News 1999

The following are a list of items of interest to S.M.I.L.E. Clowns.   They include resources, items to purchase, gifts, etc...  

You can also view

the News 2000 or News 2001 pages or return back to the current NEWS page.

To view the items, either scroll down the page, or click on the title that most interests you and you'll be taken to that item:

Laugh*Makers Journal is Tops for Variety Entertainers!

Laugh*Makers, the Journal of the International Association of Family Entertainment Professionals, is published quarterly and filled with top quality articles for clowns, magicians, puppeteers, ventriloquists, story-tellers, and more!  The 110+ page journal is one of the best (if not the best) publication for family entertainers.   Their current columnists include: Norm Barnhart, Mama Clown, Bruce Johnson, Keith Johnson, Jim Kleefeld, Terry Perrett, Mark Strivings, Mark Wade and more!  The current issue (Volume 16, Number 4) has the first of a two part article by Todd Gale on how to add educational messages to school assemblies. 

(posted 12-18-99)

UPDATE: Laugh*Makers stopped publishing in 2000.  This is a tremendous loss to the Family Entertainers community.

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New Safety CD by Fire Fighter James David Kates!

Barefoot Records announces a new CD by James David Kates (Fire Fighter/Paramedic/Fire Safety Educator/Singer) titled "Keeping You Safe."  The CD is filled with catchy country tunes that teach safety and are fun to listen too.  Some of the topics covered on the CD include: fire safety, water safety, self esteem, drug awareness and prevention, buckling your seatbelt, using the 9-1-1- system and more!  Also, you can contact Barefoot Records about selling the CD's as a fund-raiser for your agency.  There are songs appropriate for Fire and PD.  The CD is just $13 each.  Check with Barefoot Records if there is shipping and handling charges. 
(Posted 12/13/99)

UPDATE:  The CD is now available on Amazon.Com.  Search "Keeping You Safe" in the music section.  It was reviewed by a S.M.I.L.E. member that doesn't even like country music, but LOVED this CD.  In particular, the song Buckle Your Belt was said to be outstanding! (Posted 12/18/99).

Steve Taylor has new Puppet Manipulation Video

Here's something for those of you looking for more on puppet manipulation. Steve Taylor is great!  His notes are fantastic.  He's the guy who designed a gang prevention magic and puppet show (The Fantastic Friends Show - a bargain for only $35 post paid - you can order from Steve at the information below) for the Oregon State Gang Task Force.   The video that he produced of the show is excellent.  Now he has a new videotape...

Maher Studios has produced the newest instructional video called "Manipulating Your Dummy" by Steve Taylor. The tape costs $29.95 plus P&H and may be ordered calling 1-800-250-5125 or e-mailing: mahertalk@aol.com. You can also  order it directly from Steve for $30 post paid by mailing your check to Steve Taylor, PO Box 301231, Portland, OR 97294.  Here's the write up:

"Ventriloquism is more than just keeping your lips still. On this 60+ minute professionally produced VHS video taped in a live workshop setting, Steve Taylor demonstrates as he explains how you can breathe LIFE into both "wooden" figures and soft puppets. Eight professional principles are taught in a most entertaining manner. Each principle is also illustrated by a historical video clip of famous ventriloquists in performance. A laugh-filled guest appearance by Mark Wade is a bonus!"

(Posted 12/7/99)

Bruce "Charlie" Johnson, the Chairman of the International Clown Hall Of Fame History and Education Committee wants S.M.I.L.E. Clowns to know that his book line is available for purchase including:

Card Tricks For Clowns: A Lecture
    Notes to Bruce's popular lecture on card magic for clowns.
Several utility moves are covered allowing you to do a wide range of effects. Three different methods of forcing a card and twenty-five different revelations are included. No matter what kind of clowning you do, you will find something you will be able to use. A special section contains applications for those involved in Gospel Clown Ministry.
    $5.00

Comedy Techniques For Entertainers:
Charlie's Comedy Creation Course
    A textbook on comedy writing with a survey of over 50 techniques entertainers use to get laughs, and exercises to develop your creativity and take you step by step through writing individual jokes and entire routines. Recommended by top instructors who consider it a classic.
    $10.00

Computer Graphic Magic
    How to use computer graphics programs to create customized or original magic effects. If you know how to create a greeting card with your computer, you have all the knowledge you need to create the many effects included in this book. (For those without a computer, more labor intensive low-tech methods for creating the effects are included.)
    $10.00

Jest Juggle: How To Make Juggling Entertaining
    Over 100 ideas on how to use juggling skill entertainingly. Not a how-to-juggle book, but a how-to-be-entertaining book. Many of the ideas can be used if you can perform a three-ball cascade. (Includes plans for innovative props you can make yourself.)
    $6.00

Creative Conjuring
    Innovative ideas for clowns and magicians featuring props you make your self and new ways of using standard props you may already own. This book will help you create your own unique magic routines so the audience will never say; "We've seen that." (Includes Charlie's famous three-colorbook-monte.)
    $10.00

The Tramp Tradition (Second expanded edition)
    The history of the tramp characterization from its origins in the 1870's until 1993. Examples of the material performed by significant performers are included. Quizzes and timelines help make learning easy and fun. Illustrated by the author.
    $15.00

Jest In Time: A Clown Chronology
    A timeline of clown history from 1818 BC to 1992 AD. This book will give you a new respect and pride in your art, and help you reach your full potential as a clown. An excellent resource for instructors.
    $15.00

Comedy Blackouts
    A blackout is a short, easy comedy scene performed by one, two, or three people requiring a minimum number of props and having a definite punchline. Blackouts can be used as fillers between other acts in a variety show, as emcee bits,
or combined to create an entire act. This pamphlet can be used as a gag file for creating longer routines. Excellent for clown alleys or new clowns.
    $3.00

Charlie's Comedy Bits: How, and why, To Entertain with Handshakes, Balloons, and Other Common Objects.
    How you can easily become a more entertaining clown able to cause laughter with a minimum of props. Practical advice on how to have more time to entertain as well as many different gags is offered.
    $8.00

The Clown In Times: A Hysterical Historical Journal - Volume One (Bound Edition)
    The first four issues of The Clown In Times bound together with an index. This quarterly publication devoted to the history of clowning and comedy makes the foundations of clowning accessible and interesting to those who want to be the best clown they can be or to those who simply love clowns. Personality profiles, feature articles, book & movie reviews, timelines, classic routines, jesteryears, quotations, puzzles, and quizzes.
    $20.00

The Clown In Times: Volume Two (Bound Edition)
    The second year's issues of The Clown In Times bound together with an index. More historical information made interesting and relevant in a quarterly publication designed to make your learning easier and fun.
    $20.00

The Clown In Times: Volume Three (Bound Edition)
    More of this great publication.
    $22.00

The Clown In Times: Volume Four (Bound Edition)
    Still more of this great publication. Useful information presented in a way that will inspire you to be the best clown you can be. Mike Bednarek wrote, "this is excellent, even by Bruce Johnson standards."
    $22.00

The Clown In Times: Volume Five (Bound Edition)
    The four issues from last year. Virginia Meeks wrote, "this last issue of The Clown In Times ranks among the best yet! Your information goes over the top for its interest and history. "Jesteryear" sings with its specifics! Pulling all those facts together was an amazing feat! The other features too are just full of wonderful stuff. The Clown In Times should be required reading for all clowns."
    $22.00

Postage and handling is $2.00 per order.

Send a check or money order to
Charlie's Creative Comedy
P.O.Box 82165
Kenmore, WA 98028-0165

Bruce Wall's Safety Notes "Venting About Stranger Danger"

S.M.I.L.E. Vice President Bruce Wall released his new lecture notes at the National S.M.I.L.E. Conference.  These Notes are called "Venting About Stranger Danger" and are subtitled: Routines, subterfuge, and tricks of safety presentations for clowns, magicians, story-tellers and ventriloquists.  The notes are 16 pages in a 5 1/2 by 8" inch format.  The cost is $6 post paid. 

These notes are the fourth in his "venting series" that includes:

"Venting About Themes" (How to add a theme to your act) 1997

"Venting About Hospitals" (Performing at Children's Hospitals) 1998

"Venting About Puppets" (Adding puppet and ventriloquism routines) 1999.

Each booklet is $6 post paid, or you can get 3 booklets for $12 post paid or all four for $17 post paid. 

Chris Manos's Classic Magic Safety Booklets

Officer Chris Manos from Colorado DPS was one of the pioneers in using magic to teach safety to children.  He put out two booklets on the topic when he was lecturing at national crime prevention conferences in the early 90's.  The booklets are called "Using Magic in Drug and Alcohol Prevention Presentations" and "Using Magic in Child Safety Presentations".  The booklets take standard magic props available at your local magic dealer and script out a complete safety routine.   A current price is not available (but we'll check on it).  The most current address for Chris is:

Chris Manos
PO Box 714
Littleton, CO 80160-0714

Police and Fire Clown Figurines Available From COPTOOLS.COM

The Coptools website is now offering Police and Fire Clown figurines for a very reasonable price at their new SMILE Clowns page.   The sculptures are inspired by the work of Chuck Oberstein, one of the world's foremost clown painters.   Reports from S.M.I.L.E. clowns that have used this site have been very favorable.   They report good service, fast delivery, and reasonable prices. 

The Police  Clown is 9.5 inches tall and Fire Clown is 8.5 inches tall.  Each figurine costs only $42.  Here are photos of the Police and Fire clown figurines:

The Police clown also comes in a music box version that plays the song "Rubber ducky, you're the one!"  Please check with Coptools, because the music box version costs more.  Coptools has set up a special page on their website called "SMILE CLOWNS" to showcase this artists work.  Check it out! 

(Posted 11/11/99)

Steve Taylor's Safety Notes Are Great Resource!

Portland Magician and Ventriloquist Steve Taylor has lecture notes currently available on the following topics:

1. Writing Educational Magic Shows
2. Promoting Educational Magic Shows
3. Character Building Magic Routines
4. Writing Educational Vent Routines

These notes cost $6 each postpaid US, $7 each post paid to Canada. These notes are dynamite! In fact, after I finished reading the notes from cover to cover, I e-mailed him and told him that he's charging TOO LITTLE for such good information. At one point, Steve told me that he was planning to write a book on these subjects - I sure hope he does it!

Send orders to:

Steve Taylor
PO box 301231
Portland, OR 97294

(Posted 10/28/99)

BLOCKY - New Safety Magic Trick On The Market From Presto Magic Studios

Presto Magic Studio in Mesa, Arizona has released "Blocky", the almost* perfect magic trick.  This trick is an improvement over the trick described in "PUT A S.M.I.L.E. ON YOUR FACE" Volume 1, Issue 3 called "The Ties that Bind".  The trick costs $22.50 and can be purchased by calling (480) 464-4518, or e-mail: pressmagic@earthlink.net.

Here's a description of the trick:  Blocky is a very entertaining magical effect where a solid block of wood visibly penetrates a length of rope.  It is very easy to learn, visual, can be performed close up or even surrounded, uses up to two audience helpers (these can be young children if you wish), resets instantly, is 100% examinable both before and after, and comes with two routines including a safety (drug) magic routine.  The props are made to last for years.

*What keeps it from being perfect??  No matter how hard we try, we just can't get it to pack flat!!!! 

(Posted 10/27/99)

Incredible Chimp Puppet From AXTELL Expressions

Axtell Expressions has announced a new small Chimpanzee puppet for only $49.95 (limited time, introductory offer - after January 1, 2000, it'll go up to $69.95).  If you've seen Buck L Upp's friend Louie, or Little Billy's friend "Flower" then you've seen the incredible professional chimp that costs $399!   This new one looks similar, but is smaller and at almost 1/10th the price!  Check it out at the Axtell Expressions website. (Posted 10/26/99)

Update: Several members from the APS Volunteer Clown Troupe purchased the new chimp and raved about it!  They said the expressions the puppet can do are incredible! (Posted 10/27/99)

2nd Update:  The chimp puppet sold out the first day at the 1st National S.M.I.L.E. Conference, November 20-22, 1999 in Scottsdale.  Those that purchased it said that it looked great, the price was fantastic, and it was easy to manipulate!  If you order, please mention that you are a S.M.I.L.E. Clown or you heard it from S.M.I.L.E.!  

(Posted 11/24/99)

New Life Safety List started!

SMILE and LAFS member, Sparky from Des Moines, has started a Life Safety Internet Newsletter that is only sent to people who request it.  The first couple of issues have been very well done!  They are filled with ideas, thoughts, and resources that benefit anyone teaching safety messages to children.  We highly recommend you subscribe to this internet newsletter!  To subscribe: groups.yahoo.com/group/lifesafety (Posted 10/25/99)

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Last modified: August 15, 2008.