THE FUNNIES

Wendy Olson was the star of our March program. She ran the meeting and did the lecture. We all got to be little kids as Wendy demonstrated the games that she plays at her events. We took turns being animals on a farm, walking giant steps, being different characters while trying to blow up a balloon and sit on it and rolling Easter eggs with feather dusters. We were even able to end the meeting a little early. Thank you so much Wendy!

A HUGE THANKS to Wendy Olson for running the March meeting for me.  My fall from a chairs legs that broke & my dad’s fall on his right side had us both not doing well.  And V.P. Candy “Butterscotch” Will could not be there also.  And I was told that Wendy not only ran the meeting like a PRO but her demonstration on Games was FANTASTIC!  Good Job Wendy!  I hope you all took LOTS of notes and learned LOTS from Wendy.  Again, THANK Wendy!  How many of you would be interested in going on a field trip to see Francis Kuyper, “THE CAKE LADY”?  She was doing Vaudeville for years performing with her sister and she has TONS of important tips and ideas that are great for clowning.  She also has a mini cake museum on the premises (the only one in the world) and we also could take a tour of that for those who would like to see it.  I will bring it up at the meeting to see how many would be interested in learning from this great lady!  A RIDDLE:  What do you call a snowman with a suntan?  A puddle!

Hello COAI Members,
The 2006 COAI convention in Louisiana was run by the board ourselves this year and to say the least, it was one of the best conventions I've ever been in, even though I was running it too.  One of the biggest set backs we had was the hotel situation where the Radisson had promised to work with us only to send us to a 'Sister" hotel that was not in the best part of town and was a bit run down.  We were all stressing about this situation even before we got there.  The reason the Radisson gave us for not having rooms available was that the FEMA people were not going to be vacated before our convention started even though they had promised us the rooms even after Hurricane Katrina.  We did what we could with the Quality Inn and I have to say that the staff bent over backwards to take care of all our needs.  The elevators were the biggest problem.  All three elevators were only big enough to carry four people and luggage.  If the elevators were overloaded, they would stop and wouldn't open until the manager had to come and pry the doors apart.  Everyone we came in contact with had a sad story to tell, most of them had lost everything and some of them actually were living at the hotel.  One young man who was the van driver was telling me about how his house had flooded, but he didn't realize how bad it was, he had seen the water coming under the door, put some towels down to stop the water from coming in, went upstairs and when he came back down, the water was waist deep.  He ended up swimming in the water with dead bodies floating around and helping elderly people out of the water and up to safe ground.  The head of Red Nose Relief, Jeremy Cohen, was there and took several groups out to devastated parts of the area.  They also visited a local school and took all the donated books that were brought in by all the clowns  The group entertained the school children and everyone loved the clowns.  It felt good to hear and see how much the people were enjoying the clowns and all the laughter that was going on.  There wasn't one day that didn't go by that someone was thanking us for being there.  The competition for lite auguste went well but there are some concerns and I encourage anyone who feels that they want a say in that category to write to the board and make your concerns known.  I made it down to the French Quarter and it was in good shape.  Not all the shops are open yet, but the ones that are made it a fun evening with the other board members.  We went down to the famous cafe that serves beignets (French donuts) and they were delicious!  The time flew by and soon we were saying good bye to everyone until next year. 
Maybe I'll see some of you in Springfield Missouri next April??
Butterscotch

USE EVERYDAY THINGS TO CREATE ILLUSIONS! – By Angel Ocasio

(Laugh Makers – Volume 13 – No. 1 –1994)

There is so much written on the topic of props that it would fill a large book!  This article will focus on using everyday objects for props that stimulate imagination and help create illusions but do not dominate a clown show.  When I do my comedy on stage, I want the audience to focus on my body movements and on the facial expressions of my character.  Sometimes props, rather than the performer steal the focus of a show.  Prop comedians do this by choice.  That’s a different matter.  In my pantomime work, I want props to be tools that enhance my act without becoming the center of attention.For example, a chair can be just a chair.  You can sit on it and do your act, which has nothing to do with the chair, such as tell a story or do a series of funny faces.  That same chair could also become part of a car.  It’s what you do while you’re on the chair that gives the illusion that you are in a car.  You can put your seat belt on, adjust your rearview mirror, turn on the ignition and off you go.  All you have used is a chair as a prop.  Everything else is done in pantomime and is left to the imagination of the audience. I travel often and like to carry my show, costume/make-up and change of clothes in a carry-on bag.  This way, everything arrives together with me.  When I am writing a show, I keep this travel factor in mind and incorporate props I can obtain anywhere.  A chair, rope, brown paper bag, lollipops.  In my act, I keep things simple.  I want my audience to relate to what I am doing, and the props I use are everyday things they can relate to as well (e.g..  Whenever they happen to buy a lollypop for their kids, they will think of me.  This is marketing).  Make the most of each prop.  In other words, use them more than once and for different things your ACT.  If you use a chair for a car, use the same chair as a plane or as a boat by putting the backside on the ground and sitting on it.  You could leave it upright, turn it around, and use it as a horse.  Be creative!  Allow the most silliest of things to happen.  This is where the best ideas come from.  CHALLENGE YOURSELF! Go into your kitchen; see what wonderful props you can find and then just play.  And don’t forget to write down your discoveries.  You may not have a need for the material now, but I promise you, you will use it later.  Some sample ideas from this prop kitchen might be, an eggbeater used as a motor for a boat (see Lou Costello in the “African Scream”), or a pasta strainer for a great helmet or fencing mask.  The possibilities are endless.The key?  When you play with props, really have fun.  Enjoy the process.  Thy experimenting with props with a friend.  You will double your ideas.AS FOR FUNNY BUSINESS – WHY DON’’T WE DO THIS AND EITHER BRING YOUR IDEAS TO THE MEETING OR WE COULD ALSO PUT THE IDEAS IN THE NEWSLETTER FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.  YOUR CLUB IS ONLY AS GOOD AS YOU MAKE IT! President Pam.

During the holidays our club sponsored two families and gave them gifts for Christmas.  They live at the TRAVEL COUNTRY TRAILER PARK on Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove where some of our members participated in their Christmas Party.  On April 15th at 11AM, an EASTER EGG HUNT is happening there and the clowns have been invited.  They would like face painters, latex engineers (ballooning), and basic walk arounds.  Skits are welcome also and they will fit you into the program if you have one.  Come and brighten the lives of the children and parents on this FUN day.  Just one smile from one kid is worth being there for!  You will NEVER forget it.The city has not yet decided who will be going on that land (another HUGE story) so the people are still living there as Helen Ricks and her gang try to find them other housing, jobs and such.  And they still do monthly events with the children but this Easter egg hunt is special for the children.  Come and be a part of this nice event.  You will be happy that you did.  For details and to sign up as one going on that day, please contact President Pam for details.  THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Statement of Understanding (SoU) is to confirm a spirit of cooperation and assistance between the volunteers of Red Nose Relief (RNR) and the American Red Cross (Red Cross) and its chapters, in order that both organizations may continue to render maximum effective service in time of disaster or natural calamity.  The SOU provides the broad framework for cooperation between the two organizations in rendering assistance and service to victims of disaster, as well as other services for which cooperation may be mutually beneficial.The beginning of March brought tornadoes to the Midwest.  Red Nose Relief was very active in the areas affected. Contact me if for details if you want to get involved with your local Red Cross as a Clown with Red Nose Relief.  Pam House – State Coordinator

Club Elections

Your Funny Business Board and Associates:

Pam "Twinkles d'Klown" House, President
562-431-6955 klassyklowns1@yahoo.com Candy "Butterscotch" Will, Vice President and COAI Regional Vice President
949-489-9971 Btrsctch4h@cox.net Wendy Olson "Wendy" Secretary/Treasurer
714/524-2897 dolson970@sbcglobal.net

Jackie McDoniel "Sweetheart" Co-secretary
714-636-7966 jackiemc@socal.rr.com


Send all Articles by the last Monday in the previous month to:
Paulette "Pom-Pom" Rosen, Newsletter Editor and Webmaster for "Clown Pages" our Funny Business Website
714/539-4472 pom-pom@pom-pomclown.com
Funny Business Website http://clownpages.com

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