It is an honour to be joining up with Smile Foundation this Madiba Day. Cowboy Zim will be performing at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital for kids with facial anomalies. Cowboy Zim is honoured to put on this clown show as this charity hits close to home.

Madiba Day Full of Smiles

Cowboy Zim will be putting on a Magic Show from 10AM – 11AM on Madiba Day 18th July 2010 and making balloons for the kids in the ward. Together with Smile Foundation these kids will be smiling on the inside.  I will keep you posted with pictures right here on my blog when I get them.

Why is this event so important to me?

Cowboy Zim / Zimbo the clown  has recently (since 8th July 2010) been subject to temporary facial paralysis once again  in the right side of my face, a condition known as Bells Palsy . I have unfortunately had Bells Palsy 9 times now but lucky for me it is usually temporary and healed in 3-4 weeks. I did suffer quite a lot as a child with the same facial anomalies. The condition I have had so many times has made me in to the goofy clown I am today as every Bells Palsy attack has left a little facial deformity behind that seems to actually work well in clowning. I understand how these kids feel and they understand how I feel. Together we are going to have a blast.

Recently I was asked at a party how many clowns are there in South Africa? … I thought about it for a bit and could not actually come up with an answer. After talking a little bit to Bubbles the Clown (runs the SA Clown Registry) I guessed there were quite a few but I had never seen them or heard of them. So come on clowns, it is time to pull together and find out just how many clowns we have in South Africa.

If you are a clown from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban or any other part of South Africa please visit the SA Clown Forum so we can start counting.

I want to know you all. No matter if you are a junior clown or true professional.. Who knows, if we all come together we can put you on the list for a possible clown jamboree in the future, or maybe even a clown school. Clowns stick together all over the world so why not show the world that South Africans can also entertain to top standards. Together we can move our industry forward.

Take Care

Zimbo the Clown

JoziKids is a great place to review anyone and anything related to the kids entertainment industry. Clowning Around has now been added to Jozikids so if you have used my services in the past and had a fantastic party please take a few minutes to write a quick review.

Step 1: Visit the Clowning Around Profile Page

Step 2: Scroll to the bottom and click on write review

Step: 3: Write a review

Step 4: Smile because you just made Zimbo and Cowboy Zims day

UPDATE: What an awesome day it was, meet our new kitty “Lilly”.
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There comes a time is every clowns life when he goes on a search for a 4 pawed friend to join our crazy household. There are so many choices when it comes to buying a pet, what to get, where to go, is there enough space etc.

Clowning Around has decided to support a wonderful organisation called FORA (Friends Of Rescued Animals) who go out of their way to find homes for many many dogs and cats. These puppies and kitties are housed on the FORA property and are looked after well but they need someone to adopt them and play with them and give them a home.

Cowboy Zim will be adopting a pet from FORA this weekend at their Re-Opening Day. All are welcome to attend and support this great cause.

Clowning Around encourages all to visit FORA before going to a pet shop to buy a pet. You can call:

Breggie: 082 336 5568

Vivienne :082 852 6749
Patti:082 922 3820

FORA: www.fora.org.za

Yes even clowns fall in love. There comes a time in every clowns life when it is time to find another to spend his/her life with. Zimbo (and Cowboy Zim) is excited to announce that I will be getting married on the 23rd January 2010 at Lonehill Village Church in Lonehill. The bride to be ? … well she is not a clown if that is what you are thinking, she is a stunning angel that puts up with my many multiple personalities (Bryan, Zimbo and Cowboy Zim). Though she is not a big fan of Zimbo the Clown, I believe she has been eyeing out Cowboy Zim on a couple of occasions.  So how does one put up with 3 personalities… go on and ask her yourself on twitter @lisaduplessis . One thing is for sure, she loves one and a half of my three personalities so that is enough to tie the knot.

About my bride: Lisa is a talented Web Designer and owner of Creative Addict. It is because of here creative personality and stunning beauty that I fell in love with her. She has been my support and best friend for the last couple years and together we share the same Godly values and beliefs in our religious lives.

Just so you are all aware of my schedule over the next month, here is a little reminder on the dates I will not be available and Clowning Around will be closed… no you cannot book me on my wedding day.

Pre-wedding plans: Sat 16th Jan – Friday 23rd Jan (Clowning Around Closed)
Wedding: Sat 23rd Jan 2010 (Clowning Around Closed)
Honeymoon: Sun 24th Jan – Wed 3rd Feb 2010  (Clowning Around Closed)

I look forward to this great day and hope that you all understand my extended time off. Oh… and if you wish to send us Money (that is Zimbo talking) or best wishes, then please visit our website www.bryanandlisa.co.za

Thanks to all the fans of Zimbo the Clown and Cowboy Zim, I have decided to set up a public events page where you can follow me to whichever locations I make a public appearance. On my new events page you can view all my scheduled public events, including time, location and even a map to help you get there.

Zimbo and Cowboy Zim perform all over Gauteng so why not join in the fun or just stop by to say hi.

Hold on now… Father Christmas is real, but in the event that you want to hire someone to help out the “real” Father Christmas then keep reading….

It is that time of year already and if you are a retailer or store owner and you have not started scouting your perfect Father Christmas then you better get cracking. Father Christmas and clowns have a lot in common so let me outline the things you need to look for when hiring this special character.

Is he old and wise?

There is no doubt in my mind that the Father Christmas image is an old wise man. Rightly so… it is always better to get a Father Christmas that is older, younger versions just don’t look right. The perfect part for a Father Christmas is usually a retired pensioner or grandpa.

The beard?

If he is professional then the beard is real, there is a good chance that the child is going to investigate the bushy beard and maybe give it a tug, a real beard eliminates any questions.

The belly?

A natural belly is preferred but stuffing is allowed if done well. If you need to stuff make sure that their are no strange lumps where they are not meant to be.

The suite?

The Christmas suite can be in original green or Coca-Cola red but either way it should be clean and made to fit. Professionals always have their costumes custom made and we don’t want them walking around as if they are hired garb. Even the sack needs to be made from exceptional fabrics. A belt with a nice silver or gold buckle needs to stand out.

The personality?

Gentle… the type of person you feel comfortable around before he even opens his mouth. All Father Christmas figures should love kids and be able to communicate with them. There is no use in having the perfect looking “Santa”… he needs to play the part and engage with the kids. It is also advised that he know how to react to screaming kids or children that are slightly restless. Just remember, the image of Father Christmas and the personality that the kid picks up on is going to effect the way they perceive the jolly old man later in life.

The Helpers?

Every Father Christmas comes with a troop of little helpers, there is no reason why they should not be as professional as the big man. Father Christmas must meet his helpers before the event and create a hierarchy amongst them with himself as the leader. You need to make sure the big guy is in charge and make sure that the helpers know this. It is also up to the helpers to make sure that Father Christmas is well hydrated and keeps cool. The helpers may also need to act as security guards when the big guy needs to take a break, keeping back the kids who may want to follow Father Christmas any where he goes. It is also up to the helpers to keep control of the kids (and parents) and make sure that Father Christmas is always comfortable.

In sight means in character

At no point what-so-ever is the Father Christmas to fall out of character. There is nothing worse that a Father Christmas changing his voice of his character just because he is off stage. As long as he is in your venue he needs to stay in character AT ALL TIMES. At no point is he allowed to smoke of drink (Alcohol) while at your venue (not even in a room far away). Make sure you mention this before hiring.

Conclusion

I hope this gives you an insight into a fantastic event that memories are created from.

Halloween is only days away and I am sure your kids are all getting very excited about the event. Although Halloween has not been very popular in South Africa, the interest is growing every year.

Zimbo has put together a list of great Halloween games you can play with your kids this year.

The Monster Dance

This is very funny to watch and even more enjoyable watching the kids silly reactions. In this game you can put on whatever music you wish (thriller works well) and have the kids do their craziest monster dance. When the music stops they must freeze where they are. Be sure to have the camera ready.

Eye Ball dash

You have all played the egg & Spoon race, well this time you switch out the eggs with some gooey eyeballs from your favourite party store. You can always make the eyeballs yourself or have the kids help you by painting some ping pong balls.

Mummy Madness

Grab the toilet rolls and divide the kids into small teams of 4-5 kids. Give each team about 4 rolls of toilet paper. Get each team to choose a “Mummy” for their team. On go, have the remaining kids in the team wrap the mummy from head to toe as quick as they can. You can have a winner for the best wrapped mummy and a winner for the quickest wrapped mummy.

Head on a platter

Split the kids into teams and get ready for this exciting relay race. Each kid must blow up a balloon, paint a face on it and then put it on a paper plate and try walk it to a designated point and back. If the balloon falls off the plate the kid then needs to start over. Once they make it all the way they need to tag the next person on their team.

Trick or Treat Boggle

If the weather is bad and you can’t go outside then this is a great indoor game. Have the kids write “Trick or Treat” on the top of their paper and then time them and see how many words each child can make using the letters in the words “Trick or Treat”.

In the tomb and Out the tomb

Put a line of masking tape on the fall and have all the kids line up on one side of the line. Tell the kids that they are currently IN THE TOMB. Then explain to them that when you say OUT THE TOMB they need to step over the line and when you say IN THE TOMB they need to step back inside. Any child that steps IN or OUT when they are not supposed to is out. You can try trick them by saying IN THE TOMB twice or visa versa.

UPDATE: The event was once again a great success, check out this video on you tube and smile

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5pmvEnWwgA

Zimbo the Clown is proud to be part of the Kidney Beaz Spinathon 2009 once again as this is an event that hits my heart. The Kidney Beanz Trust supports kids with severe kidney disease and this year the spinathon will be held at the Broadacres Shopping Centre in the parking lot outside the Virgin Active.

10th October 2009: 7am-11am -- Broadacres Shopping Centre -- Virgin Active Parking Lot

The Kidney Beanz Trust cares for these unfortunate children with kidney disease and their families in a joint effort with the Morningside Children’s Kidney Treatment Centre.

Last year I wrote about this fantastic event for these special children where many athletes rode long and hard for this excellent cause, there is gallery here with some pictures from last years event.

These wonderful kids need your help… to support this awesome event please contact Annemarie at info@kidneybeanz.co.za or visit http://kidneybeanz.co.za to find out how you can make a difference in a child’s life.

About Cowboy Zim

Some of you have already been lucky enough to see this awesome new character of mine in action. Cowboy Zim was recently introduced into the world as a outreach clown for Lonehill Village Church for our trip to Mozambique. The reaction was fantastic in Mozambique, Cowboy Zim joined the puppet team that toured Maputo, Mabalane and went as far north as Mopai. Many rural kids had a magical time and a wonderful show by the Lonehill Puppet Team.

The Character

Cowboy Zim is a rodeo style cowboy clown with hobo characteristics. This rough-and-cut cowboy is intended for younger kids as Cowboy Zim does have a light makeup face that younger children are not scared of. The costume is designed for more freedom of movement so this character is very energetic and interactive and is often seen in a super-sword balloon fight with the younger kids.

Cowboy Zim

Perfect Age Target: 4-8yr olds

Intended Audiance: Nursery schools, pre-schools and birthday parties for small children.

Secondary Audiance: All day outdoor events that require long hours. This may also include a surprise visit to a loved one at work.

Clown Skills: Magic Show, Balloons Sculpting and Face Painting.

Book Cowboy Zim Now