We’re Not Clowns will bring its unique blend of comedy, juggling and magic tricks to the Strings Music Pavilion on Saturday as part of the group’s first performance in four years.

“It is exciting,” said performer Kelly Anzalone, adding that his 13-year-old son, Emmett, and 9-year-old daughter, Jayda, may be even more excited about the performance than him. “It was funny this morning, my kids are super psyched about it, and Jayda came running up to me and goes, ‘March 8 is the juggling show at Strings Music Pavilion. I’m going to tell everybody at school that you are going be there.'”

To which Anzalone responded, “Don’t forget it’s also comedy and magic — not just juggling.”

---

---

Anzalone, along with fellow members Andy Pratt and Scott Parker, who moved to Newberg, Oregon in 2021, will take the stage at 4 p.m. Saturday inside the Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Rd.

The show will include a stroll down memory lane featuring the juggling, magic tricks and comic flair the group has been known for since performing for the first time at a children’s birthday party in 1997. We’re Not Clowns have taken the stage as far away as the Netherlands and won a silver medal in 2000 at the International Jugglers’ Association competition in Montreal.

---

---

Anzalone, Pratt and Parker grew up Buffalo, New York, where they shared a passion for juggling. Anzalone and Pratt were introduced by a mutual friend, Gerry Rott, in college, and they began juggling together. After college Anzalone and Pratt ended up in Colorado along with Parker, where We’re Not Clowns grew a large following at local shows. Rott returned to Buffalo where he lives today — but plans to celebrate his birthday this Saturday in Steamboat with his friends.

Parker said he was floored after getting an email from Katie Carroll, director of programs at Strings Music Festival, with “We’re Not Clowns reunion” in the subject line.

“I was like pure happiness. I miss those guys, and I miss performing … The three of us just have a synergy,” said Parker, who works as the executive director at Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce in Oregon. We kind of have joked that I could roll into town, and we could hop on stage without one rehearsal and do an hour of material without even blinking. That’s just how long we’ve been performing together and how well we know each other and how comfortable we are with each other.”

It’s a feeling shared by both Pratt and Anzalone, who are also looking forward to getting back on stage with Parker, and maybe a few friends from the years they spent as part of the Steamboat Cabaret, with community theater groups including the Pirate Theater, Seventh Street Playhouse and many other venues and theater groups in Steamboat Springs. The spotlight will fall on the group’s long and storied history in Steamboat during a section led by Carroll in which she interviews the performers and treats the audience to videos of the group performing.  

“Of course it’s cool watching juggling, but I think the entertaining part is we’re just having a great time, and then usually that translates very well to the audience … Of course, I love being mic’d and both Andy and I love making fun of Scott.”

Like Anzalone, Pratt is also looking forward to having his children in the audience.

“Our two kids will be there and some friends as well,” said Pratt who is dad to Alma, 2, and Arthur, 5 months. “It’s going to be a blast. We’ve been meeting over zoom and preparing the show order, discussing video clips that we’re going to include — we’ve been together for a long time, so there’s a lot of fun stuff out there.”

Parker said he will fly in on Thursday with his son, Finley. He said the plan is to get together with Pratt and Anzalone to run through the program on Friday with a technical rehearsal slated for Saturday.

The show is appropriate for all ages with tickets currently available at StringsMusicFestival.com starting at $23 with special pricing for children under 5, and juniors 6 to 18. There will also be a post-performance party at Johnny B. Good’s Diner, 738 Lincoln Ave.

“I think that’s what people really enjoy about the show is how we joke and interact,” Anzalone said. “Even if we’re juggling the same routine, our comedy is different. I think that’s where we really excel as the three of us, and that’s really what I’m looking forward to. It’s fun to be with those guys and improv with them like that — that’s the super-fun part.”