2003 Vent Haven ConVENTion

Vent Haven ConVENTion 2003
A Rousing Success !

The 2003 Edition of the Vent Haven International Ventriloquists’ ConVENTion was undeniable a rousing success, with attendance numbers coming in at 412 (the second largest VH ConVENTion ever).

Vents from 12 countries made their way to the “Mecca Of Ventriloquism”, Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky to witness some world-class performances, lectures, and workshops.

Since this was the 100th birthday of vent-great Edgar Bergen, the entire ConVENTion was devoted to his memory and honor. Voice impresario Doug Preis not only put together a wonderful DVD featuring the life and times of Edgar Bergen and “Charlie McCarthy” (with footage seldom seen of Edgar) but he also brought down the house on the Saturday Night “Headliner” show by doing a radio show reenactment. Using an original “Charlie” borrowed from the Bergen Foundation, Doug played the leading character “Edgar Bergen” and was supported by actress Rita Marie Kelly (playing the roles of Mae West, Dorothy Lamour, and Bette Davis), and Alan Semok as the able foil to “Charlie” as he portrayed W.C. Fields. It truly the highlight of the entire eVENT.

Over the course of the three days (July 17-19) attendees were treated to great lectures on a variety of subjects including “Preparing A Television Spot” by Jeff Dunham, workshops ranging from Mark Wade’s “Kid Bits” to Tom Ladshaw’s “Combining Vent and Magic”.

Many new faces made the scene at Vent Haven ConVENTion 2003. Master puppet maker and puppeteer Barry Gordemer showed the assembled crowd much about soft puppet manipulation , while Joe Gandelman handled the “Vent Ethics” portion of the workshops and Ruth Myers gave her views on “Taking Humor Beyond One-liners”.

One of the unique features of the ConVENTion is the vent panels. Anything from “Vent Marketing” to “Booking Agents and Self-Bookers” gave the attendees much to think about and to hopefully implement when they returned home.

The “International Vent Panel”, a standard part of each ConVENTion ,featured some standouts. Hosted by Dr. Stevo Schuling (Germany) and Japanese vents Takeshi and Shu Ikeda, Yvette Locke from Canada, and Yann Robert from Norway gave us insights into how they perform in their home countries.

Our own Lisa Sweasy did an outstanding job of giving an overview of the fabulous Vent Haven Museum. Lisa, the curator of the Vent Haven, spent many hours preparing a topnotch presentation on the treasures of this one of a kind place.

The shows were also standouts with Friday’s show being MC’d by the very funny Clinton Detweiler and featured Nick Pawlow, Vikki Gasko, and Gary Owen.

Our Saturday “Headliner” show featured the newest Advisor to the Vent Haven, Tom Ladshaw, as MC with Yvette Locke and Gary Willner doing terrific jobs of entertaining the crowd. The Bergen Radio reenactment closed the gala event.

Other not-to -be -missed events during the ConVENTion gave us Jimmy Nelson showing his collection of vent videos, and Joe Lefler, Daniel and Geri Abrahamson, Ken Groves, and Pete Michaels pitching in to make their respective events first class all the way.

ConVENTion dates for 2004 are July 15-17 at the Drawbridge Inn in Ft. Mitchell.

You’ve never been to a vent event until you experience the Vent Haven ConVENTion!

For more information or to be put on the Vent Haven ConVENTion mailing list call 1-740-862-9112.