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Friday, September 23, 2011
RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CLOWN COLLEGE REUNION: Cape Cod, MA (Sept. 22-25, 2011)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
MICHAEL "COCO" POLAKOVS: Bellevue Hospital, New York City (1960s)
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| Michael "Coco" Polakovs performing at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey benefit show at New York's Bellevue Hospital, an annual tradition throughout the "North Era", in the 1960s. Coco told me that this colorful harlequin checked outfit was custom made for him in England and was his very favorite costume. |
Friday, September 09, 2011
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Friday, September 02, 2011
BILLY VAUGHN: Photos From His Induction Into the International Clown Hall of Fame
Photos courtesy of Noah Van Denburgh
Billy Vaughn accepting the plaque inducting him into the International Clown Hall of Fame from ICHOF Executive Director Greg DeSanto in a ceremony which took place Friday August 26th during the 2011 Circus Fans of America convention in Newburgh, NY. A wonderful retrospective video of Billy's career (courtesy of ICHOF board member Sandy Weber) was screened and fellow circus clowns Scott O'Donnell, John Kennedy Kane and Michael Karp were in attendance.
Congratulations, Billy. Well deserved!
Friday, August 26, 2011
CONGRATULATIONS, BILLY VAUGHN!
Congratulations go out to Billy Vaughn who will be inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame today in recognition of a circus career that has spanned decades and is distinguished for his exceptional qualities both inside and outside of the ring.
Truly a clown's clown, the honor is extremely well deserved and very happily bestowed.
Namaste!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
KELLY-MILLER 2011: Don't Miss It!
I saw a circus yesterday that made me wish I was seeing the current edition of Kelly-Miller again. I said it before and I'll say it again, dagnabit: The current edition of Kelly-Miller is just about as good a traditional circus as I've ever seen.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
HOW TO MAKE CHILDREN LAUGH by Paul Terry
Wouldn't it be great if we unlearned all of the deeply, profoundly "important" lessons that we've learned about clowning and just simply tried to make people laugh?
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Friday, August 05, 2011
CAPTAIN KANGAROO LINKS
For those of you wondering why the posting here have slowed, I am busy re-launching ICHOF inductee Bob Keeshan's classic television creation, Captain Kangaroo.
Click the title of this post to be taken to our Facebook page, click the link here to be taken to our website and blog.
ICHOF: Front Page News!
Funny business: International Clown Week has Baraboo busy smiling
By Ed Zagorski, News Republic
By Ed Zagorski, News Republic
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| Greg DeSanto, executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center in downtown Baraboo, adjusts a display of Bobo the Clown's famous wardrobe. Bobo, who stood 6-foot, 3 inches tall and weighed 240 pounds would take six dogs, a skunk, suitcase and trumpet with him inside the small electric car, which still runs today. Ed Zagorski / News Republic |
Clowning around is no joke to Greg DeSanto, executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center in downtown Baraboo.
"This is not a job for me," he said. "I love coming here."
But this week is something special for DeSanto. International Clown Week began Monday and runs through Sunday.
The original National Clown Week proclamation, signed by President Richard Nixon on Aug. 2, 1971, is on display at the facility.
"It's great to have a week like this because clowns have been getting a bad rap, especially with some of the horror movies that are out there," DeSanto said.
"I want people to walk away from here with a respect for clowns. Clowns or comedic figures have been around for hundreds and hundreds of years in different cultures throughout the world."
DeSanto said the definition of a "clown" fits more than just those who wear big, red noses, floppy shoes and colorful wigs.
"You have Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Jerry Lewis," he said. "You also have the Clown Prince of Baseball, Max Patkin, and the Clown Prince of Basketball, Meadowlark Lemon," DeSanto said. "Those folks had other careers which led them into clowning. They just had different venues to showcase their acts."
DeSanto said a few television personalities earned their start by playing clowns.
He said that long before Ed McMahon began calling out "Here's Johnny!" on the "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," McMahon wore clown makeup and a wig before the opening of each episode of "Big Top Circus" on CBS in the 1950s.
DeSanto also said before Bob Keeshan played the beloved "Captain Kangaroo," he was the first to play Clarabell the Clown on "The Howdy Doody Show."
"Television needed people who could work on these types of programs devoted to children," DeSanto said. "Some of these guys already had television experience, like Willard Scott, the weatherman, who played Bozo the Clown for a time in the 1960s. Willard also played Ronald McDonald, too."
DeSanto, who plays Greg the Clown, said he has met a lot of the clowns whose photos hang from the walls inside the International Clown Hall of Fame.
"Their memories should be shown and shared with the younger generation," he said. "It's just one big family here, and their stories should be kept alive."
Pat Cashin, who serves on the board of directors of the International Clown Hall of Fame, is doing just that with his blog at clownalley.net, which he said brings people together from all over the world to talk about clowns and their different art forms.
"I started the blog about five years ago and we have between 400 and 500 hits a day on it," he said. "We have about 5,000 posts, where people from around the globe post their pictures, stories, old news articles and even videos of family members who were clowns in the past."
Cashin said the site helps to drive the art form of clowning forward virtually, like the clown colleges did physically for those who took part in them.
"The site puts older clowns in touch with young ones from all over the world," Cashin said. "It has become real handy for professional clowns to share their stories."
He also said the site has boosted the reputation of Baraboo's International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center.
"There is no permanent clown museum in the world that can touch what Baraboo has," he said. "Clowns from around the world are sending their things to our museum, and it's great because it helps to show what clowning really is."
Send email to ezagorski@capitalnewspapers.com.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
THE MOST LIKELY ORIGIN OF THE TERM: "Walkaround"
Number Two In a Series
Why are clown "walkarounds" referred to as "walkarounds". The term most likely has its origins in the pre-three ring circus minstrel show days...
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
THE MOST LIKELY ORIGIN OF THE TERM: "First of May"
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
SAM FERLO: New York Times Article
Please click the link below for a wonderful article on Ted and Mary Beth Ferlo's son Sam following in his father's oversized footsteps and attending Circus Smirkus this summer.
Monday, August 01, 2011
INTERNATIONAL CLOWN WEEK 2011: August 1st - 7th
From the desk of Greg DeSanto, Executive Director of the International Clown Hall of Fame...
August 1st thru the 7th is designated "National Clown Week" by Joint Congressional Resolution, approved October 8, 1970 and signed into law by President Richard Nixon on August 2, 1971.
In part the proclamation reads,
"Whoever has heard the laughter of a child or seen the sudden delight on the face of a lonely old man has understood in those brief moments mysteries deeper than love.
All men are indebted to those who bring such moments of quiet splendor-who redeem sickness and pain with joy. All across America good men in putty noses and baggy trousers following a tradition as old as man's need to gently touch the lives of his fellowman. Today, as always, clowns and the spirit they represent are as vital to the maintenance of our humanity as the builders and the growers and governors... "
The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center is proud to help celebrate the laughter this week with special events to include a display of the original proclamation signed by President Richard Nixon, guided tours of the largest collection of clown artifacts in the world and on Saturday, August 6th, a celebration of Lucille Ball's 100th Birthday with a trivia contest at 1:00pm, daylong video highlights of some of Lucy's funniest moments, and face painting.
The Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center is a 501 (c) 3 organization, and is located at 102 4th Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913, right on the historic downtown square. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm, admission is $5.00. For more info call 608-355-0321.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
LACI "MOOKY" ENDRESZ JR: Juggling Act; Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain (1995)
Video courtesy of Circopedia
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
INTERNATIONAL CLOWN HALL OF FAME: Kimmer & Victoria's Visit
Kimmer and Victoria are exploring the United States by RV for 52 weeks. They recently visited the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center in Baraboo, WI and shared their experience.
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Monday, July 04, 2011
Friday, July 01, 2011
RYAN & STEVE: Kelly-Miller Circus (2011)
Video courtesy of M Lane Talburt
I saw the Kelly-Miller show a few weeks back in Secaucus, NJ and, from the moment it started til the finale, it was probably the very best circus (outside of Big Apple) that I have seen in 15-20 years!!!
Gone are the lackluster "thrill" acts of a few years back, replaced with an extremely well-paced, well presented performance that puts the rest of the industry to shame.
The near capacity audience was ecstatic... and so was I. This was the circus that I've wanted to take my son to for almost nine years. The one that has the smell of elephants and cotton candy, has funny clowns and great acts presented with a professional attention to detail. This is showmanship! This was a real honest-to-goodness CIRCUS under canvas!
It was wonderful to see.
Check the Kelly Miller website to see when the show is in your area and DO NOT MISS IT!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
INTERNATIONAL CLOWN HALL OF FAME INDUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT!
The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center and its Board of Directors are proud to announce the their selection for the 2011 Induction into the Clown Hall of fame- Mr. Billy Vaughn!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELMO!
Clownalley.net will return soon but I had to come back from vacation to wish a very happy 60th birthday today to my good friend Dean "Elmo Gibb" Chambers. Today marks another milestone as he celebrates 35 years as a professional clown.
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| As a "baby clown" graduating the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College at the Venice Arena |
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| At the center of the Blue Show Clown Alley of the Greatest Show on Earth in 1977. |
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| On a Shrine Date in New York State in 1981 |
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| The longtime Advance Clown for the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus |
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| On Hoxie's Great American Circus |
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| As Producing Clown for Beatty-Cole |
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| At the Clown College Reunion in 1987 |
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| At the Showfolks Circus with Sandy Kaye |
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| With Shane and I at Michael Rosman's Circus Camp |
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| In the Showfolks Alley |
Happy Birthday, Elmo!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
CLOWNALLEY.NET: Five Years Old Today
Clownalley.net is five years old today. This also marks our 5,000th post.
We'll be back after a brief intermission.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
INTERNATIONAL CLOWN HALL OF FAME: Water for Elephants
Greg and Karen DeSanto at the historic Al Ringling Theater for the Baraboo premier of Water for Elephants...
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
ELECTRIC CITY CLOWN ALLEY: Tonight
I'm loading the car for the long drive to Schenectady, New York to visit the Electric City Clown Alley tonight and share a lot of rare clowning videos and some stories.
NO JOE'S CLOWN CIRCUS: 2011 Promo Video
Folks, this is what a professional promo video looks like. Joey's marketing material is always top notch but I think that he's really outdone himself this year.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
CLOWN ALLEY: Four Kings and Some Joker (Circa 1940s)
Charlie Bell, Emmett Kelly, Felix Adler, Frankie Saluto (in Chaplin makeup) and what appears to be someone else in Paul Jung's makeup and costume. Does anyone have any background on this?
Sunday, May 22, 2011
JOHN MCCONNELL MEMORIAL SERVICE: May 20, 2011
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| After a few deeply heartfelt words from John's son Eric McConnell, John's family and friends held a good thought or memory of John and released a multitude of balloons heavenward. |
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
ETIENNE DECROUX: The Principals of Corporeal Mime
One subgroup of physical theater is corporeal mime. Its objective is to place drama inside the moving human body, rather than to substitute gesture for speech as in pantomime. In this medium, the mime must apply to physical movement those principles that are at the heart of drama: pause, hesitation, weight, resistance and surprise. Corporeal mime accentuates the vital importance of the body and physical action on stage.
It was developed primarily by Étienne Decroux, who was heavily influenced by his training with Jacques Copeau at the Ecole du Vieux-Colombier. He created this method and technique for creative performers wishing to transform their ideas into a physical reality, in order to devise a new style of theater "making visible the invisible," as Decroux put it.
The objectives of corporeal mime are to enable the actor to become more autonomous in creating metaphor-based physical theater pieces, which may include text, but are not based on text, i.e., to give the actor greater access to physical metaphors in work in traditional plays, and to increase the actor's strength, agility, flexibility and imaginative powers.
While Decroux’s movement style was quite different from the commedia dell'arte from which 19th century pantomime took as its model, Decroux was influenced by this classical art form. Decroux worked extensively with Teatro Piccolo in Milan, training actors and choreographing Arlecchino an adaptation of Galdoni's Servant of Two Masters directed by Giorgio Strehler. Concidentally, Jacques Lecoq, another famous mime teacher worked as a movement teacher at Piccolo Teatro until he was succeeded by Decroux.
Unlike classical pantomime, corporeal mime was also no longer an anecdotal art that used conventional gestures to create illusions of objects or persons.
Corporeal mimes seek to express abstract and universal ideas and emotions through codified movements of the entire body (but most especially the trunk--the face and hands are confined to a secondary role in this movement form) Some corporeal mimes write their own texts, as did the Greek mime-authors, integrating the mime-actor's art with the author's. They also include props, costumes, masks, lighting effects and music. Because it contains movement expression along with other elements, it is often loosely alluded to as physical or movement theater.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
IN MEMORIAM: John McConnell
It is with deep regret that I inform you that friend and colleague John H.
McConnell passed away last night.
He had recently been ill with an undiagnosed ailment.
John is survived by his wife, Dolores, and three sons, two of whom, Eric and
Brian, were with him in the circus business, as well as his
daughters-in-laws.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Doyle Funeral in Morristown, NJ will be
handling the arrangements.
http://www.doylefh.com/
He was active for many years as a circus proprietor, manager and consultant.
He wrote many books including several on circus topics, including the
Hanneford family and the Shrine circus that originated in Detroit.
John was a long time member of the Circus Historical Society and was serving
as a trustee of the organization.
Fred Dahlinger
IN MEMORIAM: Jim Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990)
Richard Hunt at Jim Henson's memorial...
Frank Oz...
Carroll Spinney as Big Bird...
Monday, May 16, 2011
CLOWN ALLEY: Various
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| Mike Bourbon(?) on Beatty-Cole |
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| Gene Lewis on RBB&B in the 1960s |
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| Shorty Hinkle in the Beatty-Cole alley |
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| Unidentified |
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| Unidentified |
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| Lou Nagy in the backyard of the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus. |
Sunday, May 15, 2011
MITCH & IAN FREDDES: Barrel Gag (1987)
Mitch Freddes with his then six year old son Ian performing his barrel gag.
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