Just Clowning Around (JCA) Monthly Meeting Reminder
JCA will meet next week on Monday, June 23rd, 2014, at 7:30. The Educational topic for this month’s meeting is clown skits. Everyone should come as a clown and will have a chance to participate in a variety of clown skits. I would like everyone to come ready with a group skit. That includes bringing any needed props and knowing who will be in the skit. If possible, discuss your idea with the others before the meeting so we don’t need to spend a lot of time on rehearsals. You can see the videos we created last year on our website at http://justclowningaround.org/videos/
All are welcome to come. We meet in the Parlor of the Vienna Baptist Church. Since some people may need the extra time to get into makeup, we will NOT meet for dinner before the meeting this month.
Education is an important event at each Alley meeting. This includes presentation, hands on sessions, and group discussion on topics related to being a clown and entertainer. JCA is a club where we all come together each month to share and learn from each other. New members are always
welcome at any of our monthly meeting. The following are the currently proposed educational topics for the coming year. Schedule subject to change.
JCA Meeting Schedule
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| Monday, May 19, 2014 | Share a Magic Trick for Critique |
| Monday, June 23, 2014 | Let’s Make a Clown Video – Skits – Come in costume and makeup |
| Monday, July 28, 2014 | Bubbles with Bingo |
| Monday, August 25, 2014 | Marketing and Websites for Clowns |
| Monday, September 22, 2014 | Mr Rainbow |
| Monday, October 27, 2014 | Member Picnic |
| Monday, November 24, 2014 | Designing a Clown Face – Makeup Help |
| Monday, December ??, 2014 | Holiday Party |
JCA Monthly Meetings
4th Monday of each month at 7:30 pm
Vienna Baptist Church
541 Marshall Rd SW
Vienna, VA 22180
Take I-66 to the Nutley Street exit heading north toward Vienna. Turn right at the first light onto Marshall Road. Drive approximately one-quarter mile to Ware Street and turn left. We meet in the Parlor. The door that is usually unlocked is around towards the back of the building.
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JCA Membership Dues
It is time to pay your membership dues to JCA. Please bring a check to the meeting on Monday. If you cannot attend the meeting, you can mail your check to JCA c/o Violeta Peith, 6323 South Springs Circle, Clifton, VA 20124.
Single – $20/year
Family – $30/year
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Mr. Rainbow
We have a special guest coming to teach… David Bartlett, aka Mr. Rainbow will be teaching at our meeting in September. He will be presenting Comedy Music for Clowns Even If You Can’t Play An Instrument And/Or Sing Like A Bullfrog! His lecture will be free for JCA members or $10 for non-members. If you want to learn more about Mr. Rainbow or the classes he teaches, visit his website:
http://www.mrrainbowtheclown.com/Pages/Lectures.aspx
Mr Rainbow presentation at JCA
Monday, September 22, 2014
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Vienna Baptist Church
541 Marshall Rd SW
Vienna, VA 22180
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Do you have clown news to share via the news updates or newsletters? Send your ideas and news to Sir Toony at SirToony@SirToonyVanDukes.com
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Requests for Clowns – Local Events and Parades
If you are interested in marching in one of the upcoming local parades, contact Sir Toony at SirToony@SirToonyVanDukes.com
NOTE: Starting in January 2013, we will review and critique all members before they may represent JCA at events as a clown. Clowns must also have paid their annual dues to both JCA and COAI to participate in events. Clowns from neighboring clown alleys are welcome to join JCA in parades
without being required to pay dues to JCA.
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The next parade we usually do is the City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade.
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City of Fairfax Independence Day Celebration Parade
Friday, July 4th
10 a.m. to noon
rain or shine
Downtown Fairfax Historic District
JCA is paid to participate in this parade, so if you only make one parade this year, this would be the one to do. We are in Division IV behind the Tuba Guy and the Flying Circus Airshows.
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Upcoming Clown Events
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California Clown Campin
July 21 – 27, 2014
Ayres Hotel and Suites
Ontario Convention Center
1945 E. Holt Boulevard
Ontario, CA 91761
http://www.californiaclowncampin.org/
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Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp
July 29 – August 3, 2014
Christ the King Retreat Center
621 First Ave. South
Buffalo MN 55313
http://mooseburger.com/camp/
Mooseburger Camp is the clown school created by Tricia Manuel from world
famous Pricilla Mooseburger Originals. Celebrate International Clown Week
with your clown friends at Moose Camp.
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International Clown Week
August 1-7 of every year
http://www.internationalclownweek.org/
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KIDabara Annual Conference
August 11th – 15th, 2014
Music Road Hotel Complex
303 Henderson Chapel Rd.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
http://www.kidabra.com/
KIDabara’s Annual Conference is in Pigeon Forge, TN at the Music Road
Hotel Complex.
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American Clown Academy
August 18-22, 2014
Camp Obannon
Newark, OH
http://www.americanclownacademy.com/
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Find more upcoming events on Just For Clowns:
http://www.justforclowns.com/calendar-of-events/
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The Circus is Coming to Town
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Cirque du Soleil – Amaluna
July 31 – August 24, 2014
The Plateau at National Harbor
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Cirque Dreams — Jungle Fantasy
Friday, September 5 at 8 pm
Saturday, September 6 at 7:30 pm
Filene Center, Wolf Trap
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The Clown Network and Just For Clowns
Mike Becvar runs two websites for professional clowns, The Clown Network (http://www.theclownnetwork.com/) and Just for Clowns (http://www.justforclowns.com/). The Clown Network is the older of the two and has links to various clown organizations and vendors as well as to websites related to magic, juggling, and Santa. Just For Clowns is a newer website and run as a blog with links to news and videos that might be of interest to clowns. Mike also started a video series he calls, “News For Clowns of All Ages” which he had published several episodes on YouTube and links to the videos can be found on the Just For Clowns website.
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Dog Days of Summer Jokes
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Q: What happens when it rains cats and dogs?
A: You have to be careful not to step on a poodle.
Q: What’s worse than raining cats and dogs?
A: Hailing taxis!
Q: What animal keeps the best time?
A: A watch dog!
Q: What type of markets do dogs avoid?
A: Flea markets!
Q: What did the dog say when he sat on sandpaper?
A: Ruff!
Q: What happened to the dog that gave birth to puppies at the side of the road?
A: She got a ticket for littering!
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Balloon and Face Painting Jams
Each month, Mike Becvar hosts a face painting and balloon jam at the Cici’s Pizza in Chantilly. It is normally on the 2nd Monday of the month.
Mike tries to arrive between 6:00 and 6:30 and grab some food from the buffet. The actual jam portion of the night begins at 7:00 and continues until Cici’s closes at 9:00pm. You can come as early or late as you like. The manager lets anyone who comes to do balloons or face painting eat the
buffet for free. The jam is open to face painters and balloon twisters of all skill levels. You may ask for tips, but you cannot set a price for the balloons or face painting.
Chantilly Face Painting and Balloon Jam
2nd Monday of each Month
Buffet from 6:00 – 7:00
Jam from 7:00 – Close
CiCi’s Pizza Buffet
14392 Chantilly Crossing Lane
Chantilly, VA 20151
703-961-9100
There are several other face painting and balloon jams in the area. Contact Mike Becvar aka Sir Toony for information about the other jams.
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Northern Virginia S.A.M. Assembly 252 Meetings
3rd Thursday of each month
7:30pm until 9:00pm
http://www.sam252.com/
The Knights of Columbus Hall
behind St. Leo’s Catholic Church
3700 Old Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22030
(go totally through church parking lot, make a right at baseball field,
then a left, Knights of Columbus Hall is on the right)
Note: Youth meet 1/2 hour earlier at 7:00pm
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Fairfax Jugglers
Key Intermediate Cafeteria
Every Thursday * when school is in session
Thursdays, 7:30-10 PM
Key Intermediate School
6402 Franconia Road
Springfield, VA 22150
Contact bsperling@cox.net to get on their email list.
Enter the parking lot opposite Japonica Street, turn RIGHT at the front of the school and drive around to the far back and the end of the parking lot. Enter the cafeteria at entrance #6 (visible past the dumpster), along a sidewalk, and this may be the best way in (if you arrive first please
prop open this door). Alternately, check the Handicapped Student’s Gym by Entrance #9 or use entrance #5 and turn left at the first cross-hall, then look for the cafeteria on the left. OR: check the handicapped student’s gym by Entrance #9 after your first left turn.
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The CIRCUS CLUB also meets at Key Intermediate School on Thursdays, but in the Handicapped Student’s Gym by Entrance #9. They teach many circus skills to children and perform in parades and other venues. If you know of a child or teenager who would be interested in learning or developing
those kinds of skills then contact them at Circusclub@yahoo.com