36-4,p20

FESTIVALS

ISLA VISTA, CALIFORNIA

The 8th Annual Isla Vista (California) Juggler's Festival was held April Fools weekend (as it is every year). Jugglers came from as far away as San Jose, Santa Cruz, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, Orange County, and Santa Barbara to reunite with old friends and make new ones.

In Anisq' Oyo Park on Saturday afternoon, there was open juggling, free instruction for spectators, and impromptu workshops for beginners.

The Public Show was held Saturday night indoors at the local Bagel Factory. Highlights included Larry Merlo and his amazing spinning rings, Dan Menendez with some remarkable head rolls, Dan Holzman and Barry Friedman (the comical Raspini Brothers), and the local host Stomboli Family.

After the live show, Barry Bakalor, video services coordinator for the IJA, showed about two hours of tape from his private collection.

Gusty winds did not discourage determined jugglers on Sunday, as spontaneous five club, six ball, and seven ball competitions took place. There was also a demolition derby and unscheduled workshops in hat and cigar box manipulation, devil sticks, and ball and club juggling.

By all accounts, the event was a complete success. Everyone is invited to come for the 9th festival next year March 30 and 31, 1985! - Thanks to the Stromboli Family

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

More than 90 jugglers from 12 states, including 1958 IJA president Bob Jackson, attended the 6th Annual Groundhog Day Jugglers Festival in Atlanta February 3-5.

Winners of the "Most Spectacular," "Most Incredible," and "Most Stupendous" trophies in Saturday afternoon competition were David B. Lowe of Atlanta, Edward Jackman of San Diego, California, and the Jongleur Jugglers of Gainesville, Florida (John Creveling, Yvonne Wetherell, and Mike Stillwell).

One of the Sunday afternoon Public Show highlights was a demonstration of a five person "anti-gravity machine." The machine was actually an elaborate club passing configuration, anchored by Rodger French, IJA affiliate coordinator. French stood on a rolling globe while other configurees included one person standing on the floor with a person standing on his shoulders facing the other way, a person on a tightrope, and a person on a unicycle. Their demonstration was brief, but well-appreciated.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Early February saw the largest gathering of jugglers in Southern California since the 1976 Los Angeles IJA convention, as more than 75 gathered at Hillcrest Park in Fullerton.

The picnic/juggle of the so-called California Silent Music Renaissance Jugglers Association was organized by Johnathon Whitfield of Santa Ana. Newspaper and television reporters covered the event, which many wellknown IJA members attended. They included Randy Pryor, Kit Summers, Jeff Abbit, Daniel Holzman, and Barry Friedman, all of whom presented an informal public show. .

The CSMRJA's second picnic was held March 18 at William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine. Mike Hatalski mastered a club cascade on a skatebike for a photographer. Donations received at both picnics covered the expenses.

Another group gathered over April Fool's weekend in Anaheim. Todd Strong from Seattle was on hand to demonstrate the new signature model devil stick now available from Juggle Bug.

Others present included young David Deeble, the IJA juniors champion, who is now working on five clubs and performing on cable TV, at magic shows, and the Beverly Hilton Hotel. .

- Thanks to Johnathon Whitfield and Mary Wisser