board and show a glass with
solidified water. And thus my audience is left wondering
about more than how I merely vanished the glass .
The salt shaker , the red silk and the poster board -- are
all elements that add to the basic effect. As always , it is my
belief that the combination of elements is what turns a basic
effect into a routine. I attempt to carefully think through how
I can add intrigue and mystery into my presentation. Let
them wonder what's coming at the beginning and let them
be baffled by how it all took place at the end.
--------------------
Happy
Birthday,
Buttons
Buttons' daughter
with portrait of her
dad in face.
When Carmen "Buttons " Sgarlata celebrated his Both
birthday at a nursing home in Scotia NY, he was joined by a
giggle of clown friends from Electric City Clowns #285.
They wanted to remember the years Buttons had been a
comedic song and dance man in the Catskills , his work as
producer/director of community theater shows , and for his
years as a fellow joey.
Buttons had been in failing health for some time. but
when a nurse asked if he'd prefer to have the party at his
bedside instead of sitting in a wheelcha ir, he firmly stated
he'd be up and dressed for the event. "Those are my
friends here for me," he said. "I will be there for them ."
It was a great time: Lots of red noses , skits, and high
spirits. And the birthday cake. It was a loving time . Five days
later, on Oct. 10, 2000, Buttons made his last walkaro und .
44 The New Calliope

May/June , 2001
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~~ :?:-~.·
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·• .~~~- : , · at www.mooseburger.com
. . · : or mail $3 to
· · Pricilla Mooseburger
Originals •
P. 0. Box 700.
Maple Lake, MN 55358
The New Calliope 45

May/June, 2001
A new service --
COAi's electronic community
By Mike Fixer
COAi Director of Membership
Last September COAi began testing a group email
service as a means of increasing and improving
communication between COAi and its members, as well as
offering communication opportunities between members of
COAi. In April of this year, at its Spring meeting, the COAi
Board of Directors gave final approval to the concept and is
now making this service generally available to the
membership.
This group email service is provided by Yahoo! Groups, a
division of Yahoo, free of charge to COAi and its members,
as subscribers of the service. Use of the service is currently
being referred to as COAi's Electronic Community. The
Community is an enhancement to other electronic and
paper-based communication methods offered by COAi,
such as its website and The New Calliope, and is not a
replacement for these or other communication methods
currently used by the Organization.
The description and purpose of the Electronic
Community as stated on its home page is:
Create links to your individual or Alley websites
Create links to your clown related confe rence , merchant or
organization websites
Access databases of key contact information
Conduct real time chat in COAi's Chat Room
The above functionality is available to you once you have
personally registered with Yahoo! Groups. Registering is
free, a separate step from joining COAi's Electronic
Community, and is not necessary for participating in the
Community via email. To register, visit COAi's home page at
Yahool Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/coai and
click on the "Register" option on the upper right side of
your screen.
Once you have registered you may change your
message delivery option via the "My Groups" function. The
default is to receive "Individual Emails" where you will
receive a separate message to your email address each
time a message is posted to the group. Other delivery
options are: "Daily Digest" - emails are delivered as one
message with up to 25 emails batched together or a single
daily email if there are fewer than 25 messages
"A meeting place for members of Clowns of America
International , Inc. (COAi) Discussions and education on the
art of clowning. Announcements and messages from COAi.
Reminders of upcoming COAi events and deadlines. A
place to ask questions , share information, and
communicate with other members of COAi. Meet fellow
clowns, members of COAi you have never met before.
Share pictures and files. Build friendships. Become
involved in your organization."
If you are interested in participating in COAi's Electronic
Community, joining is easy. Send an email to COAlsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your email request will
begin the short subscription process and you will be on
your way in no time at all. Almost immediately, you will be
able to post messages to the group and read and respond
to messages posted by other COAi members. Please
note, you must have an email address to use this
service.
In addition to participating in COAi's Community via email,
you can have access to additional funct ionality available to
the community such as:
Share documents, files, photos and more
View a calendar that shows key COAi dates
Participate in polls and non-binding straw votes
"No Mail/Web Only" no email is delivered to you but you
can read all messages at COAi's Yahoo!Groups website,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/coai
Join COAi's Electronic Community today and stay in touch
with your organization and its members.
If you have any questions regard ing this service please
contact Mike Fixer, COAi's Director of Membership and
Electronic Community Moderator via email at COAI­
Owner@yahoogroups.com
Stay tuned ...
Make sure you pay those COAi dues right
away, so you don't miss a single issue of
The New Calliope. Coming up:
+ How Jackie Leclaire followed his father
+ Clowning in Norway
+ A classic clown routine
+ A six-item force
And more! So don't leave!
46 The New Calliope

May/June , 2001
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The New Calliope 47

MaytJune, ~uu1
Happy about It all: A few of th e clowns who competed at the Fort Worth convention
Periodical Postage
Paid at Bluffton, Ohio
Clowns of America International
Richeyville , PA 15358
May/June , 2001
Volume 18, Number 3
48 The New Calliope