Just Clowning Around
of Northern Virginia
Bringing Smiles to Children of all Ages in Northern Virginia
Bringing Smiles to Children of all Ages in Northern Virginia
2nd Annual Open House -
24-July-2010
Mark your calendars! JCA will be holding its 2nd annual open house on Sunday, August 15th at the
Little Rocky Run Recreation Room #3 in Clifton, VA.
The event will be open to all area clowns, magicians, jugglers,
face painters, and children's entertainers so please tell everyone you know to reserve this date,
it will be a pleasure to see all of you there.
JCA Open House and Prop Swap
Sunday, August 15th, 2010
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Little Rocky Run Community Center
13900 Stonefield Drive
Clifton, VA. 20124
FREE
City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade -
24-July-2010
On Saturday, July 3rd, 2010, Just Clowning Around of Northern Virginia participated
in the 44th Annual City of Fairfax Independence Day Celebration by marching in their
Independence Day Parade. JCA has been participating in the parade for more than 15
years. Back in 2005, JCA took first place in the parade for “BEST CLOWNS.” The
parade theme this year was Fairfax Salutes America. Members present included: Big Red,
Tooter, Sir Toony, Ben and his friend, Chloe.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day 2010 -
24-April-2010
On Saturday, April 17th, three members of JCA met in Arlington, VA to do face painting and balloons
at the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day. JCA members at the event included Pelukyta (face painting and balloons),
Big Red (face painting), and Sir Toony (balloons).
Big Apple Circus -
24-April-2010
A group of JCA members visited the Big Apple Circus while they were performing at the Dulles Town Center.
On Friday, March 19th, 2010, they went to see their new show Bello's Back. Everyone enjoyed the show.
The group included Mike Becvar, aka Sir Toony Van Dukes; Miguel, Sonia, and America, aka Pelukyta, Wiggy,
Moose; Violetta, aka Sweet Pickle, and family; and Carol Collins, aka Bingo. Miguel was able to get
pictures of his daughter, America, with both Bello and Grandma.
Safe Places Holiday Party 2009 -
21-December-2009
On Monday, December 14, 2009, JCA threw a Christmas party for the families and volunteers with
Safe Places. JCA provided the Christmas decorations, a buffet dinner of chicken and cold cuts,
homemade cookies, gifts for all of the children, and a special visit from Santa.
JCA members at the party included Santa and Mrs Claus, Big Red, Daisy, Sweet Pickle, Sir Toony,
Pelukyta, Dot Com, Tooter, and Peppermint. After all of the children had a chance to visit Santa,
JCA members entertained their guests with songs and games.
Fantasy Flight 2009 -
21-December-2009
On Saturday, December 12, 2009, four members of JCA joined area children on a journey to see
Santa at the North Pole as part of United Airlines' annual Fantasy Flight at Dulles Airport.
JCA members at the event included Toony Snowflake, Pelukyta, Wiggy, and Moose. Toony did face painting,
Moose did hand stamps, and Pelukyta and Wiggy made balloons for the children.
This year marked the 19th annual Fantasy Flight, a holiday celebration for children with special medical
needs, their families and caregivers. As a special treat, the children enjoyed a 30 minute flight to
the North Pole. Other people at the event included Santa and Mrs Claus, SpongeBob, and the Washington
Nationals racing Presidents.
Vienna Halloween Parade 2009 -
15-November-2009
On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, JCA participated in the 63rd Annual Vienna Halloween
Parade. 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, Sir Toony 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).
Pinocchio -
15-November-2009
JCA member, Mike Becvar, is the webmaster for the Opera Guild of Northern Virginia and his
connection got JCA invited to clown at the Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia's Family Opera,
Pinocchio, on Sunday, October 18, 2009. That day was special because The National Capital Area
Chapter (NCAC) of People to People International (PTPI) invited international families to attend the
opera. The families are temporarily in the U.S. while one parent is an International Military Fellow
attending the National Defense University. JCA members at the event included Sir Toony, Big Red,
Sweet Pickle, Pelukyta, and Moose.
JCA Open House and Prop Swap - August 9, 2009 -
24-August-2009
On Sunday, August 9th, 2009, JCA hosted an Open House and Prop Swap for all children's entertainers
in the Northern Virginia/Washington DC Metro area. We invited area clowns, magicians, face painters,
balloon twisters, jugglers, story tellers, puppeteers, Santas and other types of Children's
Entertainer. We had a special afternoon with food, friends, and fun. Thanks to all of the members
for helping plan and run the event. And a special thanks to all of the guests who made this
a success.
City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade -
15-July-2009
On the 4th of July, 2009, several members of JCA participated in the City of Fairfax
Independence Day Parade. Just Clowning Around of Northern Virginia came in 1st place for
the category of Clowns in parade.
JCA Open House -
01-July-2009
JCA is having an Open House! The event will be open to all area clowns, magicians, jugglers,
face painters, and children's entertainers so please tell everyone you know to reserve this date,
it will be a pleasure to see all of you there.
JCA Open House and Prop Swap
Sunday, August 9th, 2009
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Little Rocky Run Community Center
13900 Stonefield Drive
Clifton, VA. 20124
FREE
Falls Church City Memorial Day Parade -
14-June-2009
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009, several JCA members participated in the Falls Church City
Memorial Day Parade. Sir Toony Van Dukes drove his smart fortwo. Pelukyta marched with his wife
Wiggy and their daughter Moose. Daisy and DotCom also marched in the parade and Big Red met us
at the finish line.
Check out our pictures .
Clown Pictures -
11-April-2009
JCA is planning something special for our May 2009 meeting. We will be holding the meeting
on Thursday, May 14th, 2009, at
Arla Studio in Fairfax and members are invited to dress up in their clown costume for individual
and group pictures. Arla Studio is located at 9485 Silver King Court, Fairfax, VA 22031. Arla
Studio http://www.arlastudio.com/ is
run by JCA Member Arla Albers, aka GoGo the Clown. Photography equipment and pictures
will be taken by JCA member John Scott Williams, aka DotCom.
JCA's New Website -
February 13, 2009
The new and improved website for JCA was officially launched on Wednesday,
February 11th, 2009. It is still a work in progress. Thanks to everyone who
took the time to review the draft version and offer content, pictures, and suggestion.
JCA members are still invited to send in content ideas
and pictures to post on the website. If you have something to share, send it
to Mike "Sir Toony" Becvar at SirToony@SirToonyVanDukes.com.
Fantasy Flight -
December 24, 2008
Four members of JCA joined area children on a journey to the North Pole as part of
United Airlines' 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.
JCA's New Website -
December 17, 2008
JCA is working on a new website. JCA members are invited to send in content ideas
and pictures to post on the website. If you have something to share, send it
to Mike "Sir Toony" Becvar at SirToony@SirToonyVanDukes.com.
Safe Places -
December 11, 2008
The members of JCA helped make Christmas special for the children of Safe Places
by filling shoe boxes with age appropriate gifts. JCA invited a few members of Safe
Places to attend our annual Christmas party and presented the gifts. JCA also donated
a few gift cards and Christmas trees.
Donna Branham -
November 14, 2008
JCA members are saddened by the passing of their good
friend and founding member, Donna "DEJAY" Branham. Donna
did almost anything JCA needed. She was a clown for more
than 20 years. She was Mrs. Claus during December and
Heckles the Witch during Halloween. Friend can make
donations to the Cancer Society or the Lymphoma Society
in Donna's name.
BRANHAM DONNA J.B. BRANHAM (Age 61) Who provided entertainment for children as DeJay
the Clown died on November 14, 2008 after battling cancer for a number of years.
Beloved wife of Michael Branham; loving and devoted mother of sons, Michael Bert and
William Douglas Branham; as well as cherished daughter, Statia Brooks; loving sister
of brother, Thomas P. Brooks; and sisters, Susan E. Cavanagh, Joann L. Brooks and
Mary E. Brooks. She was born Donna J. Brooks in Raleigh, NC on November 27, 1946 and
she was the daughter of Statia and the late Paul Brooks of Raleigh, NC. Memorial
service will be held at the Murphy's Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
22203 from 2 to 4 p.m., Thursday, November 20, 2008.
International Clown Week -
August 2008
International Clown Week 2008 was a 100% success for JCA Members.
All the clowns who signed the Personal clown proclamation did as they proclaimed.
- BIG RED & DOT COM event at WALTER REED
- PELUKYTA & WIGGY entertained future clowns at a neighborhood party
- SIR TOONY VAN DUKES attended MOOSEBURGER CAMP
- SWEET PICKLE did magic with her little people
- DAISY wore her clown shoes to work
- ROSEY wore “clowny” things to both jobs and church all week. If the truth be known
she also put clowns on the seasonal altar at church to spread the news.
Falls Church Memorial Day Parade
May 26, 2008
JCA had a big clown turnout – DotCom, Peppermint, Rosey, Daisy, Big Red, Eegoh,
Sweet Pickle, and Tooter. Jimmy, Paul and the KringleKruiser in support. JCA received a
donation.
Infant & Toddler Connection Picnic -
May 31, 2008
Sweet Pickle and Daisy represented JCA at the Infant & Toddler Connection Picnic.
JCA received a donation.