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-Page 4 May 1980
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By
Lindsay Leslie Newport-on- Tay, Scotland
The
Third Annual European IJA Convention, held at the Jackson's Lane
Community Center, Highgate, London, at the end of March, attracted the
largest gathering of juggling enthusiasts ever to meet under the same
roof in the United Kingdom. It was certainly an international event,
with 42 participants from 9 countries. There were 5 American jugglers,
and one fellow from Australia who happened to be in London at the
time.
Tim
Batson, our chief organizer, had chosen an ideal venue, with large
practice hall, pleasant theatre for our shows and convenient snack
bar.
The
two public shows were much appreciated by the audiences. One could
feel them warm to the juggling and other skills presented- mime, music
and magic. Many enquiries were made regarding the IJA and the art of
juggling in general both nights.
We
held two European Open 5-ball juggling endurance competitions this
year for the benefit of our two audiences, who were amazed to see 60
balls in motion from the 12 jugglers taking part.
They
sat in silence as jugglers dropped from the competition until winners
Tim Dingman (Canada) and Stuart Haber (USA) were the only two left.
Honored
guest
The
convention was honored by the appearance of Rudy Horn (winner of the
1973 Rastelli Juggling Festival). Although he is now retired from
professional juggling, he gave us a first-class workshop in the art of
juggling in the theatre. Cameras flashed from all corners as he
demonstrated a 5-ball routine with cascade, overhead cascade, back
crosses and very fast shower. He also displayed a 6-ball shower,
7-ring cascade and 8-ring flash. It was good for us to be inspired by
such a performer.
We
returned to the practice hall with renewed vigor.
Another
encouraging performer was IJAer and professional juggler Urie Gridneff,
who was working nightly at Churchills Club in London. He performed
juggling on unsupported ladder and unicycle, and also juggled 6 and 7
rings for our photographers, winding up with an 8-ring flash.
Thanks
to all
The
IJAers of Europe would like to give a special Thank You to the following
- The staff of the Jackson's Lane Community Center for their publicity
and assistance.
Hermann
Sagemuller for printing our souvenir Chinko Program.
Stuart
Fell for his Keystone Cop car dash across central London to collect our
four-piece band, who were stranded due to the London Transport Strike on
Saturday.
Don
Robertson's car race against the clock on Sunday, returning Mark
Robertson from a previous juggling engagement to the Jacksons Lane
Theatre
Felix Adonas for his Good Luck postcard.
Tim
Batson-producer, stage manager, MC,lighting, liaison officer and poster
designer for his endless energy and dedication.
Swedish
racketeer juggles courtside By
Lloyd Timberlake Stockholm, Sweden
A
year ago, new IJA member Ola Sundberg walked out onto the court between
matches at the Stockholm Open professional tennis tournament and began
juggling three tennis rackets. He was promptly thrown off the court by a
couple of burly officials.
This
season he juggled between most of the matches with the tournament
organizers' blessing and with salary from and in the clothes of a tennis
outfit
Ola
is a 23-year-old fork-lift truck driver who wants to become a
professional juggler. He does things with three large rackets most
people find hard with tiny clubs, and is developing a complex four-club
routine. Having started throwing things about at age 18, Ola has already
paid some of his show business dues through six months of traveling with
a one-horse, one-juggler circus around Sweden.
He
attracted a good deal of newspaper publicity as the only juggler in his
barracks during his military service. Last summer he took a cheap flight
to New York, did some street juggling, met some IJA members - including
Steve Mills - bought some clubs and decided to join the IJA. Six months
later he found the right address to write.
Being
the only would-be professional juggler alive in Sweden at present, Ola,
who lives outside Stockholm and is now doing club and school dates,
faces little competition. He is also one more reason for the 'I' in
'IJA.' |
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