The Professor Confidence Corner By Dave Finnigan, IJA Education Director

 

 

On Thursday, July 8th, we'll hold a juggling jam session on the mall in downtown Eugene from 9-10 a.m. Then we depart for a scenic drive down the Oregon Coast, 300 miles of breath-taking beauty on Route 101. We'll stop along the way to enjoy the scenery and partake of our collective compulsion. Patrick's Point State Park north of Trinidad, CA, makes a likely camping spot for the night.

 

Friday, July 9, we rendezvous from 9-10 a.m. on the Arcata Plaza. Then we take off for a long drive through the Redwoods on 101 and along the Mendocino Coast on Route 1, logging 250 miles to Cazadero, 10 mires inland from Jenner. Contact point is the Cazadero General Store. We will rendezvous there the following morning at 10 a.m. for an 80 mile leisurely drive to San Francisco.

 

Saturday afternoon, July 10, we will spend time with the performers at Fisherman's Wharf, observing our fellow jugglers at play at Pier 39, Ghiradelli Square, the Anchorage and the Cannery. On Sunday the 11th we'll meet in Golden Gate Park with Bay area jugglers, heading out around 5 p.m. for Santa Cruz.

 

We gather again in Abbott's Square, behind Cooper House, and on the Santa Cruz Garden Mall from 9-11 a.m. Monday the 12th to begin the drive to San Luis Obispo, 160 miles south. Of course we'll take the coastal route on Route 1 along Big Sur.

 

On Tuesday the 13th we rendezvous in San Luis Obispo on the Cal Poly campus in front of the Student Union from 9-11 a.m. for a final fling before heading the last 100 miles to Santa Barbara.

 

On the road we'll pause occasionally at rest stops for a glance at the scenery and a therapeutic juggle. We'll try to stay together as much as the anarchistic nature of the Homo Jugularis permits; and will keep track of one another in case of breakdowns. There will probably be room for juggling riders at most stops, but try to arrange your own transportation, or be willing to chip in for gas.

 

Expect to camp, sleep in your vehicle, or make your own arrangements for motels along the way. This may be the year to rent or borrow an R V. Jugglers from all over the country are invited to rendezvous in Seattle for this grand parade, or to connect enroute. Bring the whole family! Remember, "The family that juggles together, snuggles together!"

 

Don't hesitate to call me with caravan questions.

 

Workshops - People can receive two units of academic credit from the Extension University of UCLA - Santa Barbara for attending workshops this year. The workshops are included in your convention registration fee, but to receive credit you will have to pay a $40 fee to the University at the time of registration.

 

Workshops begin Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m., and will include at least the following topics: Juggling games and relay races, Getting an agent and getting work, Teaching juggling for fun and/or profit, Comedy juggling and street performing, New directions for the IJA and how to start a local chapter, juggling injuries, juggling and health.

 

Other workshops are: Balance (including rola bola, rolling globe, tight and slack rope), Ball juggling and three and four ball tricks, Num­bers ball juggling and multiplex, Ringjuggling, Club juggling and club tricks, Club swinging, Club passing patterns, Devil sticks, Cigar boxes, Diablo, Hat manipulation, Prop making.

This is your last chance to volunteer to teach any of the topics listed above, or to nominate someone to teach any listed class or any unlisted class that you feel would be of interest. One instructor will be assigned to each class, and that person will be expected to demonstrate tech­nique and supervise students' practice.

 

A full list of workshops with times and instructors will be passed out at registration and posted for your reference. For the second year, a special performance workshop will be held.

 

This is your opportunity to try out your act in front of fellow jugglers.

 

Young jugglers, please note - The IJA convention is as safe and sane an activity as you will find in the world today. It serves the polished professional and the recreational juggler from beginners to experts.

 

Moms and dads who have any misgivings may give me a call for reassurance. I've taken from three to six young jugglers every year and have been impressed by their deportment and thrilled by their juggling progress. No matter what your age, you will find plenty to keep you occupied at the convention.

 

Everyone is a teacher. Everyone is a student. The workshops are simply one way to get together for interchange. Take advantage of every opportunity to meet fellow jugglers and work on both individual and interactive skill development.