Hi!

Im not sure how to introduce myself because both of me want to be first. I am Gizmoe theGospel Clown and Gilroy Reilly "An Fear Grin" - a court jester.

I have been clowning for about 15 years, and have recently began doing this as a profession instead of as a hobby. I performa t renaissance festivals, birthday parties, daycares, and restaurants as well as anyplace else I can find.

I look forward to sharing with like minded people...

For those of you seeking a good laugh or two, check out my webpage http://www.bananatreeproductions.com/ and be sure and check out the Jester's Rules - many of which are ACTUAL rules given to me by the "Queen" while performing at Ren Faires - and whatever you do DONT click on the chihuahua (OK if you have to, then go ahead)

L8r dudes!

Ah Ello Ello Allo

Welcome! I checked out your website, its really good. Nice to have you with us :)

Welcome to both of you. make yourselves at home! :lol: :lol:

well howdy do from Mr. Buckaroo Cowboy clown. Glad your here nice to meet you. hope to see you at out chat on tuesday and I think we might have one to day sometime also

let's shoot for nine easter. HOpefully the wife will let me.

Bananna tree. I just checked out your website. Out of make up we almost look like twins separated at birth.
...Okay, I'm officialy freaked out now :lol:

Scary - Ive been telling everyone for years that there's a GOOD twin out there somewhere!

Since gospel is somthing Ijust started doing it is nice to have someone with your expierence to pick their braim hope you can join us in chat sometime

Great to meet both of you, I also do gospel clown, and I love to go to the Ren festivals.

I can honestly say that ren festivals have breathed life into my clown business that I never thought possible. They dont make me a lot of money, but I have really gained a lot of experience that has helped me step from the occasional parade and kids church lesson to full time clowning - which is my goal by the end of this year. Plus rennies are the closest to kindred spirits outside of clown alleys that I have found. AS a matter of fact it was stepping into renfaires that introduced me to the "arse's ears" which we know as the jester's hat, and that allowed me to toss away that sily red wig that I hated so much and remain a little cooler inthe summer heat.

I've gone to the one in Charlotte for the last three years and i'm hooked, got my crystal sticks there and been trying to master them. I know they also hire local for various things, I't thinking about trying to apply for this next year, any tips.

Best advice is to get together a program that is about 30 minutes. It should consist of magic tricks that look "period" I dont suggest using anything plastic if you can avoid it because it looks too modern. I personally made several of my tricks so they would look more perios than others. Card tricks are always a big hit. also, remember you are performing from a platform, stage tricks are too big, and table tricks are too small. You have to choose something in the middle that requires very little preperation time as you may be doing shows back to back. Also anything that requires a lot of cleanup - like a flash pan used to bake a cake - is probably not a good idea.

Also think about what character you want to play. You will be in character all day even when you are walking around or getting lunch. Good Jesters are few and far between from what I have seen, and although they dont make as much as the jousters, they can find themselves in high demand once they have established themselves. The fact is that a strong willed jester can make anything more fun. Tow years ago, I was working the crowd at a BATHTUB RACE and my partner and I had the crowd cheering like it was a joust.

Also, have lots of walk around stuff. You will be seeing people throughout the day, and that is your chance to tell them about your show. I always tell the kids to hold up the number of fingers that corresponds to my show time (3 finger =3:00) and make them tell their parents what time ithe show is. Usually the parents are more excited than the kids and I always get good crowds.

Another suggestion is to invest in a button machine. I have a badge-a-minute kit that I got at a yard sale for $3 and it has mad eme hundreds of dollars. You wont get paid much at a faire as a clown, but you can make up the difference in tips. I always give a souvenir button for anyone who gives a $1 tip.

Thats a starting place. Hope it helped.

Thanks alot, I'll keep those tips in mind.

Banana Tree Productions,,,,I like it. Sounds like a BUNCH a FUN. In my act, I perform the famous vanashing bandanna where you actually use a banana in place of a yellow bandanna. Great fun and lots a laughs.

Nice website,,,,,,,,,Welcome to the Forum.

It's been a while since I got to come over here and play...things have been QUITE busy at the ole Banana Tree. And the Summer is looking to be even MORE fun.

I recently lost my restaurant gig at the steakhouse, but picked up TWO more to replace it, and I am hoping they will pick their option back up soon giving me the equivelant of a full time job clowning.

Also, I have started getting Library gigs for the summer reading programs, and have been in contact with several daycares about doing programs for them.

Add in the occasional Open House and Birthday parties, and I'm getting to spend a LOT of time in character lately.

Funny thing happened though - one of the local police officers told me that it was really weirding him out to KEEP running into a clown driving around town. He stopped me at Church to see if I was actually working that much or just losing my mind (What Mind?) LOL