Well its been a rough few weeks here in the NY Tristate area. With Sandy's destruction and slow recovery we are seeing a lot of grief and sorrow out there in our communities. We've decided that it wouldn't be right (nor enjoyable) to sit down to a big gluttonous meal this Thursday, so Circus Bicuspid has decided to give thanks differently this year and give back. We will be going to a local food pantry/shelter in our area and helping to set up, serve food, and yes clowning for the crowds. That's people of ALL ages.
We also have the honor of being registered Red Nose Responders (http://www.facebook.com/RedNoseResponse) and are well prepared to be going to work in this post disaster venue to help those who lost more than we could even begin to understand, some were our neighbors, some friends, and some patients of mine. I can rebuild my office and practice, but to loose your home and all that comes with it, is a devastation. A few smiles will be a welcome break, and that's the motto, "Bringing smiles to the rescue".
Then its off to Clown Rounds on Friday, that hospital turkey dinner must taste like rubber! In fact I think I left one of our rubber chickens there last time and that's what they used as the main course....
I'd like to take a moment to wish everyone, a happy and above all else healthy Thanksgiving.
Keep 'em clean
Monday, November 19, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
MACA CONVENTION WAS HORRIBLE TO US
WHAT A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE....I need to share this with all my readers and clown friends.
After many years of going to the Clown Jamboree in Mystic CT we were looking for a new venue to perform, compete, and hopefully find more friends in the clown business so we tried the MID ATLANTIC CLOWN ASSOCIATION convention. The Kitchen Goddess spent time on the phone with the folks at the MACA about registration and the competitions. We were told that we needed to join the organization to be able to compete at the convention. This, the schedule and ALL of the details were worked out by various board members over the phone. We informed them NUMEROUS times that we would be arriving late Thursday night from NY and wouldn't check in until after 9PM.
We arrived that night and everyone was happy that we made it and we talked with a number of board members about looking forward to competing the next day in the single and multiple skit competitions. Everyone was happy to hear it and said nothing about sign up.
The next morning we showed up ready to enter and the board member giving out numbers told us that we couldn't compete as the sign in sheet was done last night at 6PM! After arguing the point that we traveled from NYC to be here and the people who did the registration with us, with whom we had spoken many times, and we were NOT told about any 6PM deadline. We came to compete and even joined the MACA just to be able to perform. The president got involved and made an overriding decision to allow us to compete.
I guess they didn't know about our skill level and ability to perform a skit. Phineas did a routine that spoofed a torn and restored newspaper that had the room laughing out loud. We all performed our TV gag for the multiple skit and received a great audience response.
It seems the board was not as happy as the audience.....at about 12 midnight we received a call from the president that they had to call an emergency board meeting to discuss our competing and "we weren't going to be happy with the outcome."
Phineas and I entered the board meeting and after presenting our case we clearly saw that the board had overridden the president and reversed his decision to allow us to compete...WHAT ARE THEY KIDDING? We spend a month on the phone back and forth joining the organization, setting up our convention registration, paying for the hotel, driving down there to compete, they decide to allow it and then reverse it and disqualify us after we performed. WHAT A POOR EXCUSE FOR A CLOWN ORGANIZATION. Never in any of the conversations, and there were many, with multiple board members, were we told of a 6PM deadline, then to allow us, then back out, who gives this group the right to abuse us that way. We spent time going over all the rules of competition before we arrived and after this happened, and NOWHERE IS A 6PM DEADLINE MENTIONED, not written or on the web. If its not written in the rules, and not told to registrants then how is anyone new supposed to know? This is how they treat new members? Members who are junior joeys? Where do they think the next generation comes from!
I stated my case then explained that what they did to my family was inappropriate, unprofessional, and even embarrassing for them. As they sat there, half of this board shook their lowered heads and the other half sat with self righteous smirks on their faces.
I informed the president that I was taking my family and leaving the convention and I would certainly share this story with all of my many colleagues both amateur and professionals. We checked out this morning and skipped the rest of the convention.
My favorite part was, as we were leaving, the members of the board wouldn't even raise their eyes to face us, or acknowledge us. Those that were so friendly the day before now were embarrassed for what they had done to my family and me. So we left, our $1000 investment in a new clown convention wasted. We were told that we would get a refund for our $40 membership fees paid which is good as I would never consider staying a member of MACA, or ever having anything to do with their conventions.
Basically clown organizations are supposed to support camaraderie and community and be a place for positive growth for performers in the art of clowning...as far as my family and I are concerned,THE MACA IS NOT !
Anyway...its done, we are home and the props are unpacked and we need to get ready for a show at Ronald McDonald house as part of the Society of American Magician's Magic Week this week that had to be rescheduled due to Hurricaine Sandy...until next post,
Keep 'em clean
After many years of going to the Clown Jamboree in Mystic CT we were looking for a new venue to perform, compete, and hopefully find more friends in the clown business so we tried the MID ATLANTIC CLOWN ASSOCIATION convention. The Kitchen Goddess spent time on the phone with the folks at the MACA about registration and the competitions. We were told that we needed to join the organization to be able to compete at the convention. This, the schedule and ALL of the details were worked out by various board members over the phone. We informed them NUMEROUS times that we would be arriving late Thursday night from NY and wouldn't check in until after 9PM.
We arrived that night and everyone was happy that we made it and we talked with a number of board members about looking forward to competing the next day in the single and multiple skit competitions. Everyone was happy to hear it and said nothing about sign up.
The next morning we showed up ready to enter and the board member giving out numbers told us that we couldn't compete as the sign in sheet was done last night at 6PM! After arguing the point that we traveled from NYC to be here and the people who did the registration with us, with whom we had spoken many times, and we were NOT told about any 6PM deadline. We came to compete and even joined the MACA just to be able to perform. The president got involved and made an overriding decision to allow us to compete.
I guess they didn't know about our skill level and ability to perform a skit. Phineas did a routine that spoofed a torn and restored newspaper that had the room laughing out loud. We all performed our TV gag for the multiple skit and received a great audience response.
It seems the board was not as happy as the audience.....at about 12 midnight we received a call from the president that they had to call an emergency board meeting to discuss our competing and "we weren't going to be happy with the outcome."
Phineas and I entered the board meeting and after presenting our case we clearly saw that the board had overridden the president and reversed his decision to allow us to compete...WHAT ARE THEY KIDDING? We spend a month on the phone back and forth joining the organization, setting up our convention registration, paying for the hotel, driving down there to compete, they decide to allow it and then reverse it and disqualify us after we performed. WHAT A POOR EXCUSE FOR A CLOWN ORGANIZATION. Never in any of the conversations, and there were many, with multiple board members, were we told of a 6PM deadline, then to allow us, then back out, who gives this group the right to abuse us that way. We spent time going over all the rules of competition before we arrived and after this happened, and NOWHERE IS A 6PM DEADLINE MENTIONED, not written or on the web. If its not written in the rules, and not told to registrants then how is anyone new supposed to know? This is how they treat new members? Members who are junior joeys? Where do they think the next generation comes from!
I stated my case then explained that what they did to my family was inappropriate, unprofessional, and even embarrassing for them. As they sat there, half of this board shook their lowered heads and the other half sat with self righteous smirks on their faces.
I informed the president that I was taking my family and leaving the convention and I would certainly share this story with all of my many colleagues both amateur and professionals. We checked out this morning and skipped the rest of the convention.
My favorite part was, as we were leaving, the members of the board wouldn't even raise their eyes to face us, or acknowledge us. Those that were so friendly the day before now were embarrassed for what they had done to my family and me. So we left, our $1000 investment in a new clown convention wasted. We were told that we would get a refund for our $40 membership fees paid which is good as I would never consider staying a member of MACA, or ever having anything to do with their conventions.
Basically clown organizations are supposed to support camaraderie and community and be a place for positive growth for performers in the art of clowning...as far as my family and I are concerned,THE MACA IS NOT !
Anyway...its done, we are home and the props are unpacked and we need to get ready for a show at Ronald McDonald house as part of the Society of American Magician's Magic Week this week that had to be rescheduled due to Hurricaine Sandy...until next post,
Keep 'em clean
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)