Read the news and keep up with all of the things that Sir Toony does.
Circus Magic 2010
Added: 7-March-2010
Mike continued his clown education by attending the
Circus Magic convention in Williamsburg,
VA in February 2010.
He took a balloon twisting Pre-Convention Workshop and several seminars on balloon twisting and working
in a restaurant. On Saturday, Mike entered the American Clown Idol competition with a skit starring his
clown character, Buzz Clownstrong the Astronut. Mike called the skit Clowns in Space. He came
in second place, but learned a lot by competing.
Mike created a video with highlights from Circus Magic.
Christmas 2009
Added: 22-December-2009
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Mike joined his friends from
Just Clowning Around of Northern Virginia (JCA) and the
Kapitol Klowns
at holiday events for area children. Mike's first event was with three other
clowns from JCA, the Fantasy Flight at Dulles Airport. This was Mike's second time volunteering
at the Fantasy Flight. He went as his new clown character, Toony Snowflake. His next event was
the Annual Awareness Tree Lighting Event for the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation. He
volunteered through Single Volunteers of DC to help with the food and made balloons after dinner.
His next event was a holiday party for Special Love with his friends from the Kapitol Klowns. He
went again as Toony Snowflake and did face painting. His final event was a holiday party for the
families served by Safe Places with his friends from JCA. He attended this event as Sir Toony.
Mike created a video of the JCA Clowns at the Fantasy Flight YouTube.
Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade
Added: 5-December-2009
On Saturday, November 21st 2009, Mike joined his friends from the
Kapitol Klowns
and participated in the 12th Annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade in Downtown Silver
Spring, MD. The Kapitol Klowns had a great turnout with 21 clowns marching in the parade.
Mike went at Buzz Clownstrong.
Mike created a video of the Kapitol Klowns in the parade and posted it on YouTube.
Face Painting and Balloon Jam
Added: 15-November-2009
Mike and his friends recently started an new face painting and balloon jam at the
Cici's Pizza in Chantilly. They plan to meet at Cici's around 6:30pm one Monday each
month. Mike has been participating in other jams at the Cici's locations in Maryland, but
this will be much closer to home for Mike and several of his friends.
Halloween Spooktacular
Added: 15-November-2009
On Halloween, Saturday, October 31st, 2009, Mike Becvar dressed as Buzz Clownstrong, Astronut, and
participated in the South Riding Halloween Spooktacular. The Halloween Spooktacular has been
a South Riding tradition for many years. The day began with a costume parade that started at
the South Riding Golf Course and made its way down Upper Clubhouse to Center St. where it
turned towards the Town Hall. Mike managed to juggle most of the parade route. The parade
ended at the Town Green where there was a petting zoo, crafts for the kids, and a magic show.
Residents had a chance to enter into a costume
contest which included categories for children, adulds, and families. Mike came in 1st place in the
Adult Category and won a gift certificate to South Riding's Market Square. This was Mike's
second time winning a prize in the South Riding Halloween Spooktacular costume contest.
Vienna Halloween Parade
Added: 15-November-2009
On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, Mike Becvar joined his friends from Just Clowning Around and
participated in the 63rd Annual Vienna Halloween Parade. Mike went as his new clown character,
Buzz Clownstrong, Astronut. Begun in the 1940s by the Vienna
Businessman's Association (now the Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce), the Parade was
originally a gathering of local kids so they could show off their costumes to the Town of Vienna.
Even now that the Parade draws big name entertainment and a crowd of ten of thousands. This year's
parade theme was "Vienna Celebrating Community Service".
Unlike last year when it was cold and a little rain was in the air, it was a great night for a parade.
Before the parade, Mike found several friends including the members of the Jim Moyer Circus Club,
the UniStars, and the Kena Klowns. JCA members in this year's parade included Sir Toony (Buzz
Clownstrong, Astronut), Pelukyta, Wiggy, and Moose (the Halloween ghost).
Kapitol Klowns Convention
Added: 15-November-2009
On October 16th and 17th, 2009, the
Kapitol Klowns
hosted a clown convention in Gaithersburg, MD and
celebrated their 40th anniversary. The theme of their convention was,
"40 Years of Funny Noses and Smiling Faces"
Mike is a member of the Kapitol Klowns and participated in their
convention. He attended lectures by Jim Howle, Dave Hill, Paula Biggio and other clowns.
Clownfest
Added: 15-November-2009
The week of September 16-20, 2009, Mike attended the Clownfest convention in Seaside Heights, NJ.
Mike was featured in a video loop that showed him juggling outside the convention registration. He
attended lectures on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and participated in the clown events on the
boardwalk on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, Sir Toony visited the arcades on the boardwalk, spent
an hour making balloons, and marched in Pricilla Mooseburger's Kazoo Band. He won an MP3 player
for his participation. On Sunday, Sir Toony marched in the clown parade.
Labor Day, 2009
Added: 11-September-2009
Sir Toony has been working hard. On Monday, September 7, 2009, he joined several members
of the Kapitol Klowns and participated in the City of Gaithersburg 71st Annual Labor Day Parade.
Sir Toony put together a brief video of the day.
Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp
Added: 14-August-2009
Sir Toony spent a week in Minnesota developing his clown character, learning new skills, and
spending time with his clown friends while attending
Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp (or Moose Camp). This year's camp was
July 28 - August 2, 2009. Sir Toony took the Birthday Parties and Show Routines course with Rex Nolen.
He also took workshops on clown movement, gag writing, and running a clown business.
As part of Moose Camp, Sir Toony was in the All Star Clown Show on Saturday, August 1st, 2009. He
played in Kazoo Band, performed in a juggling exposition, and played a baggage handler in the
Airport Gag.
4th of July, 2009
Added: 5-July-2009
Sir Toony has been keeping busy lately. On the 4th of July, he joined several members of Just Clowning
Around of Northern Virginia and participated in the City of Fairfax Independence Day Celebration Parade
2009. Sir Toony put together a brief video of the day. Sir Toony's alley came in 1st place for best
clown group in the parade.
Buddy - January 1, 1997 to May 19, 2009
Added: 23-May-2009
Sir Toony is saddened by the loss of his dog and best friend, Buddy. Sadly, Buddy passed away on
Tuesday, May 19, 2009. His memory will live on. Buddy was a collie-shepherd mix
born around January 1997. Buddy was adopted from the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in September 1998
and was always a great companion. Several years ago, Buddy picked up the nickname, Sir Bud the Wise,
or Sir Bud for short, and that was the inspiration for the 'Sir' in Sir Toony Van Dukes.
Mike Becvar Takes Beginner's Magic Classes
Added: 13-April-2009
Sir Toony's friend, Mike Becvar, recently completed a five week Beginner's Magic Classes offered
by master magician Barry Taylor, owner of
Barry's Magic Shop. At the
end of the class, Mike performed a magic trick in the students magic show.
Circus Magic 2009
Added: 23-February-2009
Sir Toony continued his clown education by attending the
Circus Magic convention in Williamsburg, VA from
Friday, February 20th to Sunday, February 22nd, 2009.
He took the Face Painting Pre-Convention Workshop with Gary Cole from Snazaroo. He also took seminars
by Tom King (Comedy Magic for Kids), Dana Ryan (Close Up Magic for Clowns), Chagy (Move Like a Clown),
and Penne Sewall (Creating Clown Skits). On Saturday, Sir Toony entered his first clown competition
the American Clown Idol. He created his own three minute juggling and jokes routine overnight while
at the convention. The skit was a little rushed, but he got several compliments for his efforts.
He had a lot of fun and looks forward to being able to use some of the things
he learned at the convention.
I have more pictures from the Circus Magic convention on Mike Becvar's Website at Circus Magic 2009.
The Clown Network
February 10, 2009
I am beginning to create a new clown website that I call The Clown Network. The website is designed
to be a resource for professional clowns by providing links to clown organizations, conferences,
camps, and suppliers. It will also have information on related areas including magic, face painting,
balloon twisting, and juggling. Check out
The Clown Network.
Clown Cruise 2009
February 10, 2009
On January, 10th, I set sail on the Ruby Princess with a group of clowns on a Clown
Cruise. Earl Chaney, "Mr. Clown", was the guest host for the Clown Cruise. Other instructors
on the cruise included Linda "Flo" Hulet, Jim "Jimbo" Hunsinger and Bethany "Beppie" Lopez,
and Nicole "Maggie the Clown" Portwood. The group had about 35 clowns and 15 non-clown family
members. While on the cruise, I got to know several clowns and learned a few new balloons
and magic tricks. See some pictures from the Clown Cruise on Mike Becvar's website at
Clown Cruise 2009 Photos.
Fantasy Flight
December 2008
On Saturday, December 13th, 2008, Sir Toony joined three other members of JCA and
more than 100 area children on a magical journey to the North Pole as part of United
Arlines' annual Fantasy Flight at Dulles Airport. The program, started in
1990, takes children with life-threatening conditions and terminal illnesses from
hospitals and hospices across the region on a make-believe flight to visit Santa on
his home turf.
The JCA clowns were not the only celebrities at the event. Children were also
greeted by Ronald McDonald, SpongeBob SquarePants, Big Bird, and of course, the big
guy, Santa Claus and his wife Mrs. Claus.
Sir Toony Van Dukes entertained kids with jokes and juggling. Big Red and BooBoo did
face painting and cheek art at the North Pole. Sweet Pickles gave out temporary
tattoos.
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Awareness Tree Lighting 2008
December 2008
On Saturday, December 6th, Sir Toony helped entertain children at the
Candlelighters
Childhood Cancer Awareness Tree Lighting event at the Old Post Office Pavilion
in Washington, DC.
The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation National Office was founded in 1970
by concerned parents of children with cancer. Their mission is to provide information
and awareness for children and adolescents with cancer and their families, to advocate
for their needs, and to support research so every child survives and leads a long and
healthy life.
Sir Toony is friends with one of the families who has been decorating the Old Post
Office Pavilion for the party. He helped put up the Childhood Cancer Awareness Tree
in 2007 and 2008. This year, they invited Sir Toony to come to the party and help
entertain the kids.