Silent Clowns Film Series Winter/Spring 2010 (NY)

The Silent Clowns Film Series under the direction/curation of Bruce Lawton and Ben Model has created another stellar lineup of classics and gems for cineastes and physical comedy aficionado's to drool over. This time it's films that are held in private collections, so these are RARELY seen. If you fall into either of those categories (film lover or physical comedy lover) you owe it to yourself to take a Sunday and spend it in the dark with Ben and Bruce. It will be well worth it. All programs will be held at the Arclight Theatre, located at 152 W 71st Street, between Broadway and Columbus. Tickets are $10 for all adults, and $5 for seniors, kids and members. Live piano accompaniment by Ben Model at all shows. Visit http://www.silentclowns.com/ for more information and to purchase tickets. I've also put the program descriptions below. Sunday, February 21 at 2pm Films from the Jack Roth Collection If Mack Sennett was "The King of Comedy" then Hal Roach was its "Crown Prince." After starting as an extra in 1914, Roach was instrumental in making Harold Lloyd a comedy star, and along the way developed a school of comedy that consisted of recognizable everyday people trapped in outlandish and embarrassing situations. Today’s selection of 1927 releases includes the Stan Laurel vehicles DUCK SOUP, EVE'S LOVE LETTERS and WHY GIRLS LOVE SAILORS, plus Max Davidson in JEWISH PRUDENCE and Charley Chase in THE STING OF STINGS. Sunday, March 14 at 2pm Films from the Streamline Films Collection: Johnny Hines was a very popular clown who made many Harold Lloyd-type of comedy features in the 1920s, but is unjustly overlooked today. CONDUCTOR 1492 (’24) gives a good look at Hines’ ability with sight-gags, not to mention his engaging smile, and breezy personality. Opening for the feature is Glenn Tryon, another neglected clown, in the Hal Roach short WHOSE BABY ARE YOU? (’25). Sunday, March 21 at 2pm More films from the Streamline Films Collection When the cinema began every film was a short subject, but as the industry grew so did the length of its films and shorts became a pre-feature special attraction. Comedy shorts were a standard part of the typical theatre bill, and this program provides a wide sampling of the art form. Our line-up is Ben Turpin in LOVE’S OUTCAST ('21), UP ON THE FARM ('25) with Lee Moran, Lupino Lane in MOVIELAND ('26), WHAT! NO SPINACH? ('26) with Harry Sweet, and Snub Pollard as THE OLD SEA DOG (’22). Sunday, April 11 at 2pm Films from the F.I.L.M. Archives Collection Throughout the silent era there were numerous "fun factories" that specialized in producing and distributing silent comedy one and two-reelers. From giants like Sennett and Christie to micro units like Tenneck – they all worked overtime to supply a steady stream of movie laughter. Our cross-section of producers include Harry Cohn (Sid Smith in A DOG-GONE MIX-UP, ’21,), Larry Darmour (Mickey McGuire in MICKEY’S CIRCUS, '27), William Fox (Arthur Housman in JUST A HUSBAND, '27), Louis, Adolph, & Max Weiss (Ben Turpin in THE EYES HAVE IT, '28), and Hal Roach (Snub Pollard in STRICTLY MODERN, '22, and Stan Laurel in COLLARS AND CUFFS, '23). Sunday, April 25 at 2pm More films from the F.I.L.M. Archives Collection Known as “The King of Comedy,” Mack Sennett was actually the Henry Ford of slapstick, as he was the first person to create a film studio devoted to turning out comedies on an assembly-line schedule. The main targets for the rough and rowdy Sennett crew were order, pomposity, and social standing. Having discovered most of the big names in the genre, today’s sampling highlights the year 1926 and stars such as Billy Bevan, Ralph Graves and Ben Turpin in the shorts WHISPERING WHISKERS, HUBBY’S QUIET LITTLE GAME, YANKEE DOODLE DUKE, WHEN A MAN’S A PRINCE, and ICE COLD COCOS.

SPOOKAPALOOZA (Chicago)

Speaking of the Midnight Circus, I nearly forgot that they are doing their annual set of Halloween Free shows in Daley Plaza again this year.  This year the show is called SpookaPalooza! They've been doing it all week, so you've missed a lot of shows, but there's 7 shows you can still see.  The cast features a rotating round of Chicago variety performers, clowns, and eccentrics doing really fun stuff in Daley Plaza.  The show is completely free.  I caught it a couple of years ago and had a great time. FRIDAY OCT 30: 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2pm, 5:30pm SATURDAY, OCT 31: 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2pm More about the Midnight Circus

Silent Clowns Film Series Fall/Winter 2009 (NY)

THE SILENT CLOWNS FILM SERIES MEETS "THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES" HEAD-ON... WITH SLAPSTICK SALUTES TO FOLKS JUST TRYING TO GET BY! ( NOTE NEW THEATER LOCATION!!) The Silent Clowns Film Series has become the place for film buffs and families to go to see classic silent comedy films. Presenting its programs on Sunday afternoons from fall to spring the series has offered hundreds of classic film fans and young people all over the tri-state region the chance to see Chaplin, Keaton, and everyone in-between. All shows feature live piano accompaniment by Ben Model. The Silent Clowns' Fall / Winter 2009 season tips its hats (all of them) the slapstick art of survival with five programs of classic silent comedy shorts and features helmed by the likes of: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Our Gang, Ben Turpin, Charley Chase, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Harry Langdon. All this culminates in a December showing of Laurel & Hardy silents where the audience will vote online for their faves to be screened. The Silent Clowns Film Series is held at THE ARCLIGHT THEATRE 152 WEST 71st STREET, betw B'way and Columbus) Subway: 1, 2 or 3 W72. or C to W72 Tickets are $10.00 all adults and $5.00 for kids and seniors. Live piano accompaniment by Ben Model Tickets are sold at the door. For more information visit www.silentclowns.com or call 212-712-SCFS. THE SILENT CLOWNS FILM SERIES 2009 FALL/WINTER SCHEDULE All programs feature live musical accompaniment by Ben Model. Sunday, October 11 at 2pm Comedy on the Bum - or - The Elegance of Indigence Tramps (a.k.a. “Knights of the Road”) were popular comic characters on stage, in comic strips, and in early films. While Charlie Chaplin used it for his regular screen persona, most of the other big name comics spent some time cinematically "on the bum". Today’s down-and-outers include Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle in Fatty's New Role ('15), Charlie Chaplin’s Easy Street ('17), Harold Lloyd in From Hand To Mouth ('19 ), Buster Keaton’s The Goat ('21), and Fiddlesticks ('27) with Harry Langdon. Sunday, October 25 at 2pm Harold Lloyd in "Dr. Jack" (1922) Remembered today as the "third genius" of silent comedy, Harold Lloyd was always first at the box office.Dr. Jack ('22), although not as well known as Grandma's Boy ('22) or The Freshman ('25), is equally funny and presents Harold as a country doctor who uses scares and thrills to help a young rich girl get rid of parasitic doctors. Also on this Halloween program is Buster Keaton surrounded by eerie goings-on inThe Haunted House ('21). Sunday, November 8 at 2pm Slapstick Show-Biz Part One: Stagecraft Shenanigans Since most of the silent film comedians came from the stage, it was only natural that they would use their theatre background and experiences for comic material. Tough company managers, over-ripe melodramas and fly-by-night theatre troupes are some of the subjects at hand today in the Thanhouser company’s The Soap Suds Star (215), Charlie Chaplin’s The Property Man ('14), The Play House ('21) with Buster Keaton, Charley Chase’s Bromo and Juliet ('26), and Lupino Lane in Drama Deluxe ('27). Sunday, November 22 at 2pm Slapstick Show-Biz Part Two: Chaos on the Set The second part of our Show-Biz programs finds our silent clowns poking fun at themselves and their style of filmmaking. Nothing could be simpler or handier (not to mention cheaper) than using their own studios as background for slapstick antics, which today gives us precious behind-the-scenes glimpses of where and how these films were made. On the bill is Everett True Breaks into the Movies ('16), Charlie Chaplin’s Behind the Screen ('16), Hey There ('18) with Harold Lloyd, Our Gang’s Dogs of War ('23), and The Daredevil ('23) starring Ben Turpin. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, December 6 at 2pm Laurel & Hardy: U-Pick 'Em! *Audience Favorites* After years of solo work, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy came together at the Hal Roach Studio in 1927.In their comedies human foibles and the frustrations of everyday life were magnified a hundred times over. Now you have the opportunity to select which of their silent shorts you’d like to see. Vote online on our website, and the four finalists will be screened at this show! Visit our website to go to the voting page.

Hotel Bananas - This week at the Flea Theatre (NY)

Hotel Bananas The NY Goofs July 23 – 25 Clowns check in but they don’t check out at the Flea Theater, 41 White Street (between Broadway & Church Streets) An evening of raucous laughter with the New York Goofs America’s Got Clowns, Season Two, proves exactly what the title says, that America has some rocking physical comedians. New York Goof co-founders Dick Monday & Tiffany Riley bring together their Clown School faculty and professional clowns to create a hilarious show. Expect to see eccentric dance, musical entrees, bad magic, feats of tossing and manipulation (juggling), Godly and unGodly characters, and a lot of very physical comedy. The New York Goofs have presented three original clown theater productions at The Flea over the last ten years. The performances are July 23 – 25 at 7pm. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Flea website here More information about the goofs at http://nygoofs.com/

Maestrosities in Brooklyn with Orchestra June 13

The Maestrosities (the self-proclaimed coolest band ever) is a group of clown musicians who have a really good time while playing instruments. They've announced a collaboration with The Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra. On the program: Finlandia - Jean Sibelius Peter and the Wolf - Sergei Prokofiev The William Tell Overture - Tonto They most certainly won't be interfering with the arrangements, instrumentation or integrity of these pieces. No, what you will hear at this set of concerts is musicians playing music to the best of their ability. And it definitely won't be fun or funny. They'll also be playing a set of their favorites from the 80s, 20s, and today. Here's what you need to know: When: Two concerts - Saturday, June 13th, 2:30 pm and 5pm Where: The Irondale Center - 85 South Oxford Street in Fort Greene ( Just around the corner from BAM ) How much: $15/$8 students and seniors. Purchase now. This will sell out. http://www.zerve.com/BQCMusic/Comm To get tickets by phone call Zerve at 212.209.3370 If you have questions email louis@TheCoolestBandEver.com Or visit http://www.thecoolestbandever.com

Up and CLOWN "Closing Party" Exhibit 5/31 5-8 pm

Jim Moore's exhibit Up and Clown (talked about here) will have a closing party on Sunday May 31 from 5-8 pm. Come check it out if you get the opportunity, and may I mention-- freeroll! SB Digital Gallery 125 East 4th St. 212 979 7239 (1 block east from Kraine Theatre)

Cruel & Unusual Comedy at MOMA (NY) May 20-June 1, 2009

Cruel and Unusual Comedy: Social Commentary in the American Slapstick Film May 20, 2009–June 1, 2009 MOMA will be running a number of silent film comedies during the last part of the month. The series, titled Cruel and Unusual Comedy, will feature a number of evenings of silent films, grouped in themes, that use comedy to address pretty . All films are from the U.S. and are silent, with piano accompaniment by Ben Model. All running times are approximate. You can read film notes written by Steve Masa and Ben Model on their specialty blog http://cruelandunusualcomedy.blogspot.com/ You can find out more about the series on the MOMA website http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/films/948 Tickets are $10, less for seniors and students, and free if you are a MOMA member (although you do still require a ticket. Drag Shows: Cross-Dressing the Sexes Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 4:00 p.m. With piano accompaniment by Ben Model Getting Rid of Trouble 1912. USA. Directed by Del Henderson. With Charlie Murray. 10 min. Sweedie Learns to Swim 1914. USA. Directed by Wallace Beery. With Beery. 10 min. Chasing the Chaser 1925. USA. Directed by Stan Laurel. With James Finlayson. 10 min. Get ‘Em Young 1926. USA. Directed by Fred Guiol. With Stan Laurel. 18 min. Good Night Nurse 1917. USA. Directed by Roscoe Arbuckle. With Arbuckle, Buster Keaton. 18 min. Race Riots: Beyond Black and White Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 4:00 p.m With piano accompaniment by Ben Model A Change of Complexion 1914. USA. Directed by Phillips Smalley. With Henry Bergman. 10 min. Haunted Spooks 1920. USA. Directed by Hal Roach. With Harold Lloyd, Sunshine Sammy. 20 min. Below Zero 1925. USA. Directed by Norman Taurog. With Lige Conley, Spencer Bell. 18 min. A Natural Born Gambler 1916. USA. Director unknown. With Bert Williams. 20 min. Black and White 1913. USA. Directed by Del Henderson. With David Morris. 10 min. Gratuitous Violence: No Turn Unstoned Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 7:00 p.m. With piano accompaniment by Ben Model Deep Sea Panic 1924. USA. Directed by Roy Del Ruth. With James Parrott. 12 min. Their First Execution 1913. USA. Directed by Mack Sennett. With Ford Sterling. 10 min. The Phoney Cannibal 1915. USA. Directed by Charles E. Ward. With Lloyd Hamilton, Bud Duncan. 10 min. The Counter Jumper 1922. USA. Directed by Larry Semon. With Semon, Oliver Hardy. 18 min. Cold Hearts and Hot Flames 1916. USA. Directed by John G. Blystone. With Billie Ritchie. 20 min Animals and Children: No Harm Done Friday, May 29, 2009, 4:00 p.m With piano accompaniment by Ben Model An Elephant on His Hands 1912. USA. Directed by Frederick Thomson. With George Ober. 10 min. Cat, Dog, and Co. 1929. USA. Directed by Anthony Mack. With the Our Gang kids. 18 min. Mind the Baby 1924. USA. Directed by Al Herman. With Pal the dog. 18 min. The Knockout 1923. USA. Directed by Len Powers. With the Dippy-Doo-Dads. 10 min. When Summer Comes 1922. USA. Directed by Roy Del Ruth. With Billy Bevan. 18 min. The Machine Age: Mack Sennett vs. Henry Ford Monday, June 1, 2009, 4:00 p.m. With piano accompaniment by Ben Model Lizzies of the Field 1924. USA. Directed by Del Lord. With Billy Bevan. 18 min. His Bread and Butter 1916. USA. Directed by Edward Cline, Hank Mann. With Mann, Slim Summerville. 18 min. Get Out and Get Under 1920. USA. Directed by Hal Roach. With Harold Lloyd. 18 min. Squeaks and Squawks 1920. USA. Directed by Noel M. Smith. With Jimmy Aubrey, Oliver Hardy. 18 min. Neck and Neck 1924. USA. Directed by Fred Hibbard. With Lige Conley. 18 min.

UP and cLOWN: (Jim Moore Clown Photographic exhibit) starts May 15 (NY)

UP and CLOWN: Photographic Cacophony of Eccentric Performers For the last 30 years, Jim Moore has been photographing all kinds of clowns, mimes, and eccentric performers. On May 15 the SB Digital Gallery will be hosting an exhibit of Jim's photographs. The exhibit will feature over 300 shots, including shows of the NY Downtown Clown Revue, where Jim is the photographer in residence. Mr. Moore was a mime street performer during the 70’s and 80’s, he is particularly adept at capturing precise and striking moments of revelry and performance, using his insider's eye. For the last 30 years Jim has been in, on and behind the scenes at venues such as The Big Apple Circus, Bottom Line, Dixon Place and The New York Downtown Clown Revue. His diverse range of photographs include magicians, clowns, puppeteers, mimes, ventriloquists, performance artists, sword swallowers, tightrope walkers, and high wire walkers, including Philip Petit, star of last year's documentary hit Man on Wire, in which many of Jim's photographs were used. Some of the people featured in this current exhibit are: Eric Bogosian, Paul Zaloom, Marcel Marceau, world famous juggler Francis Brunn, world famous magician Slydini, world renown clown Joel Jeske, world renown clown Gardi Hutter, and sword swallower Joey Colon, along with many others. The show opens on Friday May 15th at SB Digital Gallery 125 East 4th St., from 6 to 9pm. Refreshments will be served. There are 300 photographs being presented, and they will be projected onto four large high definition monitors and a digital projector. You can call the gallery for more info at 212-979-7239 For more information about Jim's work, visit his website http://www.moorepics.com Some images of the upcoming exhibit are below. Ctibor Turba Ambrose Martel Joel Jeske McCormack & Parenti Paul Zaloom

Opening Weekend! CRACKED ICE at PS122

Don't miss the world premiere of: "CRACKED ICE or THE JEWELS OF THE FORBIDDEN SKATES!" A new play by Jennifer Miller with additional text by Deb Margolin In this glittering theatrical extravaganza, the infamous juggling duo, The Liberty Sisters, have been fleeced by an evil ponzi schemer. Sybil and Statua Liberty embark on a mad-cap tour of revenge...but they aren't the only ones after the greedy crook. Mistaken identities, missed opportunities, star crossed lovers and variety hall numbers all combine to bring East Village high camp back home. It's tragedy, it's farce, it's mystery, it's mayhem...it's "CRACKED ICE or JEWELS OF THE FORBIDDEN SKATES!!" April 25-May 10 Performance Space 122 -- First Avenue and 9th Street, NYC Wed-Sun at 8pm With additional late show, Sat, May 9 at 11pm. Special performance to benefit Circus AMOK! on Sunday, May 3 at 8pm. Starring: Jennifer Miller, Ashley Brockington, Tanya Gagne, Sally May, Adrienne Truscott, Carlton Ward, and Rae C. Wright. Music by Kenny Mellman. Design by Jonathan Berger. Set Paintings by Mila Geisler. Choreography by Faye Driscoll. Prop Design by Jesse Proia. With additional text for Bernie Madoff by Deb Margolin. Special surprise guest artists each night, including Scott Heron, Jennifer Monson, Novice Theory, Jenny Romaine, and many more! CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO REGULAR PERFORMANCES: Use code "FF12" to buy single tickets for only $12 Use code "FF241" to buy two or more tickets for only $10 each!!! (2 for $20, 5 for $50, and so on.) TICKETS FOR BENEFIT PERFORMANCE: Benefit performance tickets are ONLY AVAILABLE at the Circus AMOK! website. Benefit tickets are $50, $75 or $100 and include a post-show reception with the cast and creative team, as well as exclusive AMOK schwag! "Cracked Ice" tickets are regularly $20. Obligatory Fine print: discounts based on limited supply; blackout dates may apply; may not be combined with other offers or applied to previous sales; may be discontinued at any time so book now and save!

Golden Nose Award Winners

I attended the Third Annual New York Downtown Clown Golden Nose Awards last night. This now annual event was a lot of fun-- not because of the awards (although it's great to see deserving people get awards) but because of the community that has been created/nurtured by founders of New York Downtown Clown Christopher Lueck and Amanda Pekoe. It's great to see all of these really funny talented people all in a room together. It's even bettter to have a drink with them before (and after the show) This year's award ceremonies were a little different-- there were only two People's choice awards (that got voted on) and three number of honorary awards. The nose awards were designed by ProKnows HONORARY AWARDS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN CLOWNING Hovey Burgess got a lifetime achievement award. Hovey, who is truly one of the instrumental early instructors of circus and clown, has been a constant presence in the NY Downtown Clown Scene. As one of the presenters noted-- not only does he go everywhere, sees every show, but everybody likes him. He's a tireless advocate for circus and clowning, and a great circus historian and archivist to boot. Wearing a formal suit and a very large tie (not shown here) He told a very funny story about John Ringling North, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, and Lady Godiva which ended up crediting LaGuardia for the development of pasties and a G string (he was the mayor that raided Minsky's Burlesque) He also read the famous "But Dr. I am Pagliacci" joke from Watchmen in his best Rorschach voice. (It's the old famous joke--a man goes to the doctor, who checks him out and says "There's nothing wrong with you. There's a famous clown Pagliacci in town-- go see the show, and he'll make you feel better." To which the man replies in tears "But Doctor-- I am Pagliacci!") CLOWN ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: Clowns Without Borders USA received a Clown Organization of the Year award for their work bringing laughter and clowns to strife ridden places. I've featured them on this site a number of times. Deven Sissler, who had just come back from Haiti, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. For more information on the great work they do, visit http://www.clownswithoutborders.org CLOWNS OF THE YEAR: Dick Monday and Tiffany Riley of the NY Goofs Received the Clowns of the Year award for their dedication and enthusiasm for clown arts. They've been teaching clowning in NY for over 10 years, and though they are now based in Dallas, they are also truly integral members of the NY Downtown Clown Scene. For more information about their work, visit http://www.nygoofs.com AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS Audience Choice Best Clown Act WINNER-- Musique, by Joel Jeske, Mike Richter, and Christopher Lueck OTHER NOMINEES: Eccentric Dance and Hat Act, by Spencer Novich Kill Me Loudly: A Clown Noir, by FOOLS ON FIRE (Butt Kapinski, Chris Manley, ChrisRoberti and Jeff Seal, Dir. Eric Davis) The Pajama Men, by Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez Audience Choice Best Clown Character: WINNER: Spencer Novich OTHER NOMINEES: Emily Carragher Nina Levine Tweedy

Fools on Fire Cabaret April 18

Dead Herring and Fools on Fire Present a Benefit Cabaret 141 South 5th Street, 1E Brooklyn NY 11211 Saturday April 18th Doors at 8pm, Show at 8:30 $10 (includes 1 free drink) Good Food and Drink! Lineup: ZeroBoy www.zeroboy.com 'Coney Island of the Mind' piece. Follow along as Zero Boy takes his nephew and the audience on a magical cartoon like audio tour of coney island past, present and future The Lady's Circus Static Trapeze http://www.ladycircus.com Mike Dobson Balloon Bongo Drums http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-nBRlZ61AA http://www.mikedobsonmusic.com/live/ Spencer Novich and Brett Alters, Clown Duo: http://brettalters.com/ http://www.youtube.com/Snovich1 Mitchell "The Human Jukebox" Yoshida For a dollar, he'll play on his accordion your request of ANY pop song EVER. Sapphire Jones www.myspace.com/worldfamoussapphirejones Comedic Burlesque And your hosts Jeff and Buttons youtube.com/jeffseal http://newexcitementcomedy.com/

Hey-Ya Brothers in NY at Urban Stages

Hey-Ya Brothers- now performing at Urban Stages! The Hey-Ya Brothers is a two-man slapstick comedy variety show with clowns and physical comedians Joel Jeske and Christopher Lueck. This 45min show is a mixture of classic comedy, slapstick, juggling, magic, and music. The Hey-Ya Brothers create a memorable show full of laughs. Now with special guest performer Mike Richter! WHEN: SUNDAYS, March 15 – April 5, 2009 at at 2pm. WHERE: Urban Stages, located at 259 West 30th Street (between 7th & 8th Avenues)NYC TICKETS: $10 To purchase, email urbanstages@gmail.com or call 212-421-1380. Tickets are also available at the door. Running Time is 45 minutes, ages 3 + For More Info vsit www.heyyabrothers.com or www.urbanstages.org

August 2009 Clown & Comedy Course with Mick Barnfather (London)

Full details at http://www.mickbarnfather.com/workshops.php London workshop for August 2009 is Clown and Comedy (3rd - 7th August) Picture taken by Rebecca Hersh-Boyle Clown and Comedy This is a 5 day course. In this workshop I will be looking at what it is that makes us laugh and how we can be funny. It is not about big shoes, make up and squirty flowers. I will concentrate mainly on the clown and the pleasure to be ridiculous in the space. The clown moves from one flop to the next always happy and optimistic to be playing before an audience. There are many confusions and disasters in a clown show but there are never any doubts. The clown is joyful, playful, mischievous and full of fantasy. I will also be looking at other catalysts for comedy during this workshop such as status games, parody and improvisation. Nothing in this workshop is related to a style but very much looking to find what is uniquely funny about each person and how they can make that accessible to an audience. Workshops will aim to be energetic and very playful. Participants will be encouraged to have fun and pleasure and use this as a starting point. In my opinion when people have fun and play instinctively it is then that they start to play the fool, tell stories, joke and discover their creativity. Accommodation: Although I do not provide accommodation I do sometimes hear of places to rent. I also know of a cheap hostel which was recommended by a former student. Please contact me if you would wish to do the workshop(s) and would like details. Venue: Clown and Comedy - The Gallery, Edwards Lane, N16 (off Stoke Newington Church Street, behind the Library) This is very close to where Albion Road meets Stoke Newington Church St. Directions: By Bus 393 from Highbury and Islington Tube Station (15 minutes), and 73 and 476 from Angel (also 15 minutes) Hours: Clown 10-5pm, Mondays to Fridays Cost: Clown £180 (Concessions £150) (these prices are less than previous, on account of the recession) Deposits: Clown - £80 80% refundable up to two weeks before the workshop. 50% up to one week before the workshop.

MOVE IT- Free Physical Theatre March 19 at HERE (NYC)

MOVE IT! – a free evening of Physical and Visual Theatre Parallel Exit, New York City’s award-winning physical theatre company, offers audiences a free opportunity to see some of New York’s most exciting physical and visual theatre artists in MOVE IT! Featuring brand new physical theatre from Parallel Exit’s Joel Jeske, Mike Dobson, and Spencer Novich, dance-theatre from The Chase Brock Experience, clowning from Ishah Jannsen-Faith, and juggling from World Champion juggler Tony Duncan, MOVE IT! is presented at HERE Arts Center on Thursday March 19th at 8:30pm. Parallel Exit launched MOVE IT! in the fall of 2006 in order to support and promote the work of quality physical theatre artists and companies in New York City. This performance series appears throughout the year to invite audiences to experience the diversity and excitement of physical and visual theatre artists working in dance-theatre, mime, puppetry, clown, and circus. MOVE IT! Thursday March 19, 8:30pm, FREE HERE Arts Center 145 6th Ave. (between Spring & Broome, enter on Dominick), Subway: C, E, 6 to Spring St. For Tickets & Information: www.here.org 212-352-3101 This production is being presented through HERE’s Supported Artist Program, which provides artists with subsidized space and equipment, as well as technical and administrative support. To find out more about Parallel Exit, the producer of the program, visit their website listed below: http://www.parallelexit.net/ To find out more about some of the other artists, click on their names below: Parallel Exit’s Joel Jeske, Mike Dobson, and Spencer Novich The Chase Brock Experience Ishah Jannsen-Faith Tony Duncan

ClownLab show- Feb 13, 14 (NY)

Jef Johnson is a principal clown in the international touring company of Slava’s Snowshow. As Clown, he has also toured with Cirque du Soleil. Jef has more than 20 years of experience working in a wide range of physical styles. His approach is rooted in subjective expression, physical expression of condition through impulse and reflex. He has studied corporeal expression from disciples of Grotowski, Suzuki, Marceau, Decroux, Lecoq, Meyerhold, M. Chekhov, Vakhtangov. He teaches a Clown Lab in NY on a fairly regular basis. The product, or clinical trial, as he prefers to call it, of one of those Clown Labs will be coming up on Feb 13 & 14. I haven't studied with him, so can't really say what his teaching style is like. His website and (clown journal) was a bit too impenetrable for me to figure out exactly what he is all about. With most things like this, the best way to figure out if you want to study with him is to go see some of his work. Here are the details to check it out for yourself. Clownical Trials In situ modulation using perception action coupling and combined object vectors. THEATERLAB 137 West 14th Street New York, NY February 12-13 at 8 pm $10.00 Reservations: 212-929-2545 Featuring: Golan, Kathie Horejsi, Julie Josephson, Michaela Lind, Andrew Valins Jef Johnson's CLOWN LAB is dedicated to the exploration of the mechanisms underlying the nature of clown through behavior, experience and creative association. This is a clinical trial. Real humans will be used. To find out more about Jef's work, visit his website listed below: http://www.nyclown.com

Classes with Michael Trautman in Maine

Beginning January 27 2009, Michael Trautman will be teaching ongoing classes for children and for adults at Breakwater School. Mr. Trautman will offer the following courses on Tuesdays after school: CLOWN SKILLS FOR KIDS - Ages 8 to 12. 3:30 to 4:30. Slapstick, juggling, magic, balancing, and more! PHYSICAL CHARACTERS AND PHYSICAL COMEDY - Ages 12 to 16. 4:30 to 5:30. Mime, movement, creation of character through movement, and study of elements of physical comedy. MIKERCISE! - Adults. 5:30 to 6:30. Michael leads a vigorous class in movement that will give you a whole body workout. Drawing on over thirty years of physical training and experience students will find out exactly "How does he do all that?" Classes are ongoing. Students may join the class at any date. Class fee is $15 per week. Classes are held in the Jesse Building at Breakwater School, 856 Brighton Ave., Portland, Maine Call 207.450.5342 for information or registration, or contact Michael at info@michaeltrautman.com

News: Clowns Face Ban on Playing Trumpets

In England, Clowns have been silenced by a council which has banned them from playing their trumpets at Zippo's Circus. The circus said it was told by council officials that the show could not go on unless the clowns dropped the musical part of their act. The circus, which is currently performing in Birmingham, fell foul of the Licensing Act 2003 which forbids the playing of live music without a licence. A spokesman for the circus said that Birmingham City Council officials warned the show was breaking the law and would be shut down unless it complied. But proprietor Martin Burton said that applying for a licence was time consuming and expensive, and called for circuses to be exempt. Mr Burton said: "I'm a big fan of silent comedy but this is nonsense. "Live music is an essential part of traditional clowning, and for us to be told that they can't play instruments, even in the three minutes of the show which features trumpets, is laughable." Peter Luff, Conservative MP for Mid Worcestershire, said: "When the law silences the clowns, one wonders who the clowns really are. "It would be very funny if it wasn't so serious for circuses. "For a long time now, the Government has admitted the legislation is having a disproportionate effect on circuses. It's time for them to act and sort out this mess."

Goofs & Bongar at the Flea August 7-9

Michael Bongar, former Ringling clown, graduate of clown college and now one of the most well-versed and influential of the variety bookers in the NY Area, is coming out of retirement for one set of shows as part of a NY Goofs reunion night at the Flea Theatre. Billed as his "Farewell Tour", I'm sure there will be lots of ribbing, poking fun, and that old-fashioned stuff... Oh yeah, comedy. Other Goofs will also be performing, including Dick Monday, Tiffany Riley, Hilary Chaplain, Mark Gindeck, Watson Kawecki, Joel Jeske, Evelyn Tuths, Michael Preston, Larry Pisoni, Mike Smith, Jay Stewart, Therese Schorn, Kim Winslow AUGUST 7, 8 & 9 7 PM $20 Tickets - 212-352-3101 The Flea Theatre 41 White St New York, NY 10013 (212) 226-0051 or visit www.theflea.org

Bindlestiffs Reality Show on the web

Add another show to your summer web watching schedule. The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus has a new reality show that is being broadcast on the web. Each week will feature a mini-sode that is a different aspect of working with the Bindlestiffs-- booking, rehearsing, performing, touring. The trailers look like they are taken from all over the last 10 years or so (or at least incorporate footage from that time period.) The whole thing is supposed to start on 8/1/08, but there's some pretty good footage/trailers up on the site now. Here are some screengrabs from the trailers. For more information or to watch the show, visit the websites listed below: WEBISODES: http://www.thebindlestiffs.com WEBSITE/INFO: http://www.bindlestiff.org

Authentic Dynamics Workshop: Momentum & Change (NY)

Authentic Dynamics: momentum and change for actors and clowns Join Under the Table's Matt Chapman on Saturday, July 5 in Brooklyn for a unique physical investigation of the dynamics of the performer This world works on certain undeniable dynamics. To perform with authenticity, the actor must have the ability to identify and navigate them. In this workshop, a few fundamentals of the stage will be explored, including johakyu ( beginning/middle/end, or how things grow, break, and resolve), minimum-to-maximum, evolution, and the rhythms of comedy. W This workshop is appropriate for actors, clowns, and directors of all levels. Learn to see human action and comedy onstage more clearly. Dress to move and bring water. When: Saturday, July 5, 2008. 1-6:30 pm Where: Triskelion Arts: 118 N. 11th St, 3rd Floor. (L to Bedford, Williamsburg, Brooklyn) Cost: $75 (Limited scholarships are available) To register, reply by email. Payment holds your slot. us@underthetabletheatre.org Note: Class size is limited. If it gets filled up, they'll add a repeat section on Sunday the 6th, so if you're interested in that, let Matt know quickly. __________________________________________________________ Matt Chapman is a performer, director, and teacher of physical theatre and clown. He is Artistic Director of Brooklyn's Under the Table, a physical theatre ensemble. He also tours as an actor with Dell'Arte International (California). In the US, Matt has taught Clown and Improvisation as adjunct faculty at Marymount Manhattan College and Manhattanville College in New York, and has taught workshops at New York University, Vassar College, Sarah Lawrence College, Towson University, Luther College, the University of Iowa, the University of North Dakota, the New York Fringe Festival, and the Carolinian Shakespeare Festival, as well as working in public schools and with the mentally ill in New York care facilities. He has served as an assistant to Ronlin Foreman, Clown master and Director of Pedagogy at Dell'Arte International. Matt teaches abroad as well; his workshops in the last year have included South Africa, Denmark, the Netherlands, and England. This past winter and spring, Matt directed "Circus Life," a contemporary circus work about HIV/AIDS in Durban, South Africa, toured the US teaching workshops for Dell'Arte International through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and taught Clown workshops in Denmark with the other members of Under the Table while on tour there. He attended the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas. To find out more about Matt's work, please visit the websites listed below: http://www.underthetabletheatre.org http://www.clownnosefactory.com

Kirk Marsh

Kirk Marsh is a clown and entertainer that has been described as an amalgamation of Charlie Chaplin, Jerry Lewis, and Dick Van Dyke rolled into one. His shows feature magic, juggling, eccentric dance,and oddball audience participation routines. His performances portray a man at odds with his life and his props. Kirk is a graduate of Ringling Brothers Clown College. Part klutz, part consummate entertainer, Kirk's shows and acts have delighted and amazed audiences around the world, from Las Vegas casinos to the world's largest cruise ships. Some of his employers have included Disney, Ringling, 3M, IBM, The RIO casino in Las Vegas, and Caribbean Cruise lines. He recently had a very successful performance at the International Circus Festival of Albacete, Spain. To find out more about Kirk, visit his website listed below: http://www.kirkmarsh.com

BAMBOUK show in NY starting April 16

Bambouk brings their Vaudeville-inspired silent comedy to NY for a limited run from April 16-27. Bambouk is the creation of two American theatre clowns, Matthew Duncan and Brian Foley. Matthew and Brian juggle plates, flip hats, ride a sixfoot unicycle, play the accordion, ukulele and musical saw, even make an audience member float in mid-air! They wear no makeup, just red noses and tuxedos. BAMBOUK has opened for the Drifters, the Platters and Charo, and shared the stage with award-winning circus artists from the Moscow Circus, Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe, Big Apple Circus and Cirque du Soleil. Together and individually they have been the featured physical comedians in stage productions, ice shows, cruise ships and theme parks since 1990. BAMBOUK has been seen multiple times in China, Japan, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean islands, and throughout the contintental U.S. BAMBOUK Bald Comedy. In Tails. WHEN: Opens April 16 - April 27, 2008 WHERE: American Theatre of Actors located at 314 West 54th Street, 2nd Floor SCHEDULE: Tuesday-Friday at 8pm; Saturday 2pm and 8pm; Sunday 2pm and 7pm PRICE: Tickets are $30 for Adults, $20 for Children aged 8 to 13 OTHER NOTES: Not suitable for children under 8. Recommended for Adults. Call SmartTix at 212-868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com Running time is 1 hour, 45 minutes with one intermission More information: http://www.bambouk.com/

Clowns Talk about Clowning- YouTube Videos

Jim Moore, the variety arts photographer who has probably photographed more clowns than anybody in the history of photography, has been doing something new-- he's been videotaping clowns. If you check out his YouTube videos (URL below), he's putting up interviews with performers as they talk about their work, how they create their work, and even why they create their work. Jim's got tons of archival stuff, so who knows what else he's got in his archives. Recently he posted an interview with Keith Nelson of the Bindlestiff's, and he's also got David Engel and Hilary Chaplain talking about creating a new act for David's character El Magnifico. HILARY CHAPLAIN & DAVID ENGEL VIDEO I suggest subscribing to his YouTube feed on the page, or checking in there pretty often to see what rare and interesting material he surfaces. He'll also be interviewing somebody from the NY Downtown Clown Revue every month, where he remains the official staff photographer) (And speaking of subscribing, thanks to the ever more efficient Pat Cashin of Clownalley.net for the link to Keith's interview. I knew Jim was putting these videos together, but didn't think to mention them until I saw Pat's post. He beats me to the punch a lot in posting stuff.) If you are not RSS'ing Clownalley.net, you should be! Jim's Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=jm5star&p=r Pat Cashin's Clown Alley: www.clownalley.net

Safety Last, with Ben Model Riverdale, NY 1/26

Safety Last with Ben Model Yes, it's Harold Lloyd in his iconic climb up the side of the 12-story Bolton Building, accompanied live by Ben Model, a silent film historian and accompanist for the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 1997 he founded "The Silent Clowns Film Series" with film historian Bruce Lawton. Ben composes all his own scores, and performs in a style that is both evocative of the silent era and also aware of a contemporary (and younger) audience's awareness of music and film scoring. Ben composes and improvises all his own scores, and performs in a style that is both evocative of the silent era and also aware of a contemporary (and younger) audience's awareness of music and film scoring. After each movie - come upstairs to our candle-lit cafe and enjoy complementary coffee, wine, and sweets before you go home for the evening. Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 8:00 PM Neuwirth Theatre 5625 Arlington Avenue Bronx, NY 10471 Map & Directions TICKETS ARE $12 and available online: http://www.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=121438

Jim Moore Photo Exhibition of the Twin Towers Tightrope Walk

In 1974, mime and photographer Jim Moore became the right-hand-man for aerialist Philippe Petit during the secret preparations and daring guerilla tightrope walk between the two World Trade Center Towers. Thirty three years later, Jim is presenting his photographs of the event in oversized 50" x 35" Iris prints, including shots titled On the edge of the abyss, A Helicopter's View, 110 floors, and more. The shots reveal the inner workings of the audacious preparations, including climbing and rigging of the World Trade Towers, all done in complete secrecy. The exhibit will run October 16- November 4 at the Jalopy Theatre and School of Music, 315 Columbia St, Red Hook, Brooklyn. An opening reception is planned for Wednesday October 17 from 6-9 pm. There is no word yet if there will be a commemorative tightrope walk at the reception. For more information about the tightrope walk, visit the wikipedia article on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Petit

The Midnight Circus

The Midnight Circus started as a collaboration between circus clown Jeffrey Jenkins and actress Julie Greenberg. They combined their talents to create a 5 minute eccentric acrobatic act to be featured with Vermont's Circus Smirkus. While on tour with the show, they apprenticed themselves to two former stars of The Moscow Circus. In between shows and practice, they would all sit over a cup of tea (or a more than occasional vodka!) and share aspirations and ideas for the future of performance. It was in that backlot that the seeds were planted for The Midnight Circus. In 1997, having returned to Chicago, they created a show called The Midnight Circus: When Circus and Theatre Collide, which was what happened when a Shakespearean troupe and a Circus troupe end up sharing the same performance stage, and what happens when they mix. That show got great reviews and ending up running in various incarnations for the next year. Later that show was licensed by the Big Apple Circus, which took it on tour to large theatres across the United States. Since that time Jeff and Julie have served as artistic directors for Circus Smirkus, have created many other shows in the Chicago area, including a tented show called The Big Bang and Other Amazing Adventures! which played in a tent on Chicago's Museum campus for three months, and an annual Haunted Hijinx show in Daley Plaza, which combines the theme of haunted house and circus arts. They also work with many of the other Chicago Theatres, performing and directing. In addition to this work they tour the cruise ship circuit, create shows for corporations, and have collaborated on another front: they have a child together. The Midnight Circus also has had at one time or another training opportunities and performance opportunities for most of Chicago's clowns at one time or another. Next up for the Midnight Circus is a weekend of performances in Chicago's Welles' Park Four shows Sept 29-30. Shows are at 3:30 and 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 each (children under 2 are free) To find out more about the Midnight Circus, please visit their website listed below: http://www.midnightcircus.net