Calling all kids, ages 4 - 8, to attend a free children's performance

Charles the Clown

Lake Forest Park's own Charles The Clown (Charles Kraus), nationally known entertainer and author, is shooting a new video, and he's inviting kids (and their parents) to be in the audience. 

Not only do they get to see a free comedy/ magic/ clown show, each family receives a complimentary copy of a Charles The Clown story audio. 

Charles is definitely not one of those scary, creepy clowns. Billboard Magazine calls him "A true children's comedian." Well-versed in child development, the show features his signature, 'become-a-clown 'routine.'

The kids are able to watch the transformation from regular man to clown. They see that the person under the make-up and rainbow wig is a regular guy. Charles was the star at the grand re-opening of the Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Bothell libraries after reconstruction. He opened Animal Acres Park and the first Lake Forest Park Farmers Market.

Teachers and librarians have often commented about Charles' comedy rhyming, word-play and silly verbal antics. The act encourages a love of language and the joy of being verbally creative.

Award winning filmmaker Dan McComb on the set with Charles
Photo courtesy Charles the Clown

This video project is a celebration of Charles' career -- over 50 years, and the 12,000+ comedy/magic shows given at schools, libraries, hospitals, and private parties from coast to coast as well as in Europe and Asia. Always on the move, this summer, Charles will be performing in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Northern CA, and Eastern WA.

An award winning A/M Records recording artist, Charles' performance video was filmed "live" on the Charlie Chaplin Sound Stage in Hollywood. He has filmed others for his video channel right here in the northwest.

This current project will take place at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center on Sunday, June 30th. Two shows will be taped that afternoon.

“Though Charles performs for children of all ages, these shows are formatted for K-3rd grade," says producer Linda Kirschner Kraus. Parents are asked to reserve seats.

To rsvp click here or call 206-361-7171

Ravenna Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Catherine Cella, national reviewer of children's media, called Charles "a Master children's entertainer." She said, "His expert blend of stories, poems and jokes offers kids a feast of language play as well as creative problem solving."

Charles is a recipient of a King County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Award for Community Service, and a William Vicary Community Service Award from the Hollywood-Sunset Free Clinic. He was a member of the WA Task Force on Child Safety and is featured in the US Department of Education/WA State video, Television and Video - Children At Risk.