THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 24, 1995 TAG: 9508230165
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
THE FABULOUS Balloon Man, who's already been to the White House, is about to encounter ``the biggest thing that ever happened to me.''
Forget those Easter egg rolls on the White House lawn, from 1982 to 1992. Opening for Soupy Sales, says this entertainer, is big stuff.
Friday and Saturday, at Cozzy's in Newport News, and Sunday, at Toon's in Virginia Beach, ``I'm the feature,'' he said. ``Soupy Sales is the headliner.'' Those prestigious appearances are quite a jump from a few weeks ago, when Lorain Winkler, Cozzy's owner, expressed disinterest in a balloon artist.
``I went there for an open mike night. Later, they told me they weren't looking forward to that kind of act, that they wouldn't be impressed,'' said the 14-year balloon veteran. ``Lorain was knocked out, signed me to open for Soupy, and signed as my agent.''
That means, for the most part, he will be doing mostly gigs at comedy clubs.
``They are where it's at,'' said The Fabulous Balloon Man, who gives his real name only to people who write him checks. ``People in department stores just want balloons. In clubs, they want to see the artistry of it.''
They will not see balloons turned into pooches. Far too easy. ``The more people make dogs, the better I like it. There's more demand for my services,'' said the artiste, who plays Stump the Balloon Man with his audiences.
``I've never been stumped,'' he said. ``Also, I do any animal with my eyes closed.''
Any animal except for dogs, with one exception - a balloon showing a dog making a clown.
For 10 years, the balloon guy was known as Dusty the Clown. Now, as The Fabulous Balloon Man, he usually offers ``adult presentations - jokes and balloons. I rate 'em PG-13.''
One PG-13 creation shows - ready for this? - Godzilla eating Barney, the purple dino hanging out of the monster's mouth with little red balloons depicting blood.
The Balloon Man does invite children to his weekend shows at Uno's in Tabb and Williamsburg. ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
What: Soupy Sales and The Fabulous Balloon Man.
When: Friday at 9 p.m., Saturday at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., Sunday
at 9 and 11 p.m.
Where: Cozzy's Friday and Saturday at 9700 Warwick Blvd., Newport
News; Toon's Sunday at 1284 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach.
Admission: $15 at both locations. If you mention The Fabulous
Balloon Man at Cozzy's, the cost is $10.
Information: Cozzy's, call 595-2800; Toon's, 425-0498. The
Fabulous Balloon Man is at Pizzeria Uno's Chicago Bar and Grill, 205
Bypass Road, Williamsburg, from 6 to 9. p.m. Mondays and at Uno's,
5007 Victory Blvd. in Tabb from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. There is no
charge. For information, call 886-9050.
by CNB