The Quad City Clown Troupe is once again offering its annual "Clowning Around" clown class through the Davenport Park and Recreation Department. The eight-week beginner clown class will meet Thursdays beginning June 4th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Annie Wittenmyer Complex, Cottage 16, next to the Junior Theater. It will culminate with a clown show performed by the students at the Junior Theater on August 1 at noon. There will be no class on July 2. The class is open to ages 10 to 110 at a cost of $44 for Davenport residents and $55 for non-residents. A limited number of income based scholarships are available through Davenport Park and Recreation for Scott County youth 18 years and younger. Scholarships are provided through partnership with Community Action of Eastern Iowa.
Every year the Davenport Parks and Recreation Department and the Quad City Clown Troupe (QCCT) team up to offer the summer clown class. It is taught by members of the QCCT, which is a not-for-profit (501c3) organization. Students will learn some history of clowning, clown code of ethics, proper makeup application, beginning skills of juggling, balloon sculpturing, skits, and magic, with an overall theme of having fun.
The QCCT has some distinguished instructors, including Jim 'BC' Caffrey who in 2012 was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award from the Midwest Clown Association for his years of contribution to the art of clowning and then inducted into the Midwest Clown Associations Hall of Fame in 2013. Another is Ron 'Toto' Johnson, who was a graduate and instructor at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College, as well as earning some prestigious international awards for his clown work overseas.
The clown class is open to anyone with an interest in clowning, from those who have no previous exposure to the art to those who have given it a try before.
For more information, contact either Bob 'Mulligan' Smith at (563)-570-4650 or beguilingbob@hotmail.com or the Davenport Parks and Recreation Department at (563)-328-PARK (7275). Register at The River's Edge, 700 W. River Drive, or online at www.CityofDavenport/parks. The course number is SUM505CTI.
