JuggleTime

26 min. video from JuggleBug Productions. $14.95 from Jugglebug outlets or from Edmonds, WA.

Dave Finnigan has spent most of his adult life spreading the fun and challenge of juggling to hundreds of thousands of young people. The former IJA education director and creator of "Professor Confidence" recently received the first IJA Excellence in Education Award for his efforts. Finnigan is well-known for incorporating a wide variety of teaching styles and techniques to help children learn, while at the same time encouraging a positive self-image. Now we have a new video of Finnigan's teaching entitled JuggleTIme. This video is a solid demonstration of his enthusiasm, creativity and skill through the art of juggling.

Finnigan uses scarves to help children "chunk down" the various cascade movements into manageable bits. Each new bit of the technique is taught through the use of imaginative songs, written and performed by Joey Kline. I particularly liked the wide variety of song styles and rhythms that are used: from folk-song and ballad tunes, to 50's-versions of rock 'n' roll and even a Calypso number. The songs (such as "The Juggle Bug Rock," "Infinity Sign," "Criss-cross Applesauce," and "Juggle-uggle-uggle-uggle­uggle-ing") average about three minutes and are lip-synched by the cast who wear a wide variety of sometimes outrageous costumes.

The tape may be played a section at a time, or all the way through at once. Energetic graphic and camera tricks enliven the proceedings. By the end of this video, the average young person should be merrily tossing scarves in a number of patterns. I'm also willing to bet that very few adults will be able to sit by and just watch their child learn to these tunes without a bit of toe­tapping or singalong themselves.

I have two small criticisms. The lip-synching is often quite erratic, rarely looking like the person on camera is actually doing it. There are even a number of moments where we see the performer forget what he is supposed to be singing and the result is clumsy. A bit more practice and care in this would vastly improve the professional quality of the performances. Second, it would have been nice to have seen an older woman involved in the silliness. Still, there is real charm to seeing these adults and children enjoying themselves and playing strongly to the viewer. Much of the power of the tape comes through seeing children modeling the step-by­step process. This is one video that never forgets its purpose is to create a confident, positive and creative atmosphere in which young people can learn to the best of their abilities. The short length of the tape makes it ideal even for very young children. I showed my copy to my four­year-old and, although he only made it to "Criss­cross, Applesauce," he had a lot of fun and took the challenges presented enthusiastically.

Dave Finnigan demonstrates a wonderful lesson: juggling is as much an attitude as a set of skills. I highly recommend JuggleTime for children and teachers of children.

by Craig Turner