Convention Veterans Put Akron in Perspective

by Russ Kaufman

 

Looking around at a large gym crowded with jugglers, Roger Dollarhide thought back to the 1968 convention he sponsored as a small picnic in a California back yard.

 

"It's great to see so many people at the convention, and so many getting involved in the IJA," said Dollarhide, an Honorary Life Member and founder of the IJA championships. Stu Raynolds, another Honorary Life Member from Wilmington , Del. , commented that "the early thinking was that too big was no good for the IJA, but I don't think the organization could ever get big enough. I'm very pleased with this year's turnout."

 

Many senior IJA members attended the 40th Anniversary convention and were eager to share some of their views on the vast changes they've seen over the years.

 

Those present included three founders ­ George Barvin, Art Jennings and "Easy Eddie" Johnson, as well as long-time members Al Bernard, Claude Crumley, Bill Dietrich, Dollarhide, Jay Green, Bobby Jule, Johnny Lux, Emily May and Raynolds.

 

They spent many hours reminiscing amongst themselves about former, smaller conventions on the floor or in the comfortably appointed history lounge, where old films were shown during a special historical seminar. Two of the oldsters, Green and Lux, presented beautiful acts during convention shows that reinforced for younger members the primacy of entertainment in juggling performance.

 

Jennings pointed out many times during the convention that performing was a more formal profession in the past. "The emphasis was on a different syllable," he said. The technical jugglers of the day didn't fare as well as the comedy jugglers.

 

Jennings believes we may be seeing this turn full circle, going from entertainment in the old days to more technical work in recent days and returning now to more emphasis on entertainment. He cited the Karamazov Brothers show "Comedy Of Errors" as an example of excellent juggling entertainment.

 

Jennings also recalled the formality of the period. There was little "freestyling" in a performance. Juggling, he believes, was much more disciplined. Clubs were always passed and caught at the "proper" end. People always wore their best clothes to the theatre. Tricks had to be "on the level." Any trick props that made an act easier would have given the entertainer a bad reputation in the business.

 

A lot of senior IJA'ers missed the variety of the old days. Some said they would like to see a revival of hoop juggling, and Indritz asked where all the foot jugglers have gone. Honorary Life Member Bill Dietrich, said he'd like more people to join him in ball bounce juggling.

 

One thing that does not wane among seniors is their continued enthusiasm and dedication to juggling. Indritz, a former gymnast; feels juggling offers endless variations and challenge. Dietrich lamented that "It's sad the rest of the world doesn't juggle. It's like juggling doesn't exist outside this convention hall. It sort of makes you feel sorry for everyone out there!"