The Ecumenical Spirit - Juggling is akin to so many other art forms and sports that it seems logical to invite dancers, mimes, musicians, gymnasts, and other performers to our convention to see what we do, and to exhibit their skills. Please encourage anyone with a talent to bring it along prepared to share.

 

I've sent an invitation to the baton twirlers through Twirl magazine, and Ginnette Groome, Grand National Two and Three Baton Champion, will be presenting a spe­cial workshop on multiple baton twirling. If you are interested in this topic, bring three batons with you. If this first attempt at hybridization is succes­ful, we could hold work­shops on a variety of art forms at conventions.

 

Caravan Final - In the March issue I outlined plans for a caravan from the West Coast to Cleveland. Having received plenty of enthusiastic comments from jugglers across the land, I can now give you a final update on plans.

My uninformed choice of cities and parks would have had us performing in the sleaziest sections of the largest towns along the way; but I've been informed that there are more pleasant alternatives, several in smaller university towns.

The stopovers are therefore a bit different, but the schedule is the same:

RENDEZVOUS Sugar House Park, Salt Lake City on 7/8/81.

FESTIVAL from 4 p.m. until dark 7/8/81. DEPART for Laramie, WY, early 7/9/81. FESTIVAL in Washington Park, Laramie, WY, from 9 a.m. to noon 7/10/81.

DEPART for Lincoln, NE, noon 7/10/81.

RENDEZVOUS at O.G. Kelly's, 220 N. 10th, Lincoln, NE. .

PARTY at O.G. Kelly's aftemoon and evening 7/11/81.

DEPART for Iowa City, lA, early 7/12/81.

LUNCH PARTY in Iowa City Park at noon. Call Randy Schukar

RENDEZVOUS at Indiana Dunes State Park morning of 7/13/81. Chicago area people call Mike Vondruska.

DEPART for Cleveland noon 7/13/81.

PARTY for 300 miles to Cleveland.

ARRIVE at convention site evening 7/13/81.

 

The caravan is open to anyone who wants to join. It's best to have your vehicle lined up in advance, but you can take your chances that space will be available. You can expect to pay your fair share of the gas and trip expenses. Bring a sleep­ing bag, and travel light if you expect to hitch a ride with someone.

 

If you are a juvenile juggler and want to join the parade, bring your parents to the rendezvous point where we can meet them and secure written permission for someone in the caravan to serve as your guardian for the duration of the trip. I'd be. happy to perform this function for a limited number of young jugglers who would otherwise not get a chance to attend.

 

Note to parents: The juggler's convention is a wholesome event, and generally regarded as a safe place for young people who are responsible juggling devotees. Last year I took a half-dozen Seattle area pre-teens to the Fargo convention.   They not only had a great time, but learned as much in a week as they would have in a year of trial and error back home. Mature 10 to 14-year­old juggling "fanatics" are no trouble to watch.

 

The convention and caravan are open to everyone and are guaranteed to be fun. Call me with any questions about the caravan.

 

Keith Emery will coordinate caravan plans for southem Califomia residents. Call him if you want to participate.

 

Workshops in Cleveland - Most of the work­shops will be held Wednesday, July 15. Each will include a short formal presentation, followed by instruction and coaching for al participants.

 

You are invited to participate, no matter what your level of experience may be. Those who have control over a particular area of expertise will be able to help as instructors, while those who don't can receive expert coaching.

The performance workshop, to be held after the dinner on Friday night, is an opportunity to try out new material, or to test your act in a specially structured situation. The audience will consist of other jugglers and some members of the general public, all of whom will be asked to rate your per­formance. These rating sheets will be handed to you after your performance to give you specific suggestions for your act.

 

Workshop Schedule

 

2:30-3:30 p.m. Cigar Boxes and Devil Sticks The popularity of these two puts them in a category of their own. From basic manipulation to advanced moves with both.

 

3:304:30 Balance Basic and advanced work on unicycle, rola bola, rolling globe, stilts, pogo sticks, etc. Bring whatever you've got.

 

8-9 a.m. Basic Juggling for novices and those who instruct novices. .                                                                                        ,

We will cover three and four object juggling with scarves, balls, rings

 

4:30-5:30 p.m. Comedy and Street Performance Clowning, comedy and clubs. Patterns, transitions, and putting together a routine, slapstick, heckler lines. A chance to exchange ideas on raising a crowd, entertaining them and making them pay an honest wage for your effort.

 

Wednesday

 

9-10 a.m. Numbers Juggling and Multiplex Steps leading to successful 5, 6 and 7 object juggling will be reviewed and practices. Cascade, reverse cascade, half and full showers, fountain and mul­tiplex moves, as well as transitions between them.

 

10-11 Club Juggling Basic club juggling, variations, starts and kickups, passing and swinging will all be taught and practiced.

 

11-noon How You Can Help the IJA A skull session on what mem­bers can do to help the IJA grow and prosper, as well as a forum for officers to entertain ideas on that subject.

 

1:30-2:30 p.m. Prop Potpourri will include demonstrations of spe­cial equipment such as spinning plates, nested cups, parasols, rope spinning, diablo, hats, canes and other items. Bring your samples.

 

Friday

 

After the banquet, a Performance Workshop will be tested. You can test your act or new material in front of an audience of jugglers. The audience members will rate your performance on sheets and give specific suggestions for revision. You get the critique sheets.

 

Saturday

 

Time T.B.A.; Getting Work will include information on getting an agent, writing resumes, putting together brochures and press kits, getting on TV, working cruise ships, performing in Europe and performing and teaching in schools.