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National Clown Week August 1-7 Variety the spice of McHenry County Fair ENTERTAINMENT Friday, August 2,1985 Section B A salute to, the art of buffoonery Mark Smith Herald staff writer Most people probably don't it, but this is National Gown Week. National Clown Week was estab­ lished in the early 1970's by an act of Congress and signed by President Richard Nixon. No jokes please. Clowns of America, Inc., a nation­ al association of'downs,*was the driving force behind the establish­ ment of the act and is its sponsor. Clown week has been designated as a time to honor those talented peo­ ple who give of themselves to enter­ tain others. Clowns, in one form or another, have been around for most of hu­ man history. The most widely- known early form was the court Jester in medieval times, and then later the harlequin in France • The origins of the modern clown is gen­ erally attributed to an actor by the name of Joseph Grimaldi, however. According to Norton Kovar, offi­ cial representative for Clowns of America in Illinois anfl a Carpen- tersville resident, Grimaldi was try­ ing to establish himself as an actor in Italy during the early 1800's, but instead became the innovator of the "clown" character. Starting with only a few extrava­ Joe Agnew Herald staff writer PriUPLE TALK There It is, the song Bert Parks won't be back at the Miss America pageant, but the traditional song will be. After three years of using substitute tunes to crown the Jewel of American womanhood, "There She Is" will again be sung to honor the winner, said Albert Marks Jr., the longtime director of the contest. The song was dropped a few years back when its composer, Berate Wayne, demanded more money, but the problem has been settled for a price that Marks says was "not expensive -- comparatively." "We have resolved our differences and I recognize that this was, for a good many years, our logo song," Marks said. "Since we have resolved this dispute, I'm bringing it back." The substitute songs "She's Our M|ss America" and "Miss America, You're Beautiful" will be used elsewhere in the Sept. 14 finale, Marks said. Beautiful theater B. Howard Hunt, the Watergate burglar, wants to put the story of Clans and Sunny von Bulow to music and on the stage. Hunt says he is working with two associates on "Beautiful People," which he describes as "a musical drama suggested by a famous, recently concluded Rhode bland trial." Von Bulow recently was acquitted in PTOidence, E.I., of trying to murder Simny with insulin injections and she now is in an irreversible coma in a New York hospital. Hunt, who wrote a novel titled "Give Us This Day," says he has a New York theatrical agent looking for financial backing and hopes to have "Beautiful People" on stage before the end of the year. Clothes don't make the mayor. Portland, Ore., may sow become known as the most mellow city in the country, thanks to Bud Clark, Portland's bartender-turned-mayor. Clark has designated Aug. 14 as "Dress as You Please Day" when people can shuck such "useless appendages as ties, vests, high heels" gant costumes, Grimaldi went on to create the whole character that be­ came the basis for the modern day clown. Grimaldi so successfully cre­ ated the character of the clown that even to this day circus clowns are commonly referred to as "Joeys." Kovar said that the clown really didn't come into its own in this country until the 1930's and 1940's. The early 1950's and the popularity of television gave rise to the "lip­ stick" or dime store clown. Dime stores would make up one of their clerks' faces with lipstick to enter­ tain at grand openings or other spe­ cial events. Traditionally, there are consid­ ered to be three basic types of downs, the Grotesque or white- face, Auguste and Tramp. The white-face is Just what it sounds like, the clown that has its whole face completdy covered with white makeup. The white-face also wears the bulbous, red, rubber nose and is typically dressed in finery decorat­ ed with sequins and ruffles. The Auguste is the most outland­ ish of the clowns. The Auguste wears flesh-toned makeup over most of the face, but with the ac­ cented mouth and eyes. Auguste downs dress in the most outrageous costumes they can, combining loud plaids, stripes, polka dots, etc., all in vibrant colors. They are also the only down not limited to wearing a red nose. The Tramp is similar to the Au­ guste as far as how the face is made up, with the addition that the Tramp can wear a black beard. The Tramp also varies greatly from the Au­ guste as far as clothing. A Tramp typically is dressed in tattered clothes, usually a suit or tuxedo, and generally in very subdued col­ ors like blacks, grays and browns. Along with the differences in the • costumes also come differences as to what part each down will play in a skit. Because of the length of time it takes for the white-face downs to put on their makeup and how easily it can be ruined, they are given the role of the instigator of a gag and have the more glamorous parts. The Auguste and the Tramp are ;e the brunt the ones to take of the jokes, especially the physical comedy. If a white-face and Au­ guste are performing together, the Auguste will always get the pie in the face, be hit with the bucket of water, or do the >rate falls. If a Tramp is in the skit, he will usually be the one who gets hit, even if the Tramp is working with an Auguste. More recently a fourth type of down, the Character, has been gaining distinction. The Character started as an outgrowth of both the Auguste and the Tramp, but has really grown into its own distinct form. The Character can have a beard like the Tramp but generally it will be a white beard. The Char­ acter will also tend to dress more brightly, like the Auguste, rather than in tattered dothes. Kovar said that from what he has seen, the popularity of clowning has markedly increased in recent years. He pointed out that Gowns of Amer­ ica has gone from a membership of approximately 900 to 30,000, and the number of circuses operating in this country has increased to over 40. "It's (clowning) bigger than most people think," Kovar said. "People are really tired of television, so they are looking for other forms of entertainment." Kovar said Illinois, as a single state, actually has the largest con­ tingent of downs in the world, and probably has more downs than the east and west coasts combined. He attributes the high concentration of downs here to Illinois' geographic central location. Most circus downs end up travding all over the coun­ try during the year, so a central home base cuts down on traveling. The largest increase in clowning actually b has ly been in the portion of CLOWNS-PagelOB and other restrictive dothing. "These accouterments may be deemed essential in other metropolitan areas," Clark said, but not in his town. He is calling on businesses to allow workers to dress as they wish and also is challenging other cities to do the same. All this is to strike a blow against the people and cities that "sometimes take themsdves too seriously" and to overcome the misconception that "to look sharp is to be sharp," Clark says. Filthy rich act that way The bishop of Malaga, Spain, is no party pooper, but he wishes the Jet- setters who swarm the Costa dd Sd would show some decorum. "I like a good party, but recently they have gotten out of hand," Monsignor Ramon Buxarrais said. "In recent weeks the Costa dd Sol has been the scene of provocative fiestas and birthday parties. It looks like a scene out of Dante, where the laughter of the rich seems to drown the shouts of the poor." The bishop singled out the infinitely wealthy Adnan Kho- shoggi for his recent 50th birthday party and show, which featured the release of 20,000 multi-cdored balloons and a guest list that included actresses Brooke Shtelds and Farrah Fawcett, oil tycoons and European aristocracy. Glimpses Jerry Newton, brother and one-time singing partner of Wayne New­ ton, was indicted by a federal grand jury on 10 counts of conspiracy and defrauding a Tuliahoma, Tenn., bank of which he is part owner. Newton and a partner could get 50 years in prison and $55,000 in fines if convicted ... Character actor Scatman Crotbers, 75, suffering from an inoperable tumor behind a lung, received a get-well letter from another recent hospital patient, President Reagan. "I hope that you have as comfortable and as speedy a recovery as I am experiencing," Reagan wrote. "We both have bookings to keep and I know that you are anxious to get back on the golf course just as I can't wait to get on horseback"... opened ! That's the hallmark of the 1985 McHenry County Fair, which ednesday for its 37th season. Hundreds of volunteers -- every talent from 4-H leaders to project superintendents and program coordinators -- assure all is in readiness for the anticipated 100,000 visitors during the five-day show at Woodstock. Visitors will see a potpourri of attractions: project results of 800 4-H members; educational and commercial exhibits; livestock judging; beauty pageant; 4-H fashion revue; and entertainment varying from the profes­ sional headliner, Dave and Sugar, to a highly-regarded group, Trilogy. Major events lndude three days of harness racing, plus 4-H, Junior and Open Horse Shows. Events at the grandstand and at the corral are free, included with the gate admission which is S3 daily for adults, 18 for a season ticket. Hie fair offers an opportunity to sample many foods. The Grange will have its food tent offering varied fare, inducting home made pies. The Dairy Promotion Council and Pork Producers are staffing the Dairy Booth in Building D, where milkshakes, cheese sandwiches, and pork sandwic MIU - ----- • wui dg servea. iches The tataot contest Is a growing attraction, with this year's 24 contestants vying in three divisions Friday evening. The program starts at 6 p.m. with nine junior contestants (15 years and younger), followed by nine senior (15 /Mark Baker, Wonder Lake, Country duo; and Carol Jean Schweikle, Lake in the Hills, vocal. SENIORS: Anne Baker/Quinn Callahan, Woodstock, vocal/ballet; Rob­ ert Beaulieu, Harvard, vocal; Christy Halda, Woodstock, vocal; Anne Leahey, Woodstock, vocal; Angela Marcum, Cary, vocal; Andy Martello, Marengo, juggling' Suzanne Ness, Marengo, vocal; Andee Norton, Wonder Lake, vocal; and Carole Schirmer, Marengo, vocal. The tractor pull is divided into two days of competition where contestants will seek $5,030 in prize money. On Saturday, grandstand patrons will see the stock antique tractors and the four-wheel drive trucks and vans. On Sunday, the noontime event will concentrate on farm tractor competition in seven classes. A major event for fairgoers and for 4-H exhibitors will be the Saturday afternoon livestock auction in Hansen Pavillion. This noontime event will be highlighted by a Sale of Champions, starting at 1:30 p.m. Outstanding entries in livestock and poultry will be on view for the many who bid on the county's finest each year. Not to be overlooked are the siddlght attractions - rooster crowing contest, Miss McHenry County Pageant, cat and dog shows, demolition derby, square dancing exhibitions, goat milking competition, and the ever- present carnival and rides. to 21) wl six adult (over 30 years old) ent Tlte varied talent includes vocalists, instrumentalists, bands and a comic juggler. Each entry reaching the Friday night program will receive a commemorative blue ribbon. First in each dass receives $100; second, $75; third, $80; and all other finalists, $20 each. Listed alphabetically, these are the entries, their home towns, and the JUNIOR; Rita DeLeon, Woodstock, violin; Jennifer Eaves, Crystal Lake, Darrih Hyde, Woodstock, bahjo; Anne Johnsos, Woodstock, vocal; Linddof, Hebron, jasz dance; Kristie Michalak, Crystal Lake, I; Eric SveJcar, Algonquin, vocal and piano; Jenny Wester, Johns- burg, vocal; Jorie Wildhage/Kelly Howick. Fox River Grove/Cary, dance. ADULT: Amy Beth/Odette Musiel, Woodstock, folk music; VicU Brum- fiald, Harvard, vocal and guitar; June Duncan/Maria Hernandez, Crystal Lake, Hawaiian dance; Northern Lights, Harvard, band, with Craig Carlaon, Ttm Churchill, Frank Staab and John Giovanni; Scott Neuman- INDEX/SECTION B Classified Pages 8B-13B Comics Page 7B Dear Abby Page 2B Donald Kaul Page 2B Entertainment Pages 1B,3B,4B,14B Opinion Page6B Regional PageSB Speaking of Soaps 3B •RTHWEST nEWSPAPERS