Savage Chicken: Birthday Party
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August 30, 2007
Singing clown wants to participate in Eurosong with parrots
oikotimes.com
In Flanders Argo, a singing clown, wants to participate in Eurosong 08 'with a super-song and... my parrots', Argo says in an interview with Eurosong.be. The clown likes to take his chance but he doesn't know if it's allowed that one can take part with animals. Argo is a singing clown. He also has an act with parrots. As a Eurovision fan he wants to participate now in the Flemish preselection.
'Lately we have talked it over with my management. Now we have decided to take our chance', Argo tells Eurosong.be. As a clown he doesn't have to work on a special act to draw the attention of the audience, because he's a remarkable act on himself. But on stage Argo is accompanied by parrots. 'One of my parrots even sings a schlagerhit. If he's singing out of tone he corrects himself. We are often joking that he's singing better than some real artists', Argo says.
The key question is that animals are allowed to participate in Eurosong and the Eurovision Songcontest? 'I don't know', says Argo. 'We have to ask the question to national broadcaster Eén.' In case the parrots can take part in Eurosong, will the animals be kept under control? No problem if we may believe Argo: 'My parrots will not be afraid of camera's. They love to receive applause. They will stay where they are and they'll do what they are trained for.'
Is this a pretty rough translation, or is it me?
Clowning around at Teddy Bear Hospital
Weyburn Review
A large crowd of children enjoy the antics of Boinky the Clown at the Teddy Bear Hospital, held Friday afternoon at the Don Mitchell Tot Lot. There were around 20 booths set up by several Weyburn area agencies and businesses, many with safety tips and information children and families can use around the home or out in the community. The second annual event was hosted by the Weyburn Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP).
Local duo make laughter a mission
The Herald
Making people laugh isn't a bad way to make a living.
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photo from clownbuggie.com, Viewfinder Photography
“I thought that was pretty neat and I thought someday I’d like to do that,” Terry said.
It didn’t take long for her to talk about it with McCammon and soon the two were headed to their first clown conference.
“I think that was one of the best things we did,” McCammon said.
It was the first of many conferences. The two are preparing to go to another one next month and they seem to learn something new every time, Terry said.
“I was just happy to learn how to make a basic balloon,” she said of her first time learning how to be a clown at a conference.
Now the two map out what they want to learn, who they want to see and work on advancing their skills.
“I love going to conferences to learn and be entertained,” Terry said.
Their routines include face painting, balloon work and magic tricks.
“There’s a lot of hours that goes into it,” Terry said.
The pair also do volunteer work at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Seattle. Glitterbug and Beep Beep perform and raise the spirits of patients, who are often fighting fatal diseases, like cancer.
They’ve gone to their fair share of funerals, but have played a big part in giving laughter to children. After one child lost the battle with cancer, the mother wanted the clown duo at the funeral to celebrate child’s life, McCammon said.
“The mom wanted us there in our clown costumes,” Terry said.
It’s tough, but the smiles make it worth it, McCammon said.
Staff at the hospital look forward to their visits and even collect the stuff they bring in for the patients.
“It’s funny they’re like groupies,” McCammon said.
What they bring in is always a fun play on words. One time they gave away ipods. Not the music players though, but pea pods with a picture of an eye on them. Another time they gave away a year’s worth of Tide and handed out a year-long tide chart.
“It’s healthy to laugh out loud,” Terry said.
Their experiences hit close to home when McCammon found a growth while putting on her clown make-up. Like many of the children she delights, McCammon had to have a biopsy.
“I said ‘Oh Sue be a big girl look at what these kids go through,’” McCammon said.
Everything turned out OK, but it has made giving back at places like the children’s hospital that much more meaningful. Although they wish they could always do work like that, Clown Buggie is a business and they have to take some paying gigs, Terry said.
Currently about 40 percent of their business is volunteering, whether it’s at the hospital or at a special event.
“I look forward to it,” McCammon said. “Look at Bill Gates for goodness sakes.”
The volunteer efforts have been rewarding, but as a business they often have to turn down requests. There simply isn’t enough time, especially with Fridays and Saturdays being their best days to work birthday parties and company picnics.
Clown Buggie’s reputation as a good wholesome and quality fun seems to be expanding. They recently worked at a three-day Microsoft family picnic with more than 35,000 people at the event.
“We just had so much fun,” McCammon said. “It was like an ant hill opening up.”
All ages have enjoyed their act, Terry said. They’ve even done parties for teenagers. They may take more time to warm-up, but by the end they are really into it, she said.
More often than not when they do birthday parties for younger children the parents stick around to enjoy the action.
As their names gain recognition they are also known as Bonney Lake’s clowns and can often be seen at local events. The were part of the Bonney Lake Days parade and braved the dunk tank to raise money for the Lion’s club.
“We love our community,” McCammon said. “There’s good people in our community and they’re doing a lot of work.”
No more clowning on Alberta Street
The Oregonian
By VANESSA NIX
Soon the crazy array of tall bikes, fire displays and clown sightings on Alberta will be a thing of the past. After six years, the Clown House at Northeast Alberta Street and 25th Avenue is closing.
The clowns, including ringleader Dingo Dizmal (aka A.A. Munson) and his wife, Caffeine Jones, are "scattering to the four winds," Dizmal says, because of a rent hike.
"We stayed a year longer than we could afford to, using up our savings because we loved this place so much. . . . But my wife and I are also glad to be going -- it's a huge proprietary role -- not to just have the show and save the world, but raising little kids and making a living is really hard," Dizmal, a father of two, says.
One of Dingo Dizmal's rubber chicken paintings.
The home's owner, W.G. Hardy, couldn't be reached for comment.
Neighbors have mixed feelings. Some say Alberta Street's Last Thursday events won't be the same without the clowns. Others say good riddance.
Louisa Heamish, who has worked at Star E Rose Espresso Cafe for 10 years, says she'll miss the clowns. "They were an incredibly giving group of people. It was nice to see the involvement they created with all the different people in the neighborhood."
Members of Victory Outreach Church's Discipleship Home, a live-in recovery program nearby, say they're glad the clowns are leaving. Members, who declined to give their names because of the nature of their program, said they're tired of problems such as nudity and bonfires.
Until last month, about 15 clowns and a rotating cast of homeless people and hitchhikers called the house home. A core group of five clowns remains, and all plan to move by Friday.
"My new place is too small for me to be the patron saint of hitchhikers," Dizmal says. "This place always has lots of people coming in off the streets with backpacks, and I always gave them a meal and a place to stay, but that can't keep going."
He says the core group will stay in Portland and keep up their circus acts but won't live together. "We're going to use the momentum of everything we've been in the Clown House to become the Clown House Circus, and we'll just converge for the gigs."
Besides entertaining crowds at Last Thursday, Clown House residents fixed up bikes to give away, organized summer "mom relief" efforts and gave yoga lessons. Neighbors and businesses paid to print a Clown House T-shirt to help pay moving costs; they're available at The Know, The Nest and the Tin Shed Garden Cafe.
"Everything changes in 10 years," Heamish says, "your favorite bar, your library, your house -- everything. It's the end of the Clown House, but it's not the end of Alberta Street."
Portland News: 503-221-8199; portland@news.oregonian.com
August 28, 2007
Tiniest show in town
Washington Post
The magic of the flea circus climaxed during the chariot race. That's when ringmaster Adam Gertsacov persuaded the audience to fall in love with Midge and Madge, the tiny stars of his Acme Miniature Circus.
Acme Miniature Circus ringmaster Adam Gertsacov keeps a close eye on his stars. (By James M. Thresher -- The Washington Post)
August 26, 2007
The world's a stage for performer
Daily Herald
You've seen them before, at Elgin's Fourth of July Parade, and several others.
The black gorilla carrying a cage with the yelling man inside. Or the colorful clown who walks on his hands.
Perhaps they made you laugh or freaked you out -- maybe both.
But chances are, you didn't forget them.
These are two of the characters affiliated with Tricky Business Entertainment, which owner Don "Wand" Bothwell operates out the Elgin home he shares with his wife, Gisela, and three of his seven children.
Bothwell, a local magician, and clown -- he plays Tricky the Clown -- says television shows from the days of yore inspired him become an entertainer.
photo from Tricky Business Entertainment website
Shoe: Mime Festival
August 23, 2007
Students, staff get excited about the new school year
Maryland Community Newspapers Online
At Bladensburg Elementary School on Monday, Principal Rhonda Pitts greeted pupils in an orange and purple clown suit, with huge orange hair, orange glasses and a big red nose. A sign that read, ‘‘Mrs. Pitts did say she would dress like a clown if we passed the MSA,” hung around her neck.
Brenda Ahearn⁄The Gazette
Let's face it, this tomato has personality
Salisbury Post
When Elizabeth Troutman's 11/2-year-old grandson found a "clown-faced tomato" in her garden, she thought it was "weird looking, but funny." Her grandson, Lukas Troutman, thought it was funny, too, and laughed at it. That's what clowns are for, right?
August 22, 2007
Maid of the Mist
Not clown-related, specifically, except that it's this clown's first You Tube submission:
August 21, 2007
The Quigmans: Fire Juggler
August 20, 2007
Clown down
Monkeys in hats...
... are almost like clowns.
Agnes gets her clown on, conclusion
Frame 2: Felt that way many times myself.....
August 19, 2007
Interview with Voki
The New York Downtown Clown Monthly Revue
"In the end, we are all just a bunch of silly clowns and this is all entertainment - even the best most influential theatre in the world - its still called a play."
We saw "Absinthe" on our recent trip to NYC. It was a hoot, and The Gazillionaire made fun of me for my Andy Warhol haircut and referred to me as "the weird guy" when he did a recap for some late-comers.
Pine Lake Resort turns 100
Battle Creek Enquirer Sun, 19 Aug 2007 1:43 AM PDT
Hannah Reel/For the Enquirer
Friendly protest
Deseret Morning News Sat, 18 Aug 2007 11:31 PM PDT
A protester, dressed as a clown, hugs a British police officer Saturday during an event outside a weeklong "climate camp" set up by environmentalist groups against a proposed new runway at London's Heathrow airport . Several hundred people are at the camp to protest greenhouse gases released by air travel.
Book Review: Acts of Violets by Kate Collins
Blogcritics.org Sun, 19 Aug 2007 9:58 AM PDT
Snuggles the Clown has been murdered! Worse: Abby Knight's boyfriend - tough guy bar owner, ex-cop, and private eye, Marco Salvare - has been accused of the murder.
Clownin' Around
The Pueblo Chieftain Sun, 19 Aug 2007 4:06 AM PDT
CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/MIKE SWEENEY
Eight-year-old Dakota Naranjo (left) looks a bit puzzled by Richard Miller's rendition of a balloon monkey Saturday at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo. Miller, better known as Pogo the clown, is a regular weekend fixture at the outdoor attraction.
August 17, 2007
World's Largest Pie Fight
Agnes gets her clown on
Fringe people
August 16, 2007
The greatest class on earth
San Francisco Chronicle Thu, 16 Aug 2007 1:16 AM PDT
Clown Olex Kartukov teaches Simon Cohn-Gruenwald, 7, of Oakland the fine art of balancing a stick on his nose at Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley.
Clown Martin Lopez (right) juggles as audience members Lizzy Follmer (left), 6, from Lafayette, and Emma MacPhee (right), 11, from San Francisco stay very still. Clown Olex Kartukov (left) looks on during Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey clowning skills seminar at Lawrence Hall of Science.
A clown convergence thrills kids during special week
Morris Ledger Wed, 15 Aug 2007 9:43 PM PDT
A droopy magic wand is quickly remedied with a puff of blown air, according to a pigtailed clown at the Community Children's Museum in Dover.
photo from merriloons.com
Life is a circus for this clown and his family
This clown gets a lot of press. Probly the hair.....
Contra Costa Times Thu, 16 Aug 2007 3:46 AM PDT
THE FIRST TIME I saw Bello Nock was at the circus -- not surprising, because the daredevil clown with the gravity-defying hair has been a featured act with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey for years.
(photo not from the story)
August 15, 2007
busy clown
Budapest State Circus
August 14, 2007
Trailer for "Mr. Clown" documentary
By the time he was nine, Earl had performed as a ventriloquist and won a national clown makeup contest. During his childhood he taught himself to juggle, do magic and walk a wire. In his teens and twenties, he worked rodeos and did amateur clowning whenever he could.
Considering most circus performers are born into the lifestyle, his perseverance was impressive and did not go without recognition. Continuing the pursuit of his dream, Chaney read about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Life Magazine in 1968. He was one of 45 applicants out of 7,200 who were accepted and one of only nine students who received contracts at the end of the curriculum.
Earl immediately joined the circus, earning $107 a week for non-stop, year-round work with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He lived in a train car with 26 other performers and traveled for seven years, performing with such clown legends as Emmet Kelly, Lou Jacobs and Otto Griebling.
During his impressive career, Earl Chaney has appeared in over 8,000 clown performances as Mr. Clown, was one of the first and only clowns to play The Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. and performed at the White House on two separate occasions.
After leaving the circus, he relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he produced and starred in the children’s television show Mr. Clown’s Clown Alley. Though the show ran for only a year, marketing executives in the McDonald’s empire saw the show and asked Chaney to become Ronald McDonald, a role he would play for 20 years. Chaney’s love for innovation and invention encouraged his development of promotional items, gags and props for Ronald’s public performances. He set model practice standards for other Ronald McDonald clowns around the world. Chaney also appeared as Mac Tonight in special McDonald’s promotions and is also credited for his national television appearances as Woodsy Owl, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.
Earl Chaney continues to reside in Las Vegas where he recently closed the doors to his magic shop Planet Mirth Productions after 23 years in the business. He was inducted into the prestigious Clown Hall of Fame in 2003.
August 13, 2007
untitled
The Crash Brothers
Franee the Clown kids the kids
The TimesLedger Newspapers Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:44 AM PDT
Queens Village resident Theresa Francois transformed herself into "Franee the Clown" at the Afrikan Poetry Theatre Friday, where she wowed a young audience during a special performance for National Clown Week.
The photo here is not from the story, but from her website, franclown.com. I like her smile. Posting all these photos, I find it odd how many clowns look like they're not having fun. But you can tell from her smile that a party with Franee will be a good time.
Library clown entertains kids
The Rockingham News Fri, 10 Aug 2007 3:30 AM PDT 
Kathleen Bailey photo
Brianna Anderson, 6, of Kingston helps "Dr. Goose" with his program last Wednesday at the Nichols Library in Kingston.
Supermarket bans Barney Baloney's balloons - because they're dangerous to children
Daily Mail Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:07 AM PDT
In the latest case of health and safety got mad, clown Barney Baloney was left looking distinctly glum after Tesco banned his balloons. The supermarket giant says they contain latex and could be dangerous
In the latest case of health and safety got mad, clown Barney Baloney was left looking distinctly glum after Tesco banned his balloons. The supermarket giant says they contain latex and could be dangerous
Children's Museum needs volunteers ... and that ain't clownin' around
Nevada Appeal Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:32 AM PDT
The combination of Corey Clown's (aka Donna Peacocke) pink wig and red-dotted nose was enough to draw smiles from the dozen children whose faces she painted at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada Sunday afternoon; but just to be sure those...
Photos by Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal
Top: Corey Clown, aka Donna Peacocke, shows Sarah Sorich, 6, her handy work after a face painting session at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada on Sunday. Corey Clown, will be on hand at the museums annual "Kids Karnival" scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bottom: Corey Clown, aka Donna Peacocke, lets Carter Saddoris, 3, try out on of her whistles at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada on Sunday.
Therapy clown bringing joy to Morris patients
Daily Record Mon, 13 Aug 2007 7:42 AM PDT There is a child inside everyone, and Diana Perez will bring it to the surface no matter what it takes. It might take a visit from Sassy or Jazzy, a pair of therapy dogs.
karen mancinelli / daily record
Diana Perez, lead prankster from Hope U-Well Clowns, shows off a cuddly pet and her pigtail-tressed car.
karen mancinelli / daily record
Diana Perez visits the Blue Canteen in Morristown. The clown therapy worker says treating the ailing with a corny joke -- or loving pet -- can ease suffering.
August 07, 2007
Clown - Amsterdam
August 06, 2007
uncle clown
The Magic Box
Stepping Stones nursery having fun
Hastings Today Mon, 06 Aug 2007 0:21 AM PDT
YOUNGSTERS at Stepping Stones Nursery, in Stonehouse Drive, were treated to a day of activities, party food and a visit from Charlie the Clown on Wednesday.
Downtown businesses, ‘Squeeze’ raise money for Operation Smile
The Meadville Tribune Sun, 05 Aug 2007 4:04 AM PDT
Sam Engels, 21/2 years old, giggled with delight as he sat in front of his mother on the floor of the Downtown Mall's corridor Saturday, watching a group of clowns transform balloons into animals as part of a celebration of National Clown Week.
Sam Engels, 21/2 years old, giggled with delight as he sat in front of his mother on the floor of the Downtown Mall's corridor Saturday, watching a group of clowns transform balloons into animals as part of a celebration of National Clown Week.
Clowning around
Argus Observer Sun, 05 Aug 2007 4:54 AM PDT
Ontario - Al Bryant is an expensive man to dress. Or rather his clown persona, Boomer, is a bit of a clothes horse....
Photo: SnickleFritz the clown, also known as Beve Bryant, draws a face on a balloon animal she made at the Malheur County Fair last week. The fair is only one of many events she and her husband Al Bryant, known as Boomer in the clown world, participate in each year.
Faces of the fair
Appeal-Democrat Sat, 04 Aug 2007 9:54 AM PDT
The fair circuit can be an unwieldy beast, especially for a clown and a walking tree. Flo the Clown and the Walking Tree Man were two new attractions to the Yuba-Sutter Fair in Yuba City this year.
The fair circuit can be an unwieldy beast, especially for a clown and a walking tree. Flo the Clown and the Walking Tree Man were two new attractions to the Yuba-Sutter Fair in Yuba City this year.
August 04, 2007
J. P. Patches: Our favorite clown
Seattle Times Fri, 03 Aug 2007 0:40 AM PDT
On his long-running TV show, J. P. Patches could accomplish the most amazing feats with the wink of an eye, a trick of the camera angle or...
Meeting J.P. Patches in 1973 was a big deal for little DeAna Ray of Auburn, with her older sister, Christina, and brother, Jeff, at the Cake Box bakery in Kent. Ray, who e-mailed this photo to J.P.'s Web site, now shows his videos to her daughters, 13 and 10. This photo was taken by Ray's mother, Joan Hull.
J.P. Patches, in the yellow coat with patches, gets a warm reception from the Seafair clowns as they gathered before the Torchlight Parade last weekend. No itty-bitty car for this clown-among-clowns; J.P. rode in a convertible during the festivities.
Chris Wedes transforms into J.P. Patches in the bathroom of his Edmonds home.
J.P. Patches, aka Chris Wedes, waits for the call to the Torchlight Parade with his wife, friends and a few Seafair clowns in a hotel room near the start of the parade route. Wedes started the day at the Mason County Fair, and will spend at least three more hours as J.P.
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Daeoc back to school fair
Dexter Daily Statesman Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:03 AM PDT
Noreen Hyslop photo Skye Brown, six years old, was one of many children who benefited from the talents of a very colorful clown (alias Joanna Pack) Thursday at DAEOC's Back to School Fair. Children watched as balloons were turned into their favorite animal shapes.
Noreen Hyslop photo Skye Brown, six years old, was one of many children who benefited from the talents of a very colorful clown (alias Joanna Pack) Thursday at DAEOC's Back to School Fair. Children watched as balloons were turned into their favorite animal shapes.
August 02, 2007
Bozo and the Exploding Pumpkin
Los colores de la Alegría - Colors of Joy
Fair folks flock to the dunk booth
The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star Tue, 31 Jul 2007 9:56 PM PDT
Bobo (Micheal Lee Helmers) ducks when a baseball misses the target and hits his cage. Fairgoers plunk down $3 for three balls or $5 for seven balls.
Bobo the Clown (Michael Lee Helmers), taunts people at the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair as they try to dunk him. He and his wife Freda (left) live in Florida, but travel the country working at fairs and carnivals. He's been in the business for 24 years.
Noah Rabinowitz/THE FREE LANCE-STAR
Make 'Em Laugh
The Cape Cod Chronicle Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:44 PM PDT
"You have a face that was made for pies," says clown Jay Stewart to one of his young students in Harwich Junior Theatre's Junior Players performance class. And Stewart really knows what he's talking about.
August 01, 2007
Adult clown classes begin Sept. 10
Battle Creek Enquirer Wed, 01 Aug 2007 1:33 AM PDT
Clear you [sic] calendar for Monday nights Sept 10th for seven weeks. American Red Cross Clowns of Calhoun County are once again offering the fall Adult Clown class.
Shaggy, above, is the instructor. He looks kinda bored. I hope his classes are more exciting.
Clown's faith calms circus
Orange County Register Tue, 31 Jul 2007 5:08 PM PDT
ANAHEIM – On any given night he dangles 68 feet in the air, balances on an enormous spinning wheel and slides seven stories down a pole – upside down.
Such stunts are just one reason why Bello Nock, a circus clown with a foot-high tower of orange hair, says his prayers.
This is a story about Bello Nock, the famous clown and star of the Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Circus, and his family. I interviewed him a couple of years ago. He comes from a long line of clowns and circus performers and has amazing clown hair.
CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER 
FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER: Annaliese Nock, 11, above left, sits on a sofa as her mother, Jenny Nock, center leads a Bible study with other circus performers and with her husband, Bello Nock, at right, prior to the start of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Bello is the star of "Bellobration."
Just Clowning Around: Elko County Library hosts Clown Camp
Elko Daily Free Press Wed, 01 Aug 2007 1:12 PM PDT
Through giggles, balloons and make-up, children learned how to truly clown around last week during Clown Camp at the Elko County Library.
Kenyon Terry, 10, left, and his brother James, 9, clown around during a Clown Camp hosted by the Elko County Library in conjunction with the library’s annual Summer Reading program. (Carol Petrie/Free Press Correspondent)
