What do you do if you see a clown driving a car?
- First you stare in amazement at the brightly painted face.
- Then you think to yourself: "This clown is up to something."
So you motion the clown to roll down his window and hope the
light stays red.
"What are you
doing?"
He points to the left and
says "day care center." Of course, that could only be the Cape Verdean Day Care Center
on Hancock Street
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When we arrived, the receptionist said: "You must be talking about Benjamin the Clown. He was supposed to be here at
11."
And we said: "He's right
outside."
The seats were full - mostly the elderly but lots of kids as
well.
While they waited for the clown, a
woman gave a demonstration on how to perform a breast self-exam.
Shortly Benjamin the Clown arrived with rolling cases of clown
supplies. When the health training finished, the clown moved up front
and began setting up. |
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Benjamin, a true performer, increased our anticipation of the show to come --
removing the props, shaking them out and laying them carefully on the table in
back - as if they were already magical. Clearly the setup was as much a part of the show as the show itself.
The crowd watched eagerly, enthralled with his movements,
not knowing what to expect.
He cleared
the space in front and motioned to the kids. "Sit here," he pointed, "Sit over there" and he pointed again.
He didn't speak Creole but that didn't matter. When was the last time you heard a clown
talk?"
His language was his own sign language. "Yes," he would motion, signing
approval with an exaggerated grin on his face. When the kids were all
seated, he rubbed his hands together as if to say: "Let's get
started." |
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Benjamin the Clown's routine was full of bright colors, quick movements and magic.
- He pulled rabbits out of a hat
- He pulled colorful scarves out of an
empty square of cloth
- And a lot more
And the juggling?
He is a supreme juggler, comfortable tossing and catching a tennis racket as
much as the usual juggling pins and juggling balls.
Take a look at the photos attempting to capture his rapidly spinning
balls and pins and rackets. You can barely find them as they fly past the lens of the camera.
What a wonderful time we all had.
View all the photos.
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