Top row (L-R): Al Stevens, Harry Schwab, Nita Padgett, Ed Thomas, and Tom Dahl
Bottom row (L-R): John Parisi, Malcolm Denmark, Donald Woodford, Jackie Manna, Margaret Davis, and Lee Wolfson.
It is extremely difficult to sustain a regional ventriloquist club or association, so "congratulations" to the grand group of vents in Central Florida who have managed to pull it off. Meeting every other month in someone's home, most of the time is spent socializing with a couple folk using the opportumity to perform, trying out new jokes and routines. Sharing and mentoring takes place as well. These photos are from the most recent get-together last week.
I think it is truly great that these fine ventriloquists, some figure makers, meet like this, once a week, sharing their interest, and I would like to see Mr. D operate at those McDonald's meetings.
ReplyDeleteWe meet every OTHER MONTH Lee. I really doubt the conversation could withstand a weekly meeting. It proves to be just enough time that we miss each others company and have accumulated enough new things to talk about.
ReplyDeleteJohn Parisi
President
Florida Ventriloquist Association
I had thought that we might be kin, John Dean, and now see that Mean John Dean is John Parisi. Wish I were in your group meeting every other month in Florida. Nothing like that in Kentucky with Berger gone. I like your website and that of Jacki Manna too. Lee Dean
ReplyDeleteIt's a nickname I have had for years, the "Dean" comes from an imitation of Jerry Lewis that annoyed my boss and the other guy we worked with would say "Dean!" when he wanted me to do it. The "mean" comes from my description of the vicious punishment that I wanted to bestow on a pedophile after hearing the report on the radio. one of my friends said "WOW! You're mean, Dean" and the name stuck and I have been Mean Dean to my friends in New York since. Of course John is my real name and I added that when my current provider couldn't give me just Mean Dean. As for the meeting thing why not start the KVA for the vents who live there?
ReplyDeleteMean John Dean