Following Ziethen's films, a dance band held forth in the dining hall as a large crowd of jugglers enjoyed body manipulation in time to the music. Free beer and wine enhanced the festive atmosphere of this event, which was held for the first time at the Santa Barbara convention in 1982.

 

This year, there were more workshops than ever before, educational cauldrons for the fermentation of ideas on all forms of juggling, other forms of object manipulation, juggling and health, and the direction of the IJA.

 

Workshops were scheduled activities, but spontaneous shows developed randomly several times a day on the gym floor. One person (usually well known and talented) might demonstrate a trick for a small group of friends. Depending on the circumstances, the gravity generated by that small seminar attracted more spectators. Soon, the size of the crowd would induce other people to perform, and the show was off and running. They seemed to dissolve as mysteriously as they formed.

 

One of the earliest shows was a demonstration of artistic bicycling by a group of Europeans, who were in this country primarily to attend the Unicycling Society of America's convention the previous week in Syracuse. They showed an impressive variety of moves on two wheels, moving in all directions in a variety of postures (including a headstand!) .

 

 

That spontaneous generation of activity and friendship on the floor of the gym is surely the main reason IJA'ers continue to return to convention after convention.

 

Three of those present in Purchase, George Barvin, Bill Dietrich and Stu Raynolds, claimed attendance at the first IJA convention ever, in 1948 in Jamestown, N.Y.

 

Raynolds said that the increased size of conventions has dealt a blow to the folksier atmosphere of yore, but that 'getting together with that many people who are interested in the same thing you are is wonderful. It balances out.'

 

Another long-time member, official photographer Roger Dollarhide, joined the three aforementioned gentlemen on the roll of IJA Honorary Life Members. He was unanimously approved on the basis of his service in all top IJA elected offices during his 28 years of membership.

 

As founder of the championships in 1969, Dollarhide undoubtedly observed with some insight the open disappointment of some people with results of the U.S. Nationals competition. Anthony Gatto enthusiasts claim that the 10-year old was robbed, as his almost flawless performance with up to 7 balls and rings and 5 clubs only won third place. He earned the highest technique score of the day, but was edged out by higher performance scores for Edward Jackman and the winner, Allan Jacobs. Jacobs divided his act into club swinging and 3 club juggling, both performed in tight synchronization to lively music.

 

To Jacobs, Dollarhide and others, it was a clear indication of the judge's commitment to the entertainment value of an act in making their decisions.

 

Gatto went on to win the 5 club for time competition in the second-best IJA time ever. Another steady competitor, Tony Duncan, shattered the 7 ball record with a third  and-final try of 20.89 seconds. Gatto finished third there.

 

During two sessions with the board of directors, some members questioned the board's choice of Las Vegas as next year's convention site. Previously, members had picked the following year's convention site through a vote at the business meeting. It was explained that the process is not meant to discourage members from suggesting sites and producing conventions, but to establish an orderly and one-year-ahead site selection system. The majority of people were enthused about going to Las Vegas, though the date of the convention is not yet set.

 

In response to a motion at the 1982 convention, the board unveiled a new plan to allow all members to vote, through the balloting-by-mail system explained on page 16.

 

The Public Show disaster closed out the week on an unfortunate note. A sold-out crowd of 1,350 were on hand, and the acts which performed were marvelous. But, even substituting a 1-minute 7th inning stretch for intermission, there was too much talent for the allotted time. At 10 p.m. the house lights were turned on and the jugglers sent away, a harsh reminder of the 'real world' that conventioneers returned to the next day.

 

But, for a week and for the 36th time in a row, the 'real world' was distilled down into a gathering of jugglers for those who chose to come to Purchase. The fun and joy of their togetherness assures their return every time.