IJA Notes

 

The IJA executive board recently got together on the phone to discuss things. They set a 1986-87 fiscal year budget of $61,000, excluding convention expenses. Membership was listed as 2,176. Rich Chamberlin, secretary, turned over copyright of his "Comedy Juggling" book to the IJA and reprint of Roger Montandon's "The Jugglers Annual Bulletin" by the IJA was discussed.

 

Kevin Delagrange said his convention planning encompasses a search for show talent, organization of historical events and an awards ceremony, a Field Day, corporate sponsorship and pre-convention workshops. There are also plans for inductions into the new IJA Juggling Hall of Fame.

 

Enlargement of the board of directors or use of a new counsel of advisers was promoted to involve more people in IJA decision-making and responsibility­sharing. That plan does not preclude the 1987 elections, however. Anyone wanting to run for an IJA office (president, vice president, treasurer, championships director and three directors-at-large) should submit a statement of candidacy to the IJA by March 15.

 

A new membership survey was reviewed, and will be mailed to people renewing memberships.

 

Affiliates are invited to consider hosting an IJA annual convention. Proposals for the 1989 IJA convention site are being solicited for presentation at this summer's Akron convention. Call Rich.

 

If you're not up for handling the glories and headaches of an annual convention, how about staging a weekend IJA regional championships event? Can you work it into your planned festival? Contact championships director Barry Bakalor.

 

Please note that your membership renewal date is now printed on your mailing label. Renewals are still $15 per year, and you may renew for multiple years.

 

New Life Members

The IJA would like to thank the following people who have signed on as IJA Life Members since publication of the last issue of this magazine:

20. Mary Wisser, Chico, Calif.

21. Myron Wilcox, Porterville, Calif.

22. Richard S. Curtiss, Seattle, Wash.

23. Barry Friedman, Van Nuys, Calif.

24 & 25. Roy A. and Margaret Ann Melanson, Highland, Calif.

26. Craig Barnes, Berkeley, Calif.

27. Paul Kyprie, Ann Arbor, Mich.

28. Martin Frost, Palo Alto, Calif.

29. Bobby Jonte, Greeleyville, S.C.

 

Anyone interested in the Life Member program should contact the IJA office, Box 29, Kenmore, NY.

 

1987 convention approaches

Spirits are high among jugglers in Akron, Ohio, site of the IJA's forthcoming 40th Anniversary Annual Convention. The historical theme of the event will accent everything from the welcome party on Tuesday, July 13, to the final public show the following Saturday night, July 18. Eddie Johnson, an IJA founder, is organizing a Friday afternoon workshop panel of early members who will reminisce about juggling days of yore. Among those early members already planning on attending this year are Art Jennings, the IJA's first president, Bobby Jule, George Barvin, and Roger Dollarhide.

 

Convention chairman Kevin Delagrange is beginning the week on the University of Akron campus with an IJA birthday party in place of the traditional welcome party. The IJA private show Wednesday night will be "Old & New Vaudeville." If you're interested in presenting your talent, whichever category it fits, please contact Delagrange. Craig Barnes, producer of the Saturday night finale show, will be giving that convention grande finale an historical twist as well.

 

Delagrange promises comfort as well as entertainment. "We're looking at facilities like we've never had," he said. "The people are going to be comfortable and close. " Delagrange is being assisted in convention planning by fellow Rubber City Jugglers Tom Bennett and Denny Smith. For more information on any convention business, call Delagrange.

 

"I love convention, how can I help?" Read here!

The 40th anniversary Akron convention July 13-19 presents a good opportunity for increased involvement of IJA affiliates and clubs.

 

Here are a few ideas: Affiliates can handle various jobs around the convention site. Volunteer members of your club to handle stage preparation for an event, security for a day, organization of the parade, teach juggling lessons to the public, or whatever.

 

Sponsor an award for a deserving competitor. The Atlanta Jugglers Association kicked off this idea with its "Wild Style Award" at the 1986 convention.

 

Are you a juggling history buff? Display your collection, or help out in the History Lounge. Do it as a club and contribute to the success of the event, besides enjoying it as a participant.

 

And, win a 10 percent convention discount or props by teaching people to juggle! The IJA will give prizes to individuals and clubs teaching the most people to juggle on National Juggling Day, June 20, 1987. Jahnathon Whitfield and the California Institute have become the first to announce participation in the event. Join him with a one-day festival in your hometown and tickle new juggle-bones! Contact Tricia Allen.

 

Those interested in leading a workshop should be able to conduct a group in the designated subject for an hour and be prepared to create a syllabus to distribute to students. Workshop leaders who make arrangements ahead of time will receive a 10 percent discount on their convention package. Interested parties should contact Alexis Lee, Atlanta, GA.

 

Leaders are sought for the following subjects: Three balls, beginning and advanced; Club passing, beginning and advanced; Multiplex; Numbers juggling; Hat manipulation; Ball spinning; Diablo; Devil stick; Fire juggling and eating; Unicycle; Club swinging; Street performing; Magic; Physical comedy; Teaching juggling for a living; Comedy writing; Bounce juggling; Kickups; Juggling business; Mime and movement; Performance and coaching; Acrobatics; Ring juggling; Juggling and health; Balloon art; and Boomerang.