We just got a call from Steve Kissell who now runs the January Jamboree clown Convention in Mystic, CT. We've been attending the convention for many years when it was run by Doug and Sue of Clown City. We had decided to take a break and not go this year. And then at the last minute, we got a call that they needed a show for the Friday night spot and we were invited back! So after a few back and forth emails to set up the details we are on our way.
We will be performing some of our best stuff including material from our two off Broadway productions Circus Bicuspid-Almost on Broadway and Circus Bicuspid-Back for Seconds.
While there we will also be involved with the promotion and support of Camp Sundown's Clown Alley and Red Nose Response, two incredible organizations that do very important work.
We its off to pack the trailer and take the show on the road...
keep 'em clean
Bruce "Dr. Molar Magic" Lish
Monday, January 21, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
FourPaw back at work
Today Otto "fourpaw" was back to work at Brookdale's Nursing home facility making his Good Dog Foundation Visits. His first year of certification ended in November and just after he re-certified (passing with flying colors of course) Hurricane Sandy hit the area. Now that things have calmed down a bit we scheduled our regular visits. And BOY WAS HE MISSED! Many of the residents were very happy to see Otto and asked where we had been.....I gently explained that we were sidetracked with other things but now we are back.
One resident asked if she could give me a dollar to have Otto pick out a dog treat at the pet store. She told me that when her grand kids come to visit her she gives them each a dollar to get themselves a toy and since Otto comes to visit her she thinks he deserves the same deal. I thanked her respectfully but declined the offer as Otto gets plenty of treats. I gave her a treat to feed him and he was very happy to take it....all part of a day's work.
Some of the newer residents were happy to meet Otto and get his trading card and there were a few new staffers who were surprised that dogs were allowed in. I explained the wonderful training that Otto had through the Good Dog Foundation (www.thegooddogfoundation.org) to allow him into partner facilities to visit with the residents.
Everyone had a good morning....with lots of treats
keep 'm clean
One resident asked if she could give me a dollar to have Otto pick out a dog treat at the pet store. She told me that when her grand kids come to visit her she gives them each a dollar to get themselves a toy and since Otto comes to visit her she thinks he deserves the same deal. I thanked her respectfully but declined the offer as Otto gets plenty of treats. I gave her a treat to feed him and he was very happy to take it....all part of a day's work.
Some of the newer residents were happy to meet Otto and get his trading card and there were a few new staffers who were surprised that dogs were allowed in. I explained the wonderful training that Otto had through the Good Dog Foundation (www.thegooddogfoundation.org) to allow him into partner facilities to visit with the residents.
Everyone had a good morning....with lots of treats
keep 'm clean
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Let's start the Show!
As the calendar turns the page to 2013, we get to look back and see all the great work we got to do in 2012. We had our regular yearly venues, like the Diabetes research Carnival for a Cure, the Autism Speaks walk, etc. Then we got to do new events like doing the ACS Bark for Life walk as Circus Bicuspid in Clown....you know we are doing that one again! We are grateful for all the work we had and look forward to doing more in the year to come. We also all agreed that we want to perrform more in general..... So we brainstormed and came up with a great idea. We have started to reach out to organizations like synagogues, churches, and community groups to offer our show as a fundraiser for them. Here's how it works.
We bring the show to your venue and you sell the tickets for whatever price you'd like and however you'd like. We keep a small percentage of the price for each ticket and the rest goes to your organization.....great show, great fundraiser. Our hope is to keep this very easy for the organizations. All we need is a plug and a stage and we are ready to make any audience laugh and cheer.
The first mailings should go out by the end of the month introducing ourselves and the offer and as the shows start....we will post them and share them with the blogosphere.
Happy New Year and keep 'em clean
We bring the show to your venue and you sell the tickets for whatever price you'd like and however you'd like. We keep a small percentage of the price for each ticket and the rest goes to your organization.....great show, great fundraiser. Our hope is to keep this very easy for the organizations. All we need is a plug and a stage and we are ready to make any audience laugh and cheer.
The first mailings should go out by the end of the month introducing ourselves and the offer and as the shows start....we will post them and share them with the blogosphere.
Happy New Year and keep 'em clean
Monday, November 19, 2012
Giving Thanks this year
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
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
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
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Big Apple Circus Here we Come! VOTE NOW
Hi everyone....We've been really busy performing and writing new material. Pupperdoodle is working out a new hoop routine with her new coach, Phineas is putting together his latest juggling routine, and I'm putting final touches on our first Grand Illusion!
Phineas and I recently performed for the Parent Assembly of the Society of American Magician's Gravesite restoration committee at the MAGIC SHOP out in Levittown, NY (www.magicshoplongisland.com) and the show helped raise $400. This money will be used to repair and restore the graves of many magicians whose final resting place is right here in NY on Long Island and in northern NJ. Kudos to MI Richie Magic and The Great Throwdini for their effort on this project.
If you follow Phineas and me on Twitter you'll see his certification that he set a world record for juggling clubs while on a pogo stick...very cool stuff.
Now for the big news...Phineas has entered the Contest from the BIG APPLE CIRCUS to be their Young Legend Guest Ringmaster this November at Lincoln Center in NY. Please use the link below to go to their Facebook page and VOTE!
http://bit.ly/R5kLHk
He's gotten more that 200 votes so far and as of this writing he is in the lead but we need your help to win this....so please vote and put the info on your Facebook pages as well.
And lastly, Magic Week is upon us, October 25th-31st! Circus Bicuspid will be performing at the Ronald McDonald House in NYC on Monday evening October 29th and we are excited about it because its one of our favorite shows to do.
Thanks for tuning in.....keep 'em clean
Phineas and I recently performed for the Parent Assembly of the Society of American Magician's Gravesite restoration committee at the MAGIC SHOP out in Levittown, NY (www.magicshoplongisland.com) and the show helped raise $400. This money will be used to repair and restore the graves of many magicians whose final resting place is right here in NY on Long Island and in northern NJ. Kudos to MI Richie Magic and The Great Throwdini for their effort on this project.
If you follow Phineas and me on Twitter you'll see his certification that he set a world record for juggling clubs while on a pogo stick...very cool stuff.
Now for the big news...Phineas has entered the Contest from the BIG APPLE CIRCUS to be their Young Legend Guest Ringmaster this November at Lincoln Center in NY. Please use the link below to go to their Facebook page and VOTE!
http://bit.ly/R5kLHk
He's gotten more that 200 votes so far and as of this writing he is in the lead but we need your help to win this....so please vote and put the info on your Facebook pages as well.
And lastly, Magic Week is upon us, October 25th-31st! Circus Bicuspid will be performing at the Ronald McDonald House in NYC on Monday evening October 29th and we are excited about it because its one of our favorite shows to do.
Thanks for tuning in.....keep 'em clean
Thursday, August 2, 2012
PIE FIGHT BREAKS RECORD!!!!!
Phineas and I flew to Dallas TX to be a part of Guiness and Ringling Brothers history. Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus hosted the Biggest Pie Fight on Earth! The old record was 684 people and we beat it with 714 people having a pie fight for one minute straight. It was to usher in this year's International Clown Week. (find out more www.coai.org) We found out about it online and then found out that it was also to raise funds to support two great clown programs in the Dallas area. One of them was the Funnyatric Clown Care Unit. Three clowns in this group are special to us, Tiffany and Dick Monday, the founders of the NY Goofs (that's where I went to clown school) and Eric Binkowski who was a classmate of mine in year one of clown school. So it was great to see them and help their programs.
We also got to hang around with the clowns from the Fully Charged Show's Clown alley. They even honored us by throwing an extra pie at Phineas to recognize his coming all the way from NY for this event.
We got an interview from a local radio station, and have shown up on a number of Dallas local events web sites.
What a great and fast trip. Arrived in Dallas at 2AM Tuesday morning and got back home at 1AM Thursday. Boy that was a whirlwind tour of Dallas. I want to thank the Ringling Brothers Circus for this event. I know its just another brilliant PR event for them but those of us who were in the pie throwing battle zone had an incredible time.
check out some of these links to the photos online of us and the rest of the event.
http://dfwnl.com/gallery/pie_fight_aac/photo/66?post_id=755194243_214502318676150#_=
Here is the link to a youtube video of the event!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu6ZxlM1kYI
so when life gets tooooo stressful....run away to the circus and have a pie thrown in your face!!!!
keep 'em clean
We also got to hang around with the clowns from the Fully Charged Show's Clown alley. They even honored us by throwing an extra pie at Phineas to recognize his coming all the way from NY for this event.
We got an interview from a local radio station, and have shown up on a number of Dallas local events web sites.
What a great and fast trip. Arrived in Dallas at 2AM Tuesday morning and got back home at 1AM Thursday. Boy that was a whirlwind tour of Dallas. I want to thank the Ringling Brothers Circus for this event. I know its just another brilliant PR event for them but those of us who were in the pie throwing battle zone had an incredible time.
check out some of these links to the photos online of us and the rest of the event.
http://dfwnl.com/gallery/pie_fight_aac/photo/66?post_id=755194243_214502318676150#_=
Here is the link to a youtube video of the event!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu6ZxlM1kYI
so when life gets tooooo stressful....run away to the circus and have a pie thrown in your face!!!!
keep 'em clean
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