The season comes to a close

Posted on December 27, 2011
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What a great Christmas season for the Elves!!

The season wrapped up with my first appearance at Lenox Square in Atlanta. I had a wonderful time. The Santa set included a huge Christmas Tree that the line of parents and kids walked under. It was dark enough to use lighting effects with magic and juggling.

Santa was awesome!

Elves, elves and more elves!

Posted on December 16, 2011
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We’ve had more fun than elves deserve this Christmas season! We are approaching our final full weekend of bringing the magic to hundreds of children.

Dipsy Elf has had appearances all season including the delightful Dickens Christmas at Biltmore Village and our first appearance at Black Mountain Rec’s annual lake side Christmas event. Papa was in Knoxville a week earlier this year and had to miss the annual Biltmore event for the first time (2009 pic) in many years but Dipsy’s appearance was a big hit. This was her third year.

My appearances at Knoxville Simon Malls have been amazing. Using new close up magic involving Christmas lights, beautiful Dube Christmas juggling pins and light up juggling balls, Papa Elf has amazed more kids than I can begin to count. And I think I’ve posed for more pictures with kids that ever before.

The season wraps up with my first appearance at Lenox Square in Atlanta. I’m very excited to bring the elf back to Atlanta. Mama Elf, Dipsy, Chadley Elf and Papa Elf all worked at North Lake Mall in Atlanta in the late 90’s but we haven’t had the opportunity to return to Atlanta till now. Can’t wait!

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A mad scientist and an elf

Posted on November 16, 2011
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It’s been a non stop adventure this fall with multiple characters, wonderful clients and really happy children.

Last Thursday and Sunday, Papa Elf brought Santas into two Simon malls in Knoxville to the delight of hundreds of kids and families.

The first event at West Town featured an evening arrival with a parade of big shiny pickups carrying full over costumed mascots from the area. They were awesome. Most of them just jumped off the tailgate in these huge suits. Pretty amazing. Santa followed the trucks in a convertible and arrived to the full fanfare of TV cameras and screaming kids.

On Saturday, Tashah and I brought Santa into Knoxville Center with a magic/juggling show built around a story of magically creating tinsel and lights to decorate a tree with. The arrival goes badly though and Santa gets stuck in a giant Christmas present on the second level above the crowd. The present is actually a Tashah designed gimmick that vanishes before your eyes revealing Santa.

On 10/31, Tashah and I performed the annual Mountain Circus Arts Halloween Show at West Town. Last year Jahsh and Michael played Frankenstein and Igor but this year Tashah played Betty, who I kept referring to as Igor. Pretty funny. The show was built on a story line loosely based on Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde (Dr. Despicable and Mr Snide). We had a huge crowd and we experienced 50 minutes of great entertainment.

Fall Fun!

Posted on November 16, 2011
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The Circus Fusion folks enjoyed their run in Asheville at Biltmore Square Mall from October 12th through the 17th. I gave away hundreds of tickets and performed fun shows around town to get everyone excited about the circus.

The Smokey Mountain Juggling Festival was a big success with a dozen acts and an enthusiastic crowd. Forty Fingers and a Missing Tooth produced and performed.

I brought three characters back to LEAF this past weekend, two on Friday and one on Saturday. I had a great show as The Great Zukini on Friday afternoon followed by Fredzo the Clown in the Forty Fingers Circus Show Saturday night. Pepe Le Chef cooked up thrills and and made a mess Saturday afternoon and followed that with juggling in the parade with Forty Fingers.

Pirate Days!

Posted on September 19, 2011
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Just in time for International Talk Like a Pirate Day, Knoxville Center produced its annual Pirate Adventure to the delight of many kids and families who turned out for the fun.

Arrtimus Grim had a great time playing with kids, many dressed in pirate attire. We had sword fights, worked on arrrt projects, performed a little magic and warmed up the crowd. I followed with a terrific juggling and magic show that involved a lot of kids and was even lucky enough to have a birthday boy that I could use as an assistant. All in all a great event.

Circus, Circus

Posted on September 10, 2011
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We are proud to have been selected as the Advance Clowns for Circus Fusion appearing at Biltmore Square Mall from October 12th through the 17th. Look for us around town giving away free tickets and clown noses!

October is full of Circus! The month starts out with the Smokey Mountain Juggling Festival in Asheville on October 7-9. I’ll be peforming a comedy juggling show on Saturday evening and leading a clowning workshop from noon till one. Subjects include five different classic skits, type matching to find your inner clown juggler and amazing clown history.

After Circus Fusion, I will be bringing my kid’s act back to LEAF on October 21st and 22nd. I will be appearing as The Great Zukini on Friday at 4:00 pm, as Pepe Le Chef on Saturday at 1:30 pm and as Fredzo the Clown in the Forty Fingers Circus Show Saturday night. Look for me in the parade as well. I’m excited about our return to my favorite festival.

Bele Chere!

Posted on August 11, 2011
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I performed four evenings straight at Bele Chere this year. The festival, the biggest in the Southeast, and Asheville’s annual street party was once again a success.

I had the luxury of being asked to perform in front of Bistro 1896, the famous restaurant I work near during the season. Thanks Chris!

Downtown Asheville and Uncle Sam part 2

Posted on July 18, 2011
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I finally made my street performing debut this weekend and it was fabulous. There is nothing like downtown Asheville. I made several friends with kids and families, some local, some from afar. Tonight I had two delightful young sisters who hung out with me on and off through the evening as their family was eating in one of the sidewalk cafes. And on both days, I kept getting kids who obviously made their parents come back to see me.

Look for me on weekends through the summer and fall.

Black Mountain Rec produced another great downtown 4th of July and we were honored to be part of the festivities. Last year I went as “Randall” with a red, white and blue theme and the crew dressed as clowns for balloon twisting. This year I went full Uncle Sam and the crew, which grew to three for this event, dressed more like patriotic street performers. I thought they looked really nice. It was dark enough before the fireworks to juggle my light up Dube juggling balls and they were a real hit. It’s not everyday you see Uncle Sam juggling and doing close up magic.

Uncle Sam part I

Posted on July 3, 2011
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Independence Day weekend kicked off on Saturday with Uncle Sam at Knoxville Center entertaining kids. It was great little event with a bounce house, birthday cake, craft tables and a door prize at the end. And since there were a lot of regulars in attendance, Uncle Sam had to insist that he wasn’t the pirate or the elf or the chef. They are his cousins. The five year olds bought it, not so much the nine year olds!

As you can see from the smiling faces, everyone was happy I was there, no matter who I was dressed up as.

Uncle Sam will return to action tomorrow, July 4th, in the streets of downtown Black Mountain for the town’s annual event that ends with fireworks. You can find Uncle Sam and his crew of balloon twisters by the old depot starting around 5:00 pm.

Hot Summer Fun!

Posted on June 30, 2011
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Summer is off to a busy start with birthday parties as Fredzo the Clown, mall events with Pepe Le Chef and special appearances by an old character I haven’t used in years, Uncle Sam.

The fall is shaping up fast as well and we just booked a return to the amazing LEAF Festival in Black Mountain. I’ll be performing two stage shows, one as Pepe and the other as The Great Zukini. I also get a walk on part in a circus production by Asheville’s own Forty Fingers and a Missing Tooth.