THE FUNNIES

This Month

JANUARY MEETING

Happy New Year! For those of you who did not attend the Western Regional Clown Convention (WRCA) in Laughlin Nevada in November, you are in luck!

Some of us who attended the convention have decided that we will share/teach some of the different things that we learned at our classes in Laughlin now, while it is fresh in our minds.

That way you can also learn from the things that we picked up at the convention. And it may also spur you on to coming along with us next year to the convention.

We will see you all at the meeting. President Pam!

Our Holiday Party!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

We want to thank Wendy Olson for donating her very nice house for our holiday party! She went out of her way to do lots of extra things for our party and it was very nice of her.

The pianist, Brian was playing as people entered into the house and that was a very nice added extra.

All the people who came did bring food and we had "plenty" of food to go around for all. And the food was very scrumptious!

And Wendy even had games and prizes!

It was a nice and "cozy" group and everyone seemed to have a very nice time. Those who missed the party and all of Wendy's "extras", join in the fun next year! - PRESIDENT PAM -

This N' That From President Pam

Where has the year gone? It is now 2005 and are you all ready for the new year? I have one challenge for you all this year! As a clown, do one "free" gig that is something that really is helping someone or a group. And concentrate on really making the people at that gig really happy. And when you get home from the gig, write down the feelings that you got from doing that gig! This will remind you how much you really do help people when you are clowning. And if you are really ambitious, you can turn it into an article and send it to Pom-Pom for the newsletter. Talking with Leon "Button's" Mc Bride at the WRCA convention he had mentioned this. Why not try it?

A question to ponder: "if the number 2 pencil is the most popular in the world, why is it still number 2?"
(from 200 questions that are hard to answer! Written & compiled by Steve Taylor & David Ginn)

If you are at an event with many performers, you could have a duplicate prop or routine, you can create a comedy out of the fact that there is duplication. Create a gag on the spot and it may end up funnier than the duplicated item.

A COMEDY MAGIC WARM-UP

This is a very good warm-up routine and you take immediate control of the audience's attention and energy level.

When you are introduced and take center stage, you greet the kids warmly and welcome them to enjoy the show. Say, "To help you get the most out of the show there are three things to remember. Number 1, if you see anything you like, give me a nice round of applause, like this."

You start the action part of the warm-up by getting the kids to clap. You do this by demonstrating a "round" of applause by moving your hands in a circle as you lead the clapping.

Then you add, "But if you see something that you REALLY enjoy, then give me a BIG round of applause". To which you lead the kids in a "big round" of applause by moving your hands in an even bigger arc.

And then say, " Number 2 is that if you see something that you think is really funny in my show, you have permission to laugh right at that time and not wait until you leave the show".

And finally say, "Number 3 which is if you see something totally amazing, I want everybody on my left to say 'Ooh!' and everybody on my right to slay 'Ahh!'. Now lets practice." You point to the left and to the right and go on faster and faster until the kids can no longer keep up. At this point you make a "cut" sign with your hands and lead them into a "BIG" round of applause, taking a grand bow for the finish. The kids always enjoy this warm-up and you are ready to move into your opening routine.

(THIS WAS TAKEN FROM A VOL 12 NO. 3 1993 LAUGH MAKERS MAGAZINE)

Food List

This month Pam will be bringing left overs from the Christmas party. Other Board members will bring potato salad, rolls and desert.

BOB BERKY - This "Theatrical clown with extraordinary class" has entertained audiences all over the world. A quote from the Hong Kong Festival reads " Laughter it was. Unadulterated, uninhibited roars of hysteria, mind you...and the "magician: who transcended all age, culture and language barriers to reduce the lot of us to a convulsing mass was Bob Berky.

If you are interested in seeing Bob Berky at La Mirada Theatre please call or e-mail Pom-Pom by January 15th. (714) 539-4472 or pom-pom@pom-pomclown.com Tickets are $8.00 each.

COAI NEWS by Candy

Hello Clowns of America International Members! As the New Year starts, I would like to thank all of you for being members of COAI. It is a great clown organization and it can't happen without the membership. Remember that if there are any concerns or questions of any kind, you can always talk to me or go online and visit the website at www.coai.org. There you will find all the officers and directors where you can email them or call them with your particular concerns.
There have been many times were members have concerns about particular subjects and/or ideas and would like to see some changes happen. Changes cannot happen if you don't contact the board with these concerns. Vice President Paul Kleinberger says at every board meeting to have membership send in what they would like to see happen or changed and it should be written in a proposal. Exercise your rights as a member and use these procedures!
Let's look forward to a great year!
Butterscotch
COAI Southwest Regional Vice President

Your Funny Business Board and Associates:

Pam "Twinkles d'Clown" House, President
562-431-6955 twinklesdclown@ yahoo.com

John "Cuddles" Acuna, Vice President
562-948-3163 cuddlesclown@ yahoo.com

Jackie "Sweetheart" McDoniel, Secretary
714-636-7966 jmcdoniel@ socal.rr.com

Candy "Butterscotch" Will, Treasurer and Regional Vice President for COAI
949-489-9971 Btrsctch4h@ cox.net

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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