BOOK: Amsterdam’s Compleat Fools.

Compleat Fools book

The Festival of Fools Barcelona 2022 is in fool swing right now.  I’ve seen a few of the shows this year so far, and have been posting excerpts of some of the videos I’ve taken over on my Instagram account:  https://www.instagram.com/kafclown/ If you want to catch any of the festival, you should check out their website https://festivaloffoolsbcn.com/. There are plenty of […]

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ClownAlley is Back! : Interview with B & B’s Clown Alley from 1908

I’m happy to say that ClownAlley, the late Pat Cashin’s excellent blog about the history of clowns and circuses, is back.  (It’s not currently at clownalley.net, but at it’s original place clownalley.blogspot.com) I have always been a big supporter of that blog, which has had some amazing photos and articles about circus clowns past and present. Friend of Pat’s  Beth Grimes […]

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Clown College Reunion on the Cape– “Chuck-centennial”

I’m hanging around with 50 Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Clown College  (RBBBC) Alumni this weekend on Cape Cod. It’s a little overwhelming.  Clowns of all shapes, ages, and classes are here.  Clown college started in 1968, and went up until 1997, there are over 1500 alumni of the school.  Of course, some have passed on, some have stopped clowning […]

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Mike “Hillbilly” Weakley

Mike “Hillbilly” Weakley is a 1988 graduate of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. He then toured with the circus for 7 years as Hillbilly the Clown, and as a featured stiltwalker. Since that time he has entertained and performed for audiences at theme parks, professional sporting events, casinos, corporate events, festivals, concerts, trade shows, and other special […]

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W.C. Fields Exhibit at NY Public Library (Lincoln Center)

Thanks to Trav S.D. and his  blog for the heads up on this fantastic exhibit now through August 21 at the NY Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. The exhibit, titled “The Peregrinations & Pettifoggery of W. C. Fields”, features ephemera, clippings, playbills, photos, and a fantastic film exhibition about William Claude Dukenfield.  The films are curated […]

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