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We’re all about the laughter and the smiles and the giggles! Laughter IS the shortest
distance between people!!
The Capital Region Clown Arts Festival
COAI Alley #369
We're all about the laughter and
the smiles and the giggles!
Laughter IS the shortest distance between people!!
News & Notes
LOCAL CLOWNS ROCK THE BOAT
Albany, NY August 7...On October 8, 1970, Public Law 91-443 under the 91st Congress, JJR 26 was passed by
both the House and Senate. It was sent to President Richard Nixon for his signature. The joint resolution was signed into
law by President Nixon on August 2, 1971. The world has been celebrating clowns ever since. It’s the law! August 1 -
7, 2010 is International Clown Week. The Capital Region's Clowns have been putting on their best smiles and creating laughter
all week long.
To cap off the 2010 celebration of International Clown Week, 54 clowns from around the Capital Region and
beyond rendezvoused at the dock of the Dutch Apple Cruise Line on lower Broadway in Albany this morning. They met with Mayor
Gerald Jennings. In a special ceremony he presented the clowns a proclamation from the City of Albany. At the conclusion of
the presentation, the clowns boarded the Dutch Apple II for a 90 minute tour of the scenic and historic Hudson River. They
were joined by some very special guests from the Humor Project, The Ronald Mc Donald House, The Smile Monster and the Albany
area. On board entertainment was provided by Dyer Switch.
The clowns represented various groups, clubs and allays to include the Battenkill Joeys, the Capital District
Clowns, the Capital Region Clown Arts Festival, Clowns of America International, Clowns On Rounds, the Electric City Clowns,
International Shrine Clown Association, the NORCO Clowns, Red Nose Response and the World Clown Association. Clowns from as
far away as Westport, PA joined in on the fun and festivities.
LOCAL CLOWS ARE CELEBRATED
Albany, NY August 6, 2010...On October 8, 1970, Public Law 91-443 under the 91st Congress, JJR 26 was passed by both
the House and Senate. It was sent to President Richard Nixon for his signature. The joint resolution was signed into
law by President Nixon on August 2, 1971. Area clowns have been celebrating International Clown Week ever since.
The Capital Region Clown Arts Festival, a consortium of clowns, clown arts leaders and educators dedicated to the promotion
of the art of clowning in upstate New York, announced the following awards and recognition this morning:
Entertainer of The Year Award…The Battenkill Joeys!
Since being organized these very special clowns from around
the region who are based in Greenwich, NY have worked together to share thousands of smirks, smiles, grins, giggles and a
whole lot of laughter too with audiences all over upstate New York and beyond. They have a unique knack for clowning
around! Their enthusiasm for the art of clowning is boundless!
The Clown Community Spirit Award is awarded to Gavin “g. giggles” Giles of Troy, NY and Andy “Handy
Andy” Mullin of Elizabethtown, NY. Both are members of Troy’s Oriental Shriners‘. Andy embodies the
spirit of clowning in his efforts to make sure the NORCO Clown Unit always puts its best shoe forward while making public
appearances on behalf of the Shriners’ Hospitals For Children. Wherever the NORCO Clowns are seen, its because
Andy handled the logistics! Whenever Gavin is out and about clowning around as “g.giggles” he shares a unique
clown spirit with every one he meets that combines and promotes both the art of clowning and the fraternity that is Shrinedom!
His ability to draw out a smirk, smile, grin or giggle is what the art of clowning is known for!
The Capital Region Clown Arts Leadership Award is awarded to Suzanne Shumway and Jennifer Flory. As they have strived
to bring their vision of the Battenkill Joeys to fruition, they have demonstrated the type of leadership that keeps the clown
arts community alive and jumping, as well as inspires others to get involved with them. Their many efforts are based
from Greenwich, NY.
Our Enthusiasm Award is presented to Dyann “Kit-10“ Giles of Troy, NY and Rennie “Ren-E“ Gagnon
who calls Saratoga Springs home. Simply stated, when it comes to clowning around, there is no one more enthusiastic
than “Kit-10“! Her enthusiasm is both contagious and inspirational. Ren-E is a great clown and balloon
twister extraordinaire. Any time we have asked for help, Ren-E is there with bells on. He shares his knowledge
freely and encourages everyone to be the best they can be. When he is out and about clowning around, he does what he
does with a unique zany gusto and always to rave reviews!
The President’s Award is awarded to Barbara “Sparky“ Bird of Clifton Park, NY. Sparky is always
on the go and there is no one more involved in the local clown arts community. As the Vice President of Red Nose Response
(an international comic relief response charity) she has guided the operations of RNR with a steady hand and has cultivated
the responder force that now exceeds 750 clowns from around the world.
Lifetime Achievement Award…This year we are honoring Pamela “Cupcake” Van Alstine. Pam, who resides
in Amsterdam, is the real deal. She’s a medical lab technician. She’s an EMT. She’s a
clown. Since entering the clown arts, she has tied them all together in to a great caring clown. She’s been
the spirit that drives the Caring Clown Troupe of the Electric City Clowns for a long time. As she relinquishes the
leadership of the troupe this fall we felt that recognizing her many efforts in this manner is a fitting tribute.
Our congratulations to one and all!!
Red Nose Response Elects A New President
Albany, N.Y. July 1, 2010...Paul “Fuddi-Duddy” Kleinberger, one of the founding members
of the clown arts based response charity in 2005, assumed the presidency of Red Nose Response on July 1. Paul has served RNR
most recently as an Advisor, in the past as Treasurer, and Vice President. As President, Paul says his first priority will
be to complete the transition from start up non profit to a more mature corporate member in the world of charity/response
groups. “The RNR responder corps has grown by leaps and bounds since its founding almost five years ago. More than 750
clowns from all around the world have signed on to help out. RNR has a unique mission to send ‘smiles to the rescue’
in times of catastrophe. We need to make sure that our responders have the training they need, the agency support they desire
and that our organization has the foundation needed to carry on its work over the next several years.” Paul, a.k.a.
“Fuddi-Duddy”, is well known in the clown community for his ability to get a snicker, a giggle and a laugh while
entertaining as well as his capability to present a class and/or workshop on a variety of clown arts subjects. Paul is a past
president (2006-2008) of Clowns of America International, former chairman of the Northeast Clown Council (1996 - 2000) and
continues to be an active member of several groups and alleys. When he is not out clowning around, Paul manages Smiles Unlimited
LLC in Loudonville, New York. Smiles is an award winning family entertainment and celebration enterprise. Founded in 2000
by Paul and Miriam Kleinberger, it’s based on the comic stylings of Fuddi-Duddy the clown, The Fantastical Mr. Fuddi
and Dr. Jest Kidding all of whom have been clowning around in the Capital Region since the mid 1990’s. Smiles Unlimited
has been recognized often by the business community, honored for its various successes, as well as its continual support of
the Capital Region‘s many charitable endeavors.
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