BOOK EXPO in NYC: Me as Bobo Barnett

That's me playing Bobo Barnett (in Bobo's actual costume) at the Javits Center in NYC last week, helping to promote Bonnie Barnett Murphy's new book "Bobo's Daughter" at the Book Expo.

I was the only costumed character making an appearance when all of the sudden in walked Darth Vader and a battalion of stormtroopers. I fell into line behind them and marched with them across the trade show floor. When the powers that be finally noticed me I tried to explain to the rep from Lucasfilm that I was "Bobo Fett" and I was supposed to be there. They weren't buying it ; )

2011 CALENDAR?

I've got an idea and I'd like to gauge everyone's reaction to it...

What do you folks think of clown pin-up calendar? Not a "Naked Clown" calendar but a classic Alberto Vargas-style cheesecake calendar of tastefully photographed cutesy girl clowns looking pretty and goofy boy clowns in outrageous drag? Or is it funnier the other way around?

If the response is positive enough we can follow it up with a hunky guy clown calendar for the ladies (and 11% of the men) next year.

All proceeds would go to the International Clown Hall of Fame.

ICHOF GRAND OPENING: Even More Photos

Neal Skoy speaking with ICHOF inductee Jimmy "Happy" Williams. Unfortunately, Neal made the mistake of actually touching Jimmy during the conversation and Jimmy ordered that he immediately be punished for his transgression. As an inductee, it is his right and privilege to do so.

ICHOF inductees may not be touched. Ever. It is the law.

You might remember Gene "Cousin Otto" Lee caning the entire Joyful Joeys Clown Alley of Waukegan, IL after a photo op at the 1986 Milwaukee Great Circus Parade.

Karen informed Neal that it was now his duty to go out back and drink his own nose glue.

Deeply repentant, he complied without hesitation.

Karen and Greg assured Jimmy that Neal had done the honorable thing, we were all very sorry and that nothing like this would ever happen again. Unfortunately, as they did, they too touched Jimmy and were also ordered to drink their own nose glue.

The rest of the clowns spent the remainder of the Grand Opening ceremony with their hands folded and at a very respectful distance from Jimmy.

A council was hastily convened and it was decided, in light of all their hard work and dedication to the art of circus clowning and to the ICHOF, that Greg and Karen should be allowed to say a little something before the went outside.

It was both emotional and tearful.

They will be missed.

Afterward we all had cake.

And that made Sandy feel a little bit better.

THE NEWSPAPERBOY: Marco Carolei and Max Soggiu

Link courtesy of Jango Edwards

DAVID LARIBLE: Dishes; Monte Carlo (1999)

MITCH FREDDES: Table Rock Act (Early 1980s)

ROWAN ATKINSON: Mr. Bean Meets the Queen

ROLF KNIE

THE ART OF CLOWNING: By Dick "Rocko" Lewis; White Tops Magazine (Jan/Feb 1966)

Scan courtesy of Dick Flint

HARRY NELSON

Photo courtesy of Diane Bauer, grandniece of Harry & John Nelson

ICHOF:More Grand Opening Photos

People have asked for more photos of the displays but I don't want to post photos of the displays.

We want you to go to the International Clown Hall of Fame and see the displays for
yourself and come back often to see how those displays have changed.

Karen DeSanto leading the Opening Day crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Neal Skoy then sang "America the Beautiful" quickly followed by "Memories" by Andrew Lloyd Weber in a throaty, Eartha Kitt-like voice all the while strutting around and licking himself like a cat. Toto Johnson accompanied him on Hawaiian nose harp. By the time they were finished there wasn't a dry seat in the house.

Greg and Karen talking with the NBC affiliate in Madison, WI.

Karen spoke eloquently on the many similarities between the Brooklyn, NY and New Orleans, LA dialects but NBC chose only to air information that related to the Grand Opening. Stupid mainstream media!

Among those singled out for recognition, Mr. Sandy Weber. Sandy created the new ICHOF logo and website and did all the graphic work for the Hall's new displays. After being singled out he was recognized immediately when Jessi Hoffschildt called out, "Hey, that's Sandy Weber! He created the new ICHOF logo and website and did all the graphic work for the Hall's new displays!"

Sandy refused to sit back down until Greg threatened him with a very sharp pair of scissors.

A lot of clowns smile for a photo; few choose to channel Charles Nelson Reilly.

I shall take the road less traveled.

The clowns with ICHOF inductees Jimmy "Happy" Williams (30 years at the Circus World Museum) and Dr. Richard Snowberg, the founder of Clown Camp.

And the ceremony ended with Greg, is his best Jackie Gleason, telling Karen that she was
"The Greatest". Then the two of them made out in front of us for almost 20 minutes.

AWK-WARD!

SLAPPY & MONDAY: Cigar Box Routine; Circus Sarasota (2008)

NY Goofs Tiffany Riley and Dick Monday

BUSY BEE: Bernhard Paul, Angelo Munoz & Francesco Caroli on Circus Roncalli

ICHOF GRAND OPENING: Karen DeSanto

"...and THAT is why all the bathtubs are red in Possum Hollar, Texas!"

FRANCESCO CAROLI: At Circus Roncalli

ICHOF GRAND OPENING: The Baraboo News Republic

Click on the word "share" to be taken to the Baraboo News Republic interview with Greg DeSanto and Sandy Weber as they prepared for the Grand Opening of the International Clown Hall of Fame in Baraboo, WI last week.

share

Without the help and hard work of people like Sandy Weber, Ralph Pierce and the many Baraboo residents who donated their time and talents, last week's opening would have been absolutely impossible.

JANGO EDWARDS: Workshops in Barcelona

NEW CLOWN WORKSHOPS WITH
JANGO EDWARDS IN BARCELONA

... and very soon we will inform you about the next seasons
3 professional Master Classes at the "Nouveau Clown Institute"

The art of the clown is not just a profession, but a lifestyle that demands an understanding of emotion, sensitivity, passion, pathos and heart. Jango Edwards.

May 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th (CLOWN THEORY -1ST LEVEL)
June 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th (CLOWN THEORY -1ST LEVEL) NEW GROUP!
July 22th, 23th 24th and 25th (COMIC FORMULAS 2ND LEVEL) NEW GROUP!

From 5pm to 10pm

180€ each workshop

Contact to reserve place: Cristina (cristigarbo@gmail.com)

WHITE TOPS: January/ February 1966

If anyone out there has a copy of the January/February 1966 issue of the White Tops, could you please scan Dick "Rocko" Lewis' article on the Art of Clowning for me?

Thanks,
~P
(cashincomedy@yahoo.com)

ROLF KNIE

CLOWN GAGA & CO: Cirque Amar (2010)