From the humble beginning of "Clown Fun '89" with 20 people registered for a one day workshop in a Red Deer Alberta school, the "ClownFun" convention has grown in leaps and bounds into the amazing event that many a clown and clown to be (first of May's) anticipate with great excitement every year.
Over the past several years over 1000 clowns have registered and attended "ClownFun". Some registrants have attended every one!!
The first 5 years succeeded thanks to time donated by our lecturers who gave freely of their time and knowledge for the promotion of the art of clowning. Christine Sopczak, Nancy Hampson and Ron Daley of Calgary - Buddy Salloum and Jim Price of Edmonton - Penny Jackson, Medicine Hat - Joanne Broadhead, Lethbridge - Andi and Julie Rothweiller Murrieta of California. These people are the real foundation of "Clown Fun".
Our list of lecturers contains a spotlight in the ring of the who's who in clowning: Angel Ocasio, Karen Bell, Brenda Marshall, Ewe Krohn and Carole, Andi and Julie Rothweiller Murrieta, Eugenio "Chagy" Adorno Mark Renfro, David Ginn, Lori Hurley.... not to mention the great non-clown lecturers who are experts in thier fields like juggling, balloon artistry, magic etc.....
"ClownFun" moved to Calgary in 1996 where it is still held today - growing and improving every year. An event NOT to be missed!!
Clown Fun is a convention created with the advancment of the art of clowning in mind. Experienced clowns interacting and using their aquired knowledge to teach other clowns the sublties of their craft.
From the beginings of discovering their character, to designing their look, to developing a show, to running their business, Clown Fun is a comfortable, relaxed venue to discover much more about the clowning experience.
With all that Clown Fun is and has become we thought it best to let former attendees say what it was for them. As you can see - the words below and within our "Feedback" area, speak volumes about this awesome event.
"It was the most amazing thing I've ever been to. Although the Clown sessions were fun, the thing that made it amazing were the people (clowns). I have never met a more giving group of people, both for sharing knowledge and kindness." Chad
"...thanks to everyone who contributed in any way to the success of my first clowning conference. Your spirit of camaraderie and willingness to share your many talents brought an extra fabulous weekend." Bubbles T. Clown
"I really enjoyed Clown Fun and am looking forward to next year." Skezix
What is a Clown?
So, you've got some wild looking clolthing, some makeup and flair for making others laugh. Now you're a clown, right? Wrong. It never ceases to amaze me how many "clowns" begin their existence without really understanding what or who they are attempting to be. My guess is that no one would take up other careers that way.
Clowning should be looked at like acting. The actor portrays the part or the character as though he/she were that character. Knowing how that character would act under any situation. Not only that but how the character dresses or, in the case of clowns, how their makeup should appear.
Historically there are three main kinds of clowns, although more recently clowns have developed variations.
White Face:
The make-up of the white face clown is typically simple to look at and will highlight the natural features of the face. The variations of a white face clown are endless and there are no specific guidelines other than the basic white base.
The white face clown is typically the straight clown in skits with a base of white grease paint. A straight clown will usually be the one acting very serious but who falls prey to the brunt of the punch line ("blow off") of the skit. The white faced clown's costume tends to be more formal than the auguste clown. Formal for a clown is different than for a regular person. This just means that the colors will tend to match and flow throughout the costume. The colors are less likely to be gaudy and mismatched as in the other clown types.
Auguste Clown:
The make-up of an auguste clown is usually bright and exaggerates the natural features in the face (e.g., a large nose, large outline of mouth, etc). Again there are millions of variations and each clown has their own special characteristics.
The auguste clown tends to be a silly clown in routines. Their make-up is a bright flesh-tone base. The silly clown will usually appear to not know what is going on in a skit but usually somehow escape the "blow off." The costume of the auguste clown tends to be large, gaudy, mismatched, and very bright. Primary colors are most popular with this clown type and the clothing is usually over-sized.
Character Clown:
The character clown is a character which is exaggerated into a clown. The most popular character clown is the Hobo or Tramp clown. The Hobo usually has tattered clothes and make-up which suggests a weeks worth of a beard, a red nose, and white around the eyes and mouth. This is the case as they are a model of the traditional hobo who would ride the railcars during the times of the steam engine. In doing so their faces would get covered in soot. The mouth and eyes would get wiped to see and/or eat, thus the white used in a traditional Hobo or Tramp clown.
Character clowns can be from almost any walk of life. Some of the other more popular ones are police officers, women, doctors, nurses or babies
**exerpts obtained from the International Clown Hall of Fame**
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