There are so many exciting things happening for this convention that we don't know where to start!
How about our entertainment chairperson, Bob "B. B." Widdop, one of the first COAI Artists In Residence and supervisor for the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit at Boston Children's Hospital. He will be our Master of Ceremonies and a lecturer for the convention.
Our theme party (Early America Comes Alive) will be held on Wednesday in Hawthorne Hall. To start the night, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., a complimentary Wine and Cheese Reception will be held. Then, between 8:00 and 12:00 midnight, we have New England's favorite D. J., Mr. Walter Derosier, for listening and dancing entertainment.
Please don't forget to bring and wear a costume to the party depicting what "early America" means to you!!! You may win a prize!
We must tell you about our Stage, Lighting, and Sound Chairperson, Steve "Koo Koo" Cook, a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He knows what light and sound is all about! He has been a member of the Needham Community Theater Group for 30 years. He has done every aspect of theater from leading roles to setting up the props. So, when you are on that stage, you will be in the best of hands!
We have so many headliners! Let's start off with the Master Clown who appeared in over 10,500 circus performances. He has had breakfast with the President and had ten performances at the White House. Also a performer with Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus for 23 years. He taught Clown College for 20 years, performed for over 70 million people, and has done television commercials. He was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame, was an advisor for the Gold Unit Clown College in Japan, appeared in numerous magazines and appeared with his friend Lou Jacobs on Fuji Film for World Wide Distribution. Who is this person, you ask? It's Glen "Frosty" Little. He will be teaching, entertaining, and sharing some of his wonderful "Tales of the Road".
We also have "Pricilla Mooseburger", Steve "Peachey Keene" Long, Leo "Dapper" Desilets, Joe "Bamboozle" Barney, Betty "Pee Wee" Cash, Tony "Junior" Jones, Nancy "Dotsie" Sims, Cheri "Cherri-Oats" Venturi, Oscar "Clyde" Cloutier, Susan "Fruit" Oberg, Lee "Leroy" Brusa, Royal "Ro Ro" Sorell, Patty "P. J." Sorell, Mike "Shenanigan" Fixer, Doug "Crabapple" Chapman, Sue "Krackel" Conley, Laura "Marmalade" Nadell, Kathy "Puddles" Dodge, John Dodge, and Duane Laflin.
Here are some of our workshops: Skit Development, Birthday Party Business, Clown Ministry, Costume Design, Make-up Design, Face Painting, Juggling, Balloons, Character Development, Ventriloquism, Puppets, Say "No" To Drugs, Wig Care, Paradeability, and Make-up Application.
We hope you will bring your costumes and best smile and have your picture taken by our photographer, Mr. John Black from Presidential Camera and Studios. There will be a contest for the most photogenic clown at our convention with a GRAND PRIZE of a Pentax 160 zoom lens camera - the lightest camera made with a value of $700.00. Good luck to all.
And now, on to our Dealer and Hospitality Chairpersons, Ed "Chubby Cheeks" Savage and Milly "Sparkles" Savage. This husband and wife team have been making it a family affair for 18 years and for 9 of them they have worked on an annual weekend seminar. Now, they have found for you the artist, Olivier Zegers, who will also be teaching his skills of a new style of face painting that is being done in Belgium. It is very different.
And here are the rest of the dealers. How about Fardel Creations, Hutchco, Compleat Gamester, Inc., Clown City, Designer of Smiles, Glen "Frosty" Little, Holly Sales, Inc. C & B House of Clowns, Up Up and Away, Flying Pie Circus, Costumes by Betty, Spears Specialty Shoe Company, Dotsie T. Clown Stuff, M. E. Persson Clown Supplies, Paula "Stickers" Biggio, Daytona Magic, Pricilla Mooseburger Originals, Cherri-Oats and Co., Laflin Magic and Silks.
Our hospitality room will be near the Terrace Courtyard with a different Host Alley each night. I have heard they have some very special plans for those nights! We have so many surprises for you! On Wednesday, if you have your lunch in the Atrium Terrace Courtyard, we have a fabulous entertainer from Baltimore making an appearance just for you, "Sir Andrew". On Thursday, in the same place, we will have Gary Shelton doing his hillbilly magic. Then, on Friday, the famous World Traveler, Alexander the King of jesters. He has been on the Good Day Show with his outrageous, off beat, and full of surprises comedy. If we had to use a one line description it would be: Renaissance water spitting, tongue-twisting gibberish, breathless stunts, and wild comedy. On Saturday, April 19, we have a fun-filled day planned. To start, we would like to invite every clown to make-up for the group photo. Then, we will meet the Boxborough Minutemen outside and parade for the public. Then, the Paradeability contestants will be judged.
At 12:00 noon, we will have a hospital preparation by Dan "Keystone" Stevens. Then at 12:30 p.m., those wishing to participate in the UMass and Southbridge Harrington Hospital visitations will be leaving by bus. We will be returning by 3:00 or 3:30, so you will have plenty of time to get ready for the most incredible Awards and Banquet Show!! Headlining the show is one of New England's best kept secrets, Paul Wayne, a musical comedian who has opened for over 85 different super stars from Ray Charles to Joan Rivers, Celine Dion to the Righteous Brothers.
We also have Leonard Solomon, a versatile performer and master juggler with his Bellophone, a unique musical instrument constructed of nothing more than plumbing fixtures, rubber balls, homemade springs, and assorted junkyard paraphernalia. Next is Duane Laflin, one of today's finest family entertainers. He has worked at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, has twenty year performing experience, and is the author of more than twenty-five books. Too many to list.
On Sunday morning we will have our Church Service. Then a bon voyage breakfast buffet and closing ceremony.
Please remember to indicate if you plan to participate in either the early bird tour, or a hospital visit as all excursions are subject to advance interest and payment.
To reserve your hotel room, call (800) 582-3232 or (508) 347-7393 and be sure to tell them you are with the COAI Clown Convention for that special rate of $69.00, single or double, $94.00 triple, or $119.00 for a quad.
For those planning to travel by air, Continental is the official airlines for the 1997 convention. To receive a discount over the regular rate, call for reservations using reference "RE: Z code ZJWF reference code NRCESL", flight destination - Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT. We strongly advise using only this location for your arrival and departure. Please note the shuttle service will only pick up at Bradley International, Hartford, CT. Call Continental today at (800) 468-7022 to reserve your rate.
Remember, our lectures start on Tuesday, April 15, 1997 at 3:00 p.m. and all ground transportation information will be mailed with your registration confirmation.
Need more information? Call (617) 925-9793 anytime.
Bump a Nose!
Susan "Fruit" Oberg
Harvey "Jingles" Jacobvitz
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