<\/p>\n
~~~~~<\/p>\n
Even though clowns have once again been striking coulrophobia in the hearts of us regular humans, thanks to the hit revival IT<\/strong> and Stephen King<\/strong>\u2019s famous shapeshifting metaphor-monster, we can still have some fun with them in the right context. Therefore, we\u2019d like to introduce you to a downstate Illinois<\/strong> \u201cit\u201d boy who is in it to win guffaws from his audience rather than shrieks and scares, even though he regularly brandishes a bit of a knowing sneer instead of a smile. Ripper the Clown<\/strong>, a staccato-speaking huckster serving as an alter ego for creator Jake Aurelian<\/strong> of Danville<\/strong>, is a highly unique presence when he makes appearances in person and otherwise quite busy outside the limelight.<\/a><\/span> An example of his offbeat output will be on display tonight, Saturday, April 7<\/strong>, at the Vintage Villains<\/strong> collector\u2019s shop and performance venue<\/span><\/a> in downtown Danville where he will present his current magnum opus<\/em> and first of the feature-length stripe, THE STRIPPER RIPPER<\/strong>. Self-described as \u201ca spoof of classic horror films and television shows\u201d including HALLOWEEN<\/strong> and THE NIGHT STALKER<\/strong>, the final preview keeps much of its referential humor close to the vest, strangely enough:<\/p>\n