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Page 30 Spring 1988
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FESTIVALS
Jugglers
Learn Some Magic At
Convention
organizers Steve Kissel and Lou Page gathered about 25 jugglers and
175 other variety arts performers for a weekend of interdisciplinary
sharing at Circus Magic '88 in early March in
Workshops
on clowning, magic, balloon sculpture and ventriloquism gave jugglers
a chance to learn some auxiliary skills. Some of the other artists
were happy to join the jugglers in the huge, high-ceilinged banquet
hall of the George Washington Hotel for passing and trick-sharing as
well.
The
highlight of the weekend for jugglers was the Virginia State
Juggling Championships.
Benji
Hill, the 1987 IJA U.S. Nationals champion, outclassed everyone to
take first place in the seniors with his Las Vegasstyle juggling
of balls, clubs and rings. His constant shoulder throws with four
balls and four club single spins showed nonjugglers the
state of the art. Scot
Chalmers, a 28-year-old Virginia Beach electronics engineer and
part-time entertainer, took second place. Third was Harold
Wood, a young local magician who entertained with comedy and
some capable juggling on the unicycle.
The
class of the juniors was 17 - year-old Jonathan Austin of Richmond,
Va. Austin works at Kings Dominion theme park and competed in the 1986
IJA Juniors Championship. He showed a good ,sense of humor and
technical capability with up to five clubs. In one impressive display,
he had an audience volunteer toss a fourth club into his three club
cascade. Despite poor throws on both occasions when he performed it,
Austin fielded the toss and maintained went into a four club pattern.
Benji
Hill also won the numbers trophy by successfully juggling six balls,
five clubs and eight rings for a total of 19 points. Austin finished
second with 16 points, matching Hill in balls and clubs but only
managing five rings. |
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