Clown Chat Guest Speaker Fred Baisch

Fitzwilly · #1 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 10:05 PM

Fred Baisch has been in Show Business for 41 years. He started in magic at the age of 8, and has been clowning for 18 years. A member of the Osman Shrine since 1981, he has garnered both “Clown of the Year” and “Entertainer of the Year.”

An internationally recognized magician and member of the Acamedy of the Magical Arts (The Hollywood Magic Castle), Fred had friends on almost every continent even before the internet made it commonplace.

On his shelves sit many awards for magic and clowning, and although he is proud of the accomplishments he is prouder of the accomplishments made by his many students. (He is too modest to tell me which awards. Although I do know he almost qualifies for the Midwest Clown Hall of Fame.)

He is Past President of Ring 19 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and for 12 years was the Territorial Vice President for Minnesota.

For over 20 years Fred and his late Show Biz partner, Dave Bassett were highly sought after by every major magic convention due to their unique and off-beat style of performance.

As co-owner of Twin Cities Magic & Costume Co. for 21 years Fred has experienced nearly every facet of the ups and downs in the entertainment industry. Helping clowns and magicians every step of the way as TCM continues to grow.

He has been asked to lecture at several magic conventions, and has taught magic to clowns throughout the United States and Puerto Rico for over 20 years. For the last five years Fred has been the featured staff magician for Pricilla Mooseburger's Clown Arts School. (Several? He has taught everywhere from the frozen tundra of North Dakota to the sandy shores of more than one of those southern states.)

Fred's mission in teaching magic to clowns is to show that clowns can do magic - to show them that a trick can go "wrong" and be very funny without exposing the secret.

"If a clown produces a dove, that's good magic. If a clown shows a dove falling out of a secret pocket, that's bad magic. If a clown produces a cat with a mouth full of feathers, that's funny magic." .

Be sure to be at CHAT Thursday night! Fred will magically appear shortly after 9pm.

Nettie Belle · #2 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 10:46 PM

That's great. Fitzwilly!

Hey, I left you a VM yesterday ... when can I call you? I need to start making calls for the spring thing ... so let me know when to call you. Thanks!!

Fitzwilly · #3 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 11:12 PM

I work most of tomorrow but if you want to call after 2p I should be able to talk. It has been a busy couple of days. Sorry about not getting back to you.