Clown Vegas

Conference in

Las Vegas January 21-24, 2008

American Clown Idol competition will take place this year at Clown Vegas, more details to follow

Mama Clown

Born in Colombia, South America and a resident of South Florida for the past 40 years, Marcela Murad is recognized as one of America’s premiere children entertainers.

A three time recipient of the Clown of the Year Award from the South East Clown Association, she is known for her lively personality and her natural ability for dealing with kids. As a much in demand instructor of the performing arts, Marcela travels internationally teaching all aspects of clowning, face painting, magic, storytelling and balloon art.

Marcela is the former editor and publisher of the Face and Body Art International Magazine dedicated to promoting the art of face painting worldwide and the producer of their annual convention. A contributing writer to many of the trade magazines including Calliope and the the Funny Paper, she is a published author of several books on the arts of clowning and face painting.

In 1997 her clown character “Mama Clown” was featured on the nationally syndicated “Cristina Show”. In the Ron Lee Clown Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada visitors can view a display of her career as a family entertainer. She was selected to be one of the eight worldwide clowns chosen to have their character immortalized in the form of a fine porcelain doll of their image with the “Center Ring Collection” and is consider a master in her field. To find out more about purchasing one the collector's edition dolls please visit www.sillyfarm.com.

The Miami Herald named her a “Hometown Hero” for her work with the Cuban children and the Associated Press called her an “Angel of Cheer” for her dedication to bringing cheers to those affected by Hurricane Andrew.
A volunteer helping a wide variety of children programs, she attributes her success to love and respect for the performing arts. Her goals are to continue training other performers to keep the tradition alive. Marcela believes that one of the nicest things we can give to children are happy memories and that love and laughter are the greatest gifts.

Dave Spitler - David Spitler, aka Dave Holly, has been entertaining professionally for nearly two decades. He is a Master of Ceremonies, balloon sculptor and has a Celebrity Impressions Show. He has a quarter-century experience as a radio show host. He continues to do professional voice-over work, including custom introductions for fellow performers.

He will be lecturing on self-promotion and media relations for entertainers. The class will include learning the ins and outs of various media and how to write press releases and public service announcements.

Cathy Mackay; Cathy "Tots" Mackey began her journey as a clown over 15 years ago and won numerous trophies and awards such as the coveted COAI 2005 Clown of the Year Award. In addition, she was recognized as a Master Clown at Circus Magic in 2004. She currently serves as COAI competition Judge and a Red Nose Performance Coach and has served as the Dean of Clown Town in 2005. To round out her accomplishments, she serves as a volunteer at Camp Sundown in NY. All of this plus a full time Human Resource job and if that is not enough, an active wife and mom with 3 children! How does she maintain it all? That is easy, her clown name is TOTS, which is short for Teaching Others To Smile! You gotta meet this clown!

Harry Allen

Harry has performed his intriguing magic lecture throughout the world. He has been featured on many television shows including the TNN Network show, “Nashville Now” with Steve Warner. He has also performed on NBC “Nightly News” “good Morning America” Entertainment Tonight” and CNN.

Because of his expertise in the field of magic and entertainment, he is consulted by leading manufacturers of magical apparatus for his advise. He was hired to perform for David Copperfield and his staff, and received a standing ovation for the material he presented to the “greatest living star” in the industry.

Harry Allen is one of the most sought-after entertainers and Magic Dealers by magic and clown conventions. His magic and wit have been featured at The Magic Castle, Texas Association of Magicians, Pacific Coast Association of Magicians, Columbus Magi-Fest, The Florida State Convention, The New York Magic Symposium, and many others too numerous to mention.

HARRY ALLEN has six books on comedy currently on the market. Their titles are, Sleight of Tongue, Sleight of Tongue In Cheek, Sleight of Foot in Mouth, Sleight of Lips Sleight of One Liners and Sleight of Mouth. All of Harry's books are HOWLING successes. CARL BALLANTINE said of Sleight of Foot in Mouth, “...this book, like the soap ad, is ninety-nine and forty-four one hundred percent pure.” HENNY YOUNGMAN said about Sleight of Lips, “I'm borrowing some of these jokes myself. Take this book please!” Harry has many original effects on the market. He has been published in The Lost Pages of Kabbala and Magic and Monsters. The best recommendation of Harry Allen is his work. His Lecture on Impromptu Magic is intermingled with a dealer show featuring some of Magic's latest new effects. The lecture consists of demonstrations for the beginner to the expert.

Harry prides himself with bringing to your club a “MAGIC SHOP ON WHEELS” with literally hundreds of items manufactured by his partner, Irv Cook, and from their two-thousand square foot Daytona Beach Magic Shop, THE LARGEST MAGIC SHOP IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES.

Dave Hill

Performing for over 20 years, Dave has gone from novice clown to full-time business owner, speaker, and notorious comedy performer. Some say he's genius, others say he's just sick. Dave's motto: "If you can't have fun, you might as well stay at home."

Dave (aka The Almost Amazing Rex/Rex The Wonder Clown) has entertained audiences small & large for companies such as Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse, Lennox China, 98 Lumber, RJ Reynolds, AT&T, Wal-Mart, etc. From intimate parties to company picnics to Grand Openings & banquet shows, Dave is in demand.

A long time member of the Berkeley Civitan Clowns, Dave donates countless hours both to entertain & raise money for the mentally & developmentally disabled. He is instrumental in keeping fellow clowns abreast of the latest news in the clowning industry.

His business, Balloons & Clowns, began 15 years ago as a small store front business specializing in balloon deliveries & birthday parties; it now comprises a retail balloon shop, gift store, and entertainment agency which keeps 6 to 8 local performers busy year round. The mail order division provides entertainers world wide with balloons, magic, & clown supplies.

In addition to entertaining, Dave also shares his experience through teaching. Dave is a featured speaker at magic and clown conventions across the US & Canada. A member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, Clowns of America Intl., & World Clown Association, he has presented at national and regional events.

With 2 presentations on video ( "Magic on the Move" & "How to Make $1,000 a Day") and a book ("Nice Work... Now You Can Get It") to his credit, Dave works to maintain high standards in the performance arts.

Ron Conley - Whether it is Close-up Magic or Stage presentation, Ron’s a winner, in fact he has 33 trophies to prove it, including a Gold Rabbit from the PCAM for his Billiard Ball Manipulation ! He spent three years working the Brass Anchor Lounge in Myrtle Beach, has appeared at the Magic Castle, and at one time had his own TV Program called Magic Castle Cartoons. Ask Ron what makes magic fun and he will tell you "being able to entertain in so many different arenas". See a venue you like and say......I can do that....I can work there.....and then you do! Instant dreams come true. By the way, that’s what Ron will tell you, he is selling at Conley’s House of Magic......dreams ! Got dreams?

Norm Barnhart

MagicNorm.com, Normbarnhart.com, Inspirebiz.com

Dr. Gary Elem

as DR. MAGIC, has performed his amazing, fun-filled Comedy Magic and Colorful Balloon Creations for 24 years for all ages (4 to 104...Really!) and groups of 10 to 1,500 in Europe, Canada, on cruise ships to Mexico & through out the United States. Gary has entertained for every type of group from Birthday Parties to Family Fun Days, for Corporate Picnics to Company Training Programs and for Active Seniors, Alzheimer/Dementia Day Care facilities, Senior Centers and Senior Residence Facilities throughout California. Some highlighted audiences have included: American Express, McGraw Hill Publishers, Zenith Corporation, Barnes & Noble Bookstores (as their Harry Potter Wizard), Dean Witter, Hearst Castle Special Events and for 12 weeks of a traveling Promo Tour for Pac Bell and the San Francisco Giants for the opening of the Pac Bell (AT&T now) Stadium. Celebrity shows have included the families & guests of James Brolin, the Peanuts creator Charles Shultz's 5 year old twin grandsons, Gumby & Pokey's artist and his family, San Francisco Newspaper Owner Steven Hearst's family event, 1950's Film Star Jane Russell's family Birthday, Backstage Balloons for Comedian Whoppi Goldberg and Balloons for TV Exercise Guru Jack LaLane & family to mention a few fun times!! Dr. Magic loves to make people laugh.....join us for "Great Fun" and professional training at the upcoming workshop !!! See you then !!!

Ralph "the Great" Metzler first became interested in magic at the age
of 16 when his brother-in-law took him to the legendary Al's Magic
Shop in Washington DC. A magician was born, and Ralph started doing
tricks for his family and friends.
Ralph's first public show was in 1981 at the Lackland Air Force Base
summer carnival in San Antonio, Texas. The show didn't seem to go
very well and Ralph vowed never to step on the stage again. But
later, standing in line for the ferris wheel, Ralph felt a tug on his
vest. He turned to see a little girl about five years old looking up
at him. She said: "Mr. Ralph, thank you for doing the great magic
show today, I loved it." The little girl took her father's hand and
disappeared into the crowd. It was then that Ralph vowed to never
stop doing shows, because that moment had made everything worthwhile.
   Today, Ralph the Great is a full-time professional entertainer who
specializes in children's and family shows. During the school year he
performs in elementary schools with The Pro-Kids Show, a program that
teaches children the importance of good character! He has been a full-
time professional for over 16 years, but has over 30 years of
performing experience. His talents also go far beyond that of magic.
His shows feature comedy, music, magic, puppetry, singing, audience
participation, and LOTS OF FUN!
   Ralph has performed at The White House eleven times, The Kennedy
Center, The National Theatre, several embassies, for the U.S.
Congress, on televevision, at dozens of fairs and festivals, hundreds
of schools, and thousands of private events!
   He currently lives in Las Vegas, but spends time performing
throughout the United States.

Tom King

A favorite all around entertainer that is renown for using easy-to-use pocket magic that will keep audiences of all types entertained. Tom will use his many years of experience to help you learn what works best for your character and program.

Tom, West Virginia’s premier family entertainer, is the author of the book Clown Soup and has been published in Funny Paper, The New Calliope, Clowning Around, Circus Magic E-Mag and Big Top entertainment publications.

He has entertained and lectured throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Southeast United States and Canada for over fifteen years. Tom has entertained at private and public functions at the West Virginia Governor’s Mansion in addition to the TAMARACK, West Virginia’s center for displaying the talents of the best of the best of its artist and craftspeople and the Clay Center, Charleston, West Virginia’s Culture & Arts Center. Tom has appeared as a guest performer with Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus and performs regularly for the West Virginia Library Association, Museum in the Community, West Virginia Lung Association and the West Virginia State Parks System. Tom has performed for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree at the White House numerous times.

Tom presents educational and fun shows for elementary schools, preschools and libraries. His seasonal programs and Summer Time-Fun Time Show are in great demand. Tom also does Health and Humor Therapeutic programs for hospitals and nursing programs. He works as an instructor at conventions and workshops for variety artist, magicians and clowns. Tom is certified by West Virginia Board of Education as an Entertainment Arts Instructor.

He is Clowns of America International Mideast Region Vice President and is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Clown Association. He is founder of Tom E’s Troop, a group of entertainer who entertain at health care facilities and disaster relief events.

Tom is an international award winner in makeup, costume and performance. He looks forward to sharing his experiences and love of clowning with you. www.stuff4clowns.com

Jim Howle

His interest in art was extremely intense from the very first of his school days. He drew constantly in all class subjects. Bye the age of 12, he had decided to become a professional artist. In 1957, Elvis was almost king, the chevy V-8 ruled the road, and Jim Howle barely finished high school.
He attended the Ringling school of art. He married, had two sons and drove race cars. He joined the Ringling Brothers Circus as a clown and painted portraits of the circus performers. He became the official artist of the circus. He was on the TV show To Tell The Truth as the man who paints clowns. He joined the staff of Clown Camp in Lacrosse, WI. During his career as an artist and comic, Jim has been interviewed by more than 30 newspapers world wide and has appeared in 6 nationally televised specials as will as two movies. His art has been distributed internationally and is in private and corporate collections around the world. Jim Howle has been deemed the colorist and is the foremost painter of real clowns in the world!

Billy Scadlock

Steve Kissell has been performing for over 30 years at conventions, schools, churches, libraries, birthday and holiday parties. He also shares the performing arts of clowning, comedy magic, juggling and storytelling. He is a kindergarten teacher who has never left the classroom and now teaches adults to act like children.

Schedule of Events

Monday, January 21 Pre-day workshops
9-4 Facepainting for Fun &Profit Mama Clown
900-1030 From Average to Amazing
1100-1230 Fast & Beautiful in Real Time
130-300 All That Glitters
330-430 Practice Makes Perfect

9-4 Down Home Clowning Tom, Steve & Cathy
900-1030 Comedy Magic For Clowns
1100-1200 Beginning Balloons
100-230 Let's Makeup!
300-400 Skits & Bits

**************************************************

Tuesday
8-830 Introductions and Announcements
830-930 Comedy Magic for Kids            Tommy
945-1045 Come Party With Me                  Cathy
1100-1200 Comedy Bits & Magic Tricks       Harry
1200-100 Lunch with a new friend
100-200 Facepainting competition
200-300 Big Yuks for Under 5 Bucks          Dave
315-415   Clowns Without Makeup               Ron
430-530 Weddings, Teens, and Seniors....Oh My !       Gary
7:00-:8:30 PM: A Whimsical, Entertaining and Informative evening with Norm Barnhart. "Normando" is the winner of last year's Funniest Magician Contest at Family Entertainers Workshop. He will be entertaining and teaching.

Wednesday
830-930 The Little Things That Make a Big Difference Ron
945-1045 Adding Music to Your Show       Ralph Metzler
1100-1200 Performing For Fairs & Festivals         Dave
1200-100 Lunch With A New Friend
100-230 Balloon Competition
230-330 Here Come the Clowns               Tommy
400-500 Comedy Bits & Magic Routines      Harry

Thursday
900-1000 Creating a New Look               Jim
1015-1115 We Got Game Tommy
1130-1230 Self Promotions for Clowns      David
1230-130 Lunch With an Old Friend
130-230 My Favorite Balloon                   Open Forum
300-400 Mime for Clowns                       Billy
700-830 American Clown Idol

The Orleans Hotel and Casino

4500 W. Tropicana Ave.

Las Vegas, NV 89103

800-675-3267/ 702-365-7535

Special "Clown Vegas" convention rate $60/night

* Action Packed Casino * Spa & Beauty Center

* Health & Fitness Center * 8 on-site restaurants

* Showroom & Cabaret * Pool-Side Bar

* Bowling Center * Theatre Complex & Arcade

* Hotel located near Strip, free shuttle service

Hotel Reservations should be made directly with The Orleans. Hotel Rate good only until 12/20/07. Remember to tell them you are with "Clown Vegas" to get the special rate.

Clown Vegas is proud to announce that we now have an official travel agency

to assist you in your travels.

Please use the information below to book your travel plans.

Some of the featured workshops and lectures.

"Fairs & Festivals, Oh My"
Making over $1,000.⁰⁰ a day at outdoor events has never been easier. Tips on who to contact and how to get the job. Promise and deliver a show each hour to organizers. Between shows, your site is abuzz with activity and fun. What to offer children and adults including face painting, balloons, souvenirs, hair coloring & tattoos.

"Lots of Yuks for Under 5 Bucks"
Entertaining doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. This presentation contains over 20 bits of magic & fun that can be carried in a grocery bag. All are self-working, cost little or nothing, and none over $5. Great for Birthday parties, walk-arounds, or stage.

"Adding Music to Your Show"

Ralph "the Great" Metzler has been using music and sound effects in his shows for over 16 years. He first realized the power of music to evoke emotion and add drama to performances when he saw Star Wars in 1978. From his first paid show in 1991, he used recorded music, and has been working with it ever since. Over the years he even added sound effects to his performances, and even developed a very funny routine around them.