Just Clowning Around (JCA) Monthly Meeting Reminder

JCA will meet on Monday, April 25, 2016, at 7:30 at the Vienna Baptist Church. This month’s educational activity is our annual skits night where we video tape several skits. Please come in costume and makeup and bring any props you think might be handy in a clown skit. To give everyone time to put on their costume and makeup, we will NOT meet prior to the meeting for dinner at the PanAm Family Restaurant.

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 2016, if you have a topic you would like to present or learn more about, please let us know.

JCA Meeting Schedule

-== 2016 ==-

Monday, April 25, 2016 — Clown Video
Monday, May 23, 2016 — Jenny Henry presents: Fun with Bubbles
Monday, June 27, 2016 — Fun and Games and annual Prop Swap
Monday, July 25, 2016 —
Monday, August 22, 2016 —
Monday, September 26, 2016 —
Monday, October 24, 2016 — Annual Picnic
Monday, November 28, 2016 —
Monday, December ??, 2016 — 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.

—

Several members meet at the PanAm Family Restaurant in Vienna around 6:00 pm for dinner before the monthly JCA meeting. Sometimes, we even pull out our balloons for a mini jam during dinner.

PanAm Family Restaurant
3051 Nutley St.
Fairfax, VA 22031

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

COAI and WCA

We need to compile a roster of active JCA members who have paid their dues for the past year to submit to COAI and WCA to maintain our alley standing with the two groups. In order to do that, we need to know who is a member of COAI and who is a member of WCA. If you are an active member of either organization, please send Sir Toony your membership numbers for the either or both groups.

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

Entertainer’s Insurance

If you get your entertainer’s insurance through the World Clown Association, it is time once again to renew your membership. WCA Membership and Insurance is Effective May 1, 2015. The insurance they offer is general Liability Policy which is for individuals.

New Members $40
Membership Renewal $35
Liability Insurance – $150

Here’s something new for WCA: In the past, a performer could add an “additional insured” for $30. These are generally venues that are asking to be added onto a policy (fairs, malls, hotels, libraries, etc.). WCA leadership has made the decision to no longer charge for this extra add-on. You will receive as many “Additional Insured” certificates/coverage as you need for FREE when you have WCA insurance!

http://worldclown.com/liability-insurance/

–==–==–

Clowns of America International now has insurance available to their members. This policy is just $150 dollars. There is NO ADDITIONAL COST for Insurance Certificates. The certificates are free to add the name of the mall, festival, event or organization no matter how many events you do there is still no additional cost.

New Members $40
Membership Renewal $40
Liability Insurance – $150

http://www.coai.org/?page=COAIInsurance

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

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

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

15 Minutes for Critique

We are still waiting for someone to take advantage of our 15 Minutes for Critique. This is a chance to try something new and get feedback from friends. Are you working on something new that you want to be able to use at parties and other events? Maybe you have a magic trick, puppet routine, or other activity that you would like to share and get suggestions from the other members. We will include one, 15 minute (about 5 minutes to perform and 10 minutes for the critique) time slot at our meetings for members to perform in front of the group. You must sign up in advance and get on our calendar. First come, first serve.

Send your request to be added to our calendar to Sir Toony at SirToony@SirToonyVanDukes.com

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

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

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

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: Since January 2013, we have required that all members have their makeup and costumes reviewed and critiqued 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.

—–

Our next parade is the City of Falls Church Memorial Day parade – pending acceptance. After that is the City of Fairfax 4th of July Parade, also pending acceptance

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

Car Jokes
=========

Q: Dennis: What has 10 letters and starts with g-a-s?
A: An automobile!

Q: Why did the boy stare at the automobile’s radio?
A: He wanted to watch a car tune.

Q: How can you tell a train is nearby?
A: You see its tracks!

Q: Where are cars most likely to get flat tires?
A: At a fork in the road!

Q: What happens when you get hit by a rental car?
A: It just Hertz!

Q: What do you get when you fill you car with water?
A: A carpool.

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

Upcoming Clown Events

—

Congress of Jugglers
May 6 – 8, 2016
– Friday: 7pm-11:45pm
– Saturday: 10:30am-11:45pm
– Sunday: 10:30am-2:00pm
Ritchie Coliseum at the U. of Maryland
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/congress-of-jugglers-2016-tickets-20674556154

—

PlayThink Movement & Flow and Arts Festival
June 15 -19, 2016
HomeGrown HideAways
500 Floyd Branch Rd.
Berea, KY 40403
http://www.playthinkfest.com/

—

Society of American Magicians (SAM)
July 13 – 16, 2016
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
350 West Maryland Street
Indianapolis, IN 46225
http://www.magicsam.com/?Annual_Convention
http://www.magicsam.com/?page=SAM2016

—

Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp
July 26 – 31, 2016
Christ the King Retreat Center
621 First Ave. South
Buffalo MN 55313
http://mooseburger.com/camp/

–==—

Find more upcoming events on Just For Clowns:
http://www.justforclowns.com/calendar-of-events/

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

The Circus is Coming to Town

—

UniverSoul Circus
June 30 – July 24, 2016
Washington, DC
http://www.universoulcircus.com/

—

Cirque du Soleil – KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities
July 21 to September 4, 2016
Lerner Town Square at Tysons II
8025 Galleria Dr
Tysons, VA 22102
https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/usa/washington/shows

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

The 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Coming next summmer…. Marking its fiftieth anniversary in 2017, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival will bring the rich history, mystique and diversity of circus arts to life on the National Mall. The 2017 Folklife Festival program will provide many opportunities for experiential exploration of the life and work of circus people in America today. Join us in Washington, D.C., June 29 through July 4 and July 6 through 9 on the National Mall between Seventh and Twelfth streets, adjacent to the Smithsonian Castle.

2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Circus Arts
June 29-July 4 and July 6-9, 2017
http://www.festival.si.edu/2017/circus-arts/smithsonian

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

Balloon and Face Painting Jams

The monthly balloon and face painting jam in Chantilly is currently looking for a new restaurant to host the jam.

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

Northern Virginia S.A.M. Assembly 252 Meetings
3rd Thursday of each month
7:30pm until 9:00pm
http://slyhand.wix.com/sam252
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/NoVaMagic252/info

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

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–

Fairfax Jugglers
Key Intermediate Cafeteria
Every Wednesday * when school is in session
Wednesdays, 7:30-10 PM
http://www.fairfaxjugglers.com/

Key Intermediate School
6402 Franconia Road
Springfield, VA 22150

Contact bsperling@cox.net to get on their email list.

Rumors are true that the Fairfax Jugglers have switched to Wednesday nights starting in January 2016… Yes, they start meeting on Wednesdays through and including June 22. The only dates we’re not scheduled are 3/23 and 5/11. As usual, when they approach those 2 Barry will see if some alternative can be arranged. 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.

-=-

The CIRCUS CLUB also meets at Key Intermediate School on ??, 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

–==–==–==– –==–==–==– –==–==–==–