January News Update

Just Clowning Around (JCA) Monthly Meeting Reminder

It is time for the first JCA meeting of 2015… JCA will meet on Monday, January 26, 2015, at 7:30. This month’s educational topic is Fun with Improv. As entertainers, we need to be able to be on our toes and look for opportunities to be funny. Improv is a great way to practice listening and be creative.

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. We are working on the educational calendar for 2015, if you have a topic you would like to present or learn more about, please let us know.

JCA Meeting Schedule

-== 2015 ==-

Monday, January 26, 2015 — Fun with Improv
Monday, February 23, 2015 — Putting together a costume
Monday, March 23, 2015 — Princess and Pirates: Using your clown skills with other characters
Monday, April 17, 2015 — Charity Selection / Officer elections / Swap Meet

Monday, May 25, 2015 — Memorial Day / Reschedule for May 18th?

Monday, June 22, 2015 — Designing a new clown face
Monday, July 27, 2015 — Clown Video
Monday, August 24, 2015 —
Monday, September 28, 2015 —
Monday, October 26, 2015 — Annual Potluck Picnic
Monday, November 23, 2015 —
Monday, December ??, 2015 — Holiday Party

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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.

Several members meet at the PanAm Family Restaurant in Vienna around 6:00 pm for dinner before the monthly JCA meeting.

PanAm Family Restaurant
3051 Nutley St.
Fairfax, VA 22031

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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.

No parades currently scheduled until May

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Upcoming Clown Events

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Circus Magic Convention ** New Location
February 19-22, 2015
Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina
700 Settlers Landing Road
Hampton, VA 23669
http://circusmagicconvention.com/

World Clown Association Convention
March 22-26, 2015
JA Nugget Casino Resort
1100 Nugget Avenue
Sparks, Nevada 89431
http://worldclown.com/annual-convention-2015/

Clowns of America International (COAI) Annual Convention 2015
April 21-26 2015
Ambassador Center of Erie.
7794 Peach St.
Erie, PA 16509
http://www.eriesistibleclowns.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

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS
Mar 19 – Mar 22, 2015
Verizon Center
Washington, DC

April 8-19, 2015
Patriot Center
Fairfax, VA

Experience unimaginable family fun, as amazing performers from around the globe perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder to summon the mythical and mysterious creatures of the past: a Unicorn, a Pegasus and a Woolly Mammoth! Join us for an unforgettable family night of legendary proportions!

http://www.ringling.com/

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WorldWide Circus Summit 2015
July 14th to July 18th, 2015
Big E Fairgrounds
West Springfield, Massachusetts
http://worldwidecircussummit2015.com/

Registration is now OPEN for the Worldwide Circus Summit 2015 at the Big E Fairgrounds in West Springfield, MA on July 14-18, 2015 – the largest international gathering of circus friends ever assembled! An Early Bird Registration fee of only $65 is available through February 28. The fee increases in $20 increments through July 13. On-site registrants will pay $120 at the door. Attendees age 18 or under will pay a registration fee of only $15 at all times.

The Summit will be a unique and wonderful opportunity for a wide variety of circus-related organizations to join together at a world-class location at a common time to hold their conventions, meetings and/or activities and share their love for the circus. The theme of the Summit is: Celebrating the Circus … Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow!

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Society of American Magicians assembly #141 Lecture
Monday, February 9th, 2015
8:00 pm

Christ Episcopal Church
6800 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21045-4706

Barry Taylor (of Barry’s Magic Shop fame) will be sharing a very special lecture next month in Columbia, MD! Barry is preparing to teach a blend of hilarious magic and incredible mentalism, and will make sure it’s suitable for a wide range of skill levels. Attendees can expect special deals, cool giveaways, and other surprises! It will be held on Monday, February 9th, beginning promptly at 8:00 pm. The lecture is sponsored by the Society of American Magicians assembly #141 (“The Columbia Conjurors”), and will be held at:

Christ Episcopal Church
6800 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21045-4706

General admission tickets are $20 (plus national S.A.M. members can get in for just $10 with their membership card) No advance reservation necessary; just show up and get ready for some great magic!

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Winter Jokes
============

Q: What do you hear when a snowman enters a haunted house?
A: Ice screams!

Q: What do snowmen eat for lunch?
A: Icebergers!

Q: What do snowmen like to do on the weekend?
A: Chill out.

Q: What activity does Jack Frost like best about school?
A: Snow and tell.

Q: What did one snowman say to the other snowman?
A: Do you smell carrots?

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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

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