November Performer Spotlight - Brad Bodary

This November we are spotlighting a versatile strolling performer, Brad Bodary. Brad can easily perform at a family event such as a fair or festival. Brad is also right at home at a gala, grand opening, performing arts center or museum.

His amazing original characters include the "Human Mannequin", "Bronze Cowboy", "Living Bronze Statue",

classical "Mime" or "Toy Soldier" that all include his mastery of the art of mime. He also has slapstick characters such as his clown and clown on stilts.

An event may choose a single character or a variety of characters depending on the theme of their event. What museum event wouldn't want a "Bronze Cowboy" appearance at a Remington exposition or a "Human Mannequin" at a black tie affair? But the "Bronze Cowboy" would be just as at home at a rodeo or agricultural fair. Fairs and festivals would also be a great place for his stilt-walking to stand out in a crowd. Christmas Party for clients, friends, family or patrons then the "Toy Soldier" would be a welcome addition to the cocktail hour or to greet the guest.

We also recommend Brad as a strolling entertainer at parades to fill in those inevitable open places in the parade procession. Why leave the parade goers yawning when you can get them laughing?

Brad travels easily and can perform anywhere in the world!

October 2010 in Review

October is the month when the outdoor events begin to wind down.

This month we had Bwana Jim's Wildlife show perform at Mount Wachusett's Apple Fest on October 16 & 17th. The weekend brought chilly New England October weather perhaps a little windy but still nice for getting out and enjoying some foliage in the mountains. Bwana Jim's Wildlife show has a nice assortment of animals such as desert fox, armadillo, alligator snapping turtle, turkey vulture, snakes and more. There is an all day display of animals as well as a hilarious, entertaining and educational presentation by the one and only Bwana Jim.

We spend a lot of time in October looking ahead toward the 2011 season, it seems no matter what month the event may fall in somehow planning begins in October. We spend much of the month gathering updated schedules from performers and getting proposals out to the various fairs and festivals. We also seem to get a lot of new inquiries in October, probably more so than any other month.

For those planning events I though I might take the opportunity to explain some types of entertainment this month that is often underused and overlooked.

Strolling Entertainment - is a versatile entertainer such as table magic, mimes, a stilt-walker, juggler, comedian, original character, etc. They can be used at nearly any type of event but they are especially effect at parades when long breaks between units can become boring for spectators. Street Festivals and downtown events are wonderful places for strolling entertainers since they can move easily and spectators tend to follow they can liven up a section of the street or store front that isn't getting enough traffic flow. Between shows at fairs and festivals when audiences are often waiting for some time for the next show to begin is a great time to show the audience you appreciate their patience by sending in a stroller as a little pre-show warm up. Strollers are also effective at receptions when guests are arriving or between the cocktail hour and dinner to keep the event moving along.

All Day Displays - Attractions such as petting zoos, traveling museums, birds of prey & western attractions. Keep people interested in spending more time at an event and have no down time, actually many all day display offer shows as well such as educational presentations. These are a must have for any fair, but they are also great for a corporate BBQ giving guests an opportunity to visit during activities such as sports and music that may not interest them.

One Man Shows - Shows such as comedy, juggling, magic, etc. with a single person in them can be great for not only smaller events with a smaller budget but also perfect for an opening act for a larger show. One man shows are also perfect for that small stage in a food court area or picnic grove that a band, dance troupe or choir just won't fit on.

Ground Acts - No stage necessary for these acts! But they are great to fill up an open space, lawn or field giving your event a complete feeling. Acts such as large animal acts, circus acts, daredevils, lumberjack shows would all be considered "ground acts".

Comedy Roster

Here are some highlights of our amazing comedians. Please consider them for your club, comedy night, fundraising event, or private affair. Contact us for a full bio or information on any of these fine performing artists. We also would like to announce our Strategic Alliance with Patrick & Cris @ Cringe Humor.



Dave Attel - the host of Comedy Central's Insomniac with Dave Attell and the Gong Show with Dave Attell. He has been featured on three HBO specials: Young Comedians Special, "HBO Comedy Showcase", and HBO Comedy Half-Hour. Attell has also appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien to name a few. He is also a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show.

Jim Norton - a stand up comedian, radio personality, author and actor. He is an on-air personality, often dubbed the 'third mic' on The Opie and Anthony Show. In addition to his appearance on late night television he has also made cameos in films such as Spider Man, Mira Makes a Porno and Courting Condi. Jim has worked with HBO on specials such as One Night Stand, as well as his own special "Monster Rain", the series Lucky Louie, and the four part series Down and Dirty with Jim Norton.

Sherrod Small - Sherrod is a regular on VH1's Best Week Ever, as wells as FOX News' Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. He has appeared on Tough Crowd, Premium Blend and The Chris Rock Show. Small can also be seen on G4's International Sexy Ladies. Sherrod is the Guest Commentator on VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the '80's and 100 Most Shocking Music Moments.

Bonnie McFarlane - Bonnie is a Comic, Actress and writer originally from Canada. She has been seen on NBC's Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central Presents, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, HBO's One Night Stand, Late Show with David Letterman, Howard Stern, Premium Blend, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Bonnie recently taped her first One-Hour Special for HBO. As an actress McFarlane has appeared on The Drew Carey Show, Gross Pointe, & Scare Tactics. She has written for the Man Show, Spy TV and Trigger Happy. She can be heard regularly on the Howard Stern Show and Opie & Anthony.


Otto & George - An Adult Themed Comedy Ventriloquist Comedy Team Featuring Comedian Otto Petersen and his Dummy George Dudley. Otto & George are frequent Guests on Opie & Anthony. They've appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, Penn & Tellers Sin City Spectacular & Bullshit! Otto & George appeared in the Feature Film Comedies Dirtiest Dozen with Chris Rock & Tim Allen. They perform all over the United States & Canada and have performed several times at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal.

Patrice Oneal - has made numerous television appearance including Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Late Show with David Letterman and the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Oneal tours extensively across the country performing stand up as well as part of Opie and Anthony's Traveling Virus comedy Tour.

Keith Robinson - is best known as a regular on Comedy Central's Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. Keith has appeared on the Opie and Anthony Show, and has had his own half hour stand up special as part of the series.

Jim Florentine & Don Jamieson - This duo, who host VH1 Classics's "That Metal Show". The two have also collaborated on the hidden-camera DVD and Comedy Central.com series, "Meet the Creeps" as well as a series of prank call CD's "Terrorizing Telemarketers", which get a lot of airplay on the Howard Stern Radio Show.

Big Jay Oakerson - has performed at Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, CO. Jay has also made numerous television appearances including Comedy Central's Premium Blend and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, BET's Comic View, P. Diddy's Bad Boys of Comedy on HBO and many more.

Russ Meneve - is a writer for and appears on Comedy Central Presents as well as on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His television appearances include: The Caroline Rhea Show, Last Comic Standing, & Last Call with Carson Daly. Russ was awarded "The Impact Player of 2005" and made the "Ten Funniest New Yorkers You've Never Hear Of" list.

Mike DeStefano - has been heard on the Opie and Anthony Show appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Comedy Central's Live at Gotham and was featured comic at both HBO's Aspen Comedy Festival and the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal.

Mike Vecchione - While "Vec" isn't that angry on stage, his biting commentaries on life and society are dead on and he has audiences howling . . . Mike has the style to make it huge in stand up, and I predict he will be headlining across the country very soon.

Ted Alexandro - is a stand-up comedian from New York City. He has appeared on most late night talk shows and has had his own half hour specials on Comedy Central. Alexandro has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live! The View and Comedy Central Presents.

Laurie Kilmartin - A seasoned comic who has performed in Iraq, the United Kingdom, much of the United States, The Montreal Comedy Festival, and a laundromat. Laurie is currently a staff writing for Comedy Central's Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn where she has also made several appearances. Kilmartin has also been seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central's Premium Blend, the USO Tour, Shorties Watchin' Shorties and the World Stands Up.

The Tortuga Twins - the world's most innovative interactive comedy troupe. A multi-talented team with an extensive live performance background combining over 30 years of comedic audience participation and improv experience. They can turn any boring, run of the mill event into something quine unforgettable. This troupe is led by former graduate of the US Navy's Submarine School (no kidding), Ronn Bauman. The Tortuga Twins repertoire includes a variety of audience participation and physical comedy, as well as staged combat stunts and themed interactive characters. The Tortuga's can provide a number of pre-packaged characters, scenarios and performances or go in a completely different route and tailor a show specifically to fit the theme of your program or event. If you are looking for a professional, versatile, dependable, and above all fun crew with the background and experience to handle even the biggest enterprise, then the Tortuga Twins are just the TRIO for you!

Dante Nero - a comic and actor out of Brooklyn, NY. He has been seen on HBO's Everyday People. He was on the Dave Chappelle Show on Comedy Central. A Finalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and Show Time's Chris Isaac & BET's 106th.

Robert Kelly - based out of Boston he frequently performs at the Comedy Cellar. Robert regularly appears on The Opie and Anthony Show, he has also appeared on Last Call with Carson Daly, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and Premium Blend.

Rick Shapiro - his role on Louis C.K.'s HBO sitcom, Lucky Louie elevated him to a wider audience. Rick is known for his ability to improvise, making up much of his trademark long sets on the spot. Rick speaks about his troubled past in his comedy, making light of what many comedians see as a difficult topic. Rick has also appeared in the UK at the Edinburgh Festival Show, produced by Calvin Wynter at The Green Room.

Judah Friedlander - known for his trademark trucker hats, over sized glasses and unkempt appearance, which he retains in most of his screen roles. His feature films include Meet the Parents, Zoolander, and Full Grown Men. He was also in the Dave Matthews Band video "Everyday". He was a regular on VH1's Best Week Ever and is currently on NBC's 30 Rock, on which he plays Frank Rossitano.

John Cassidy - "The Balloon Freak" - The ultimate in balloon prop comedy. John is far from your party balloon twister! He has appeared numerous times on television as either a stand up comedian, magician or as a Guinness Book of Records celebrity. He has been a guest on The Late Show with Conan O'Brien, Martha Steward Living, NBC's Today Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, and the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, Las Vegas three years running. John has even performed at the White House, The Magic Castle, Foxwoods Casino, the Golden Nugget Las Vegas and the Flamingo Las Vegas. He is also a regular on many cruise ships.

Steve Van Zandt - has been dazzling audience with his amazing talent for mimicking famous people. At the age of 19 he garnered a perfect 30 point score on NBC TV's "The Gong Show". He is regarded as one of the best comic-impressionists on the comedy scene. Steve's one hundred plus characters and unique style of stand up can be seen in comedy clubs, resorts, cruise ships, and at corporate events. He has opened for major performers such as Michael Bolton and Howie Mandel.

Rev. Bob Levy - is a stand-up comedian and radio personality who is most well known as the frequent guest on the Opie and Anthony Show and on the Killers of Comedy tour. During Levy's early days in comedy, former Stern show writer Jackie Martling awarded Levy the title of "Reverend".

Rich Vos - Has the distinciton of being the first white comedian to perform on Def Comedy Jam. Vos placed third on the first season of NBC's Last Comic Standing and now performs regularly at Caroline's Comedy Club and at the Comedy Cellar in New York. He also served as host of Opie and Anthony's Traveling Virus Comedy Tour.

Nick DiPaolo - guest hosts the Dan Patrick Show when Patrick is absent, as well has for Dennis Miller on the Dennis Miller Show. DiPaolo is often scene on the Smoking Gun: Dumbest.....Comedy Central on such shows including Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and The Comedy Central Roast of Denis Leary, Pam Anderson, Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy.

Steve Byrne - was recently scene on his own Comedy Central special entitled "The Byrne Identity". He has numerous television appearances under his belt such as The Real Wedding Crashers, The Tonight Show, Chappelle's Show, History Channel's "History of the Joke", The Late Late Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Good Morning America and Last Call with Carson Daly. He has also been a featured comic at many comedy festivals including The Just For Laughs Festival, Montreal; HBO US Comedy Arts Festival, Las Vegas; TBS Very Funny Festivals, Chicago & Toronto, and The CanWest Comedy Fest in Vancouver.

Jim Florentine - is co-hosting That Metal Show on VH1 Classic. Florentine is best known for his characters "Special Ed" and "Bobby Fletcher" created for a series of prank phone calls featured on the Comedy Central telvision show Crank Yankers. He as also been scene on The Apprentice, Comedy Central's Mother Load, HBO's Inside the NFL, Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Louie Anderson's Comedy Showcase, just to name a few. Jim also voiced the redneck radio host Bobbie Ray in the video game Grand Theft Auto. He also played Jenna Fischers love interest in the independant film "A Little Help" that is currently playing film festivals nationwide.

Frank Santorelli - Is best known for his lovable character "Georgie the Bartender" on HBO's The Soprano's. He is no stranger to the big screen with appearances on "Meet the Parents", "Crooked Lines" & "Johnny Slade's Greatest Hits" . He as also appeared on 21 television shows and done commercials for some of our favorite products including Olive Garden, Coor's Beer and McDonalds. He has headlined at some of the most famous comedy clubs in the world including Catch a Rising Star, The Improv and Carolines.

Danny Lobell - Danny has made an impact on all levels of Comedy from headlining Clubs around the World, to writing for Network Telvision, to dabbling in Publishing. Lobell has been featured in the New York Times, MySpace Comedy and Industry Magazines. He is also a regular guest on Sirrius/XM Raw Dog Comedy Network, the Jim Breuer Show, and serves as a correspondent for WSNR in Chicago. Danny has contributed to Comedy Central's Colbert Report and The Daily Show. Lobell's appearances have included the Glasgow, Boston & Long Island Comedy Festivals.

October Performer Spotlight - The Bravo Brothers

This month we spotlight children's music artists "The Bravo Brothers". This duo is actually made up of an nephew/uncle team of Brian Dwyer and Rick Pantano. The Bravo Brothers music and shows are geared toward children 2 to 8 years of age. The Bravo Brothers debut album "I Like Noise" released nationally by Straw House Entertainment distributed by SONY/Red.

Brian Dwyer is a multi-talented performer, in addition to his music he is also "Big League Brian" official stilt-walker of the Boston Red Sox and appeared in the movie Fever Pitch. Brian has also performed with Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus, is a Big Apple Circus Clown Doctor at Children's Hospital in Boston, and is a graduate of the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Clown College.

Rick Pantano has been a musician since childhood and plays a wide variety of musical instruments. He performs not only with the Bravo Brothers but has also back "Bobby Boris Pickett" of "Monster Mash" fame. He is an award winning songwriter and also writes jingles and is currently creating music for a children's book

Their shows are a lively blend of original music, children's favorites, comedy with a little bit of juggling and mayhem thrown in. Their original music includes songs like the title track from their album "I Like Noise", "A Day at the Beach", and my personal favorite "Sock Monster". In addition to the Brian & Rick duo a full band is available and recommended for larger events or those with the budget to do so, nothing adds to any event like a full band.

The Bravo Brothers have performed at a wide variety of events for a multitude of clients including National Night Out, the US Navy/MWR Kids Karnival, July Fourth Events, performing arts events, theater shows, city festivals, PTO events, library appearances, recreation departments and Earth Fest Boston.

They have the kind of music that makes the little ones get up and dance and Mom's and Dad's appreciate that the music is great for listening on car trips.

The Bravo Brothers also offer to non-profit organizations the opportunity to host a low risk fundraising event in the Eastern Massachusetts area where they both call home. Please contact us for the details. However they are available to travel all over the United States.

September 2010 in Review

September is a crazy month, balancing the beginning of the new school year with a busy event schedule is always a challenge, but a welcome challenge. This month we have seen more unseasonably warm weather as well as soaking rain storms, with the occasional fall day thrown in just for kicks.

Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest of the year for fairs and festivals. The Amazing Anastasini's continued their run at the Champlain Valley Fair under the big top as well as the Nerger's Lion & Tiger Show.

Labor Day weekend events typically open on Friday which saw some inclement weather in New England, but at least if the rain has to fall let it be on a weekday. The Spencer Fair in Spencer, Massachusetts opened on Friday with Vicenta Page's Royal White Bengal Tigers as well as a return of the Flying Pages trapeze act. In addition to bringing talent to the Spencer Fair we also create and place the advertising for this event which is the largest event of the year in Worcester County. The Fair Committee in Spencer is made up of all volunteers and they truly come together to put on a really great fair with every element a fair should have. The motor sports are always the most popular events at the fair but Spencer also has a great array of entertainment for young children, a tremendously popular Karaoke contest, great 4H animals and so much more. This year the fair was fortunate enough to receive a grant to cover some improvements to the fairgrounds such as more grandstand seating and a new roof for the exhibit hall.

On Sunday we paid a visit to the Three County Fair where Adam & Elaine Burck were presenting their tiger show which features 3 golden tigers and 3 white tigers including the magnificent Spartacus probably the largest white tiger I have ever seen. Over the summer Adam & Elaine welcomed to their family a litter of cubs, 2 white & 2 golden. Their names as Zeus, Zena, Isis & Ursula. This Northampton facility has really come a long way since the end of horse racing some years ago. The fair is growing in leaps and bounds and has also received a grant to remove and rebuild the stables and well as add an indoor horse show arena and there is a long term plan in place for many more exciting changes to the fairgrounds. Our heartfelt congratulations to Bruce Shallcross and his staff at the Three County Fairgrounds.

The second weekend of September seems to come so quickly, Labor Day comes and goes and boom we're into the second weekend in a flash. The Flying Wallendas made a return engagement for Atlantic Music Productions at the Franklin County Fair in Greenfield, MA.

We also had an open air showing of the Amazing Anastasini Circus in Westport, NY on September 10th to the 12th. The show played a rather last minute engagement to tie together an upcoming date in Pennsylvania with their appearance in Vermont. For a last minute appearance they had a respectable attendance and made some good connections with organizations in neighboring communities.

On Sunday the 12th the Big O opened in Oxford, Maine. The fair also known as the Oxford County Fair had a special Community Day event and then reopened for the remainder of the Fair run on Wednesday the 15th through Saturday the 18th. We visited the fair on Wednesday where the Flying Pages made a return appearance and new for 2010 was the Cannon Lady. Jennifer Smith Schneider has played in every state in the US, Canada and seven other countries.

On Friday night the 17th we went to Guilford for the premier of the latest addition of the Flying Wallendas Super Circus with special guests the Nerger's Lion & Tiger Show. This combined show is a fantastic attraction with the Flying Wallendas performing their famous pyramids over the cage of waiting tiger and Caesar the male African Lion down below. The crowds were terrific for this spectacle and we expect that this combined show will become a popular attraction in the years to come.

The Amazing Anastasini's brought their big top circus to Moscow,PA on September 16 to the 19th as a benefit for the Pocono Equestrian Center, a therapeutic riding program for special needs children as well as a horse rescue. The turnout was a little disappointing the Scranton area has always done well for family entertainment. The Anastasini's will look into making some changes before deciding whether or not to return.

The final weekend of September was a bit quieter with a corporate event in central Massachusetts. The event had a Renaissance theme and we had the ever popular Boris the Stilt-walker appear with his "King Richard" costume as well as his "Wizard" Costume. Boris has over 25 costumes to suit nearly any occasion. Also coming in from Ohio for the event was the enchanting "Dragon Scales & Faerie Tales" with the incredible "Enchanted Wagon" strolling act. Also coming in from Ohio was the jousting team of Hole in the Wall Farm. Jousting is a medieval form of martial arts that includes tournament style games on horse back, lance passes, as well as ground combat with swords and daggers.

Time to move onward and upward into the month of October. The events are beginning to wind down here in New England but booking for 2011 is really starting to pickup. Don't hesitate to call as we are starting to put together some routes for many of the acts not only here in New England but across the country. Now is a great time to explore entertainment options for the upcoming season.