Franco wins second place in Monte Carlo

By Lindsay Leslie, Newport-on-Tay, Scotland

 

Dick Franco's Gold Medal won at the Decem­ber 1979 Circus World Championships was no seven-ball flash in the pan. For again, in 1980, Franco distinguished himself among circus stars.

 

At the Monte Carlo Circus Festival in December, he won the Silver Clown and two Special Awards competing against 40 world-class circus acts. It was a tremendous breakthrough for juggling, since no juggler has won even a minor award at this competition in the past seven years.

 

The festival is invitation only and lasts five days, with four days of competition at ten acts per day. A Special Gala Show consisting of winning acts only is held on the final day. This part of the festival was taped for TV showing.

Franco competed on the second day and appeared to be an instant hit. Upon completion of his act, booking agents surrounded him on the stage. His act also recorded the longest applause of the week --- a ninety second ovation.

 

The entertainment section of European newspapers gave significant coverage to Franco. One reported, "The Circus Festival literally exploded on this its second night. The man behind the explosion was the American juggler, Dick Franco."

 

Kate Bronett, owner and director of Sweden's largest circus, Circus Scott, said in another clipping, "This Franco is the sensation of the Festival."

 

John Ringling North, the Ringling Circus boss, was quoted as saying, "Without a doubt, the highlight of the Fesitval was Dick Franco. I always thought the best juggler I have ever seen was Francis Brunn, but after seeing Dick Franco, I have changed my opinion... perhaps he is the best the world has yet to see."

 

The other two major award winners of the fes­tival were a ten-person teeter board act, "The Paranovi Troupe" from Bulgaria and the six "Flying Jimenez" trapeze artists from Mexico. The Jimenez act received the highest honor of the Festival, the Gold Clown Award.

 

Franco's success at Monte Carlo demonstrates how juggling is becoming noticed as circus entertainment. Michael Chirrick, another juggler, also performed in the Festival. Although Chirrick did not win any prizes, he came in contact with agents who could be important to his future.

 

The final Gala Show, attended by a formal dress audience, included dignitaries from around the world. The presence of David Niven, Gina Lolabrigita, Sophea Loren and Bjorn Borg helps put the circus in the same class as top opera and ballet.

 

The Festival was initiated by Prince Ranier of Monte Carlo and the American actor Cary Grant eight years ago. Ranier, a devout circus fan, and Grant, a former acrobat, were concerned about the declining quality of circus arts, and decided to restore some of its status with the Festival.

 

Some acts do not like the competitive aspect of the Festival, but many arrange contracts nonetheless. It is a high class show in every aspect, from the excellent orchestra to Las Vegas stage conditions. The Festival also provides every invited artist with a one-week, all expenses paid, contract to perform in one of the most picturesque spots in Europe. For this, each act must appear just once, or at most twice. Who could refuse?

Festivals set for Northeast, Midwest

 

All jugglers in the East are invited to retum to the site of the 1979 IJA Convention for two days of fun and juggling. The Return to Amherst Mini­Convention will be April 4 and 5 on the Hampshire College campus in Amherst, MA.

The festivities begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and continue non-stop through 10 p.m. Sunday. Registration is $5.

 

Sleeping space has been arranged for those with sleeping bags. Last year, almost 100 jugglers shared in the fun. Don't miss it this year! For more information, or if you're interested in perform­ing or giving a workshop, write to: Eric Roberts, Department of Computer Science, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA.

 

The Gamma Phi Jugglers in conjunction with the St. Louis Juggling Club is hosting the 1981 Midwest Jugglers Convention in Bloomington, IL, June 5-7. There is plenty of cheap housing and a large gymnasium for juggling. For information, write: Jan Heideman, Blooming­ton, IL.

Jugs celebrate Groundhog Day

 

The Third Annual Groundhog Day Jugglers Festival attracted 45 jugglers from several states to Atlanta February 6-8.

 

Sponsored by the Atlanta Jugglers Association, the weekend's activities followed the same format which helped establish it as the premier juggling event of the year in the Southeast. Other than a competition Saturday afternoon, party that night and public shows Sunday, no events were scheduled, or needed.

 

Nine contestants entered the competition, vying for the designation of "Most Spectacular," "Most Stupendous," and "Most Incredible" juggler present. Members of the home team took two of three trophies. David B. Low from Atlanta, who used to perform publicly in Connecticut, showed quick moves with four clubs and five rings to win one trophy. Andy Ford and Jeff Kinnamon, mem­bers of the Atlanta Jugglers Association, won another for their two-man club routines. The third honor went to Larry Vaksman of Philadelphia, PA, for a variety of eccentric and difficult maneuvers.

 

Vaksman demonstrated a new skit in which he performs five different tricks simultaneously - juggling balls in one hand, spinning a basketball in the other, balancing a pole on his chin, main­taining balance on a rola-bola board and keeping hula-hoops spinning around his waist.