Jest clowning about

California witnessed several hundred people donning vibrant red noses.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA:

Disney’s illustrious fun-filled Paradise Pier Hotel, situated at the California beachfront, played host to dozens of professional clowns during The 2011 Clowns of America International Convention (COAI).  Participants attended a week of workshops and competitions to study the serious business of clowning around. They waltzed into the convention halls sporting big red noses and making balloon animals for children.

Some 200 painted faces, from all over the United States and from as far as Puerto Rico and Germany, gathered to compete in skits, and perfect their comedic art.

Laureen Meyers, a.k.a. Sweet Cheeks the Clown, 51, wore green hair, a multi-colored hat and a big ‘I Give Hugs’ button. She had a steady clowning business in Florida, but recently moved to California.

She came to the convention to network, to learn and to laugh. A lot.

“Clowning is a dying art,” she said. “We come together to keep it alive, to learn from each other and to have fun. It’s an art from the heart.”

Veteran clowns said that they were happy to pass along their expertise to help the rookies. There were many workshop topics to choose from, including ‘Clown Hats as Your Friend’, ‘The Magic of Mouth Coils’ and ‘Clowning in Nursing Homes.’ Among those veterans was Georgia Morris, who has performed under the clown name “Shananigans” for nearly 30 years.

“I’m 65 and I still do stilt walking,” said the Michigan grandmother of five, who is retired from teaching, including a stint teaching performance at Michigan State University.

“But I’m still learning, too,” Morris said. “I always tell people that if you think you’ve learned everything there is to know, then it’s time to hang up your clown nose.”
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th,  2011.